In this special marine ecology issue…

Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 In this special marine ecology issue… Bulletin Editorial Council News President’s Report…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan…………………………………………………………………………..
Events and Opportunities Indigenous Ecology Symposium and Travel Grants, ESA14………………………………………. Student Research Grants Calling all Book Reviewers! ……………………………………………………………………………………. Spotlight in Students Student Snapshots……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Student Focus – Paul Carnell, University of Melbourne……………………………………………..
Labs in the Limelight Benthic Ecology – Melanie Bishop, Macquarie University………………………………………….
Cetacean Ecology – Luciana Möller & Guido Para, Flinders University……………………….
Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology – Emma Johnston, UNSW …………………………………
Marine Predators – Rob Harcourt, Macquarie University ………………………………………… ESA Publication Highlights ESA 2014 Office Bearers 1 2 2 3 5
6 6 7
8
8 9 10 13 13
16 19
22 26
27 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Bulletin editorial Over the past three months I have been struck by the increase in the number of marine‐related issues being reported by the popular print media, including intense marine heatwaves off the Western Australian coastline that have killed off ancient coral reefs1, continent‐scale audits of marine life by Graham Edgar and colleagues that have revealed a decline in abundance and diversity of ‘big fish’2, shark culls in WA3, marine park dezoning4, port development and dumping of dredged sediment on the great Barrier Reef5… the burgeoning list of examples is distressing to say the least (see page 28 for a list of paper and news article references). These issues have sparked a fierce socio‐political debate both domestically and internationally6 about the ways in which Australia manages its rich biological resources within marine systems. As Australia’s premier body of professional ecologists, is the ESA equipped to wade in on this debate? Are we primed as a Society to contribute objectively to policy decisions around marine conservation issues? It would be arrogant of me to attempt to answer these questions on behalf of the Society’s diverse members (especially as I’m a plant ecologist with an irrational fear of the ocean!), but from the evidence that exists (see below), I’d hazard a guess that we could do better. Whilst Australian ecologists are some of the most productive on the planet, recent reviews of the Australian ecological literature have identified a potential bias toward ecological studies of terrestrial over marine systems within the Society. For example, Youngentob et al. (2013)7 found that as little as 6% of long term monitoring studies (average length of study 23 years) in Australia targeted changes to fish and marine ecosystems, whilst 60% targeted vascular plants, mainly within eucalypt forests and open woodlands. Indeed, according to this study, greater than 80% of monitoring effort in Australia goes towards assessing changes to terrestrial vertebrate (mainly mammals and birds) and plant communities. Furthermore, a study of changes to ecological research priorities within Australia over the past 35 years, published in Austral Ecology by Majer (2012)8, clearly shows a long term focus within the Society on questions related to the ecology of fire, invasion, threatened species and habitat fragmentation, with no mention at all of marine ecology. This bias is surprising given that in a review of ‘big ecological questions’ for effective environmental management in Australia published in Austral Ecology, Morton et al. (2009)9 identified that two of the four global issues requiring research focus are ocean acidification and coastal inundation. Personally, I do not think that these numbers reflect an overall lack of marine research activity in Australia. Rather, I think that the apparent bias toward terrestrial research within the Society is a function of an historical lack of engagement between marine and terrestrial research networks. To overcome this I think we need to get better as a Society at engaging with ecologists more broadly, regardless of the taxa or system within which they work. In response to reading about these emerging issues over summer and the fact that so little marine ecology research is given airplay within the Society, I thought it timely to publish a Special Issue on marine ecological research in Australia to highlight the phenomenal work that students, academics and practitioners alike are doing in this field and to bridge the apparent historical gap between terrestrial and marine ecologists. In this issue, my co‐editor Matt Rees (a marine PhD student from the University of Wollongong and recipient of The Nature Conservancy Applied Conservation Award) and I have invited some of Australia’s premier and award‐
winning marine ecology researchers and their students, to share their research news and aspirations with the broader ESA membership. I am particularly grateful to Melanie Bishop, Luciana Möller & Guido Para, Emma Johnston, Rob Harcourt and their dedicated lab members for making such valuable and well‐written contributions to this special issue on marine ecology. I am buoyed by the fact that we have such great marine thinkers within the Society, who are leaders in their respective fields and spend so much of their time communicating their science to the broader community. Happy reading! Ben Gooden, ESA Bulletin Editor, Institute for Conservation Biology and Environmental Management, University of Wollongong.
