A visiting German marine biologist is delivering a free lecture in Tauranga on how climate change is affecting seaweeds.

Professor Kai Bischof will discuss the multiple and vital ecological functions performed by seaweeds in coastal ecosystems while showing how some species, such as sea lettuce, may become a nuisance once released from their controlling factors.

Professor Kai Bischof.

The lecture will also explore how seaweeds along New Zealand's coastline are coping with habitat changes. Kai will talk about the biology and ecology of giant kelp which forms dense underwater forests along the New Zealand coastline, and its associated communities.

The professor will also address the question of whether seaweeds are to be considered winners or losers of global climate change.

His research focuses on the ecophysiology of seaweeds and seagrass in a changing environment. His work is contributing to broad scale research underway to predict the future development of coastal ecosystems under global and regional environmental change.

Professor Bischof heads Bremen's department of Marine Botany and is visiting Tauranga as part of a large delegation meeting with the University of Waikato's Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The Universities of Waikato and Bremen jointly operate the multidisciplinary INTERCOAST programme – set up in 2010 to bring international PhD students to New Zealand to focus on marine research in the Bay of Plenty.

Similar research is conducted around the North Sea in Germany, where Waikato doctoral students travel to further their own research.

The free lecture will be held from 5.30-6.30pm on Monday, February 18 at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive, Sulphur Point.

For more information call Rowan Marsh on 578 5927.