Grace Long

Grace Long

Profile

I graduated from the University of Exeter with BSc (Hons) Zoology (2021) followed by MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation (2022). During my Master’s I developed a keen interest in the ecosystem function of apex predators and the value of Blue Carbon, not only as a prominent habitat but also for its impact mitigating climate change via carbon sequestration. My MSc thesis, titled Changes in blue carbon habitats impact biodiversity, behaviour, and body condition of large mobile consumers investigated the impact of Blue Carbon on elasmobranchs within the Bahama Banks, through the use of BRUVs. This work was done in collaboration with Beneath The Waves, and I have continued to work with them investigating deep-sea biodiversity within the Tongue of the Ocean.

Grace Long

PhD title: "Ecosystem function of key marine habitats in the Mediterranean: shallow seagrasses to deep coralligenous reefs"

This PhD is a collaboration between the University of Essex and Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, based in the Aegean Sea. The Aegean contains habitats ranging from shallow seagrass meadows to deep-sea coralligenous reefs. These habitats provide carbon sequestration, key ecosystem functioning, such as nursery grounds for coastal fisheries, and boast incredible biodiversity. These key habitats, however, are mostly unstudied and unprotected from anthropogenic impacts, particularly trawling. This PhD aims to map these habitats and conduct biodiversity surveys. The project also aims to provide detailed quantification of the carbon sequestration capabilities of Posidonia oceanica and other native and non-native seagrass species. Resultant scientific evidence collected will be used to highlight the importance of these habitats, identify key areas, and drive protection and restoration policies. Specifically, it is hoped this evidence will support the EU trawling ban over coralligenous habitats for three new marine areas, following a pilot study conducted in 2021.