My work is centered around applied research in order to provide scientific advice to lake and coastal management. Topics include ecosystem based fisheries management, recreational fisheries, monitoring, mapping and species distribution modelling, environmental compensation, ecosystem services, indicator development, spatial planning and food web interactions. Lately also the applicability of eDNA for fish monitoring.
SpöReg - an app for angler data collection
ePIKE - Developing quantitative eDNA methods for pike monitoring
Ecocoa - Environmental compensation in coastal areas
PlantFish & the Stickleback wave - interactions between benthic plants and large predatory fish in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea
Management goals for nationally managed species
Recreational fishing in Sweden
Stock- and ecosystem analyses
Erik Karlsson, PhD-student (co-supervisor). Environmental DNA in northern pike. 2019-
Ofír Svensson, MSc (supervisor). Evaluation of filter and extraction kits for eDNA-based quantification of Northern pike density. 2020.
Peer review:
32. Flink H, Sundblad G, Merilä J, Tibblin P. 2024. Selective removal of large predatory fish in recreational inland fisheries. Fish and Fisheries, 25(5), 793-805, doi: 10.1111/faf.12839
31. Olin AB, Bergström U, Bodin Ö, Sundblad G, Eriksson BK, Erlandsson M, Fredriksson R, Eklöf JS. 2024. Predation and spatial connectivity interact to shape ecosystem resilience to an ongoing regime shift. Nature Communications. 15 (1), 1304, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45713-1
30. Sundblad G, de Groote A, Lundquist P, Larsson M, Linderfalk R, Larson F. 2024. Estimating recreational trap-fishing effort for crayfish from zig-zag line transects, drone surveys and enforcement surveys. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 31 (2), e12675, doi: 10.1111/fme.12675
29. Östman Ö, Sundblad G, Ljungberg P, Levin S, Blass M, Kaljuste M, Dahlin I, Svensson R, Olsson J. 2023. Catches, bycatches and stock indicators of fisheries targeting cyprinids along the Swedish Baltic Sea coast. Fisheries Research, 268, 106829, doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2023.106829
28. Ogonowski M, Karlsson E, Vasemägi A, Sundin J, Bohman P, Sundblad G. 2023. Temperature moderates eDNA-biomass relationships in northern pike. Environmental DNA, 5, 750-765, doi: 10.1002/edn3.440
27. Bergström U, Larsson S, Erlandsson M, Ovegård M, Ragnarsson Stabo H, Östman Ö, Sundblad G. 2022. Long-term decline in northern pike (Esox lucius L.) populations in the Baltic Sea revealed by recreational angling data. Fisheries Research, 251, 106307, doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106307
26. Karlsson E, Ogonowski M, Sundblad G, Sundin J, Svensson O, Nousiainen I, Vasemägi V. 2022. Strong positive relationships between eDNA concentrations and biomass in juvenile and adult pike (Esox lucius) under controlled conditions: implications for monitoring. Environmental DNA, 4(4), 881-893, doi: 10.1002/edn3.298
25. Berggren T, Bergström U, Sundblad G, Östman Ö. 2021. Warmer water increases early body growth of northern pike (Esox lucius) but mortality has larger impact on decreasing body sizes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2020-0386
24. Cole S, Moksnes P-O, Söderqvist T, Wikström S A, Sundblad G, Hasselström L, Bergström U, Kraufvelin P, Bergström L. 2021. Environmental compensation for biodiversity and ecosystem services: a flexible framework that addresses human wellbeing. Ecosystem Services, doi: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101319
23. Eriksson BK, Yanos C, Bourlat SJ, Donadi S, Fontaine MC, Hansen JP, Jakubavičiūtė E, Kiragosyan K, Maan ME, Merilä J, Austin ÅN, Olsson J, Reiss K, Sundblad G, Bergström U, Eklöf JS. 2021. Habitat segregation of plate phenotypes in a rapidly expanding population of three-spined stickleback. Ecosphere, 12, e03561, doi: 10.1002/ecs2.3561
22. Austin ÅN, Hansen JP, Donadi S, Bergström U, Eriksson BK, Sundblad G, Eklöf JS. 2021. Synergistic effects of rooted aquatic vegetation and drift wrack on ecosystem multifunctionality. Ecosystems, doi: 10.1007/s10021-021-00609-9
21. Eklöf JS, Sundblad G, Erlandsson M, Donadi S, Hansen JP, Eriksson BK, Bergström U. 2020. A spatial regime shift from predator to prey dominance in a large coastal ecosystem. Communications Biology, 3, 1–9, doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01180-0
20. Sundblad G, Bergström L, Söderqvist T, Bergström U. 2020. Predicting the effects of eutrophication mitigation on predatory fish biomass and the value of recreational fisheries. Ambio, 49, 1090-1099, doi: 10.1007/s13280-019-01263-1
19. Hansen JP, Sundblad G, Bergström U, Austin ÅN, Donadi S, Erikssson BK, Eklöf JS. 2019. Recreational boating degrades vegetation important for fish recruitment. Ambio, doi: 10.1007/s13280-018-1088-x
18. Yates, K. L., P. J. Bouchet, M. J. Caley, K. Mengersen, C. F. Randin, S. Parnell, A. H. Fielding, A. J. Bamford, S. Ban, A. M. Barbosa, C. F. Dormann, J. Elith, C. B. Embling, G. N. Ervin, R. Fisher, S. Gould, R. F. Graf, E. J. Gregr, P. N. Halpin, R. K. Heikkinen, S. Heinänen, A. R. Jones, P. K. Krishnakumar, V. Lauria, H. Lozano-Montes, L. Mannocci, C. Mellin, M. B. Mesgaran, E. Moreno-Amat, S. Mormede, E. Novaczek, S. Oppel, G. O. Crespo, A. T. Peterson, G. Rapacciuolo, J. J. Roberts, R. E. Ross, K. L. Scales, D. Schoeman, P. Snelgrove, G. Sundblad, W. Thuiller, L. G. Torres, H. Verbruggen, L. Wang, S. Wenger, M. J. Whittingham, Y. Zharikov, D. Zurell, and A. M. M. Sequeira. 2018. Outstanding Challenges in the Transferability of Ecological Models. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 33 (10): 790-802, doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.08.001
