91É«ÇéƬ

Synopsis

Seagrass meadows are highly valuable marine ecosystems that perform many important functional roles, from providing habitat for iconic species such as seahorses to capturing carbon. However, seagrass meadows are declining due to human impacts and warming waters. Active restoration is underway in NSW but for management strategies to be resilient into the future, they need to anticipate projected climate and environmental changes. In this project, we aim to assess heat tolerance of different populations of the endangered seagrass Posidonia australis to help guide the selection of donor material for current and future restoration projects.

Aims

Our lab is leading Posidonia australis restoration projects in Sydney and nearby locations. We are seeking an Honours student to investigate how to "future-proof" seagrass restoration. As part of an Australian Research Council Linkage project, we aim to investigate whether some populations of Posidonia australis are warm adapted. A natural warm-water plume will be used as a temporary field laboratory setting to test the short-term effects of elevated temperature on different populations, simulating a heatwave.

Student benefits

This project would suit a student with an interest in marine ecology and climate change. Please note: the student must be a qualified SCUBA diver. You’ll benefit from working with a supportive team of 91É«ÇéƬ Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences academics, industry scientists and PhD candidates. In addition to developing ecological research and analytical skills, you will have the opportunity to develop practical marine fieldwork and lab skills. You will be contributing to the field of seagrass restoration science and actively participating in the United Nations' Generation Restoration movement.

Supervisors

Professor Adriana Vergés and Dr. Giulia Ferretto