Environmental genomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities on living marine surfaces. This project has three linked benefits to Australia. One, it is the first study to use environmental genomics analysis in an Australian marine ecosystem, thus bringing into the Australian scientific community the cutting edge technology for studying diverse microbial communities. Two, by using this technology we will be able to investigate Australian marine biodiversity to an unprecedented extent. ....Environmental genomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities on living marine surfaces. This project has three linked benefits to Australia. One, it is the first study to use environmental genomics analysis in an Australian marine ecosystem, thus bringing into the Australian scientific community the cutting edge technology for studying diverse microbial communities. Two, by using this technology we will be able to investigate Australian marine biodiversity to an unprecedented extent. Three, this newly revealed diversity will then be mined for novel bioactives for use in pharmaceutical and other human health applications. Read moreRead less
Physical and Ecological Structure at the Base of Ocean Food Webs. The coastal ocean is a crucial resource to Australia. In founding a research area on coastal food web function we provide international scientific leadership, train scientists in a cutting edge area, and lay the foundation for improved management of fisheries, aquaculture and species invasions. This work boosts Australia's participation in the International Polar Year, and knowledge about Antarctic Territorial waters. Infrastructu ....Physical and Ecological Structure at the Base of Ocean Food Webs. The coastal ocean is a crucial resource to Australia. In founding a research area on coastal food web function we provide international scientific leadership, train scientists in a cutting edge area, and lay the foundation for improved management of fisheries, aquaculture and species invasions. This work boosts Australia's participation in the International Polar Year, and knowledge about Antarctic Territorial waters. Infrastructure benefit comes from the French government paying for an outstanding French scientist to come to Australia 6 months/yr for 5 yrs. This grant acts as the base for larger projects that import EU and American funds.Read moreRead less
Novel technologies to resolve the role of organic matter on iron chemistry and bioavailability in the South Pacific Ocean. This project promotes cross-disciplinary scientific collaborations at national and international levels to understand the role iron plays in regulating oceanic biodiversity, primary production and ability to mitigate climate change. This project will thus benefit to human society as a whole. New promising technologies will be developed to assess iron oceanic limitation, the ....Novel technologies to resolve the role of organic matter on iron chemistry and bioavailability in the South Pacific Ocean. This project promotes cross-disciplinary scientific collaborations at national and international levels to understand the role iron plays in regulating oceanic biodiversity, primary production and ability to mitigate climate change. This project will thus benefit to human society as a whole. New promising technologies will be developed to assess iron oceanic limitation, therefore fostering the international competitiveness of Australian research. This project will contribute to National Research Priority: Sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. In addition, the proposed research is a vital element of global effort to advance our understanding of iron-related oceanic processes, as manifest in several international scientific programs.Read moreRead less
Effects of maternal foraging success and oceanographic variation on offspring behaviour and survival in the southern elephant seal. Juvenile survival is the key determinant of mammalian population performance, but the proximate determinants of this have rarely been established in large, long-lived predators. Southern elephant seals, with their concentrated lactation effort and marked separation of energy acquisition (at-sea foraging) and expenditure (on-land lactation) provide an ideal model for ....Effects of maternal foraging success and oceanographic variation on offspring behaviour and survival in the southern elephant seal. Juvenile survival is the key determinant of mammalian population performance, but the proximate determinants of this have rarely been established in large, long-lived predators. Southern elephant seals, with their concentrated lactation effort and marked separation of energy acquisition (at-sea foraging) and expenditure (on-land lactation) provide an ideal model for investigating these factors. In this study, we investigate the partitioning of pre-partum performance (fat acquired in mothers) relative to spatial-temporal variation in ocean productivity and the effect of this expenditure on offspring condition and survival. Here, the final missing link of energy transfer and its effects on offspring will be a major outcome of this project.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100203
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
Advanced Geochemical Facility for Climate and Environmental Change Research: a Western Australian/Indian Ocean focus. Research outcomes from this new facility will empower government bodies, resource industries, and indigenous stakeholders with key baseline information to ensure the sustainable and sensitive development of west Australia's unique coastal and offshore regions, across heavily populated and pristine environments. This includes projecting future impacts on local industries (eg. ener ....Advanced Geochemical Facility for Climate and Environmental Change Research: a Western Australian/Indian Ocean focus. Research outcomes from this new facility will empower government bodies, resource industries, and indigenous stakeholders with key baseline information to ensure the sustainable and sensitive development of west Australia's unique coastal and offshore regions, across heavily populated and pristine environments. This includes projecting future impacts on local industries (eg. energy, fisheries, tourism), rising shorelines with critical implications for existing and developing communities, and enhancing the resilience of habitats at risk. These are crucial to mitigate the impacts from environmental change that could severely affect our regional and national economies, as well as the style and quality of life of current and future generations.Read moreRead less