17. Kraufvelin P, Pekcan-Hekim Z, Bergström U, Florin A-B, Lehikoinen A, Mattila J, Arula T, Briekmane L, Brown E J, Celmer Z, Dainys J, Jokinen H, Kääriä P, Kallasvuo M, Lappalainen A, Lozys L, Möller P, Orio A, Rohtla M, Saks L, Snickars M, Støttrup J, Sundblad G, Taal I, Ustups D, Verliin A, Vetemaa M, Winkler H, Wozniczka A, Olsson J. 2018. Essential coastal habitats for fish in the Baltic Sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 204: 14-30, doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2018.02.014
16. Florin A-BF, Reid D, Sundblad G, Näslund J. 2018. Local conditions affecting current and potential distribution of the invasive round goby – Species distribution modelling with spatial constraints. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 207: 359-367, doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.10.005
15. Donadi S, Austin ÅN, Bergström U, Eriksson BDHK, Hansen JP, Jacobson P, Sundblad G, van Regteren M, Eklöf JS. 2017. A cross-scale trophic cascade from large predatory fish to algae in coastal ecosystems. Proceedings of the royal society B: biological sciences. 284: 20170045, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0045
14. Eklöf J, Austin Å, Bergström U, Donadi S, Eriksson BDHK, Hansen J, Sundblad G. 2017. Size matters: relationships between body size and body mass of common coastal, aquatic invertebrates in the Baltic Sea. PeerJ 5:e2906, doi: 10.7717/peerj.2906
13. Sundblad G, Bergström U. 2014. Shoreline development and degradation of fish reproduction habitats. Ambio, 43: 1020-1028, doi: 10.1007/s13280-014-0522-y
12. Sundblad G, Bekkby T, Isaeus M, Nikolopoulos A, Norderhaug KM, Rinde E. 2014. Comparing the ecological relevance of four wave exposure modelling methods. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 140: 7-13, doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2014.01.008
11. Sundblad G, Bergström U, Sandström A, Eklöv P. 2014. Nursery habitat availability limits adult stock sizes of predatory coastal fish. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71:672-680, doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fst056
10. Snickars M, Gullström M, Sundblad G, Bergström U, Downie AL, Lindegarth M, Mattila J. 2014. Species-environment relationships and potential for distribution modelling in coastal waters. Journal of Sea Research, 85: 116-125, doi: 10.1016/j.seares.2013.04.008
9. Lindegarth M, Bergström U, Mattila J, Olenin S, Ollikainen M, Downie A-L, Sundblad G, Bučas M, Gullström M, Snickars M, von Numers M, Svensson JR, Kosenius A-K. 2014. Testing the potential for predictive modeling and mapping and extending its use as a tool for evaluating management scenarios and economic valuation in the Baltic Sea (PREHAB). Ambio, 43: 82-93, doi: 10.1007/s13280-013-0479-2
8. Bergström U, Sundblad G, Downie AL, Snickars M, Boström C, Lindegarth M. 2013. Evaluating eutrophication management scenarios in the Baltic Sea using species distribution modelling. Journal of Applied Ecology, 50: 680-690, doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12083
7. Bučas M, Bergström U, Downie AL, Sundblad G, Gullström M, von Numers M, Šiaulys A, Lindegarth M. 2013. Empirical modelling of benthic species distribution and abundance in the Baltic Sea: evaluating the scope for predictive mapping using different modelling approaches. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1233-1243, doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fst036
6. Sundblad G, Bergström U, Sandström A. 2011. Ecological coherence of marine protected area networks: a spatial assessment using species distribution models. Journal of Applied Ecology, 48: 112-120, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01892.x
5. Ljunggren L, Sandström A, Bergström U, Mattila J, Lappalainen A, Johansson G, Sundblad G, Casini M, Kaljuste O, Eriksson B K. 2010. Recruitment failure of coastal predatory fish in the Baltic Sea coincident with an offshore ecosystem shift. ICES Journal of Marine Science 67:1587-1595, doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsq109
4. Bergek S, Sundblad G, Björklund M. 2010. Population differentiation in perch Perca fluviatilis: environmental effects on gene flow? Journal of Fish Biology, 76: 1159-72, doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02565.x
3. Snickars M, Sundblad G, Sandström A, Ljunggren L, Bergström U, Johansson G, Mattila J. 2010. Habitat selectivity of a substrate spawning fish: modelling requirements for the Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 398: 235-243, doi: 10.3354/meps08313
2. Sundblad G, Härmä M, Lappalainen A, Urho L, Bergström U. 2009. Transferability of predictive fish distribution models in two coastal systems. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 83: 90-96, doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2009.03.025
1. Florin A-B, Sundblad G, Bergström U. 2009. Characterisation of juvenile flatfish habitats in the Baltic Sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 82: 294-300, doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2009.03.025
Reports and popular science (selected)
Vasemägi A, Karlsson E, Ogonowski M, Sundblad G, Sundin J, Bohman P. 2024. Utveckling av eDNA som metod för övervakning av gädda. Rapport 7154. Naturvårdsverket. 67 sid.
