in this special marine ecology issue…

Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014

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In this special marine ecology issue…

Bulletin Editorial 2

Council News 2

President’s Report……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Events and Opportunities 6

Indigenous Ecology Symposium and Travel Grants, ESA14………………………………………. 6 Student Research Grants 7 Calling all Book Reviewers! ……………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Spotlight in Students 8

Student Snapshots……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 Student Focus – Paul Carnell, University of Melbourne…………………………………………….. 10

Labs in the Limelight 13

Benthic Ecology – Melanie Bishop, Macquarie University…………………………………………. 13Cetacean Ecology – Luciana Möller & Guido Para, Flinders University………………………. 16 Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology – Emma Johnston, UNSW ………………………………… 19Marine Predators – Rob Harcourt, Macquarie University ………………………………………… 22

ESA Publication Highlights 26

ESA 2014 Office Bearers 27


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Bulletin editorial

Over the past three months I have been struck by the increase in the number of marine‐related issues being reported by the popular print media, including intense marine heatwaves off the Western Australian coastline that have killed off ancient coral reefs1, continent‐scale audits of marine life by Graham Edgar and colleagues that have revealed a decline in abundance and diversity of ‘big fish’2, shark culls in WA3, marine park dezoning4, port development and dumping of dredged sediment on the great Barrier Reef5… the burgeoning list of examples is distressing to say the least (see page 28 for a list of paper and news article references). These issues have sparked a fierce socio‐political debate both domestically and internationally6 about the ways in which Australia manages its rich biological resources within marine systems. As Australia’s premier body of professional ecologists, is the ESA equipped to wade in on this debate? Are we primed as a Society to contribute objectively to policy decisions around marine conservation issues? It would be arrogant of me to attempt to answer these questions on behalf of the Society’s diverse members (especially as I’m a plant ecologist with an irrational fear of the ocean!), but from the evidence that exists (see below), I’d hazard a guess that we could do better.

Whilst Australian ecologists are some of the most productive on the planet, recent reviews of the Australian ecological literature have identified a potential bias toward ecological studies of terrestrial over marine systems within the Society. For example, Youngentob et al. (2013)7 found that as little as 6% of long term monitoring studies (average length of study 23 years) in Australia targeted changes to fish and marine ecosystems, whilst 60% targeted vascular plants, mainly within eucalypt forests and open woodlands. Indeed, according to this study, greater than 80% of monitoring effort in Australia goes towards assessing changes to terrestrial vertebrate (mainly mammals and birds) and plant communities. Furthermore, a study of changes to ecological research priorities within Australia over the past 35 years, published in Austral Ecology by Majer (2012)8, clearly shows a long term focus within the Society on questions related to the ecology of fire, invasion, threatened species and habitat fragmentation, with no mention at all of marine ecology. This bias is surprising given that in a review of ‘big ecological questions’ for effective environmental management in Australia published in Austral Ecology, Morton et al. (2009)9 identified that two of the four global issues requiring research focus are ocean acidification and coastal inundation. Personally, I do not think that these numbers reflect an overall lack of marine research activity in Australia. Rather, I think that the apparent bias toward terrestrial research within the Society is a function of an historical lack of engagement between marine and terrestrial research networks. To overcome this I think we need to get better as a Society at engaging with ecologists more broadly, regardless of the taxa or system within which they work.

In response to reading about these emerging issues over summer and the fact that so little marine ecology research is given airplay within the Society, I thought it timely to publish a Special Issue on marine ecological research in Australia to highlight the phenomenal work that students, academics and practitioners alike are doing in this field and to bridge the apparent historical gap between terrestrial and marine ecologists. In this issue, my co‐editor Matt Rees (a marine PhD student from the University of Wollongong and recipient of The Nature Conservancy Applied Conservation Award) and I have invited some of Australia’s premier and award‐winning marine ecology researchers and their students, to share their research news and aspirations with the broader ESA membership. I am particularly grateful to Melanie Bishop, Luciana Möller & Guido Para, Emma Johnston, Rob Harcourt and their dedicated lab members for making such valuable and well‐written contributions to this special issue on marine ecology. I am buoyed by the fact that we have such great marine thinkers within the Society, who are leaders in their respective fields and spend so much of their time communicating their science to the broader community. Happy reading!

Ben Gooden, ESA Bulletin Editor, Institute for Conservation Biology and Environmental Management, University of Wollongong.


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President’s report

Nigel Andrew, March 2014

As many ecologists in Academia raise our weary heads from writing

and submitting ARC Discovery grants and bunker down into the depths

of teaching there is a whole raft of other events happening around

Australia – both positive and extremely worrying.

One of the most exciting and collaborative initiates that has been

happening with core ESA involvement is the Australian Ecosystem

Science Long‐Term Plan (http://www.ecosystemscienceplan.org.au/)

of which many of you have been involved. Taken directly from the

website the plan is “being developed by and for the ecosystem science

community in Australia, to ensure we have a cohesive vision and plan for sustaining and developing

ecosystem science in Australia.” If you were not able to attend one of the town hall meetings around

the capital cities, you can facilitate your own meeting, or at least share you own insights. Submissions

can be made until the end of March 2014, when the main consultation phase for the Plan draws to a

close.

Of concern are the great swath of ecological issues that are continually being raised around the

country and the lack of political will to implement ecological science to deal with them. A senate

enquiry has been launched to assess the issues surrounding environmental offsets that are supposed

to compensate for ecosystems and biodiversity that are bulldozed to make way for development. ESA

member Professor Richard Hobbs was one of many experts interviewed about this recently for ABC

Radio (Background Briefing story 16th March 2014 “Do environmental offsets protect biodiversity?”).

The ESA’s submission to the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, regarding alpine grazing in

Victoria to reduce fire fuel loads was not heeded with cattle returning to the high country for a three

year trial. Even though this is extremely unfortunate, the ability for ESA to make quick submissions is

critical. So again if you have a topic that you think can be developed into a ‘Hot Topic’, please give it a

shot: e.g. environmental offsetting; Great Barrier Reef tipping points; real value of conservation

areas; triaging endangered species; among others.

In addition, the May Federal Budget is looming and it’s not hard to envisage cuts to an already

meagre budget for research funding, of which many ESA members spend many of their waking hours

preparing for and using for critical ecological research. Recently the Australian Greens initiated a

‘Respect Research’ campaign. Although this has obvious political motivations, the underlying requests

should sit pretty fairly with most of us (albeit in reality they may be more aspirational than realistic

goals). That is “(1) Respect research as fundamental to our country’s health and prosperity; (2)

Maintain public funding for all areas of research in the May federal budget. As well, we should lift

Australia’s total spending on research and development to 3% of GDP, a target also set by the United


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States; (3) Stop the ‘brain drain’ and back our researchers, scientists and educators by providing

secure career pathways, more certain funding arrangements and the national infrastructure that

equips people to make discoveries; (4) Respect academic independence. The government should

respect the process of peer‐review and expert recommendations; and (5) Secure our future by

ensuring children get a better understanding of science and research at school.”

Finally, on a much more positive note, we have implemented an ESA Board and Research Chapter

Initiatives Grant. In total $4000 will be made available twice a year for Board member and Research

Chapter initiatives. These funds should be directed at promoting ESA to the wider public, attracting

new members, or providing greater opportunities and services to current members. ESA members

may approach Board members and Research Chapter leaders with ideas, but grants must be

submitted and administered by an ESA Board member. In most cases each grant will be capped at

$1000 – in exceptional initiatives, a higher amount may be requested. In exceptional circumstances

applications may be sought at other times of the year. Funds will normally be used within 6 months

of being awarded. So if you have a great idea that you think would fit here, please get in touch. More

details will be on the ESA website hopefully by the time you read this.

