Recommendations for improving maerl bed protection, informed by a combined genetic, physiology and modelling approach

Maerl is a type of free-living red seaweed which forms hard calcium carbonate skeletons, giving it a similar appearance to coral. Accumulations of maerl form 'beds' that are found worldwide, from the intertidal zone to hundreds of meters below the sea surface. 30% of Europe's maerl beds are found along the west coast of Scotland and the islands.
Maerl is a bioengineer, creating complex 3D structures and ecological niches which support a high levels of biodiversity and provide important habitats for commercially important species like Cod, Hake and Scallops. Similarly, maerl beds are important stocks of Blue Carbon - they take in carbon dioxide and fix it in biological processes. Despite their importance, maerl beds are threatened by changing climates and human activities such as demersal fishing and aquaculture.
Maerl beds are protected both under Annex I of the Habitats Directive and many around Scotland are in Marine Protected Areas, however the placement of these is based on a paucity of data. Therefore, this project aims to improve conservation and management practices through the use of genetics physiology and modelling.
The full extent of maerl beds around Scotland is not known, so the first aim is to use species distribution modelling to construct a probabilistic distribution map and identify areas where maerl beds could occur. These probabilistic distributions will be informed by current known maerl distributions and environmental data such as water temperature and tidal action. The areas identified with high-potential to support maerl will be validated by field investigation.
The genetic connectivity of maerl beds, the within-bed genetic structure and reproductive strategy will be investigated in order to better understand linkage and inform conservation strategy. Any genetic sinks, beds of low genetic diversity or those dominated by asexual reproduction will be identified. Microsatellite markers will be developed in order to maximise data quality.
The carbon sequestration capacities of the common Scottish maerl species will be evaluated to improve understanding of maerl's role in blue carbon processing. This coupled with understanding of genetic linkage of beds around Scotland will be used to evaluate current conservation strategies for maerl and make recommendations for more targeted and effective policies in the future, if necessary. Areas of conservation priority, such as those which are sources of genetic material for surrounding beds, those with high genetic diversity or those with high carbon sequestration capacities, will be identified and recommended as areas for conservation.