Establishing genetic guidelines for the effective ecological restoration of seagrass meadows. Industry and coastal development in Australia are of national importance for economic growth and prosperity, but they threaten benthic habitats, like seagrasses. Loss of seagrass meadows without mitigation results in greater coastal impacts from damaging storms and waves and a reduction in the health and productivity of marine environments globally. Thus the ecological restoration of seagrass meadows is ....Establishing genetic guidelines for the effective ecological restoration of seagrass meadows. Industry and coastal development in Australia are of national importance for economic growth and prosperity, but they threaten benthic habitats, like seagrasses. Loss of seagrass meadows without mitigation results in greater coastal impacts from damaging storms and waves and a reduction in the health and productivity of marine environments globally. Thus the ecological restoration of seagrass meadows is an urgent national priority action that involves industry, government and the community. Through the detailed assessment of population genetic variation and key population processes in seagrasses, this project will establish genetic guidelines for a more effective seagrass restoration industry.Read moreRead less
Restoration genetics of five endangered fish species from the Murray-Darling Basin. Extended drought and environmental degradation have caused unprecedented loss of aquatic biodiversity in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), Australia's most important agricultural region. This project will reduce the risk of extinction of two endangered and three critically endangered freshwater fish species from the lower MDB. It will provide major benefits to the broader Australian community by addressing governme ....Restoration genetics of five endangered fish species from the Murray-Darling Basin. Extended drought and environmental degradation have caused unprecedented loss of aquatic biodiversity in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), Australia's most important agricultural region. This project will reduce the risk of extinction of two endangered and three critically endangered freshwater fish species from the lower MDB. It will provide major benefits to the broader Australian community by addressing government policies regarding sustainable water management in rural areas, biodiversity protection and recovery of threatened species. The study will also increase the research profile of Australia in the international scientific community by improving our understanding about genetic diversity in captive breeding and restoration programs.Read moreRead less
Saving seagrass from climate change. This research aims to test whether seagrass ecosystems can be safeguarded from climate change impacts by enhancing genetic connectivity in range edge populations using novel genetic rescue approaches. We will use the range edge seagrass meadows of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shark Bay as our model, which was significantly impacted by a marine heat wave in 2010/2011. The project will generate new knowledge on how seagrasses can adapt and survive in situ. ....Saving seagrass from climate change. This research aims to test whether seagrass ecosystems can be safeguarded from climate change impacts by enhancing genetic connectivity in range edge populations using novel genetic rescue approaches. We will use the range edge seagrass meadows of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shark Bay as our model, which was significantly impacted by a marine heat wave in 2010/2011. The project will generate new knowledge on how seagrasses can adapt and survive in situ. Expected outcomes are improved conservation, management and restoration practices for seagrass meadows. This should provide significant benefits for long-term resilience of this economically and culturally significant ecosystem.Read moreRead less