Nigel Andrew

PS: Remember to get ready for 2014 conference in Alice Springs. It starts earlier than normal

(28th September 2014), so check out the website (www.ecolsoc.org.au) for more details.


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Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan

Dr Bek Christensen (ESLTP Project Coordinator)

Over the last few months hundreds of people across the country – including many ESA members – have taken

the chance to contribute their ideas to the Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan and to have their say on how to

best develop the science of ecosystems in Australia. They include students, policy makers, scientists, ‘on‐

ground’ environmental managers, academics, industry consultants and even concerned citizens; and they all

contribute in some way to understanding and managing the processes and living things that combine to make

up Australia’s unique ecosystems spanning our oceans, coasts and landscapes.

Working with the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and the Australian Academy of Science, the ESA is

helping to coordinate the consultation process, which is the first of its kind that has connected such a diverse

range of people. No matter what background, occupation, or organisation they come from, this diverse

community shares the common goal of enhancing the nation's capacity to understand and effectively manage

its ecosystems by strengthening the scientific

foundations that underpin this capacity.

As our ESA President Nigel Andrew observes,

‘It’s really exciting and timely to have a wide

range of experts from a variety of

backgrounds come together in a collaborative

way to develop the Ecosystem Science Long‐

Term Plan. As one of the key aims of the ESA

is to foster the conservation and ecological

management of native biota, their diversity,

ecological function, and interaction with the

environment, we are excited to support this

process and see the advances already made

through these workshops.’

In order to continue progression towards the completion of the plan in mid‐2014, the open consultation phase

will be wrapping up at the end of March. But there are still opportunities for you to be involved and have

input:

Anyone, anywhere can contribute their ideas and proposals using tools available online. Click here to find out more and to have your say.

The reports from previous town‐hall workshops across the country are available for you to read here so take a

look and see what ideas are being discussed around the country!

Contact: Dr Bek Christensen, ESLTP Project Coordinator and TERN Communication and Engagement

Manager, University of Queensland; [email protected]; www.tern.org.au

A breakout group discussing and developing their top ideas for the

future of ecosystem science in Australia (photo: Alan Kwok).


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Events and Opportunities – Noticeboard

Special ESA symposium on Indigenous Ecological Knowledge

An Invitation is extended to Indigenous Australian Speakers to present at an ESA14 Conference

Symposium “Indigenous Ecological Knowledge: dynamic practice and application”.

Presentations by Indigenous people or co‐presented talks led by an Indigenous person are particularly

invited to contribute to this year's Symposium as part of the Ecological Society of Australia 2014

conference in Alice Springs. Speakers who require financial assistance are invited to apply for an

2014 ESA Indigenous Travel Grant

The Ecological Society of Australia is able to offer some eligible applicants who would like to contribute

to the Indigenous Ecological Knowledge symposium or to speak in other symposia or themed sessions of

the conference, a Grant to assist with the costs of attending the ESA conference in Alice Springs,

Northern Territory, 28th September – 3rd October 2014. Applications are particularly encouraged from

people who have limited or no institutional support to enable them to attend conferences. The grant

will cover the full conference registration plus $1000 which can be used towards travel or

accommodation. Joint papers involving two or more Indigenous speakers may apply for funding for up

to two people.

Submit the Indigenous Travel Grant application form and a presentation abstract by Friday 9th May

2014: http://www.ecolsoc.org.au/2014‐symposium‐indigenous‐travel‐grants


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Events and Opportunities – Noticeboard

Ecological Society of Australia Conference 2014 ‐ Abstract submissions open

Student research awards

The Nature Conservancy Applied Conservation Award for ESA

student members!

$6000 plus funded attendance at this year's ESA meeting

to accept the award and to the following year's meeting

to present the annual TNC address. 2014 applications

close 28th April 2014

Wiley Fundamental Ecology Award for ESA student members!

A $5000 postgraduate grant for research in the field of

Fundamental Ecology plus funded attendance at the 2015

ESA conference to present the research. 2014 applications

close 26th May 2014

Student travel grants to attend ESA14, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Sept 29 – Oct 3rd

The ESA encourages student attendance at its annual conference by providing a number of

Student Travel Grants each year. This year every student that applies for the grant and meets the

criteria will receive some level of funding depending on the geographic location of their home

campus (funding amounts shown below). The amount of the grant received will be based on

relative travel costs of all applicants, and are generally determined on the basis of relative costs of

air travel.

In 2014, in addition to the usual travel grants, up to five extra travel grants (Wiley‐Blackwell

Student Fellowships) will be sponsored by Wiley‐Blackwell. These fellowships will be awarded to

individuals from the pool of applicants who have the highest travel costs.

To apply go to: https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/students/awards‐and‐grants/student‐travel‐grants


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Australian Mammal Society Conference, 7th ‐ 9th July 2014

Abstracts for the Australian Mammal Society conference

2014 may now be submitted. Visit the Society's website

to submit an abstract, apply for an award, and register

for the conference. More details and information on the

conference, including presenter guidelines are also available online.

Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2014 ‐ Entries open until 7pm AEST Friday 2 May 2014

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are presented annually by the Australian Museum. The

prizes are a unique partnership between government organisations, institutions, companies and

individuals committed to Australian science.

Calling all Book Reviewers!

Wiley Publishing offers the opportunity for ESA members to review recent publications for the benefit of

readers of our journals Austral Ecology and EMR. All book reviewers will not only keep the book sent to

them for comment but also receive a discount voucher from Wiley Publishing after submission of their

800 word review.

Some of the current books available for review for Austral Ecology or Ecological Management and

Restoration are:

Restoration Ecology

ALLISON, S. K. 2012. Ecological Restoration and Environmental Change – Renewing Damaged Ecosystems.

Earthscan from Routledge

CLEWELL, A. F. & ARONSON, J. 2013. Ecological Restoration. Principles, Values and Structure of an

Emerging Profession. Washington, Island Press.

EGAN, D., HJERPE, E. E. & ABRAMS, J. 2011. Human Dimensions of Ecological Restoration. Washington,

Island Press.

Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management

COLLEN, B., N. PETTORELLI, ET AL. (2013). Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: Bridging the Gap

Between Global Commitment and Local Action. Wiley‐Blackwell

CONROY, M. J. & PETERSON, J. T. 2013. Decision Making in Natural Resource Management: A Structured,

Adaptive Approach. Oxford, Wiley‐Blackwell.

… Plus many more!!! For the full list see: http://www.ecolsoc.org.au/publications/current‐books‐

available‐review. Potential reviewers should contact our Austral Ecology & EMR Book Review Editor,

Perpetua Turner ([email protected]), and please ensure that you include your postal

address in your email, if you wish to receive a book.


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Student snapshots

Pelagic stereo‐BRUVs: a non‐destructive fishery‐independent technique to study pelagic fish

Julia Santana Garcon (University of Western Australia)

My PhD research aims to validate the use of pelagic Baited

Remote Underwater stereo‐Video systems (stereo‐BRUVs) as

an effective fishery‐independent approach to study pelagic

fish. I have developed a deployment method that allows

stereo‐video systems to remain at a predetermined depth in

the mid‐water to sample fish assemblages in the water

column. Pelagic stereo‐BRUVs can be calibrated to standard methods like scientific long‐line surveys and

provide data on species composition, relative abundance, behaviour, and size distribution of highly mobile

fish. This non‐destructive fishery‐independent technique can be used in areas closed to fishing and is suitable

to study rare or threatened species.