2 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 President’s report Nigel Andrew, March 2014 As many ecologists in Academia raise our weary heads from writing and submitting ARC Discovery grants and bunker down into the depths of teaching there is a whole raft of other events happening around Australia – both positive and extremely worrying. One of the most exciting and collaborative initiates that has been happening with core ESA involvement is the Australian Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan (http://www.ecosystemscienceplan.org.au/) of which many of you have been involved. Taken directly from the website the plan is “being developed by and for the ecosystem science community in Australia, to ensure we have a cohesive vision and plan for sustaining and developing ecosystem science in Australia.” If you were not able to attend one of the town hall meetings around the capital cities, you can facilitate your own meeting, or at least share you own insights. Submissions can be made until the end of March 2014, when the main consultation phase for the Plan draws to a close. Of concern are the great swath of ecological issues that are continually being raised around the country and the lack of political will to implement ecological science to deal with them. A senate enquiry has been launched to assess the issues surrounding environmental offsets that are supposed to compensate for ecosystems and biodiversity that are bulldozed to make way for development. ESA member Professor Richard Hobbs was one of many experts interviewed about this recently for ABC Radio (Background Briefing story 16th March 2014 “Do environmental offsets protect biodiversity?”). The ESA’s submission to the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, regarding alpine grazing in Victoria to reduce fire fuel loads was not heeded with cattle returning to the high country for a three year trial. Even though this is extremely unfortunate, the ability for ESA to make quick submissions is critical. So again if you have a topic that you think can be developed into a ‘Hot Topic’, please give it a shot: e.g. environmental offsetting; Great Barrier Reef tipping points; real value of conservation areas; triaging endangered species; among others. In addition, the May Federal Budget is looming and it’s not hard to envisage cuts to an already meagre budget for research funding, of which many ESA members spend many of their waking hours preparing for and using for critical ecological research. Recently the Australian Greens initiated a ‘Respect Research’ campaign. Although this has obvious political motivations, the underlying requests should sit pretty fairly with most of us (albeit in reality they may be more aspirational than realistic goals). That is “(1) Respect research as fundamental to our country’s health and prosperity; (2) Maintain public funding for all areas of research in the May federal budget. As well, we should lift Australia’s total spending on research and development to 3% of GDP, a target also set by the United 3 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 States; (3) Stop the ‘brain drain’ and back our researchers, scientists and educators by providing secure career pathways, more certain funding arrangements and the national infrastructure that equips people to make discoveries; (4) Respect academic independence. The government should respect the process of peer‐review and expert recommendations; and (5) Secure our future by ensuring children get a better understanding of science and research at school.” Finally, on a much more positive note, we have implemented an ESA Board and Research Chapter Initiatives Grant. In total $4000 will be made available twice a year for Board member and Research Chapter initiatives. These funds should be directed at promoting ESA to the wider public, attracting new members, or providing greater opportunities and services to current members. ESA members may approach Board members and Research Chapter leaders with ideas, but grants must be submitted and administered by an ESA Board member. In most cases each grant will be capped at $1000 – in exceptional initiatives, a higher amount may be requested. In exceptional circumstances applications may be sought at other times of the year. Funds will normally be used within 6 months of being awarded. So if you have a great idea that you think would fit here, please get in touch. More details will be on the ESA website hopefully by the time you read this. Nigel Andrew PS: Remember to get ready for 2014 conference in Alice Springs. It starts earlier than normal (28th September 2014), so check out the website (www.ecolsoc.org.au) for more details. 4 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan Dr Bek Christensen (ESLTP Project Coordinator) Over the last few months hundreds of people across the country – including many ESA members – have taken the chance to contribute their ideas to the Ecosystem Science Long‐Term Plan and to have their say on how to best develop the science of ecosystems in Australia. They include students, policy makers, scientists, ‘on‐
ground’ environmental managers, academics, industry consultants and even concerned citizens; and they all contribute in some way to understanding and managing the processes and living things that combine to make up Australia’s unique ecosystems spanning our oceans, coasts and landscapes. Working with the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and the Australian Academy of Science, the ESA is helping to coordinate the consultation process, which is the first of its kind that has connected such a diverse range of people. No matter what background, occupation, or organisation they come from, this diverse community shares the common goal of enhancing the nation's capacity to understand and effectively manage its ecosystems by strengthening the scientific foundations that underpin this capacity. As our ESA President Nigel Andrew observes, ‘It’s really exciting and timely to have a wide range of experts from a variety of backgrounds come together in a collaborative way to develop the Ecosystem Science Long‐
