School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems ResearchEdith Cowan University

Improve capacity to predict impacts of dredging on seagrasses

• Funding source: WAMSI – Dredging research• Collaborators: ECU, UWA, CSIRO

• Research direction– Genetic diversity and connectivity of

seagrass populations– Natural recovery dynamics– Responses and thresholds for

light reduction and sediment burial

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems ResearchEdith Cowan University

Connectivity in coastal systemsConnectivity of seagrasses•Funding source: WAMSI - Kimberley•Collaborators: ECU, UWA, U Adelaide•Research direction

– genetic diversity and connectivity of seagrass populations in the Kimberley region

Microbial interactions with benthic primary producers•Funding source: WAMSI - Kimberley•Collaborators: ECU, UWA•Research direction

– Bacterial abundance, biomass, carbon production and functional profiles in the benthos

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems ResearchEdith Cowan University

Marine and Coastal Carbon Biogeochemistry Cluster

Research direction•Carbon captured and stored for millennia by marine environments (Blue carbon)

• a potential mechanism for mitigation of GHG gases•Carbon sequestration, stoichiometry and stores potential of Australian vegetated coastal ecosystems:

• Seagrasses, Mangroves & Saltmarshes

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems ResearchEdith Cowan University

Other projectsSeagrass barcoding•Funding source: ECU and U Adelaide

•Collaborators: ECU & U Adelaide

•Research direction– Global initiative to barcode seagrasses– Improve knowledge and resolution of seagrass taxonomy

Marine microorganisms•Funding source: ECU

•Collaborators: ECU, UWA, WAM, Uni Oklahoma

•Research direction– The coral 'holobiont’: shifts in communities across

large biogeographical areas of the coastline– Acquisition of microbial partners in early life history

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems ResearchEdith Cowan University

Indigenous involvement • Funding source:

– WAMSI

• Collaborators: – ECU (Colleen Haywood) & NW Indigenous communities

• Research direction– Engagement and consultation with Indigenous knowledge-holders

and relevant Prescribed Bodies Corporate– Recruitment of local Aboriginal researchers seen as part of the

reciprocation with local communities– Focus on participatory methods for the collection of qualitative data– Use of Indigenous ways of understanding and using knowledge