Abstract
Estuarine ecosystems are among the most productive environments on Earth, supporting diverse fish communities through complex food webs and habitat linkages. Yet, pressures such as urbanisation, habitat degradation, and climate change have eroded their ecological integrity. The Thames Estuary (UK) has experienced significant historic habitat loss, impacting fish populations and ecosystem resilience. Although restoration and habitat creation projects are underway, their effectiveness in supporting fish communities and ecosystem functions remains uncertain.
This study will examine how fish use intertidal habitats of differing condition—natural, degraded, restored, and engineered—across the Thames Estuary. It integrates environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys, traditional fish sampling, gut content metabarcoding, and stable isotope analysis to assess fish diversity, biomass, trophic interactions, and functional roles. Environmental variables such as salinity, temperature, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen will also be measured to understand how physicochemical gradients shape habitat use and food web structure.
By linking community composition, functional diversity, and trophic connectivity, the research will provide new insight into how restored and engineered habitats function for fish. The findings will inform evidence-based restoration and management strategies aimed at enhancing ecological resilience and connectivity within the Thames Estuary.
Example habitats
