Diving is an important part of environmental monitoring. SLU Aqua’s Diving Team includes a competent group of divers who work with environmental analysis, method development, species inventory, various research projects, and maintenance work.
The tasks of our divers are multifaceted. A diver's working day depends on current projects, and can e.g. consist of surveying of hard bottom fauna in Lake Mälaren, repairing fish traps at Älvkarleby’s research station, or studying alien species on the West Coast. The divers can also help with inspection and maintenance of the hulls of our research vessels and other facilities.
Our divers work throughout the year, although most of their work is concentrated around the warmer season (April - September).
From fish to macrophytes
Our divers have extensive knowledge in species taxonomy of both native and alien organisms in our seas, freshwaters and coastal waters. Although SLU Aqua mostly studies fish and crustaceans, our divers also work with macrophytes (algae), mussels and benthic fauna.
Our divers often use so called “transect diving” to describe environmental changes of attached species communities (e.g. algae). This means that the work is done along a straight line (transect) on the bottom. All species along this transect are identified. Our divers measure depth and distance to land, and assess the bottom type and the different degree of coverage of the species
Video - for better documentation
Our divers use video to document events during the dive. For practical reasons the divers often put the camera on a helmet. If necessary, the divers connects the camera to a screen at the surface so that the staff in the boat can follow their work.