Larsson S, Sundblad G, Gustafsson-Renes S, Bergström L, Dannewitz J, Valentinsson D, Wennhage H, Bolund E, Holmgren K. 2024. Bedömning av status för nationellt förvaltade fisk- och skaldjursbestånd. Aqua notes 2024:13. Uppsala. Department of aquatic resources. 27 sid.
Sandström A, Axenrot T, Bohman P, Dahlberg M, Ogonowski M, Renman O, Rogell B, Strömberg H, Sundblad G. 2024. Behovsanalys och förslag på miljöövervakning av fisk och kräfta. Underlag för beståndsbedömningar i Hjälmaren, Mälaren, Vänern och Vättern. Rapport 2024:8. Havs- och vattenmyndigheten. 107 sid
Naddafi R, Sundblad G, Sandström A, Fetterplace L, Vinterstare J, Ogonowski M, Kulatska N. 2023. Developing management goals and associated assessment methods for Sweden’s nationally managed fish stocks: a project synthesis. Aqua reports 2023:5. Uppsala. Department of Aquatic Resources. 93 p
Bergström U, Sundblad G, Söderqvist T, Scott C, Hasselström L, Kraufvelin P, Moksnes P-O, Wikström S, Bergström L. 2022. Kompensation för miljöpåverkan vid kustexploatering – dagens tillämpning av ekologisk kompensation och särskild fiskeavgift samt möjlig vidareutveckling. Aqua reports 2022:21. Uppsala. Institutionen för akvatiska resurser. https://doi.org/10.54612/a.24eqp270hp
Bergström L, Bergström U, Cole S, Hasselström L, Kraufvelin P, Moksnes P-O, Sundblad G, Söderqvist T, Wikström SA. 2021. Ekologisk kompensation i kustmiljön. Hur kan man uppväga förluster av biologisk mångfald och ekosystemtjänster i samband med mänsklig verksamhet i kustområdet? Naturvårdsverket Rapport 6994. September 2021. 69 s. In Swedish, English summary.
Bergström U, Sundblad G, Fredriksson R, Karås P, Sandström A, Halling C. 2021. Övervakningsmanual Fisk i kustvatten – yngelprovfiske med tryckvåg. Havs- och vattenmyndigheten. 23 sid. In Swedish.
Sundblad G, Svensson R, Östman Ö. 2020. Hållbart nyttjande av lågt exploaterade fiskbestånd. Ett pilotprojekt om ökat fiske på braxen. Aqua reports 2020:14. Institutionen för akvatiska resurser, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Drottningholm Lysekil Öregrund. 65 s. In Swedish, English summary.
Sundblad G, Larsson S, Wennerström L, Linderfalk R, Halldén A. 2019. Fritidsfiskets omfattning i Vättern 2017. Fångster av röding, lax och öring. Aqua reports 2019:7. Institutionen för akvatiska resurser, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Drottningholm Lysekil Öregrund. 25+14 sidor.
Magnusson K, Kagervall A, Palm, Sundblad G, Sandström A, J Dannewitz. 2018. Biologiskt underlag - status och skyddsbehov för vild lax och öring i Vänern med fokus på Gullspångsälvens bestånd. Institutionen för akvatiska resurser, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Drottningholm Lysekil Öregrund. PM, 40 sidor. SLU.aqua.2018.5.2-105.
Sundblad G, Sundelöf A, Ovegård M, Karlsson M, Blomqvist G, Carlstrand H, Thörnqvist S. 2018. Fritidsfiske inom fisk-, havs- och vattenförvaltningen. Nationell plan för datainsamling, Aqua reports 2018:22. Institutionen för akvatiska resurser, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Drottningholm Lysekil Öregrund. 65 sidor.