My research
interests in marine systems are broad, but I am particularly fascinated
by interactions between animals and their environment, and between
predators and prey. A common thread throughout much of my research is the impact of human activities on coastal ecosystems. My research approach
is to test hypotheses using field sampling, field-manipulations
and controlled laboratory experiments.
At present, my research focuses on four themes:
- Stress coping styles in farmed and wild fish
- Impact of human recreational activities on shorebirds
- Impact of fish that escape from aquaculture on wild fish stocks
- Scaling of microhabitat complexity on rocky shores
Postdoctoral research (Australia, 2010-2011)
Habitat structure is often used as a physical surrogate in biodiversity mapping and conservation planning where biological data are limited. My research at University of the Sunshine Coast explored the link between habitat structure and biota on rocky shores, and demonstrated the value of combining different static and dynamic measures of topographic structure to best explain and predict biological patterns. Follow this link for publication details.
Declines in many shorebird species and human threats to sandy beach ecosystems highlight the need for a better understanding of habitat selection by avifauna on exposed sandy beaches.Ocean-exposed sandy beaches are both important nesting, foraging and roosting habitat for birds, and popular areas for human recreation - hence human-bird interactions are frequent. My recent research has aimed to develop predictive models of habitat selection by birds at the surf-beach-dune interface in relation to vegetation cover, physical beach parameters and rates of human recreational activities.
Impact of aquaculture escapees on wild fish (Norway, 2006-2010)
The number of hatchery produced fish entering marine and aquatic environments is increasing worldwide, driven by escapes from aquaculture and releases intended to restock or augment natural populations. Despite this, very little is known of impacts of these fish on wild stocks in the marine environment. My research has used cod as a model species to test for the potential of hybridisation and impacts on wild stocks across different life-history stages. These experiments also tested general theories on the effect of hatchery-rearing on behavioural and physiological mechanisms, such as coping styles, reproductive behaviour, antipredator behaviour, territoriality and sperm competition. Follow this link for further information, and this link for publications.
Postdoctoral research (Norway, 2003-2005)
Hypoxia and turbidity are emerging as major anthropogenic threats to coastal ecosystems around the globe. My postdoc within the EU project (Ethofish) aimed to determine the effects of turbidity and hypoxia
on the physiology and behaviour of coastal marine fishes. My research focused on the effects of turbidity on the foraging, predator-avoidance
behaviour, habitat choice and spontaneous activity of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua. Further details of
these experiments are available here. I also
collaborated on other research, particularly with respect to hypoxia and habitat choice. Details for publications are available here.
Doctoral research (Australia, 1997-2003)
My Ph.D (1997-2003) examined the processes affecting the distribution and abundance of juvenile
banana prawns (Penaeus merguiensis). Banana prawns are an
important commercial species that use mangrove-lined estuaries as
nursery habitats. However, the reasons for the association between
juvenile banana prawns and mangroves were unclear and this information
was required for coastal management. To assess how banana prawns will be affected
by mangrove loss and degradation, it was also important to determine
which microhabitats are used and why. The main findings of my research
were that both habitat structure and predation risk affect the distribution
of juvenile banana prawns, and that their preferred microhabitats
were structurally heterogeneous. I developed a conceptual model for the
tidal migratory behaviour of juvenile banana prawns, based on my
research and other studies. Further details of my Ph.D research
are available here, and
details of publications from this research are in my curriculum
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