The vast unknown: The ecology and conservation of temperate soft sediment fish assemblages

Lachlan Fetterplace (University of Wollongong and NSW DPI)

My PhD aims to examine the ecology and conservation of soft sediment fish assemblages in temperate waters

of SE Australia. I use Baited Remote

Underwater Video to assess and

compare fish communities in marine

park sanctuary zones (no‐take zones),

habitat protection zones (recreational

fishing allowed) and areas outside of

the marine park (that are targeted by

both recreational fishers and

commercial fishing vessels). In

addition, I am using acoustic tracking to investigate issues surrounding the movement patterns of some of the

fish in these soft assemblages. Find out more at http://fishthinkers.wordpress.com

Spotlight on Students


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Student focus

Paul Carnell, PhD Candidate from the

Department of Zoology at the University of

Melbourne, on testing the relative

importance of top‐down versus bottom‐up

drivers of marine ecosystem structure in kelp

forests of south‐eastern Australia

Having conducted sub‐tidal experiments in Port Phillip

Bay over the last three and a half years, Paul Carnell is

about to hand in his PhD thesis. Supervised by

Professor Mick Keough, Paul conducted a number of

manipulative field experiments and surveys

investigating the factors influencing the resistance

and resilience of kelp bed and urchin barren reefs.

Resilience of temperate sub‐tidal reefs

One of the concepts to intrigue ecologists for many years is the apparent ability for ecosystems to occur in

multiple states, and their propensity for sudden change. An ecosystem may change from a forest to grasslands,

coral reefs to those dominated by algae, or kelp forests to urchin barrens. These shifts drive one of the

fundamental questions in ecology: how stable or permanent is an ecosystem, and what causes systems to

change? This is particularly pertinent when one of those states is less desirable and when anthropogenic

activities are a potential cause of such shifts.

Top‐down control in ecosystems

An anthropogenic influence on top‐down ecosystem dynamics has received particular attention with a number

of high profile examples. These effects have been documented in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems when

higher‐order predators have been over‐exploited by humans, with flow‐on effects seen down the food web to

primary producers. These changes can be persistent and represent large shifts in species assemblages, dynamics

and often ecosystem function and services. One of the systems that have been a testing ground for ecosystem

shift theory has been kelp forest ecosystems. This is partly because it represents a system with an autogenic

ecosystem engineer (kelp) and sea urchins which can over‐graze these forests. There are also strong agents of

natural disturbance (storms), which tear kelp from the reef. While the North American kelp forests have been

relatively well studied, we have a limited understanding of these dynamics in Australia.

We used the shallow sub‐tidal reefs dominated by the canopy‐forming kelp Eckonia radiata (hereafter Ecklonia)

in south‐eastern Australia to test ideas of the importance of top‐down processes (using the sea urchin

Heliocidaris erythrogramma) in shifting ecosystem state. Through manipulative field experiments, we

investigated both the path to sea urchin barren creation on a kelp dominated reef, and spatial variability in the

response of urchin barren reefs (zero kelp cover and high urchin density) to reduced urchin densities. In a first


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experiment we asked: (a) Does an increase in urchin numbers alone trigger a shift from a kelp dominated reef to

an urchin barren, (b) conversely, is disturbance, without a change in urchin numbers, enough to turn a kelp bed

into an urchin barren or (c) is it only a combination of these two factors that results in the change? In a second

experiment on urchin barren reefs, we investigated if a substantial reduction in urchin density resulted in

recovery of algal species, and whether this effect varied spatially.

In kelp beds, while we saw a strong effect of increased urchin numbers on algal populations when the kelp had

not been disturbed, the absence of an effect of increasing herbivore density on kelp in disturbed plots suggests

that in this scenario herbivore pressure is less important. This is particularly interesting considering the

contrasting pathways of recovery we observed in urchin barrens with urchin exclusions. At one site, it was only

when urchin numbers were reduced to low levels that the system recovered, while at the other, algal

populations increased dramatically regardless of herbivore density. This experiment was initiated at the end of a

drought (December 2010), with substantial rainfall occurring throughout the first six months. This dramatic

change in conditions is the environmental variable most tightly linked to the difference in recovery between

sites. The complete contrast in response to changing herbivore densities and the overriding influence of

disturbance or environmental factors indicates that while herbivore control of a system can be important, this

effect can be superseded by other processes.

Bottom‐up drivers of change

With this dramatic change in conditions seen as the drought broke, we became interested in whether it was a

spike in nutrients (and therefore productivity) that caused this turnaround at some sites in Port Phillip Bay. We

therefore decided to investigate the role of increased nutrients on reefs dominated by the canopy‐forming kelp

Ecklonia and how this response may vary with an intact kelp canopy or one that has been disturbed. We

combined experimental kelp canopy removals and additional nutrients at three different locations in Port Phillip

Bay, Victoria. Over the following winter

recruitment season, Ecklonia recruitment was

unaffected by increased nutrients alone, but

tripled at all sites where the canopy had been

removed. At one site, the combination of

disturbance and increased nutrients resulted in

more than four times the recruitment of the

introduced kelp Undaria pinnatifida. Six months

after disturbance, the proliferation of the

Undaria pinnatifida canopy in the canopy

removal/nutrient addition treatment negatively

influenced the recovery of the native kelp

Ecklonia. Given the otherwise competitive

dominance of adult Ecklonia, this key result

identifies a mechanism whereby Undaria could

maintain open‐space for the following recruitment season. The interplay between disturbance, nutrients and

the response of native and invasive species makes a compelling case for how a combination of factors can

influence species dynamics.


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Additionally, we tested at three sites how additional nutrients may allow for recovery on urchin barren reefs. As

the focus of this experiment was to elucidate a similar shift in algal community without a reduction in urchin

density, we did not manipulate urchin densities, only nutrients. However, we saw no strong effect of additional

nutrients on any brown algal recovery at all three sites. In this instance, the addition of nutrients alone did not

seem responsible for the sudden recovery seen urchin barrens without a decline in urchin density.

Reconstructing the past to understand the present

To place the results from these manipulative experiments in context and better characterise the role of sea

urchins, we wanted to reconstruct a historical timeline of kelp and urchin abundances in Port Phillip Bay. By

combining data from old theses, more recent monitoring programs and our own surveys, we were able to

construct a dataset at three sites going back to the late 1960s. We added to this by acquiring aerial photographs

for the region going back to the 1940s. In combination with survey data, these images show relative stability of

kelp and algal reefs in Port Phillip Bay from the earliest data to the 1990s. However, the 2000s saw an

unprecedented decline in kelp beds (98‐100%) and an expansion of ‘barren’ areas. The urchin densities

increased at these sites by two to three times and have dropped only slightly since their peak in 2012 without

recovery of the kelp beds.

The sudden increase in density of sea urchins seems

directly related to the salinity of Port Phillip Bay, which

had increased through the drought years in the 2000s.

While, further research is needed, it seems likely that

in the absence of any major predators in this large

sheltered embayment, the sensitivity of urchins to

reduced salinity after rainfall has likely kept large

numbers confined to deeper reefs (and a more stable

salinity). This long period without any significant

rainfall appears to have enabled their movement into

shallow kelp dominated reefs.

