When corals bleach, what is the weakest photosynthetic link? Despite dire warning of the imminent impact (< 50 y) of climate change of coral reefs, we still do not understand the fundamental processes of coral bleaching. This project will enhance future management of Australia's extensive coral reef ecosystems by providing details on critical gaps in our knowledge. This will feed directly into several layers of management agencies for policy development and risk assessment. Managing our reefs in ....When corals bleach, what is the weakest photosynthetic link? Despite dire warning of the imminent impact (< 50 y) of climate change of coral reefs, we still do not understand the fundamental processes of coral bleaching. This project will enhance future management of Australia's extensive coral reef ecosystems by providing details on critical gaps in our knowledge. This will feed directly into several layers of management agencies for policy development and risk assessment. Managing our reefs in an ecologically sustainable manner is vital to the future economic, social and cultural prosperity of Australia. The economic importance of healthy and biodiverse coral reefs is pivotal to both the tourism and fisheries-based economies of Queensland ($2.4 b/y). Read moreRead less
Bio-optical model of Antarctic sea-ice algae photosynthesis. Antarctica contains no permanent human population; however the impact of climate change is being observed. Sea-ice is slowly becoming less thick and covering smaller areas of the Southern Ocean. Algae grow on the underside of this sea-ice which feed krill, which in turn support most of the Antarctic food web. Understanding how changes in sea-ice and snow thickness will change the productivity of Antarctica will have significant implica ....Bio-optical model of Antarctic sea-ice algae photosynthesis. Antarctica contains no permanent human population; however the impact of climate change is being observed. Sea-ice is slowly becoming less thick and covering smaller areas of the Southern Ocean. Algae grow on the underside of this sea-ice which feed krill, which in turn support most of the Antarctic food web. Understanding how changes in sea-ice and snow thickness will change the productivity of Antarctica will have significant implications to our management of this wilderness. Knowledge of how sea-ice algae responds to changes in light can be incorporated in climate change models.Read moreRead less
Effect of Global Change on the Primary Production of Antarctic coastal Ecosystems. As the climate warms, sea ice in Antarctic coastal areas will reduce. Most primary production currently occurs within the sea ice. We propose that a reduction in ice extent will lead to a reduction in ice production but greater benthic production; phytoplankton production will stay relatively constant. These changes will significantly effect the size of pelagic (ie fish) and benthic (starfish, sea urchins etc) st ....Effect of Global Change on the Primary Production of Antarctic coastal Ecosystems. As the climate warms, sea ice in Antarctic coastal areas will reduce. Most primary production currently occurs within the sea ice. We propose that a reduction in ice extent will lead to a reduction in ice production but greater benthic production; phytoplankton production will stay relatively constant. These changes will significantly effect the size of pelagic (ie fish) and benthic (starfish, sea urchins etc) stocks, which in turn will impact on the size of seal and penguin populations. Our project will allow predictions of these changes that have been induced by a reduction in sa ice extentRead moreRead less
Climate change and ocean acidification: will southern ocean coccolithophorids be winners or losers? Implications for the global carbon pump. This proposal brings skills on morphotaxonomy, microalgal culturing, physiology and biogeochemistry into the flurry of international activity focusing on consequences of ocean acidification. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is predicted to reduce calcification in the phytoplankton Emiliania huxleyi, notably in the Southern Ocean. In contrast, hi ....Climate change and ocean acidification: will southern ocean coccolithophorids be winners or losers? Implications for the global carbon pump. This proposal brings skills on morphotaxonomy, microalgal culturing, physiology and biogeochemistry into the flurry of international activity focusing on consequences of ocean acidification. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is predicted to reduce calcification in the phytoplankton Emiliania huxleyi, notably in the Southern Ocean. In contrast, higher CO2 may stimulate photosynthesis and enhanced stratification may also select for E. huxleyi. These changes will affect foodwebs and the ability of the ocean to absorb CO2. Predicting the future success of this key organism is vital to understand the consequences of global change in Australian and Southern Ocean waters and to set targets for carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Effects of global climate change on marine phytoplankton: interactions between UV radiation and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Global climate change is one of the most significant ecological challenges for the 21st Century. Phytoplankton contribute over 45% of the planet's annual net primary production and form the basis of most aquatic food chains. Conversely, some phytoplankton are toxic and cause problems in marine and fresh waters. Climate change can potentially disrupt aquatic ....Effects of global climate change on marine phytoplankton: interactions between UV radiation and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Global climate change is one of the most significant ecological challenges for the 21st Century. Phytoplankton contribute over 45% of the planet's annual net primary production and form the basis of most aquatic food chains. Conversely, some phytoplankton are toxic and cause problems in marine and fresh waters. Climate change can potentially disrupt aquatic foodchains by its impact on primary production by phytoplankton or stimulating growth of potentially toxic forms. Our project will investigate the combined impact of increasing carbon dioxide and ultraviolet light on phytoplankton and thereby help climate modellers assess the impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and particularly on the nation's and the world's fisheries.Read moreRead less
Characterisation of Bioadhesives from Marine diatoms. Biofouling occurs at great expense to governments and industry, adding up to 60% annually to the cost of propulsive fuel consumption in shipping. Diatoms include the most common algal biofoulers of natural and artificial surfaces (e.g. ship hulls). The structure of diatom adhesives will be elucidated in order to determine the molecular basis of their adhesive properties. As diatoms are capable of reversible adhesion, an understanding of th ....Characterisation of Bioadhesives from Marine diatoms. Biofouling occurs at great expense to governments and industry, adding up to 60% annually to the cost of propulsive fuel consumption in shipping. Diatoms include the most common algal biofoulers of natural and artificial surfaces (e.g. ship hulls). The structure of diatom adhesives will be elucidated in order to determine the molecular basis of their adhesive properties. As diatoms are capable of reversible adhesion, an understanding of this mechanism may enable development of strategies to counter adhesion in antifouling products (e.g. paints). This knowledge will contribute to development of new adhesives or strategies to modify and/or prevent adhesion.Read moreRead less
Synergistic interactions between reactive oxygen species, free fatty acids and neurotoxins as the fish-killing mechanism of Australian gymnodinioid dinoflagellates. Provide the scientific basis for sound management and mitigation strategies to prevent algal bloom impacts on aquaculture, fisheries and the environment.