ALANIS (Impacts of artificial light at night on pelagic ecosystems in European seas)

Project Description
The ALANIS project investigates how artificial light at night (ALAN) and coastal darkening affect aquatic ecosystems, particularly zooplankton diel vertical migration. Light changes disrupt predator-prey dynamics and key ecosystem functions. Using lab experiments, field studies, remote sensing, and ecosystem modelling, the project will assess zooplankton responses to varying light conditions across diverse European waters. Outputs include a high-resolution ALAN atlas and risk map, integrated into models predicting ecological impacts such as changes in export flux. Findings will support marine management and be shared through a Web-GIS platform for collaborative research and policy development.
Project Contact

Contact Email: ruediger.roettgers@hereon.de

Project Details

Principal Investigator : Dr Rüdiger Röttgers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Germany

Project Duration : 36 Months

Project Status : Active

Funder Details

Funder : JPI-Oceans Joint Action ‘Changing Marine Lightscapes’

Collaborating institutions

  • University of Strathclyde - Dr David McKee
  • Scottish Association for Marine Science - Dr Kim Last
  • Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) - Dr Andrew Banks
  • Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences - Prof Tymon Zielinski
  • MaREI Centre, ERI, University College Cork - Ms Kathrin Kopke
  • SINTEF Ocean Brattørkaia - Dr Muriel Dunn
  • University of Bergen, Department of Biological Sciences, Theoretical Ecology Group - Dr Tom Langbehn
  • UiT The Arctic University of Norway - Dr Malin Daase
  • University of Delaware - Prof Jonathan Cohen

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