Impact on marine flora
The construction activities may temporarily affect light conditions in the sea. Sand, silt or clay which is stirred up from the seabed or spilled during work can form plumes in the water column that shade plankton algae or seabed vegetation, which in turn may affect their growth due to reduced light penetration. More lasting consequences of the construction of a bridge or tunnel may include a loss of habitat, changed nutritional conditions, changed seabed conditions and changes in current conditions. Plants are the foundation of the ecosystem Marine flora form the foundation of the food chain in the sea and changes in the quantity and distribution of these plants can affect living conditions for animal life. With the knowledge gained from other infrastructure
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projects, there is no reason to anticipate major permanent changes as a result of the fixed link, even if the plant species and plant groups exposed are affected temporarily. A worsening of light conditions in the Fehmarnbelt may, for instance, reduce the area in which eel grass and algae grow. Plant species that are able to survive in conditions of low light may therefore be favoured at the expense of species that require more light. The distribution of areas covered with vegetation may become limited to shallower waters, where the shadowing effect is less pronounced. Computer models for environmental assessment
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Red algae are vital to the Fehmarnbelt ecosystems. As they do not need much light, they can grow in deeper water than other seaweeds and eel grass. They create an attractive habitat for the fauna and thus increase species diversity. Because they produce oxygen, they may also reduce the risk of oxygen depletion.
As on land, sunlight is the driving force for all life in the sea. The plants in the sea are able to utilise energy from the sun for photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and organic plant material. Good light conditions therefore guarantee a high level of oxygen and nutrient production, both of which are essential to a sound marine environment with diverse animal and plant life.
