biological sciences HONOURs 2014 - The University of Sydney

20
SUBTIDAL MARINE
ECOLOGY
Research Interests
The focus of research within my lab is the population ecology
of marine fishes. However, students and post-docs engage
in research on a wide variety of projects in subtidal marine
ecology including fisheries management, deep sea research
and biodiversity assessment. We use a variety of in-situ data
collection techniques including automated underwater vehicles,
baited remote underwater video and towed video. There is
a strong quantitative component to the work in the lab with
projects using a variety of modelling tools including biophysical
transport modelling, matrix population modelling, trophic
biomass modelling and habitat surrogacy modelling.
Honours projects
Honours opportunities are not limited to the list provided below.
If you have an idea that falls within the research areas of the
lab, please arrange to come and speak with me.
1. Applied Research for adaptive management of marine
ecosystems: a case study at the Solitary Islands Marine
Reserve This project evaluates the importance of habitat
complexity on patterns of diversity and abundance in the
Solitary Islands Marine Park, New South Wales. This project
uses state-of-the-art technology to obtain 3D models of
underwater habitats. (Co-supervised with Maria Byrne and Renata Ferrari)
Dr Will Figueira
Room 107, Edgeworth-
David Building A11
T: (02) 9351 2039
E: will.figueira@sydney.
edu.au
2. Understanding the processes of seasonal persistence of tropical marine fishes which
recruit to temperate latitudes Every summer tropical reef fishes settle to habitats all along the
coast of NSW but typically fail to survive the winter. However this may change in the face of
climate change. This project will combine field and lab work to look at the survival and health of
cohorts of settling tropical reef fish in Sydney.
3. Understanding linkages between environment and growth in settlement stage fishes
Most benthic fishes have a larval stage in the open water and then a benthic habitat stage.
In this project you will spend time learning about the pre and post-settlement biology of our
coastal fishes. Fish will be collected from various habitats and used for controlled studies at the
Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences.
4. Monitoring patterns of human use in the coastal zone with a Gigapan robotic camera.
The establishment of spatial management of coastal waters serves to reduce use conflict. This
project will document patterns of coastal use using a Gigapan robotic camera and software
system combined with Geographic Information System modelling of density of use. Cosupervised
with Tim Lynch (CSIRO).