Richard Unsworth

Swansea University, Biosciences, Faculty Member

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Richard's expertise lies in macroecological structuring processes of seagrass systems, focusing on the interrelationships between foundation species, habitat, and associated productive fauna. He is particularly interested in the consequences of cross-scale environmental changes on seagrass system functioning and the implications of this for society. Richard has more than ten years’ experience of research in tropical marine systems.

Based within the SEACAMS team at Swansea, he leads the level 3 module in 'Tropical marine ecology and conservation' and teaches on the MSc module 'Conservation of aquatic resources'.

After completing his PhD in 2007, Richard conducted research and consulting work for Sinclair Knight Merz, Brisbane and the Northern Fisheries Centre, Queensland, Australia. He has also worked as an senior ecology lecturer at University of Glamorgan.

He is an academic editor at PLoS One and vice-president of the World Seagrass Association.

His current research projects include the impact of climate variability on seagrass ecosystems, ocean acidification and seagrass, and the ecosystem service provision of seagrass.

Funding is currently through SEACAMS, the Waterloo Foundation and the Ocean Foundation.

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Books by Richard Unsworth

Seagrass ecology and threats in the tropical Indo-Pacific bioregion

ABSTRACT Seagrass meadows are critical components of Indo-Pacific tropical marine environments pr... more ABSTRACT Seagrass meadows are critical components of Indo-Pacific tropical marine environments providing some of the most economically important ecosystem services of any marine habitat. Many coastal traditional ways of life are intricately associated with seagrasses for food, recreation and spiritual fulfilment. These unique marine flowering plants are found mainly in clear, shallow, sheltered, estuarine and coastal waters with as many as 24 of the worlds '72 seagrass species found in the region.

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Biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the conservation of seagrass meadows

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Marine Conservation and Research in the Coral Triangle: The Wakatobi National Park‏

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Aspects of the ecology of Indo-Pacific seagrass systems

When in trouble or doubt remember Grandpas cry (aged 11 years old) and shout:

format_quoteGrouper populations in Wakatobi Marine National Park declined by about 50% over five years, underscoring urgent need for fisheries management.format_quote

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Papers by Richard Unsworth

Structuring of Indo-Pacific fish assemblages along the mangrove-seagrass continuum

by Samantha Garrard and Richard Unsworth

Aquatic Biology, Jan 1, 2009

Indo-Pacific mangrove swamps and seagrass beds are commonly located in close proximity to each ot... more Indo-Pacific mangrove swamps and seagrass beds are commonly located in close proximity to each other, often creating complex ecosystems linked by biological and physical processes. Although they are thought to provide important nursery habitats for fish, only limited information exists about their usage by fish outside of estuaries. The present study investigated fish assemblages in non-estuarine intertidal habitats where mangroves and seagrass overlap (the mangrove-seagrass continuum). Three habitats (mangrove, mangrove edge, seagrass) were sampled at 4 sites of the Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia, using underwater visual census. Ninety-one species of fish were observed at a mean density of 130.1 ± 37.2 ind. 1000 m -2 . Predatory fish (fish that feed on invertebrates and/or fish) were the most dominant feeding groups in the mangroves, whilst omnivores dominated on the mangrove edge and in the seagrass. Although the habitats along the mangrove-seagrass continuum were observed to be important for many fish, only 22 of the 942 coral reef species known within the area utilised mangroves as nursery habitat and only 15 utilised seagrass. Despite finding evidence that nursery grounds in mangroves and seagrass may not directly support high coral reef fish diversity, many of the coral reef nursery species found in this study are likely to be key herbivores or apex predators as adult fish on local coral reefs, and thus highly important to local fisheries. Although mangroves are not permanently inundated by the tide, this study highlights their importance as fish habitats, which at high tide support a greater abundance of fish than seagrass beds. In the light of the high rate of destruction of these habitats, their role in supporting fish assemblages requires consideration in marine resource management programs.

format_quoteMangroves elevate fish abundance significantly at high tide, although they do not directly support high coral reef fish diversity.format_quote

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A framework for the resilience of seagrass ecosystems

by Richard Unsworth, Catherine Collier, and Michelle Waycott

Seagrass ecosystems represent a global marine resource that is declining across its range. To hal... more Seagrass ecosystems represent a global marine resource that is declining across its range. To halt degradation and promote recovery over large scales, management requires a radical change in emphasis and application that seeks to enhance seagrass ecosystem resilience. In this review we examine how the resilience of seagrass ecosystems is becoming compromised by a range of local to global stressors, resulting in ecological regime shifts that undermine the long-term viability of these productive ecosystems. To examine regime shifts and the management actions that can influence this phenomenon we present a conceptual model of resilience in seagrass ecosystems. The model is founded on a series of features and modifiers that act as interacting influences upon seagrass ecosystem resilience. Improved understanding and appreciation of the factors and modifiers that govern resilience in seagrass ecosystems can be utilised to support much needed evidence based management of a vital natural resource.

format_quoteHuman activities have led to alarming declines in seagrass habitats, often resulting in irreversible ecosystem tipping points.format_quote

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Valuing and evaluating marine ecosystem services: putting the right price on marine environments?

The flow of ecosystem services from coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests sustains t... more The flow of ecosystem services from coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests sustains the livelihoods of billions of people worldwide. Faced with the global degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems, policy-makers are increasingly focusing on ecosystem service valuation techniques to encourage conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Here we provide a review and synthesis of the available information on economic valuation techniques as applied to tropical marine habitats. Our study demonstrates the high variability and lack of consistency in outcomes from these studies. We conclude that, if the concept of ecosystem goods and services is to make a positive contribution towards managing the impacts of humans on the environment, then economic valuation approaches must reflect the inherent limitations of economic theory whilst emphasising the complexity and heterogeneity of the natural environment and human decision-making.

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Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) benefits from the availability of seagrass (Zostera marina) nursery habitat

by Richard Unsworth and Richard J Lilley

Global Ecology & Conservation, 2014

The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a species of significant economic and historic importance but ... more The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a species of significant economic and historic importance but infamous for its decline. Apart from overfishing, the causes of this decline and its subsequent lack of recovery remain largely unresolved. Indeed, the degree to which specific habitats are important for this species remains unquantified at the scale of North Atlantic. Here, the literature on the role of eelgrass meadows (Zostera marina) as valuable nursery habitat for the Atlantic cod is reviewed and synthesized. Evidence is presented on relative densities of Atlantic cod in shallow water environments and in eelgrass meadows in comparison to alternative habitats. In addition, evidence pertaining to the ’viability gains’ attributed to the use of eelgrass meadows as nursery habitat (growth and survival) by juvenile Atlantic cod is analyzed. Although juvenile Atlantic cod use of Z. marina is found to be facultative, when possible, available literatures indicates that they may select Z. marina as a nursery habitat where they are found in high density (average of at least 246 ha−1). From their use of Z. marina habitat the juvenile Atlantic cod receives viability benefits from it, improving their chances of reaching maturation. This paper provides strong evidence that eelgrass meadows are of significant importance to contributing to Atlantic cod stocks.

format_quoteJuvenile cod density was 341.6 ± 116.4 cod/ha in the North West Atlantic vs. 235.6 ± 23.5 cod/ha in the North East Atlantic.format_quote

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