Term Plan. As one of the key aims of the ESA is to foster the conservation and ecological management of native biota, their diversity, ecological function, and interaction with the environment, we are excited to support this process and see the advances already made through these workshops.’ A breakout group discussing and developing their top ideas for the future of ecosystem science in Australia (photo: Alan Kwok). In order to continue progression towards the completion of the plan in mid‐2014, the open consultation phase will be wrapping up at the end of March. But there are still opportunities for you to be involved and have input: 
Anyone, anywhere can contribute their ideas and proposals using tools available online. Click here to find out more and to have your say. The reports from previous town‐hall workshops across the country are available for you to read here so take a look and see what ideas are being discussed around the country! Contact: Dr Bek Christensen, ESLTP Project Coordinator and TERN Communication and Engagement Manager, University of Queensland; [email protected]; www.tern.org.au 5 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Events and Opportunities – Noticeboard Special ESA symposium on Indigenous Ecological Knowledge An Invitation is extended to Indigenous Australian Speakers to present at an ESA14 Conference Symposium “Indigenous Ecological Knowledge: dynamic practice and application”. Presentations by Indigenous people or co‐presented talks led by an Indigenous person are particularly invited to contribute to this year's Symposium as part of the Ecological Society of Australia 2014 conference in Alice Springs. Speakers who require financial assistance are invited to apply for an 2014 ESA Indigenous Travel Grant The Ecological Society of Australia is able to offer some eligible applicants who would like to contribute to the Indigenous Ecological Knowledge symposium or to speak in other symposia or themed sessions of the conference, a Grant to assist with the costs of attending the ESA conference in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 28th September – 3rd October 2014. Applications are particularly encouraged from people who have limited or no institutional support to enable them to attend conferences. The grant will cover the full conference registration plus $1000 which can be used towards travel or accommodation. Joint papers involving two or more Indigenous speakers may apply for funding for up to two people. Submit the Indigenous Travel Grant application form and a presentation abstract by Friday 9th May 2014: http://www.ecolsoc.org.au/2014‐symposium‐indigenous‐travel‐grants
6 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Events and Opportunities – Noticeboard Ecological Society of Australia Conference 2014 ‐ Abstract submissions open Student research awards The Nature Conservancy Applied Conservation Award for ESA student members! $6000 plus funded attendance at this year's ESA meeting to accept the award and to the following year's meeting to present the annual TNC address. 2014 applications close 28th April 2014 Wiley Fundamental Ecology Award for ESA student members! A $5000 postgraduate grant for research in the field of Fundamental Ecology plus funded attendance at the 2015 ESA conference to present the research. 2014 applications close 26th May 2014 Student travel grants to attend ESA14, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Sept 29 – Oct 3rd The ESA encourages student attendance at its annual conference by providing a number of Student Travel Grants each year. This year every student that applies for the grant and meets the criteria will receive some level of funding depending on the geographic location of their home campus (funding amounts shown below). The amount of the grant received will be based on relative travel costs of all applicants, and are generally determined on the basis of relative costs of air travel. In 2014, in addition to the usual travel grants, up to five extra travel grants (Wiley‐Blackwell Student Fellowships) will be sponsored by Wiley‐Blackwell. These fellowships will be awarded to individuals from the pool of applicants who have the highest travel costs. To apply go to: https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/students/awards‐and‐grants/student‐travel‐grants 7 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Australian Mammal Society Conference, 7th ‐ 9th July 2014 Abstracts for the Australian Mammal Society conference 2014 may now be submitted. Visit the Society's website to submit an abstract, apply for an award, and register for the conference. More details and information on the conference, including presenter guidelines are also available online. Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2014 ‐ Entries open until 7pm AEST Friday 2 May 2014 The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are presented annually by the Australian Museum. The prizes are a unique partnership between government organisations, institutions, companies and individuals committed to Australian science. Calling all Book Reviewers! Wiley Publishing offers the opportunity for ESA members to review recent publications for the benefit of readers of our journals Austral Ecology and EMR. All book reviewers will not only keep the book sent to them for comment but also receive a discount voucher from Wiley Publishing after submission of their 800 word review. Some of the current books available for review for Austral Ecology or Ecological Management and Restoration are: Restoration Ecology 
ALLISON, S. K. 2012. Ecological Restoration and Environmental Change – Renewing Damaged Ecosystems. Earthscan from Routledge CLEWELL, A. F. & ARONSON, J. 2013. Ecological Restoration. Principles, Values and Structure of an Emerging Profession. Washington, Island Press. EGAN, D., HJERPE, E. E. & ABRAMS, J. 2011. Human Dimensions of Ecological Restoration. Washington, Island Press. 

Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management 
COLLEN, B., N. PETTORELLI, ET AL. (2013). Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: Bridging the Gap Between Global Commitment and Local Action. Wiley‐Blackwell CONROY, M. J. & PETERSON, J. T. 2013. Decision Making in Natural Resource Management: A Structured, Adaptive Approach. Oxford, Wiley‐Blackwell. 
