Inaugural Lecture

Inaugural lecture by Martin Lindegren

The title of the lecture is "How to ‘B-USEFUL’ in marine biodiversity conservation: from monitoring to decision-making". The lecture will be followed by a reception.

Professor Martin Lindegren, DTU Aqua, will give his inaugural lecture on Friday, 10 October 2025, at 2 p.m. in celebration of his appointment as professor in marine biodiversity at DTU.

The title of the lecture is "How to ‘B-USEFUL’ in marine biodiversity conservation: from monitoring to decision-making". A reception will follow the lecture.

The lecture will be held at DTU, Anker Engelunds Vej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, building 101, meeting room S01. It is also possible to follow the lecture online in Zoom via this link

The reception will be held in the Biosphere on the 1st floor in building 202.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Questions about the event
Please contact Secretary Maj-Britt Willandsen, mwil@aqua.dtu.dk

About Martin Lindegren and his research

Martin Lindegren was appointed professor in marine biodiversity at DTU in March 2025. He holds a PhD in marine ecology from Copenhagen University in 2010.

After a few years as an international postdoc, including a fellowship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego), he joined DTU Aqua in 2014 as a researcher and co-PI of the Centre for Ocean Life. Here he started developing his own research group, partly funded by a prestigious VILLUM Young Investigator Grant.

His group focuses on investigating the underlying mechanisms determining the diversity and composition of marine communities, as well as the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems at large. The work includes compiling and analyzing large-scale monitoring data of marine species distributions and abundances in both time and space, as well as their key adaptations and characteristics (i.e., traits) under different environmental conditions.

The insight gained from this work has improved our understanding of the key assembly processes and drivers affecting biodiversity and the potential impacts of both natural and human pressures (e.g., climate change and overexploitation).

The derived knowledge, as well as maps and indicators of biodiversity may inform better policy and management actions (e.g., designation of marine protected areas), serving to safeguard marine biodiversity and ensure a sustainable use of marine resources.

Abstract of Martin Lindegren’s lecture

How to “B-USEFUL” in marine biodiversity conservation: from monitoring to decision-making
We are currently experiencing a rapid and accelerating loss of marine biodiversity worldwide which threatens not only unique habitats and species, but also key ecosystem functions and services essential for our well-being (e.g., food provisioning and climate regulation).

Tackling the “biodiversity crisis” requires well-informed science advice allowing managers to devise conservation actions for biodiversity protection and restoration, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).

However, to ensure that such actions are efficient, it is of paramount importance to improve our capacity to map and assess the status of biodiversity in space and time, as well as anticipating the risk and responses of biodiversity to human impacts (e.g, climate change and overexploitation).

This requires appropriate monitoring programs and state-of-the-art models capable of generating new process knowledge while representing multiple aspects of biodiversity. Such improved knowledge and tools may in turn allow managers to evaluate and select actions achieving conservation targets (e.g., MPAs), while minimizing trade-offs with other maritime sectors (e.g., fishing and offshore energy).

In this presentation, I will provide an overview showcasing research and visions towards improved monitoring, modelling and management of marine biodiversity in European waters and beyond.

Contact

Martin Olof Lindegren Professor National Institute of Aquatic Resources Phone: +45 35883492 mli@aqua.dtu.dk