Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Coastal ecology

Our research areas are subdivided in themes. Within these themes you will find related projects, pilots and info pages. The centre also provides extensive expertise on protection and restoration, long-term monitoring, modelling and data usage. Many projects use one or more of these specific methods.  

Sediment Forms the constantly changing sea floor, the morphodynamic system of the area
Microalgae Form the base of the food web, they get their energy from the sun
Macrozoobenthos Form the matter in between primary production and birds and fish
Fish Thrive in the shallow sheltered waters of the nutrient-rich marine realm
Birds Searching for food during low tide, and rest together during high tides
Parasites Live a hidden life in or on their hosts and can affect hosts and ecosystems
Marine mammals Top predators that function as keystone species in the marine realm
Seaweed Marine macroscopic algea, an attractive source of biomass
Vegetation Vegetated coastal ecosystems requires landscape forming plants.