New tracer methods for revealing the hidden connections between ecosystems. As humans modify the biosphere, many complex landscape-level problems are emerging. New methods are required to work on these large-scale problems. The aim of this project is to develop novel methods involving trace elements and isotopes, opening up new ways to explore the large-scale connections between terrestrial ecosystems and downstream estuaries. It is planned to use these new methods to test for unexpected positiv ....New tracer methods for revealing the hidden connections between ecosystems. As humans modify the biosphere, many complex landscape-level problems are emerging. New methods are required to work on these large-scale problems. The aim of this project is to develop novel methods involving trace elements and isotopes, opening up new ways to explore the large-scale connections between terrestrial ecosystems and downstream estuaries. It is planned to use these new methods to test for unexpected positive benefits of floods for estuarine fisheries. The project is significant and innovative because it develops two fundamentally new types of tracer work, one at the sediment-animal level and one at the within-molecule level. The expected outcomes include a new toolkit for tracing the hidden connections between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.Read moreRead less
The contribution of human/marine herbivore interactions to reef degradation. This project aims to define how interactions between human society and herbivores influence marine ecosystem structure and function. It will analyse geographic patterns from recent systematic sampling of reef communities worldwide and study fish, macro-invertebrate and meso-grazer herbivory to identify herbivores’ role in the collapse and recovery of reef ecosystems. This project will examine the match between a critica ....The contribution of human/marine herbivore interactions to reef degradation. This project aims to define how interactions between human society and herbivores influence marine ecosystem structure and function. It will analyse geographic patterns from recent systematic sampling of reef communities worldwide and study fish, macro-invertebrate and meso-grazer herbivory to identify herbivores’ role in the collapse and recovery of reef ecosystems. This project will examine the match between a critical ecosystem function and community structure across local to global scales, including the identification of non-linearities and interactions involving human effects on this process. This research is expected to safeguard marine ecosystems from collapse.Read moreRead less
Feeding and breeding: Rainfall effects on connectivity and fidelity of iconic coastal fishes. Large predatory fish are of great significance to recreational anglers, not only for their trophy status but also for their disproportional fecundity and contribution to future fishing. Remarkably, the distribution and movements of large estuarine fish in estuaries and the coastal ocean are unknown, despite their importance to the national economy. We will determine the role of freshwater discharge an ....Feeding and breeding: Rainfall effects on connectivity and fidelity of iconic coastal fishes. Large predatory fish are of great significance to recreational anglers, not only for their trophy status but also for their disproportional fecundity and contribution to future fishing. Remarkably, the distribution and movements of large estuarine fish in estuaries and the coastal ocean are unknown, despite their importance to the national economy. We will determine the role of freshwater discharge and oceanography on the coastal and estuarine habitat requirements, movements and home ranges of mulloway, flathead and bream from the scale of hours to years, and extend these findings to evaluate population sub-structuring and connectivity in the context of a changing climate.Read moreRead less
Interactions among invading species: transient hybridisation and rates of replacement. Habitats are often invaded sequentially by multiple species. Interactions between these invaders can potentially alter their rates of spread and eventual distributions. This project will combine experimental research and modelling to test specific hypotheses about the processes occurring as one species arrives in a region already containing a close relative and proceeds to replace it. It will use two sea rock ....Interactions among invading species: transient hybridisation and rates of replacement. Habitats are often invaded sequentially by multiple species. Interactions between these invaders can potentially alter their rates of spread and eventual distributions. This project will combine experimental research and modelling to test specific hypotheses about the processes occurring as one species arrives in a region already containing a close relative and proceeds to replace it. It will use two sea rockets (Cakile sp.) currently invading Australia’s coastline is its focus. By determining the importance of such species interactions, the research will contribute to the development of better estimates of invasive species impacts, thereby improving decisions on their management.Read moreRead less
Understanding and predicting invasion in the sea: a mechanistic approach. Marine invasive species cost millions of dollars each year. This project aims to determine how and why invasive species outcompete native species around much of the coast of Australia. Identifying the conditions that help invasive species outcompete native species will help managers reduce the spread and impact of marine invasive species.