Understanding, when and how much top‐down drivers

will influence ecosystem shifts is becoming increasingly

important as humans alter ecosystems by removing

consumers and increasing nutrients over large spatial

scales. In the current study we uncovered examples

where changing top‐down influences can be important

in shifting ecosystem state and others where this top‐

down effect was overridden by other factors. Our

ability to cope with and effectively manage these

changes will rest in our ability to understand this complex interplay of drivers to be able to predict the state of

ecosystems into the future.

Contact Paul: [email protected] Recent publications: Carnell PE, Keough MJ (2014) Spatially variable synergistic effects of disturbance and

additional nutrients on kelp recruitment and recovery. Oecologia DOI 10.1007/s00442‐014‐2907‐9


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Collecting seagrass for measurement of leaf traits

Benthic ecology – the brown

world view!

Melanie Bishop, Macquarie University

Our research group seeks to provide cutting‐edge

ecological research to support environmental

management. We focus on temperate coastal

ecosystems, which are not only one of the most

important ecosystems in terms of marine

productivity and nutrient cycling, but are also areas

that have borne the brunt of human impacts. The

study systems and questions we work on are diverse, but we are united by our love of mud and all

things small and squirmy (invertebrates). Below is a taste of the many projects that we are presently

working on (and which are very ably supported by

our wonderful lab manager Jen Rowland).

The brown world view

One of the lab’s core lines of research has been on

detrital resource subsidies to estuarine sand and mud

flats. As low points in the environment, estuaries

receive significant detrital inputs from the terrestrial as

well as the aquatic environment. We have been

researching how changes in the identity, traits and

supply of these resources influence their value to

consumers. Lara Ainley is in the final throes of a PhD

examining how the leaf traits of key estuarine primary producers vary across gradients in climate and in nutrient

enrichment, and how intraspecific variation in leaf traits interacts with environmental context to influence

remineralisation of detritus.

Joe Kenworthy, a joint PhD student at Macquarie University and St Andrews University Scotland, has been

running parallel experiments in Scottish and east Australian estuaries to assess whether sediment communities

display a generic response to nutrient and physical disturbance, and how these result from modifications to

Labs in the Limelight


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Cliff checking oyster bags for

European shore crab recruits at

Merimbula

green and brown pathways. PhD student Ramila Futardo has been asking questions about how detrital supply

influences meiofaunal communities, but is presently taking some time out to get acquainted with her new son

Philip – congratulations Ramila!

Acid test for the capacity of estuaries to adapt to climate change

Postdoctoral researcher Valter Amaral has been using the response of estuarine ecosystems to acid‐sulphate

runoff as a model to help understand their capacity to adapt to ocean acidification. Large sections of several

east Australian estuaries are chronically acidified as a result of runoff from acid sulphate soils. Despite the pH of

these waters commonly falling below 6 (the mean pH at undisturbed sites is 7.8), and the large negative impact

of low pH on naive organisms, he has found populations of invertebrates exposed to this stressor over multiple

generations are able to persist. He has been utilising a combination of molecular, behavioural and ecological

transplant studies to investigate why. Most recently, he demonstrated how phenotypic plasticity among mobile

organisms can facilitate adaptation to estuarine acidification. Check out the resulting publication here. We are

excited that in winter, Cassie Glaspie, a PhD student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, will be joining

our work on this system, thanks to the support of an EASPI fellowship.

Management of coastal lakes to minimize invasion

Cliff Garside has just submitted his PhD thesis on factors

influencing the spread and proliferation of the European shore

crab, Carcinus maenas, in southern NSW. The coastline of south‐

eastern Australia is dominated by coastal lagoons that have

entrances that are intermittently open and closed to the ocean.

Cliff investigated whether the periodic disconnection of coastal

lagoons from the ocean hinders recruitment and survival of the

non‐native crab. He found that prolonged closure of lagoon

entrances not only limited recruitment of the crab, but also

produced unfavourable abiotic conditions for the crab.

Furthermore, periodic disconnection of lagoons from the ocean

appeared to influence patterns of invasion by determining

whether key biogenic habitats, such as mangroves, can persist.

Hence, Cliff’s research suggests that artificially opening or training

lagoon entrances to improved navigation or mitigate flooding may

facilitate invasion of the European shore crab and other species.

PhD student Dan Bateman has also been working on the European

shore crab, studying its impact on habitat‐forming bivalves and the rich invertebrate communities that the

bivalves, in turn, sustain. He has been particularly interested in impacts of the crab on the mussel Xenostrobus

securis as the two species are found together on the east coast of Australia, but also in Portugal where the

native Australian mussel has been introduced.

Towards sustainable seawalls

In collaboration with coastal engineers from UNSW’s Water Research Laboratory, postdoctoral researcher

Belinda Cooke has been investigating how the design of seawalls influences their impact on sandy beach

invertebrates and the surf fish and shorebird populations they sustain. The team recently completed a week‐


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Manipulating multiple foundation species to

investigate their interacting effects

long field trip to Belongil Beach (Byron Bay), where they compared ecological impacts of rockwalls built in the

mid and high intertidal zone. This project is contributing to the Coastal Node of the OEH Adaptation Hub,

recently awarded to the Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences. You can read more about it here. Lincoln Critchley

has recently joined the costal node as a PhD student at Macquarie and will also be investigating how hard

engineering structures can be designed to minimise their ecological impacts.

Build it and they will come? Rethinking ecological restoration

The lab also has a number of projects running that address ecological restoration from various angles. PhD

student Dominic McAfee is investigating whether oysters selectively bred for stress resistance might be a useful

tool for future‐proofing wild oyster populations, and the dense and diverse biological communities they sustain.

I, Melanie, (with the help of a small army of undergrads) have been investigating the various ways in which

multiple co‐occurring foundation species interact to

cumulatively determine biodiversity. I have been

particularly interested in the sensitivity of facilitation

cascades (nested hierarchical relationships among

foundation species) to variation in the traits of the basal

and intermediary foundation species (click here for a

recent publication). I have also been interested in how

relationships are modified by environmental context. I

have found the way in which species interact to facilitate

biodiversity can vary markedly, even across small spatial

scales. This challenges the notion of ‘build it and they will

come.’

As a flip‐side to our work on ecological restoration, PhD student Peter Mahoney has been

investigating those processes that lead to the ‘collapse’ of estuarine ecosystems. He is investigating questions

such as the minimum patch size required for biogenic habitats to provide key ecosystem functions. He is also

interested in how the spatial arrangement of estuarine habitats influences their cumulative biodiversity.

Opportunities in the Benthic Ecology Lab

As coastal populations continue to grow and sea levels to rise, so too do the challenges facing coastal

ecosystems. We are always looking for new members to join our group who are ready to step up to the

challenge of developing novel strategies to conserve coastal biodiversity in the face of environmental change.

We offer opportunities for undergraduate interns through to Masters of Research and PhD students as well as

postdoctoral researchers. For PhD students there are also opportunities for joint PhDs between Macquarie

University and St Andrews University Scotland.

You can find out more about our research group by visiting our website

http://bio.mq.edu.au/research/groups/benthic‐ecology/ or dropping me a line [email protected].

Melanie Bishop


16

Cetacean Ecology,

Behaviour and

Evolution

Lab leaders, Luciana Möller and Dr Guido Para, Flinders University

Contribution by Nikki Zanardo

([email protected])

The Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and

Evolution Lab at the School of Biological

Sciences, Flinders University in Adelaide,

undertakes basic, strategic and applied

research on whales and dolphins. Our

work aims to provide impartial,

independent and innovative science that

addresses both pure and applied

questions about cetaceans and their

interactions with the environment.

