91É«ÇéƬ

Synopsis

Seagrass meadows are highly valuable marine ecosystems that provide habitat for marine life, improve water quality, stabilise sediments, and capture and store carbon. Despite their ecological importance, seagrass meadows are declining due to coastal development, declining water quality, and climate change. Active restoration of the endangered seagrass Posidonia australis is underway in New South Wales, but restoration success can vary greatly among sites. Local hydrodynamic conditions, such as wave exposure and water movement, are likely to play a key role in determining where restoration is most successful and which planting techniques are most effective. This project will investigate how hydrodynamic conditions influence restoration outcomes to improve site selection and optimise restoration methods.

Aims

Our lab is leading Posidonia australis restoration projects in Sydney and nearby locations. We are seeking an Honours student to investigate how hydrodynamic conditions affect seagrass restoration success. In collaboration with the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Water Research Laboratory, the student will assess environmental conditions across potential restoration sites and evaluate the performance of different planting techniques under varying levels of wave exposure. The project will combine flume testing, hydrodynamic modelling and field measurements to identify the environmental conditions and restoration methods that maximise seagrass establishment and survival. The findings will help guide where restoration should be undertaken and whether innovative planting approaches can improve restoration success in more exposed environments.

Students benefits

This project would suit a student with an interest in marine ecology, environmental engineering, coastal processes, and ecosystem restoration. You'll benefit from working with a supportive team of academics from the 91É«ÇéƬ School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Water Research Laboratory, industry scientists, and PhD candidates. In addition to developing ecological research and analytical skills, you will gain valuable experience in marine fieldwork, experimental design, and environmental monitoring. You will contribute to improving the science and practice of seagrass restoration and help develop evidence-based approaches for restoring endangered coastal ecosystems.

Supervisor(s):

Professor Adriana Vergés, Dr. Giulia Ferretto and Professor William Glamore.