… Plus many more!!! For the full list see: http://www.ecolsoc.org.au/publications/current‐books‐
available‐review. Potential reviewers should contact our Austral Ecology & EMR Book Review Editor, Perpetua Turner ([email protected]), and please ensure that you include your postal address in your email, if you wish to receive a book. 8 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Spotlight on Students Student snapshots Pelagic stereo‐BRUVs: a non‐destructive fishery‐independent technique to study pelagic fish Julia Santana Garcon (University of Western Australia) My PhD research aims to validate the use of pelagic Baited Remote Underwater stereo‐Video systems (stereo‐BRUVs) as an effective fishery‐independent approach to study pelagic fish. I have developed a deployment method that allows stereo‐video systems to remain at a predetermined depth in the mid‐water to sample fish assemblages in the water column. Pelagic stereo‐BRUVs can be calibrated to standard methods like scientific long‐line surveys and provide data on species composition, relative abundance, behaviour, and size distribution of highly mobile fish. This non‐destructive fishery‐independent technique can be used in areas closed to fishing and is suitable to study rare or threatened species. The vast unknown: The ecology and conservation of temperate soft sediment fish assemblages Lachlan Fetterplace (University of Wollongong and NSW DPI) My PhD aims to examine the ecology and conservation of soft sediment fish assemblages in temperate waters of SE Australia. I use Baited Remote Underwater Video to assess and compare fish communities in marine park sanctuary zones (no‐take zones), habitat protection zones (recreational fishing allowed) and areas outside of the marine park (that are targeted by both recreational fishers and commercial fishing vessels). In addition, I am using acoustic tracking to investigate issues surrounding the movement patterns of some of the fish in these soft assemblages. Find out more at http://fishthinkers.wordpress.com 9 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Student focus Paul Carnell, PhD Candidate from the Department of Zoology at the University of Melbourne, on testing the relative importance of top‐down versus bottom‐up drivers of marine ecosystem structure in kelp forests of south‐eastern Australia Having conducted sub‐tidal experiments in Port Phillip Bay over the last three and a half years, Paul Carnell is about to hand in his PhD thesis. Supervised by Professor Mick Keough, Paul conducted a number of manipulative field experiments and surveys investigating the factors influencing the resistance and resilience of kelp bed and urchin barren reefs. Resilience of temperate sub‐tidal reefs One of the concepts to intrigue ecologists for many years is the apparent ability for ecosystems to occur in multiple states, and their propensity for sudden change. An ecosystem may change from a forest to grasslands, coral reefs to those dominated by algae, or kelp forests to urchin barrens. These shifts drive one of the fundamental questions in ecology: how stable or permanent is an ecosystem, and what causes systems to change? This is particularly pertinent when one of those states is less desirable and when anthropogenic activities are a potential cause of such shifts. Top‐down control in ecosystems An anthropogenic influence on top‐down ecosystem dynamics has received particular attention with a number of high profile examples. These effects have been documented in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems when higher‐order predators have been over‐exploited by humans, with flow‐on effects seen down the food web to primary producers. These changes can be persistent and represent large shifts in species assemblages, dynamics and often ecosystem function and services. One of the systems that have been a testing ground for ecosystem shift theory has been kelp forest ecosystems. This is partly because it represents a system with an autogenic ecosystem engineer (kelp) and sea urchins which can over‐graze these forests. There are also strong agents of natural disturbance (storms), which tear kelp from the reef. While the North American kelp forests have been relatively well studied, we have a limited understanding of these dynamics in Australia. We used the shallow sub‐tidal reefs dominated by the canopy‐forming kelp Eckonia radiata (hereafter Ecklonia) in south‐eastern Australia to test ideas of the importance of top‐down processes (using the sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma) in shifting ecosystem state. Through manipulative field experiments, we investigated both the path to sea urchin barren creation on a kelp dominated reef, and spatial variability in the response of urchin barren reefs (zero kelp cover and high urchin density) to reduced urchin densities. In a first 10 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 experiment we asked: (a) Does an increase in urchin numbers alone trigger a shift from a kelp dominated reef to an urchin barren, (b) conversely, is disturbance, without a change in urchin numbers, enough to turn a kelp bed into an urchin barren or (c) is it only a combination of these two factors that results in the change? In a second experiment on urchin barren reefs, we investigated if a substantial reduction in urchin density resulted in recovery of algal species, and whether this effect varied spatially. In kelp beds, while we saw a strong effect of increased urchin numbers on algal populations when the kelp had not been disturbed, the absence of an effect of increasing herbivore density on kelp in disturbed plots suggests that in this scenario herbivore pressure is less important. This is particularly interesting considering the contrasting pathways of recovery we observed in urchin barrens with urchin exclusions. At one site, it was only when urchin numbers were reduced to low levels that the system recovered, while at the other, algal populations increased dramatically regardless of herbivore density. This experiment was initiated at the end of a drought (December 2010), with substantial rainfall occurring throughout the first six months. This dramatic change in conditions is the environmental variable most tightly linked to the difference in recovery between sites. The complete contrast in response to changing herbivore densities and the overriding influence of disturbance or environmental factors indicates that while herbivore control of a system can be important, this effect can be superseded by other processes. Bottom‐up drivers of change With this dramatic change in conditions seen as the drought broke, we became interested in whether it was a spike in nutrients (and therefore productivity) that caused this turnaround at some sites in Port Phillip Bay. We therefore decided to investigate the role of increased nutrients on reefs dominated by the canopy‐forming kelp Ecklonia and how this response may vary with an intact kelp canopy or one that has been disturbed. We combined experimental kelp canopy removals and additional nutrients at three different locations in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. Over the following winter recruitment season, Ecklonia recruitment was unaffected by increased nutrients alone, but tripled at all sites where the canopy had been removed. At one site, the combination of disturbance and increased nutrients resulted in more than four times the recruitment of the introduced kelp Undaria pinnatifida. Six months after disturbance, the proliferation of the Undaria pinnatifida canopy in the canopy removal/nutrient addition treatment negatively influenced the recovery of the native kelp Ecklonia. Given the otherwise competitive dominance of adult Ecklonia, this key result identifies a mechanism whereby Undaria could maintain open‐space for the following recruitment season. The interplay between disturbance, nutrients and the response of native and invasive species makes a compelling case for how a combination of factors can influence species dynamics. 