Sara Westerström

About me

My research focuses on blue carbon ecosystems and food web dynamics, with a particular emphasis on understanding how trophic interactions influence carbon storage and greenhouse gas fluxes in shallow coastal ecosystems. Through field studies and experiments in the Baltic Sea, I investigate how ecological factors, such as species composition and trophic cascades, shape carbon storage. This research is vital for understanding and protecting the ecological functions of coastal ecosystems in the face of accelerating environmental changes.

The objectives of my work are to map carbon stocks within food webs and sediments in coastal bays, identify key drivers of carbon storage, examine spatial and temporal variations, investigate mechanisms linking trophic cascades and greenhouse gas dynamics in blue carbon habitats, and assess the role of stickleback migration as a pathway for carbon deposition in coastal ecosystems. Ultimately, my work aims to inform strategies for preserving and potentially enhancing blue carbon ecosystems and mitigating climate change impacts.

I am also glad to be a part of the graduate school “Perspectives on Climate Change in Coastal Seas“, coordinated by Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre. This program provides a dynamic network of researchers and PhD students, promoting exciting collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines.

Before beginning my PhD, I completed the Master's Programme in Environmental and Water Engineering at Uppsala University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. During my studies, I specialized in ecology, sustainable fisheries management, ecosystem modeling, and air and climate protection. My engineering background equipped me with strong problem-solving skills and an interdisciplinary approach, which I draw upon when tackling new research questions during my PhD.