The challenge in understanding how natural ecosystems work is linked to the complexity of ecological relationships between species, functional traits and ecosystem functions. Most of the current frameworks to studying the relationships within fundamental ecology overlook ecosystem multifunctionality, i.e., the fact that multiple species of various trait assemblages simultaneously contribute to multiple functions. Moreover, ecosystem multifunctionality has been mainly studied on the terrestrial systems of much simpler dynamics and less heterogeneity compared to their marine counterparts. Understanding the complexity within ecosystem multifunctionality in the real-world complex systems is a critical step to be able to improve our knowledge and management of socio-ecological systems. In this thesis, I develop different ways of characterising ecosystem multifunctionality in coastal marine systems. The frameworks that I developed are Network Analysis of Traits, Bayesian Belief Multifunctionality Framework and Multivariate Network Analysis. These frameworks incorporate network theory that supports a holistic and transparent analysis of multifunctional relationships and provides insights into changes in community composition, changes in functional diversity, redundancy patterns, ecosystem resilience and functional synergies and trade-offs that can result from forcing an ecosystem in a particular direction. The frameworks were tested on real-world complex coastal ecosystems, namely, the intertidal sandflats of Kaipara Harbour and Whangateau Harbour, New Zealand. This thesis begins with Introduction, where I explain the background of my research and highlight the research gaps. Chapter 1 of my thesis presents Network Analysis of Traits that looks at the changes in the community structure subject to an increased level of experimental nitrogen. Chapter 2 shows Bayesian Belief Multifunctionality Framework in the assessment of multifunctional relationships between species, functional traits, ecosystem functions and nature's contributions to people. Final Chapter 3 shows Multivariate Network Analysis developed based on empirical data collected by me and shows the role of individual trait clusters and environmental characteristics in explaining multiple ecosystem functions that I measured. The frameworks that I created provide insights into the mechanistic ecological underpinnings of complex multifunctionality relationships and will support increasing our knowledge of how natural ecosystems work. Such knowledge is fundamental to the successful management of socio-ecological systems.

This accessible textbook provides an ideal point of entry into the field, providing basic information on the nature of soft-sediment ecosystems, examples of how and why we research them, the new questions these studies inspire, and the applications that ultimately benefit society.

Marine sediments are the second largest habitat on earth and yet are poorly understood. This book gives a broad coverage of the central topics in the ecology of soft sediments.

For years scientists viewed the deep sea as calm, quiet, and undisturbed, with marine species existing in an ecologically stable and uniform environment. Recent discoveries have completely transformed that understanding and the deep sea is recognized as a complicated and dynamic environment with a rich diversity of marine species. Carefully designe

Marine sediments support complex interactions between macro-and microorganisms that have global implications for carbon and nutrient cycles. What is the state of the science on such interactions from coastal and estuarine environments to the deep sea? How does such knowledge effect environmental management? And what does future research hold in store for scientists, engineers, resource managers, and educators?Interactions between Macro- and Microorganisms in Marine Sediments responds to these questions, and more, by focusing on:? Interactions between plants, microorganisms, and marine sediment? Interactions between animals, microorganisms, and marine sediment? Interactions between macro- and microorganisms and the structuring of benthic communities? Impact of macrobenthic activity on microbially-mediated geochemical cycles in sediments? Conceptual and numeric models of diagenesis that incorporate interactions between macro- and microorganismsHere is an authoritative overview of the research, experimentation and modeling approaches now in use in our rapidly evolving understanding of life in marine sediments.

This book presents a detailed analysis and synthesis of the processes affecting sediments fluxes from watershed to worldwide coastal systems. The volume provides a comprehensive overview and constitutes a systematic description of the response of coastal systems to global and local changes, like climate change, sea level, land use and land cover change. The case studies cover a sequence of coastal environments such as lagoons, bays, estuaries, deltas and beaches. Sediment Fluxes in Coastal Areas is designed for researchers, professionals and for course-use in hydrology, oceanography, geography, geology, geomorphology and environmental science.