CEBEL was established in 2010 by A/Prof

Luciana Möller and Dr Guido Para. Currently

CEBEL comprises of two Postdoctoral fellows

(Dr Kerstin Bilgmann and Dr Catherine

Attard), six PhD students (Nikki Zanardo, Tim

Hunt, Fernando Diaz‐Aguirre, Cecilia Passadore, Pedro Fruet and Carol Palmer), and several research trainees.

Some examples of the cetacean species that are researched by CEBEL include bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops

australis and Tursiops aduncus), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa

chinensis), Australian snubfin dolphins (Orcaella heinsohni), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and sperm

whales (Physeter macrocephalus). To collect data on

these animals we utilise a variety of methodologies,

the most common method being boat‐based surveys,

but also land‐based and aerial surveys.

Cetacean behavioural ecology, population biology, and community ecology

Cetaceans are in general poorly understood in

comparison to their terrestrial counterparts. As a

result, some of the most basic (e.g. how many

animals are in a specific area or are part of a

particular population?) and big questions (e.g. why


17

are some species of cetaceans found in larger group sizes than others?) about their ecology and behaviour

remain unresolved. We use a combination of ecological and behavioural data from the field combined with

molecular methods and ecological modelling from the laboratory to model the distribution, abundance,

behaviour, social structure and habitat use dynamics of cetacean populations. This information can provide us

with a better understanding of species’ behavioural ecology, population biology, and community ecology in

space and time.

Cetacean molecular ecology

The use of molecular approaches allows us to investigate aspects of the ecology, social structure and evolution

of cetaceans. These include the identification of stocks, population genetic structure and population boundaries,

dispersal patterns and connectivity; social systems through kinship and parentage analysis; phylogeographic

patterns and evolutionary relationships of cetaceans. Dr Kerstin Bilgmann and others have recently published a

paper in Marine Ecological Progress Series (Bilgmann et al. 2014), which investigated the population structure of

common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) along the southern Australian coastline. Common dolphins are known to

interact with two fisheries in the region, the purse‐seine fishery for sardines and the gillnet fishery for gummy

sharks, however the impacts of these interactions are unknown. Using molecular approaches, Bilgmann et al.

found fine‐scale genetic structuring of common dolphins over small spatial scales, where they identified at least

six management units. Genetic structuring of common dolphins is likely due to the oceanographical features of

the area (i.e. strong upwellings and currents). Bilgmann et al’s paper suggested that each management unit

should be managed separately for conservation purposes.

Anthropogenic impacts on Cetaceans

Upper level predators such as many whales and dolphins play an important role in maintaining the structure and

functioning of marine ecosystems. As a result there is an urgent need to understand: (1) the magnitude of

human pressures on cetacean populations; (2) cetacean responses to environmental heterogeneity and

anthropogenic activities in space and time and (3) the potential impacts of changes to cetacean populations.

CEBEL members are currently working on different projects directed at evaluating anthropogenic impacts on

cetaceans to improve the scientific basis behind their conservation and management. One species that has been

exposed to vast amounts of human pressure is the blue whale, now endangered due to 20th century whaling.

Blue whales migrate thousands of kilometres between warmer breeding grounds that they occupy in winter and

colder feeding grounds that they occupy in

summer. For example, a breeding stock of

pygmy blue whales (B. m. brevicauda) feeds

off Australia in summer and migrates to

Indonesia to breed. Against expectations,

Cat Attard and others showed that some

Australian blue whales also go to Antarctica

to feed, but also interbreed with Antarctic

blue whales (B. m. intermedia) (Attard et al.

2013 in Molecular Ecology). This could

possibly be the result of whaling impacts or

anthropogenic climate change. For example, abundances of Antarctic blue whales are now much lower than

they were previously, so this may increase opportunities for pygmy blue whales to go to Antarctica to feed.

Alternatively, increases in ocean temperatures due to climate change may be ‘pushing’ pygmy blue whales


18

further south in attempting to stay at their adapted environmental temperatures. If you are interested in Cat et

al’s blue whale research, 60 Minutes recently reported on some field research being conducted in the Maldives:

http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8762940.

Hard working PhD students and their research projects

Nikki Zanardo is currently working with southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops australis) off the

metropolitan coast of Adelaide, South Australia. Now in her second field season, Nikki is using a combination of

boat‐based surveys, photo identification and biopsy sampling to determine the population ecology of dolphins

in the area. More specifically she is investigating their abundance and distribution along the coastline, their

residency patterns, habitat use, and social and population structure. This information is vital for the

management and conservation as they are a coastal species likely endemic to southern Australia and at risk of

anthropogenic impacts. Preliminary results suggest that there are different dolphin communities present within

the study area, and that there may be a seasonal shift in dolphin distribution from shallow waters in summer to

deeper waters in winter. You can read more about her first field season on her blog:

http://www.cebel.org.au/field‐blog/adelaide‐dolphin‐project/.

Moving to other areas within South Australia, more specifically Coffin Bay, you will find PhD students Fernando

Diaz‐Aguirre and Cecilia Passadore, who are also working with the southern Australian bottlenose dolphins.

Integrating their field work, Fernando is examining the social dynamics and genetic relatedness of animals

inhabiting this area, and he will also test for the presence of social personality types, while Cecilia is

investigating their spatial distribution patterns to identify important habitats and areas for conservation.

Tim Hunt is another PhD student, fortunate enough to be conducting his field work in the warm tropical waters

of Exmouth, Western Australia, where he is investigating the ecology of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa

chinensis). His study site encompasses the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, so you can imagine

the abundance of marine life that Tim and his research team find over there; humpback dolphins, whale sharks,

manta rays and turtles ‐ only to name a few!

In December 2013, CEBEL members attended the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals,

which was held in Dunedin, New Zealand. This was an amazing opportunity to promote our lab and showcase

our research, through a variety of oral presentations and posters. There is still so much to learn about cetaceans

in Australia and we are always looking for

prospective students to join our friendly lab. If you

are interested in joining us, or for further

information, publications, field blogs, photos and

videos, please visit our website www.cebel.org.au,

or like us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch.


19

Subtidal Ecology and

Ecotoxicology

Lab leader, Emma Johnston,

University of New South Wales

Contribution by Dr Katie Dafforn

([email protected])

Emma’s research group broadly investigates

human disturbances in marine communities.

The group’s research is approached from both

an ecological and ecotoxicological perspective

using field experimentation wherever possible.

The Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology Lab (SEE), member of School of Biological, Earth and Environmental

Sciences (BEES) at UNSW has been enjoying the recent broadcast of “Coast Australia” in which our director

Professor Emma Johnston is a co‐host. Emma took viewers on an underwater journey from Tasmania to Darwin

and highlighted topics as diverse as the poleward migration of urchins and tropicalisation of Sydney Harbour.

Emma begins filming Season 2 this year; stay tuned and follow @DrEmmaLJohnston. She has also been

awarded the inaugural Nancy Mills Medal for Women in Science from the Australian Academy of Science. The

award recognizes female research leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership. Congratulations

Emma! We’ve also been keeping busy with a recent lab writing retreat to Smiths Lake. We had a productive

week of writing and were entertained with grammar discussion groups and a fierce cooking competition!

