Looking at intra-specific variation for successful fisheries management and biodiversity conservation

Did you know that biodiversity is not just species diversity?

Biological diversity spans from genes to ecosystems, also including the diversity of populations and individuals that constitute a species, also know as intra-specific variation.  An important goal of the CODCHANGE project is to generate new knowledge on Atlantic cod intra-specific variation, in particular genetically diverging populations or ecotypes. In our study system in Skagerrak, two Atlantic cod ecotypes coexist: an inshore or fjord ecotype and an offshore or North Sea ecotype. Apart from being genetically divergent, previous research have determined that both ecotypes have differences in body growth, movement behaviour and diet that are indicative of different local adaptations and ecological roles. In this project we will investigate differences in demographic parameters between ecotypes to better understand their ecology and population dynamics, and hopefully improve the management of coastal cod populations and the conservation of biodiversity in the coastal zone.