11 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Additionally, we tested at three sites how additional nutrients may allow for recovery on urchin barren reefs. As the focus of this experiment was to elucidate a similar shift in algal community without a reduction in urchin density, we did not manipulate urchin densities, only nutrients. However, we saw no strong effect of additional nutrients on any brown algal recovery at all three sites. In this instance, the addition of nutrients alone did not seem responsible for the sudden recovery seen urchin barrens without a decline in urchin density. Reconstructing the past to understand the present To place the results from these manipulative experiments in context and better characterise the role of sea urchins, we wanted to reconstruct a historical timeline of kelp and urchin abundances in Port Phillip Bay. By combining data from old theses, more recent monitoring programs and our own surveys, we were able to construct a dataset at three sites going back to the late 1960s. We added to this by acquiring aerial photographs for the region going back to the 1940s. In combination with survey data, these images show relative stability of kelp and algal reefs in Port Phillip Bay from the earliest data to the 1990s. However, the 2000s saw an unprecedented decline in kelp beds (98‐100%) and an expansion of ‘barren’ areas. The urchin densities increased at these sites by two to three times and have dropped only slightly since their peak in 2012 without recovery of the kelp beds. The sudden increase in density of sea urchins seems directly related to the salinity of Port Phillip Bay, which had increased through the drought years in the 2000s. While, further research is needed, it seems likely that in the absence of any major predators in this large sheltered embayment, the sensitivity of urchins to reduced salinity after rainfall has likely kept large numbers confined to deeper reefs (and a more stable salinity). This long period without any significant rainfall appears to have enabled their movement into shallow kelp dominated reefs. Understanding, when and how much top‐down drivers will influence ecosystem shifts is becoming increasingly important as humans alter ecosystems by removing consumers and increasing nutrients over large spatial scales. In the current study we uncovered examples where changing top‐down influences can be important in shifting ecosystem state and others where this top‐
down effect was overridden by other factors. Our ability to cope with and effectively manage these changes will rest in our ability to understand this complex interplay of drivers to be able to predict the state of ecosystems into the future. Contact Paul: [email protected]
Recent publications: Carnell PE, Keough MJ (2014) Spatially variable synergistic effects of disturbance and additional nutrients on kelp recruitment and recovery. Oecologia DOI 10.1007/s00442‐014‐2907‐9
12 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Labs in the Limelight
Benthic ecology – the brown world view! Melanie Bishop, Macquarie University Our research group seeks to provide cutting‐edge ecological research to support environmental management. We focus on temperate coastal ecosystems, which are not only one of the most important ecosystems in terms of marine productivity and nutrient cycling, but are also areas that have borne the brunt of human impacts. The study systems and questions we work on are diverse, but we are united by our love of mud and all things small and squirmy (invertebrates). Below is a taste of the many projects that we are presently working on (and which are very ably supported by our wonderful lab manager Jen Rowland). The brown world view One of the lab’s core lines of research has been on detrital resource subsidies to estuarine sand and mud flats. As low points in the environment, estuaries receive significant detrital inputs from the terrestrial as well as the aquatic environment. We have been researching how changes in the identity, traits and supply of these resources influence their value to Collecting seagrass for measurement of leaf traits
consumers. Lara Ainley is in the final throes of a PhD examining how the leaf traits of key estuarine primary producers vary across gradients in climate and in nutrient enrichment, and how intraspecific variation in leaf traits interacts with environmental context to influence remineralisation of detritus. Joe Kenworthy, a joint PhD student at Macquarie University and St Andrews University Scotland, has been running parallel experiments in Scottish and east Australian estuaries to assess whether sediment communities display a generic response to nutrient and physical disturbance, and how these result from modifications to 13 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 green and brown pathways. PhD student Ramila Futardo has been asking questions about how detrital supply influences meiofaunal communities, but is presently taking some time out to get acquainted with her new son Philip – congratulations Ramila! Acid test for the capacity of estuaries to adapt to climate change Postdoctoral researcher Valter Amaral has been using the response of estuarine ecosystems to acid‐sulphate runoff as a model to help understand their capacity to adapt to ocean acidification. Large sections of several east Australian estuaries are chronically acidified as a result of runoff from acid sulphate soils. Despite the pH of these waters commonly falling below 6 (the mean pH at undisturbed sites is 7.8), and the large negative impact of low pH on naive organisms, he has found populations of invertebrates exposed to this stressor over multiple generations are able to persist. He has been utilising a combination of molecular, behavioural and ecological transplant studies to investigate why. Most recently, he demonstrated how phenotypic plasticity among mobile organisms can facilitate adaptation to estuarine acidification. Check out the resulting publication here. We are excited that in winter, Cassie Glaspie, a PhD student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, will be joining our work on this system, thanks to the support of an EASPI fellowship. Management of coastal lakes to minimize invasion Cliff Garside has just submitted his PhD thesis on factors influencing the spread and proliferation of the European shore crab, Carcinus maenas, in southern NSW. The coastline of south‐
