Cold-water coral ecosystems in Danish and adjacent waters: knowledge recovery, ecological resilience, and future conservation strategies
Author
Mica, Emilia-Gabriela
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2026
Pages
37
Abstract
Cold-water corals occur in Danish and nearby Scandinavian waters, but knowledge about their distribution, conservation importance, and restoration potential is fragmented. This thesis examines how knowledge about cold-water coral ecosystems can be recovered, organized, and translated into future conservation and restoration strategies that strengthen marine ecosystem resilience. Using a qualitative case study, the research combines document-based work, study visits, observations, and semi-structured interviews. The findings show that Alcyonium digitatum is present in Danish waters but is poorly mapped and rarely highlighted in conservation discussions, while Lophelia pertusa has stronger restoration relevance in Sweden and Norway. Drawing on socio-ecological systems (the links between society and nature) and resilience theory (ecosystems’ ability to cope with change), the thesis proposes an exploratory decision-making framework for future conservation pathways, recommending that efforts start with knowledge recovery, monitoring, and species-specific assessments before active restoration is considered.
Koldtvandskoraller findes i danske og nærliggende skandinaviske farvande, men viden om deres udbredelse, bevaringsmæssige betydning og potentiale for restaurering er spredt. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan viden om koldtvandskoral-økosystemer kan genfindes, struktureres og omsættes til fremtidige bevarings- og restaureringsstrategier, der styrker havets økosystemers modstandskraft. Med et kvalitativt casestudie kombineres dokumentstudier, studiebesøg, observationer og semistrukturerede interviews. Resultaterne viser, at Alcyonium digitatum findes i danske farvande, men er dårligt kortlagt og kun i begrænset omfang synlig i bevaringsdebatten, mens Lophelia pertusa har større relevans for restaurering i Sverige og Norge. Med afsæt i socio-økologiske systemer (samspillet mellem samfund og natur) og resiliens-teori (økosystemers evne til at håndtere forandringer) udvikler specialet en eksplorativ beslutningsramme for fremtidige bevaringsindsatser, som peger på, at arbejdet bør begynde med vidensgenopretning, overvågning og artsvise vurderinger, før aktiv restaurering overvejes.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]