Intervention ecology on coral reefs: a new role for fishes. In a world where few intact reefs remain, the goal of this project is to find ways to restore degraded reefs. Recent research has identified the species responsible for removing harmful algae from coral reefs, while advances in mariculture provide us with the capacity to rear these critically important reef fish species. Combining captive rearing, experimental manipulations, and a global analysis of the functional capacity of herbivorou ....Intervention ecology on coral reefs: a new role for fishes. In a world where few intact reefs remain, the goal of this project is to find ways to restore degraded reefs. Recent research has identified the species responsible for removing harmful algae from coral reefs, while advances in mariculture provide us with the capacity to rear these critically important reef fish species. Combining captive rearing, experimental manipulations, and a global analysis of the functional capacity of herbivorous fishes, in intact, degraded and human-modified systems, the research will explore the potential for restoring, or boosting, the capacity of reefs to withstand disturbance. The goal is to provide the scientific knowledge required to directly modify the key processes operating on coral reefs. Read moreRead less
Ecological valuation tools to protect seagrass during coastal development. Ecological valuation tools to protect seagrass during coastal development. Focussing on differences between shallow and deep seagrasses in the Great Barrier Reef, this project aims to develop a spatial valuation tool so resource managers and policy makers can minimise the effect of port development on seagrass ecosystems. Seagrasses provide ecosystem services (fisheries, nutrient cycling, primary productivity) worth trill ....Ecological valuation tools to protect seagrass during coastal development. Ecological valuation tools to protect seagrass during coastal development. Focussing on differences between shallow and deep seagrasses in the Great Barrier Reef, this project aims to develop a spatial valuation tool so resource managers and policy makers can minimise the effect of port development on seagrass ecosystems. Seagrasses provide ecosystem services (fisheries, nutrient cycling, primary productivity) worth trillions of dollars, but coastal development threatens this capacity. Resource managers lack accurate information about their potential effect and mitigation measures. Anticipated outcomes are protection of key marine environment and World Heritage Assets, and benefits to Australia’s economy through maintenance of ecosystem services and reduced risk associated with development.Read moreRead less
Treading water in a changing climate: The vulnerability of Australia’s tropical islands to sea level rise. This project will directly benefit the people and businesses associated with 1,174 tropical islands found in Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait waters. By bringing together a multi-disciplinary team and training young Australian researchers, this project will establish an integrated research program that will outline the challenges, and develop the solutions, that will be needed for Aust ....Treading water in a changing climate: The vulnerability of Australia’s tropical islands to sea level rise. This project will directly benefit the people and businesses associated with 1,174 tropical islands found in Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait waters. By bringing together a multi-disciplinary team and training young Australian researchers, this project will establish an integrated research program that will outline the challenges, and develop the solutions, that will be needed for Australians to cope with rising sea levels. While the initial focus is the highly exposed tropical islands, the results of this integrated research program will have a wide applicability across Australia in terms of the geomorphological, natural and human challenges associated with rapid pathogenic sea level rise.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Dual frequency identification SONAR (DIDSON) facility for sampling benthic and pelagic fish populations. Many Australians enjoy marine and freshwater resources, and we are exploiting fisheries and waterways in particular at an increasing rate. Effective management of fisheries requires understanding the abundance and behavior of fish. This facility will provide novel acoustic video technology for researchers to count fishes and sharks near weirs, under wharves or logs, and within seagrass beds. ....Dual frequency identification SONAR (DIDSON) facility for sampling benthic and pelagic fish populations. Many Australians enjoy marine and freshwater resources, and we are exploiting fisheries and waterways in particular at an increasing rate. Effective management of fisheries requires understanding the abundance and behavior of fish. This facility will provide novel acoustic video technology for researchers to count fishes and sharks near weirs, under wharves or logs, and within seagrass beds. The dual frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) will also allow accurate and standardised study of fish movements in response to floods, algal blooms or re-stocking events without disturbing the fish or their habitats. This will enhance our understanding of the top-down control by fish of aquatic ecosystems that are directly adjacent to human activity.Read moreRead less
The role of vegetated foreshores in stabilising Australia's shorelines. This project aims to improve Australia's capacity to predict shoreline position with sea level rise, identify the role of vegetation in foreshore stabilisation and determine thresholds for shoreline retreat by quantifying the links between biological, geomorphological and sedimentary processes and shoreline position. Sea level rise and potential increases in storminess are predicted to lead to severe impacts and there is an ....The role of vegetated foreshores in stabilising Australia's shorelines. This project aims to improve Australia's capacity to predict shoreline position with sea level rise, identify the role of vegetation in foreshore stabilisation and determine thresholds for shoreline retreat by quantifying the links between biological, geomorphological and sedimentary processes and shoreline position. Sea level rise and potential increases in storminess are predicted to lead to severe impacts and there is an immediate and critical need to understand and accurately predict the functioning, dynamics, and distribution of Australia's coastal zones. Expected outcomes of this interdisciplinary project include an integrated modelling framework crucial for planning and management of sea level rise responses in Australia.Read moreRead less