eastern Australia is dominated by coastal lagoons that have entrances that are intermittently open and closed to the ocean. Cliff investigated whether the periodic disconnection of coastal lagoons from the ocean hinders recruitment and survival of the non‐native crab. He found that prolonged closure of lagoon entrances not only limited recruitment of the crab, but also produced unfavourable abiotic conditions for the crab. Furthermore, periodic disconnection of lagoons from the ocean appeared to influence patterns of invasion by determining whether key biogenic habitats, such as mangroves, can persist. Hence, Cliff’s research suggests that artificially opening or training lagoon entrances to improved navigation or mitigate flooding may facilitate invasion of the European shore crab and other species. Cliff checking oyster bags for European shore crab recruits at Merimbula PhD student Dan Bateman has also been working on the European shore crab, studying its impact on habitat‐forming bivalves and the rich invertebrate communities that the bivalves, in turn, sustain. He has been particularly interested in impacts of the crab on the mussel Xenostrobus securis as the two species are found together on the east coast of Australia, but also in Portugal where the native Australian mussel has been introduced. Towards sustainable seawalls In collaboration with coastal engineers from UNSW’s Water Research Laboratory, postdoctoral researcher Belinda Cooke has been investigating how the design of seawalls influences their impact on sandy beach invertebrates and the surf fish and shorebird populations they sustain. The team recently completed a week‐
14 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 long field trip to Belongil Beach (Byron Bay), where they compared ecological impacts of rockwalls built in the mid and high intertidal zone. This project is contributing to the Coastal Node of the OEH Adaptation Hub, recently awarded to the Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences. You can read more about it here. Lincoln Critchley has recently joined the costal node as a PhD student at Macquarie and will also be investigating how hard engineering structures can be designed to minimise their ecological impacts. Build it and they will come? Rethinking ecological restoration The lab also has a number of projects running that address ecological restoration from various angles. PhD student Dominic McAfee is investigating whether oysters selectively bred for stress resistance might be a useful tool for future‐proofing wild oyster populations, and the dense and diverse biological communities they sustain. I, Melanie, (with the help of a small army of undergrads) have been investigating the various ways in which multiple co‐occurring foundation species interact to cumulatively determine biodiversity. I have been particularly interested in the sensitivity of facilitation cascades (nested hierarchical relationships among foundation species) to variation in the traits of the basal and intermediary foundation species (click here for a recent publication). I have also been interested in how relationships are modified by environmental context. I have found the way in which species interact to facilitate biodiversity can vary markedly, even across small spatial scales. This challenges the notion of ‘build it and they will come.’ Manipulating multiple foundation species to investigate their interacting effects student Peter Mahoney has been As a flip‐side to our work on ecological restoration, PhD investigating those processes that lead to the ‘collapse’ of estuarine ecosystems. He is investigating questions such as the minimum patch size required for biogenic habitats to provide key ecosystem functions. He is also interested in how the spatial arrangement of estuarine habitats influences their cumulative biodiversity. Opportunities in the Benthic Ecology Lab As coastal populations continue to grow and sea levels to rise, so too do the challenges facing coastal ecosystems. We are always looking for new members to join our group who are ready to step up to the challenge of developing novel strategies to conserve coastal biodiversity in the face of environmental change. We offer opportunities for undergraduate interns through to Masters of Research and PhD students as well as postdoctoral researchers. For PhD students there are also opportunities for joint PhDs between Macquarie University and St Andrews University Scotland. You can find out more about our research group by visiting our website http://bio.mq.edu.au/research/groups/benthic‐ecology/ or dropping me a line [email protected]. Melanie Bishop 15 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab leaders, Luciana Möller and Dr Guido Para, Flinders University Contribution by Nikki Zanardo ([email protected]) The Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab at the School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University in Adelaide, undertakes basic, strategic and applied research on whales and dolphins. Our work aims to provide impartial, independent and innovative science that addresses both pure and applied questions about cetaceans and their interactions with the environment. CEBEL was established in 2010 by A/Prof Luciana Möller and Dr Guido Para. Currently CEBEL comprises of two Postdoctoral fellows (Dr Kerstin Bilgmann and Dr Catherine Attard), six PhD students (Nikki Zanardo, Tim Hunt, Fernando Diaz‐Aguirre, Cecilia Passadore, Pedro Fruet and Carol Palmer), and several research trainees. Some examples of the cetacean species that are researched by CEBEL include bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops australis and Tursiops aduncus), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), Australian snubfin dolphins (Orcaella heinsohni), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). To collect data on these animals we utilise a variety of methodologies, the most common method being boat‐based surveys, but also land‐based and aerial surveys. Cetacean behavioural ecology, population biology, and community ecology Cetaceans are in general poorly understood in comparison to their terrestrial counterparts. As a result, some of the most basic (e.g. how many animals are in a specific area or are part of a particular population?) and big questions (e.g. why 16 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 are some species of cetaceans found in larger group sizes than others?) about their ecology and behaviour remain unresolved. We use a combination of ecological and behavioural data from the