Dr Matthias Schmidt Thomsen is a Visiting Fellow within Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton at the University of Southampton.
MSci Marine Biology, University of Southampton (2009-2013)
PhD Marine Ecology, University of Southampton (2014-2018)
Senior Scientist, Intertek Energy and Water (2019-2021)
I am a marine benthic ecologist with an interest in understanding how species communities interact with environmental changes to determine the wider implications for ecological processes that are important for ecosystem functioning, such as the cycling of nutrients.
Anthropogenic and environmental change, such as warming and CO2 are modifying ecosystems, changing community dynamics and the web of interacting species.
Using sophisticated laboratory experiments, my current research investigates how different aspects of microplastics and additive pollutants interact under future climate change conditions to affect benthic invertebrate species behaviour, bioturbation processes and associated ecosystem functions.
A key part of my research has focused on exploring the role of species compensatory responses, a fundamental aspect of biodiversity change, and how these influence biodiversity-ecosystem function relations in natural systems. To do this, I develop ecological theory that can be tested in empirical studies and trait-based models.
My work adopts a range of approaches, including large-scale mesocosm experiments, field observation and trait-based models to examine biodiversity and ecosystem response patterns.
In addition, I have two years of industry experience as a Senior Scientist in the energy and water industry.