Developing bespoke eco-engineering solutions to mitigate the risk of invasive species establishment in ports.
See original post: Bespoke eco-engineering solutions | University of Tasmania (utas.edu.au)
Global problem:
Marine coastal environments are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic disturbances, including coastal hardening which involves the expansion of artificial infrastructure such as piers, marinas and breakwater walls (Bugnot et al. 2020). Such structures, while not designed as marine habitats, inadvertently function as such. Unfortunately, they also serve as potential hubs for the establishment and spread of invasive species (Airoldi et al. 2015, Lemm et al. in prep).
Solutions:
Eco-engineering strategies offer promising solutions to enhance the native biodiversity while preventing the colonisation of invasive species on artificial structures (Strain et al. 2018, Dodds et al 2022, Komyakova et al., 2022). The strategies aim to create habitats that are less favourable for non-native species by increasing complexity through the use of panels (e.g. World harbour and Living Seawalls) or seeding with habitat-forming organisms like bivalves or seaweeds (Adams et al. 2021, Bradford et al. 2020, Chee et al. 2021, O'Shaughnessy et al. 2021, Strain et al 2021, Vozzo et al. 2021).
However, much of the existing research on eco-engineering strategies has been location-specific (e.g. Strain et al. 2020) or focused on transplanting strategies from one location to another (e.g. Strain et al. 2021, Living Seawalls), leading to variable results. This highlights the need for a more tailored approach that consider the unique environmental conditions and species tolerances in ports.
Proposed project:
This project aims to develop eco-engineering solutions to address the issues of invasive species establishment within port environments. By conducting ecological and socio-ecological research, the student will assess the diversity and abundances of native and non-native species associated with artificial structures found in ports worldwide. Building on this research, the project will then integrate insights into local biodiversity and unique Tasmanian identity.
Through ecosystem research and community engagement and including consultation with key representatives the project aims to develop and test key eco-engineering solutions. These solutions will focus on enhancing ecosystem functionality by creating habitat suitable for native species while effectively limiting the settlement of invasive species within Tasmanian ports. The research will be conducted by a PhD student and will consist of the following chapters.
Chapter 1: Identifying key taxa on artificial structures in Ports and Harbours. (Year 1)
Chapter 2: Co-designing eco-engineering solutions. (Year 1)
Chapter 3: Production of settlement panels (Year 2)
Chapter 4: Testing the effectiveness of seeding panels with local native species. (Year 3)
Closing Date: 1 October 2024
Campus: Hobart
This project uses a data-driven approach to examine how the socio-ecological context of areas of interest – e.g., 'fully allocated' vs 'open' systems – and marine policy and regulations in place, influence the necessity and scope of implementing a marine spatial planning process. The project uses case studies in southeast Australia where new ocean activities are emerging: coastal and marine ecosystem restoration and the development of offshore renewable energy, across multiple jurisdictions (the states of Victoria, Tasmania and the federal government), therefore potentially leading to conflicts by shifting uses and socio-economic or cultural values.
The project will:
For further information on the project, please click here.
*Photo credit: Jeff Hester from Ocean Image Bank
Brief project description:
Efforts that aim to tackle public understanding and engagement in science typically assume that providing people with more information (e.g. via blogs, seminars, brochures, etc.) will result in better understanding of and engagement in science (the knowledge deficit model). The evidence, however, does not support this. Rather, recent research shows that science conversations are more likely to lead to the deep and longer-term learning necessary to foster engagement and potentially, action based on science (the dialogic model). Several CMS/IMAS projects have already begun to explore and evidence this approach – including Curious Climate Tasmania. This project will focus on science communication and engagement with people who typically do not engage with science. Specifically, it will assess how science partnerships with community engagement events (i.e. that are not usually or overtly associated with science) can potentially facilitate engagement with those who do not typically engage with science (or not). The target event is Squidfest – an art, science, and food festival. The survey data will be collected in December/January (prior to project commencing). The student will analyse the survey responses to address key project objectives and questions.
Skills students will develop during this research project:
Supervisory Team:
Dr Rachel Kelly: lead investigator, student supervisor
Prof Gretta Pecl: co-investigator, student supervisor