field combined with molecular methods and ecological modelling from the laboratory to model the distribution, abundance, behaviour, social structure and habitat use dynamics of cetacean populations. This information can provide us with a better understanding of species’ behavioural ecology, population biology, and community ecology in space and time. Cetacean molecular ecology The use of molecular approaches allows us to investigate aspects of the ecology, social structure and evolution of cetaceans. These include the identification of stocks, population genetic structure and population boundaries, dispersal patterns and connectivity; social systems through kinship and parentage analysis; phylogeographic patterns and evolutionary relationships of cetaceans. Dr Kerstin Bilgmann and others have recently published a paper in Marine Ecological Progress Series (Bilgmann et al. 2014), which investigated the population structure of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) along the southern Australian coastline. Common dolphins are known to interact with two fisheries in the region, the purse‐seine fishery for sardines and the gillnet fishery for gummy sharks, however the impacts of these interactions are unknown. Using molecular approaches, Bilgmann et al. found fine‐scale genetic structuring of common dolphins over small spatial scales, where they identified at least six management units. Genetic structuring of common dolphins is likely due to the oceanographical features of the area (i.e. strong upwellings and currents). Bilgmann et al’s paper suggested that each management unit should be managed separately for conservation purposes. Anthropogenic impacts on Cetaceans Upper level predators such as many whales and dolphins play an important role in maintaining the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. As a result there is an urgent need to understand: (1) the magnitude of human pressures on cetacean populations; (2) cetacean responses to environmental heterogeneity and anthropogenic activities in space and time and (3) the potential impacts of changes to cetacean populations. CEBEL members are currently working on different projects directed at evaluating anthropogenic impacts on cetaceans to improve the scientific basis behind their conservation and management. One species that has been exposed to vast amounts of human pressure is the blue whale, now endangered due to 20th century whaling. Blue whales migrate thousands of kilometres between warmer breeding grounds that they occupy in winter and colder feeding grounds that they occupy in summer. For example, a breeding stock of pygmy blue whales (B. m. brevicauda) feeds off Australia in summer and migrates to Indonesia to breed. Against expectations, Cat Attard and others showed that some Australian blue whales also go to Antarctica to feed, but also interbreed with Antarctic blue whales (B. m. intermedia) (Attard et al. 2013 in Molecular Ecology). This could possibly be the result of whaling impacts or anthropogenic climate change. For example, abundances of Antarctic blue whales are now much lower than they were previously, so this may increase opportunities for pygmy blue whales to go to Antarctica to feed. Alternatively, increases in ocean temperatures due to climate change may be ‘pushing’ pygmy blue whales 17 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 further south in attempting to stay at their adapted environmental temperatures. If you are interested in Cat et al’s blue whale research, 60 Minutes recently reported on some field research being conducted in the Maldives: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8762940. Hard working PhD students and their research projects Nikki Zanardo is currently working with southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops australis) off the metropolitan coast of Adelaide, South Australia. Now in her second field season, Nikki is using a combination of boat‐based surveys, photo identification and biopsy sampling to determine the population ecology of dolphins in the area. More specifically she is investigating their abundance and distribution along the coastline, their residency patterns, habitat use, and social and population structure. This information is vital for the management and conservation as they are a coastal species likely endemic to southern Australia and at risk of anthropogenic impacts. Preliminary results suggest that there are different dolphin communities present within the study area, and that there may be a seasonal shift in dolphin distribution from shallow waters in summer to deeper waters in winter. You can read more about her first field season on her blog: http://www.cebel.org.au/field‐blog/adelaide‐dolphin‐project/. Moving to other areas within South Australia, more specifically Coffin Bay, you will find PhD students Fernando Diaz‐Aguirre and Cecilia Passadore, who are also working with the southern Australian bottlenose dolphins. Integrating their field work, Fernando is examining the social dynamics and genetic relatedness of animals inhabiting this area, and he will also test for the presence of social personality types, while Cecilia is investigating their spatial distribution patterns to identify important habitats and areas for conservation. Tim Hunt is another PhD student, fortunate enough to be conducting his field work in the warm tropical waters of Exmouth, Western Australia, where he is investigating the ecology of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). His study site encompasses the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, so you can imagine the abundance of marine life that Tim and his research team find over there; humpback dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays and turtles ‐ only to name a few! In December 2013, CEBEL members attended the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, which was held in Dunedin, New Zealand. This was an amazing opportunity to promote our lab and showcase our research, through a variety of oral presentations and posters. There is still so much to learn about cetaceans in Australia and we are always looking for prospective students to join our friendly lab. If you are interested in joining us, or for further information, publications, field blogs, photos and videos, please visit our website www.cebel.org.au, or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/CEBELresearch. 