Climate change impacts of marine animal ‘forests’

Synopsis

In some parts of eastern Australia and around the world, we have found that as kelp forests disappear they are being replaced by filter-feeding invertebrates like ascidians or sponges. These strange, beautiful creatures can create complex “animal forests” that support biodiversity, however we recently discovered that they also produce significant amounts of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that’s 300 times stronger than carbon dioxide. In this project, we combine biodiversity surveys, microbiome analyses and experimental ecology, to understand how microbial symbionts in sponges and ascidians produce nitrous oxide and how this production responds to environmental change.

Aims

In this Australian Research Council Discovery project, we aim to quantify:

a)    the nitrous oxide production rates of marine invertebrates in their natural environment,

b)    the underlying microbial and biochemical processes driving nitrous oxide production,

c)     how these processes respond to environmental changes.

For this, will combine new approaches to measuring nitrous oxide in the field, extensive biodiversity surveys, state-of-the-art microbiome analysis, and environmental manipulation experiments to quantify processes and environmental drivers of nitrous oxide production.

Multiple Honours-sized projects are available in this larger project, which may focus on either microbiology or marine ecology (or a combination of both) depending on the student’s background and interest. 

Students benefits

This project would suit students with an interest in marine ecology, microbiology, biogeochemistry and/or climate change. Previous experience in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry and/ or marine ecology is desirable but not essential. Depending on the student’s background and skillset (e.g. whether you are a registered SCUBA diver, or whether you have experience in molecular methods) different types of Honours projects will be offered.

You’ll benefit through working with a highly supportive team of academics, industry scientists and PhD candidates in the Centre for Marine Science & Innovation. In addition to developing ecological and/ or microbiological research and analytical skills, you will have the opportunity to develop practical marine fieldwork and lab skills. 

Supervisor(s): 

Professor Torsten Thomas (UNSW), Professor Adriana Vergés (UNSW) and collaborators Prof Dirk Erler (Southern Cross University) and Dr Xavier Turon (CEAB-CSIC, Spain)