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Project Title: Fish association and utilisation of estuarine habitats across differing levels of human impact in the Thames
Summary: Estuarine ecosystems support some of the most biologically productive intertidal habitats, sustaining diverse fish communities through complex food webs and connectivity. However, human-induced pressures, including urbanisation, degradation, and climate change, threaten the ecological integrity of these habitats. The Thames Estuary (UK) has experienced significant historic habitat loss,
impacting fish populations and ecosystem resilience. Although ongoing intertidal habitat creation and restoration efforts aim to address these issues, the ecological functions of these habitats remain insufficiently understood. This study seeks to fill this knowledge gap by investigating how fish utilise created and restored intertidal habitats, examining their trophic interactions, and assessing the role of connectivity in maintaining estuarine ecosystem function.
A multidisciplinary approach integrating traditional net-based sampling, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis (including gut content metabarcoding/metagenomics), stable isotope analysis, and functional guild assessments will be used to evaluate species diversity, diet composition, and habitat quality. Environmental variables including salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen will be incorporated to explore how physicochemical gradients and habitat characteristics influence fish distribution, foraging behaviour, trophic dynamics, and ecosystem functioning.
The findings will provide valuable insights to inform evidence-based restoration strategies, ensuring that habitat interventions enhance ecological resilience and sustain fish populations while improving connectivity in the Thames Estuary.
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