Human use and ecology of Sydney Harbour – an iconic marine landscape

Dr Luke Hedge, together with collaborators from University of Sydney, Macquarie University and the University

of Technology, Sydney, is currently undertaking the first human‐use survey to ever be conducted in Sydney

Harbour. Records from Transport NSW have documented 17,000 recreational and 1,800 commercial vessels

plying the waters of Sydney Harbour every year and Luke’s research will document their movements and

activities in relation to different habitat types around the harbour. Follow @DrLukeHedge. This research has

recently incorporated underwater mapping techniques with the Catlin Seaview Survey and PhD student Kingsley

Griffin has joined the team to analyse spatial data about underwater habitat types around Sydney Harbour.

More than 50% of the coastline in Sydney is modified by coastal armouring and boating infrastructure. The

construction of artificial structures (such as pilings and pontoons) provides a novel habitat resource that favours

non‐indigenous species over native species. A team led by Dr Mariana Mayer‐Pinto begins sampling of artificial

structures around Sydney Harbour this year. Mariana will use innovative techniques to quantify functional

differences between artificial and natural habitats and honours student Elisa Tan will investigate recruitment

and biomass rates in the intertidal zone. PhD student Damon Bolton and honours student Wills Brassil will

investigate predation pressure on artificial structures and the effects on subtidal hard substrate communities.

This will be the initial phase of a large‐scale ‘green’ engineering project that aims to design artificial structures to

mitigate their impacts by enhancing biodiversity and deterring invasion.


20

Marine ecology and climate change

Global warming and invasive species represent two of the greatest threats to the world’s biodiversity. These

introduced species can displace natives, disrupt community structure and food webs, and alter fundamental

processes, such as nutrient cycling. Aria Lee has recently submitted her honours thesis where she investigated

the reproductive potential of the invasive fan worm, Sabella spallanzanii. Aria worked closely with Biosecurity

South Australia to collect samples for histological analysis and using these sampled investigated gamete

development and reproductive periodicity. Aria will continue working with Sabella during her PhD.

With climate change we might expect the rate of biological

invasions to increase due to shifts in species ranges and increased

temperatures may enhance the growth and development of some

non‐indigenous species. PhD students James Lavender and Sally

Bracewell are undertaking large‐scale field experiments along the

coastline from Port Douglas to Hobart to investigate latitudinal

variation in the abundance and species richness of fouling species,

and test hypotheses about disturbance recovery and biotic

pressure. James has also had a paper accepted to JEMBE entitled

“Meso‐predators: a confounding variable in consumer exclusion

studies”. The study investigates predation pressure in a subtidal

fouling community and highlights the importance of considering

meso‐predators in caging studies.

Dr Graeme Clark and Dr Ziggy Marzinelli have been investigating

life on the sea bed with the Australian Antarctic Expedition. Sea‐ice

cover is a major factor driving marine biodiversity in Antarctica as it

directly influences the amount of light – a key resource – that

reaches the seafloor. Global climate change is altering this

environment, resulting in areas that used to be covered by sea‐ice

throughout most of the year now remaining ice‐free for longer

periods, and vice versa. These changes in sea‐ice cover can have

profound effects on marine biodiversity, leading to shifts between

communities dominated by animals in dark environments and those dominated by underwater forests of algae

in light‐rich environments. Graeme’s research involved the use of underwater video surveys in Commonwealth

Bay, East Antarctica to quantify animal and algal biodiversity on the seafloor. They found that the underwater

forests of algae that usually characterise this ice‐free area are dying. Blades of large canopy‐forming seaweeds

are slowly decomposing and fading away. Given that seaweeds are the main primary producers in this system,

their disappearance is likely to affect other organisms higher in the food‐chain.

Marine ecotoxicology

PhD students Melanie Sun and Simone Birrer have recently returned from a visit to the Singapore Centre on

Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, where they worked through metagenomics data to understand the

effects of metals and nutrients on the recruitment and function of sediment microbial communities. Melanie is in

the final stages of her PhD, which has focused on illuminating and understanding the effects of contaminants on

marine microbes. She was recently published in Environmental Microbiology with her study entitled “Core

Sabella spallanzanii photographed

from marina pilings in South

Australia. Photo A Lee


21

sediment bacteria drive community response to anthropogenic contamination over multiple environmental

gradients” 15: 2517‐2531.

Simone joined our lab in early 2013 and has been keeping busy with experimental work on the effects of pulse

and press disturbances on marine microbes. She now joins our stormwater sampling program “Testing the

waters: Impacts of contaminants on ecosystem structure and function in urban waterways”.

Post‐doctoral researchers Drs Katie Dafforn and Tim Lachnit, together with PhD student Simone Birrer and

honours student Michael Sutherland, have begun a temporally extensive study of the effects of stormwater on

macro and micro sediment communities. Katie was recently published in PLoS ONE with her study entitled

“Polychaete richness and abundance enhanced in anthropogenically modified estuaries despite high

concentrations of toxic contaminants” 8: e77018. She has also been keeping busy planning a symposium entitled

“Ports and Estuaries” for the upcoming Joint SETAC AP/AU 2014 Conference. Tim joins the team from the UNSW

Centre for Marine Bio‐Innovation and will apply his background in microbiology and virology to the study of

viruses in the stormwater sediments. Vivian Sim joins the team to investigate distribution and ecological effects

of sediment microplastics and you can follow her research @vivian_xy_sim. Michael is our newest recruit and is

working closely with Peter Scanes and Jaimie Potts of OEH to understand sediment processes under stormwater

regimes. The first baseline sampling was in early February and after months of warm sunshine the Sydney drought

broke on our first day of fieldwork! We will continue monthly baseline sampling and are on standby for increased

temporal sampling when an intensive storm event occurs. The team’s adventures (and fashions in the field!) can

be followed at @DrKDafforn or #sydneystormchasers.

Lab comings and goings – busy BEES

The SEE Lab has recently said farewell to two of our members, Drs Katelyn Edge and Ceiwen Pease. Katelyn has

taken up a position at the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and recently hosted a “Meeting and

Tweeting” workshop for UNSW postgraduates. She was also recently published in Chemosphere with her study

entitled “A biomarker of contaminant exposure is effective in large scale assessment of ten estuaries” 100:16‐

26. The study assessed the applicability of biomarkers in large‐scale monitoring programs and found lysosomal

stability to be a robust indicator of contaminant stress. Katelyn maintains strong scientific (and social!) links

with the lab and we look forward to future opportunities for collaboration. Ceiwen Pease has also flown the

nest and taken a job with the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS) in Darwin.

Ceiwen has been enjoying life at the “Top End” and experiencing research by helicopter.

PhD student Jaz Lawes has been jetsetting around to conferences and most recently attended “ECSA 53:

Estuaries and coastal areas in times of intense change” in Shanghai, October 2013, and “Western Society of

Naturalists” in California, November 2013 where she presented her study ”Cop it sweet or sweeten the deal?

Investigating effects of two common contaminants on sessile communities and their recruitment” and

“Contaminant cocktails: effects of multiples stressors on sessile invertebrates” respectively. Jaz is currently

juggling the completion of her PhD thesis with her new job at the University of New South Wales. She has also

submitted a paper to review in Marine Ecology Progress Series “Contaminant cocktails: Interactive effects of

nutrients and metals on marine invertebrate settlement and mortality”.

For more information on the lab please contact Dr Katie Dafforn ([email protected]).


