Marine science recognition highlights innovation and global collaboration

Professor Joanne Preston has been awarded the PlyMSEF medal and is thus the speaker for this year's medal lecture designated by the Plymouth Marine Science and Education Foundation (PlyMSEF). According to the justification provided by the organizers, the lecture forms an annual event at Plymouth University to honor eminent contributions to marine science. Moreover, the organizers further added that it is indeed a great honor to be selected for this lecture, particularly for scientists who straddle the divide between enhancing scientific understanding and practical conservation."

Earlier this month, Professor Preston delivered the thirty-eighth PlyMSEF Medal Lecture. Her talk was entitled “Joining the blue dots”, defining seascape connectivity to reimagine nature restoration ambitions in which she brought insights from her pioneering research in coastal restoration ecology. It was a homecoming for her since this was where her career started as a postdoctoral researcher. Past winners of such eminence have included among their accolades the PlyMSEF Medal and a few of the most influential marine scientists in the UK, many of whom have been awarded distinction as Fellows of the Royal Society. Professor Preston is the first within this Marine Science Recognition UK award from the University of Portsmouth.

In reflecting upon the award, Professor Preston noted that it was a great honor to have been recognized together with such inspirational scientists. She mentioned that being near Plymouth conjured memories of where she began professionally and felt that it was coming full circle to continue working with marine research institutes there in the city. One most fulfilling thing in her life had been collaboration with scientists around the world to better understand the oceans and learn how human beings can live alongside nature.

In her Seascape Ecology and Restoration Lab at Portsmouth, Professor Preston conducted research examining biodiversity, structure, and function in coastal temperate habitats (oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, saltmarshes) and their ecological connectivity. At this stage, this is particularly relevant, considering the severe losses coastal habitats have incurred over the last two centuries.

Experts have suggested that amongst these losses is the loss of vital ecosystem services: water quality maintenance, fish nursery habitats, and carbon storage. The loss of these services has put pressure on human sustenance and climate regulation. Hence, restoration work becomes urgent and relevant. She had the scientific lead for both the Solent Seascape Project, which is the UK's first seascape restoration project funded by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, and the Blue Marine Foundation's Oyster Restoration Project in the Solent.

The project underlines the critical connection between how revitalisation of coastal waters can be achieved through the restoration of saltmarsh, oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, bird populations and habitat connectivity.Moreover Professor Preston’s work which focused on restoration projects is a strong fit for the University of Portsmouth Research Award.This award is mainly aimed at handling the global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, the projects mentions the practical benefits that UK-based marine science and innovation can provide to serve both people and environment.

Editor's Note

The awarding of the PlyMSEF medal to Professor Joanne Preston highlights the increasing relevance of marine science in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Working at the University of Portsmouth Marine Science Institute, she shows how research can support the restoration of coastal habitats and deliver benefits for people and the planet. The Solent Oyster Restoration Project and Solent Seascape Project, both under her leadership, are among the projects of utmost importance to restore the habitats that have been neglected for the last two centuries. Those habitats,oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, and saltmarshes,provide vital services such as clean water, fish nursery grounds, and carbon storage. The restoration of these habitat types will improve biodiversity, strengthen climate regulation, and support local communities. Moreover, her study shows that healthy marine ecosystems rely on interconnectivity between different habitats. Through promoting seascape connectivity, Professor Preston is putting forth the notion that restoration can be better achieved when habitats are restored in concert instead of isolation. This very innovative methodology serves as a great demonstration for upcoming conservation endeavors both in the UK and beyond. The potential changes resulting from these projects are immense. The projects will not only affect coastal water health but will also create opportunities for collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and communities. They strongly enforce the role of UK universities in leading marine research and innovation and provide in situ educational opportunities for students to engage in real-world projects addressing global issues.

Skoobuzz highlights that the works of Professor Preston embody the University of Portsmouth's commitment to addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis through applied solutions. This strengthens an existing message: through science, working together with communities, and stimulating restoration, we can enable ecosystem recovery and provide a more sustainable future.

FAQs

1. Why was the University of Portsmouth professor awarded a marine science medal?

Professor Joanne Preston received the PlyMSEF medal for her pioneering research in coastal restoration ecology and her significant contributions to marine science and conservation.

2. What is the PlyMSEF Medal Lecture?

The PlyMSEF Medal Lecture is an annual event at the University of Plymouth that honours scientists whose work has advanced marine science and influenced conservation practices.

3. What was the focus of Professor Preston’s lecture?

Her lecture, Joining the blue dots – defining seascape connectivity to reimagine nature restoration ambitions, explored how ecological connections between habitats can strengthen restoration efforts.

4. Has the University of Portsmouth received this recognition before?

Professor Preston is the first University of Portsmouth scientist to win the PlyMSEF award, marking a milestone for the institution.

5. What contributions has Portsmouth University made to marine research?

The University of Portsmouth leads innovative projects in seascape ecology and restoration, focusing on oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, and saltmarshes, and their ecological connectivity.

6. Why are coastal restoration projects important?

Experts explained that coastal habitats have suffered severe losses over the past two centuries, removing vital ecosystem services such as water quality regulation, fish nursery habitats, and carbon storage. Restoration helps recover these essential functions.

7. Which marine science projects are led by the University of Portsmouth? 

Professor Preston is the scientific lead for the Solent Oyster Restoration Project and the Solent Seascape Project, the UK’s first seascape restoration initiative funded by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme.

8. What changes will these projects bring?

The projects aim to restore oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, saltmarsh, and bird populations, reconnecting habitats to revive coastal waters and improve biodiversity.

9. How does the University of Portsmouth support marine biology students?

By leading world‑class restoration projects and research labs, the University provides students with opportunities to engage in practical, real‑world marine science and conservation.

10. What is the significance of receiving a prestigious marine science medal in the UK?

Receiving the PlyMSEF medal places Professor Preston among the country’s most influential marine scientists and highlights the University of Portsmouth’s role in advancing marine research and innovation in the UK.