MICROSCALE PLANKTON AND PARTICLE DYNAMICS: COMPARING AND CONTRASTING AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL SEAS. Microscopic phytoplankton are the basis of ocean ecosystems, but most predictions and measurements focus on processes that occur over kilometres. Our recent work shows that definite and regular submetre seascape topography exists. This grant will test the extent to which this seascape topography is the fundamental organisational unit of marine ecosystems and the extent to which it characteris ....MICROSCALE PLANKTON AND PARTICLE DYNAMICS: COMPARING AND CONTRASTING AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL SEAS. Microscopic phytoplankton are the basis of ocean ecosystems, but most predictions and measurements focus on processes that occur over kilometres. Our recent work shows that definite and regular submetre seascape topography exists. This grant will test the extent to which this seascape topography is the fundamental organisational unit of marine ecosystems and the extent to which it characterises Australian coastal waters and open ocean water masses. This research takes a leadership role in defining and advancing our understanding of how marine ecosystems function. The project will bring over $200 million of Japanese infrastructure to Australia for 3 years.Read moreRead less
What drives recruitment variability in Snapper? Application of a novel theoretical and empirical approach to predict fluctuations in fisheries. This research will contribute to the sustainable management of the snapper resource to both protect the population and also provide long-term sustainability in terms of the ecosystem goods and services provided by the fishery, and associated social and economic benefits. Results will have broad applicability, as the critical environmental factors identif ....What drives recruitment variability in Snapper? Application of a novel theoretical and empirical approach to predict fluctuations in fisheries. This research will contribute to the sustainable management of the snapper resource to both protect the population and also provide long-term sustainability in terms of the ecosystem goods and services provided by the fishery, and associated social and economic benefits. Results will have broad applicability, as the critical environmental factors identified are likely to influence other species as well. Understanding the environmental factors underpinning recruitment variation in snapper will allow better predictions of impacts on recruitment levels resulting from climatic variability in the short term, and also longer-term effects of climate change on the population, for incorporation into future management assessments.Read moreRead less