22

Marine Predators

Lab leader, Rob Harcourt, Marine

Predator Research Group,

Macquarie University

Contribution by Gemma Carroll

([email protected])

Our lab has broad interests in the

behaviour, ecology and conservation of

animals that occupy higher trophic

levels in marine food webs. Over the

past 15 years under Rob’s guidance we

have been conducting research on subjects ranging from animal personality, animal communication,

mating systems, sociality and population genetics, through to more applied research on foraging

ecology, population dynamics, conservation physiology and anthropogenic interactions.

The Marine Predator Research Group (MPRG) is a large lab with a strong emphasis on collaboration

both within Australia and across the world. We have a lot of exciting projects on the go at the moment,

on species as diverse as cuttlefish, whales, gulls and elephant seals.

The ‘Montague Island’ project

We currently have a large ARC Linkage project through which we hope to identify resource requirements and

important foraging areas for marine predators on the east coast of Australia. To do this, we have tracked fur

seals, penguins and flying seabirds from beautiful Montague Island off the South Coast of NSW. There are four

students working on different aspects of this study, in collaboration with Dr. David Slip from Taronga

Conservation Society Australia:

Marcus Salton is a PhD student using animal‐borne loggers to identify where fur seals go when they are

at sea, how long they spend searching for food, and if there is some cue in their environment (such as

water temperature) that is associated with finding prey. He is looking at differences in foraging and the

use of environmental cues by three species of fur seal (including Australian and New Zealand fur seals

from Montague Island) at different life history stages. This will help to determine how environmental

factors can inform our definition of areas of ecological significance. In January, he successfully

completed his last deployments of devices and now has information on the at‐sea movements and

associated environmental data for 100 fur seals!

Monique Ladds is conducting her PhD on captive fur seals and sea lions to determine the energetic cost

of foraging, and to validate approaches for classifying the behaviour of seals at sea using accelerometer

data loggers. Monique is currently working at Taronga Zoo (Sydney), Underwater World (Sunshine

Coast) and Dolphin Marine Magic (Coff’s Harbour) to measure the oxygen consumption of seals as they

A juvenile Australian fur seal

equipped with loggers that

measure location, depth and

oceanographic data (Photo by

Marcus Salton)


23

rest and swim. This work will help us to understand the resource requirements of seals, to identify

energy budgets in the wild and inform conservation planning.

Dustin O’Hara is an MPhil student studying the foraging ecology of four species of seabird that breed on

Montague Island (silver gulls, crested terns, and wedge‐tailed and short‐tailed shearwaters). He is

investigating the vastly different foraging strategies of these species (from short‐tailed shearwaters

foraging in the Southern Ocean to gulls feeding at the local tip) to understand the different foraging

strategies and environmental features that are used by each species.

Gemma Carroll’s PhD is looking at the potential effects of climate change on little penguins in NSW. She

is using GPS and accelerometry to build a model of foraging that incorporates oceanographic features to

determine where breeding penguins search for and find prey, and how much energy they expend in the

process. Gemma is also studying the physiology of little penguins in relation to heat stress, and will use

this information to predict their future distribution and implement specific conservation actions on

Montague Island such as improving nesting habitat.

These discrete studies will each give us new insight into the ecology and physiology of the individual predator

species. The information gained from each thesis will then be brought together to understand how biophysical

processes influence the foraging of marine predators on the east coast of Australia, and will enable us to predict

how these animals might be affected by environmental change.

Antarctic Predators

Marine Desprez’s PhD is on the demography of a

population of elephant seals on Macquarie Island

that has been declining for more than 50 years.

She is describing how environmental and

individual variability affect life history strategies,

and her work has shown a clear cost of

reproduction in elephant seals, particularly for

early breeders. Marine spent an amazing 3

months in Antarctica doing hands‐on work with

juvenile southern elephant seals at the start of

her PhD, and recently published the first paper

from her PhD in Ecology and Evolution showing the benefits of incorporating uncertainty in breeding state

assignments into demographic models.

Lisa‐Marie Harrison’s PhD will use quantitative models to assess the distribution of marine wildlife. In the first

part of her project she will identify biophysical drivers of krill distribution using data from the BROKE (Baseline

Research on Oceanography, Krill and the Environment) surveys conducted in 1996 and 2006 off Antarctica. Lisa

is also conducting helicopter surveys between Newcastle and Wollongong in conjunction with the Department

of Fisheries, using distance sampling to calculate the density and distribution of large marine animals along the

NSW coast. Both of these studies will improve our understanding of the oceanographic and temporal variables

that dictate the distribution of predators on varying spatial scales.

We are also excited to welcome Dr. Ian Jonsen who is joining Macquarie University and the Marine Predator

Research Group this year from Dalhousie, Canada. Ian is a quantitative ecologist who is a world leader in the

An Adelie penguin, a major

predator of krill in the

Antarctic ecosystem (Photo by

Rob Harcourt)


24

development of state‐space models that enable us to understand the foraging behaviour of marine vertebrates.

He is embarking on the immense task of consolidating decades of tracking data for marine predators in the

Southern Ocean and relating these movements to environmental data.

Conservation Biology

Vanessa Pirotta is in the second year of her Master of Research, and she is assessing the effectiveness of whale

alarms for deterring migrating humpback whales from becoming entangled in fishing gear. Vanessa recently

presented a speed talk at the Society of Marine Mammalogy conference in Dunedin showing that humpback

whales do not appear to change their behaviour in the presence of a commercially available whale alarm. She is

currently analysing a follow‐up experiment assessing the efficacy of a louder swept‐tone alarm. This study will

provide further insight into the viability of acoustics as a means of preventing whale entanglement in the future.

Yuna Kim is almost finished her PhD on the foraging ecology, diet and chick provisioning strategies of the

threatened Gould’s petrel on Cabbage Tree Island near Port Stephens. She has tracked the petrels using light‐

level data recorders, and used infra‐red cameras to record nest attendance. Yuna was recently invited to attend

a conference in Korea by Birdlife International, on preventing seabird by‐catch in longline fisheries.

Paolo Momigliano’s PhD is investigating how complex habitats shape gene flow and local adaptation in grey

reef sharks in Australia and Indonesia. To do this, he is using a combination of novel laboratory techniques (such

as RAD‐tag genotyping), GIS, and analytical frameworks borrowed from Graph Theory and Circuit Theory. He has

recently written a book chapter with Rob addressing the disconnect between science and management of

sharks, and is hoping to spend time in Indonesia this year analyzing DNA from shark fins sold at Indonesian

A humpback whale

entangled in fishing gear

(Photo by Rob Harcourt)


25

markets. Paolo is co‐supervised by A/Prof Adam Stow who runs the Conservation Genetics lab at Macquarie

and who is a long‐time friend of the MPRG, working with Rob for many years on projects on the molecular

ecology and conservation of gummy sharks, grey nurse sharks and Australian sea lions.

Finally, our newest member is Nicolette Armansin a second year Master of Research student working with Rob

and recent graduate from the MPRG Dr. Kate Lee. Nicolette is using social network analysis to characterise the

social behaviour of spotted wobbegongs in a small marine reserve in Sydney, using the photo‐ID and fine‐scale

acoustic telemetry data that Kate collected during her PhD. She aims to determine the frequency and nature of

associations between individuals, and establish whether wobbegongs show preferences in their associations

with conspecifics.

Animal Behaviour

Dr. K‐lynn Smith is a postdoctoral research fellow in the MPRG researching animal communication systems to

inform conservation and captive animal welfare. K‐lynn is currently working on understanding how the

endangered regent honeyeater learns its songs and whether song dialect influences mate choice. This will

ensure that captive‐bred individuals learn the right repertoire and become fully competent individuals that

thrive and successfully breed when introduced to the wild. On the other end of the size spectrum, she is also

working on Asian elephants, studying the potential for using audio‐visual technology to allow captive elephants

to create virtual social networks with individuals at other institutions. This will give us further insight into

communication in Asian elephants, and provide enrichment for the elephants at night, when their keepers are

not present.

Alex Schnell is co‐supervised by K‐lynn and is

in the throes of writing up her PhD thesis on

communication and sexual selection in the

giant Australian cuttlefish. This species signals

using spectacular changes in its body pattern,

however little is known about the specific

function of these behaviours or their influence

on intraspecific interactions. Alex is using

innovative techniques including visual playback

with high‐ definition video, as well as staged

interactions between cuttlefish in the

laboratory and observational work in the field.

This research has opened up new avenues for

testing communication in marine species, and

has enabled us to tease out the signals that

make up the complex language of cuttlefish.

For more information on us and the work that we do please see: http://bio.mq.edu.au/research/groups/mprg/

Or contact: [email protected]

A male and female giant

Australian cuttlefish in

the research aquarium

at Cronulla Fisheries

(Photo by Alex Schnell)


26

ESA Publication Highlights

Watch for new species of frogs in Australia: transport and introduction of exotic amphibians Pablo García‐Díaz & Phill Cassey, University of Adelaide

During the last decade the number of incursions of exotic amphibians in Australia has grown significantly. In this work we aim to study the factors that affect the probability of transport (outside their native range) and introduction (release, or escape, into the environment) of amphibians in Australia. We compiled and analysed a database of amphibians transported for the purposes of trade or as stowaways. Regardless of the pathway of incursion, transported amphibians have larger native ranges than a random sample of non‐transported species. Nineteen species of exotic amphibians have been found at large, and the probability of introduction is related to the transport of the species through both the trade and stowaway pathways. To prevent the establishment of exotic amphibians it is necessary to involve both governmental agencies, and stakeholders implicated in the pet trade and in the trade of goods (both imported and between states and territories).

Diversity and Distributions, early view: DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12176

Urban reserve bird communities are distinct, and more variable, than those in suburbs Karen Ikin et al, Australian National University

We investigated bird community composition and variability on either side of suburb‐reserve edges across Canberra. We found that bird communities in suburbs were distinct from those in reserves, and showed slight turn‐over with distance from the edge, with more exotic species in the centre of suburbs. Bird communities in reserves were more influenced by tree and shrub cover, showed higher between‐site variability, and supported guilds declining in Australian urban areas. While there was no clear edge effect into the reserves (up to 250 m from the edge), it is possible that the reserves were “all‐edge” and that the effects of the suburban matrix penetrate into reserves further than previously thought. Despite this, our results suggest that urban reserves do provide habitat resources to support many native species and are important for urban conservation. Oecologia v 174, 545‐557

Frogs bounce back after disease‐driven declines Ben Scheele et al, Australian National University

The disease chytridiomycosis has caused the decline of many amphibian species both in Australia and globally. We studied the long‐term response of whistling tree frog populations in south‐eastern Australia to the emergence of chytridiomycosis. We found that populations declined in the 1980s which was likely associated with the arrival of the disease. Populations that persisted during this period of decline then subsequently began to re‐expand, a process that is continuing. Interestingly, re‐expansion has occurred despite ongoing high prevalence of chytridiomycosis, suggesting that disease dynamics have changed, allowing whistling tree frogs to coexist with chytridiomycosis. We also found a positive correlation between high quality habitat and population persistence, indicating that high quality habitat may buffer populations against novel threats. Our research highlights the importance of maintaining habitat in good condition to facilitate species recovery.

Biological Conservation, 170, 86‐91


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Ecological Society of Australia

2014 Office Bearers

President Nigel Andrew

University of New England Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology Zoology Department Armidale NSW 2351 Ph: 02 6773 2937

[email protected]

Past President Kris French School of Biological Sciences University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Ph: 02 42213655

[email protected]

Secretary Jodie Lia WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services

[email protected]

Treasurer Brad Murray School of Environment University of Technology Sydney PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007 Ph: 0295144075

[email protected]

Executive Officer Gail Spina PO Box 2187 Windsor QLD 4030 Ph: 07 3162 0901

[email protected]

Vice‐Presidents Member Communication Liz Tasker NSW Office of Environment & Heritage PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220 Ph: 02 9585 6061

[email protected]

Student Affairs Angela Moles Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of New South Wales, NSW 2052. Ph: 0293858302 Fax: 0293851558

[email protected]

Research Jose Facelli University of Adelaide Benham Laboratories Adelaide SA Ph: 08 8313 4559

[email protected]

Bulletin Editor Ben Gooden School of Biological Sciences University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Ph: 02 4221 3436

[email protected]

Membership Manager Bev Watkins PO Box 8250 Alice Springs NT 0871 Ph: 08 8953 7544 [email protected]

Finance Officer Lyn McCormick PO Box 8250 Alice Springs NT 0871 Ph: 08 8953 7544 [email protected]

Board Directors Hot Topics Don Driscoll Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University

Communication Luke Collins School of Biological Sciences University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Ph: 02 4221 3555

Indigenous Engagement & ESA14 LOC Christine Schlesinger School of Environment & Life Sciences Charles Darwin University PO Box 795 Alice Springs NT 0871 Ph: 08 89595218

Early Career Researchers Andrew R. Hayes Dept Primary Industries and Fisheries 80 Meiers Rd Indooroopillly QLD 4068 Ph: 07 3896 9759 Fax: 07 3896 9628

ESA15 LOC Nerissa Haby School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Ph: 08 8303 5254 Fax: 08 8303 4347

Practitioner Engagement Anita Wild Wild Ecology Pty Ltd Private Bag 98 Mount Nelson TAS 7007 Ph: 03 6223 3168


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Research Chapters Euan Ritchie Deakin University Burwood, Victoria 3125 Australia

Membership Romina Rader University of New England Armidale NSW 2351 Ph: +61 02 6773 2857

Austral Ecology Managing Editor Mike Bull Flinders University, SA,

[email protected]

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References

1 Marine heatwave. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate‐change/intense‐marine‐heatwaves‐destroy‐400yearold‐reefs‐off‐was‐pilbara‐coast‐20140213‐32n40.html 2 Marine surveys. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/reef‐audit‐finds‐big‐fish‐lost‐

20140220‐3342f.html

3 Shark culls. http://www.smh.com.au/federal‐politics/political‐news/greg‐hunt‐grants‐wa‐

exemption‐for‐shark‐cull‐plan‐20140121‐315zk.html

4 Mark park zonation. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/scientists‐tell‐government‐

fishing‐ban‐in‐marine‐parks‐must‐be‐reinstated‐20140113‐30qm6.html

5 Dredging on the Great Barrier Reef. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014‐01‐31/abbot‐point‐spoil‐

dredging‐approved/5227774

6 UN take on reef dumping. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/reef‐dump‐decision‐could‐

spark‐legal‐action‐and‐un‐criticism‐20140201‐31u58.html

7 Youngentob, K. N et al. 2013. A survey of long‐term terrestrial ecology studies in Australia. Austral Ecology v 38, 365‐373 8 Major, J. D. 2012. Critical times: How has ecological research responded over the past 35 years? Austral Ecology v 37, 149‐152 9 Morton, S. R. et al. 2009. The big ecological questions inhibiting effective environmental management in Australia. Austral Ecology v 34, 1‐9

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