18 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology Lab leader, Emma Johnston, University of New South Wales Contribution by Dr Katie Dafforn ([email protected]) Emma’s research group broadly investigates human disturbances in marine communities. The group’s research is approached from both an ecological and ecotoxicological perspective using field experimentation wherever possible. The Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology Lab (SEE), member of School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) at UNSW has been enjoying the recent broadcast of “Coast Australia” in which our director Professor Emma Johnston is a co‐host. Emma took viewers on an underwater journey from Tasmania to Darwin and highlighted topics as diverse as the poleward migration of urchins and tropicalisation of Sydney Harbour. Emma begins filming Season 2 this year; stay tuned and follow @DrEmmaLJohnston. She has also been awarded the inaugural Nancy Mills Medal for Women in Science from the Australian Academy of Science. The award recognizes female research leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership. Congratulations Emma! We’ve also been keeping busy with a recent lab writing retreat to Smiths Lake. We had a productive week of writing and were entertained with grammar discussion groups and a fierce cooking competition! Human use and ecology of Sydney Harbour – an iconic marine landscape Dr Luke Hedge, together with collaborators from University of Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of Technology, Sydney, is currently undertaking the first human‐use survey to ever be conducted in Sydney Harbour. Records from Transport NSW have documented 17,000 recreational and 1,800 commercial vessels plying the waters of Sydney Harbour every year and Luke’s research will document their movements and activities in relation to different habitat types around the harbour. Follow @DrLukeHedge. This research has recently incorporated underwater mapping techniques with the Catlin Seaview Survey and PhD student Kingsley Griffin has joined the team to analyse spatial data about underwater habitat types around Sydney Harbour. More than 50% of the coastline in Sydney is modified by coastal armouring and boating infrastructure. The construction of artificial structures (such as pilings and pontoons) provides a novel habitat resource that favours non‐indigenous species over native species. A team led by Dr Mariana Mayer‐Pinto begins sampling of artificial structures around Sydney Harbour this year. Mariana will use innovative techniques to quantify functional differences between artificial and natural habitats and honours student Elisa Tan will investigate recruitment and biomass rates in the intertidal zone. PhD student Damon Bolton and honours student Wills Brassil will investigate predation pressure on artificial structures and the effects on subtidal hard substrate communities. This will be the initial phase of a large‐scale ‘green’ engineering project that aims to design artificial structures to mitigate their impacts by enhancing biodiversity and deterring invasion. 19 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Marine ecology and climate change Global warming and invasive species represent two of the greatest threats to the world’s biodiversity. These introduced species can displace natives, disrupt community structure and food webs, and alter fundamental processes, such as nutrient cycling. Aria Lee has recently submitted her honours thesis where she investigated the reproductive potential of the invasive fan worm, Sabella spallanzanii. Aria worked closely with Biosecurity South Australia to collect samples for histological analysis and using these sampled investigated gamete development and reproductive periodicity. Aria will continue working with Sabella during her PhD. With climate change we might expect the rate of biological invasions to increase due to shifts in species ranges and increased temperatures may enhance the growth and development of some non‐indigenous species. PhD students James Lavender and Sally Bracewell are undertaking large‐scale field experiments along the coastline from Port Douglas to Hobart to investigate latitudinal variation in the abundance and species richness of fouling species, and test hypotheses about disturbance recovery and biotic pressure. James has also had a paper accepted to JEMBE entitled “Meso‐predators: a confounding variable in consumer exclusion studies”. The study investigates predation pressure in a subtidal fouling community and highlights the importance of considering meso‐predators in caging studies. Dr Graeme Clark and Dr Ziggy Marzinelli have been investigating life on the sea bed with the Australian Antarctic Expedition. Sea‐ice cover is a major factor driving marine biodiversity in Antarctica as it directly influences the amount of light – a key resource – that reaches the seafloor. Global climate change is altering this environment, resulting in areas that used to be covered by sea‐ice Sabella spallanzanii photographed throughout most of the year now remaining ice‐free for longer from marina pilings in South periods, and vice versa. These changes in sea‐ice cover can have Australia. Photo A Lee profound effects on marine biodiversity, leading to shifts between communities dominated by animals in dark environments and those dominated by underwater forests of algae in light‐rich environments. Graeme’s research involved the use of underwater video surveys in Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica to quantify animal and algal biodiversity on the seafloor. They found that the underwater forests of algae that usually characterise this ice‐free area are dying. Blades of large canopy‐forming seaweeds are slowly decomposing and fading away. Given that seaweeds are the main primary producers in this system, their disappearance is likely to affect other organisms higher in the food‐chain. Marine ecotoxicology PhD students Melanie Sun and Simone Birrer have recently returned from a visit to the Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, where they worked through metagenomics data to understand the effects of metals and nutrients on the recruitment and function of sediment microbial communities. Melanie is in the final stages of her PhD, which has focused on illuminating and understanding the effects of contaminants on marine microbes. She was recently published in Environmental Microbiology with her study entitled “Core 20 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 sediment bacteria drive community response to anthropogenic contamination over multiple environmental gradients” 15: 2517‐2531. Simone joined our lab in early 2013 and has been keeping busy with experimental work on the effects of pulse and press disturbances on marine microbes. She now joins our stormwater sampling program “Testing the waters: Impacts of contaminants on ecosystem structure and function in urban waterways”. Post‐doctoral researchers Drs Katie Dafforn and Tim Lachnit, together with PhD student Simone Birrer and honours student Michael Sutherland, have begun a temporally extensive study of the effects of stormwater on macro and micro sediment communities. Katie was recently published in PLoS ONE with her study entitled “Polychaete richness and abundance enhanced in anthropogenically modified estuaries despite high concentrations of toxic contaminants” 8: e77018. She has also been keeping busy planning a symposium entitled “Ports and Estuaries” for the upcoming Joint SETAC AP/AU 2014 Conference. Tim joins the team from the UNSW Centre for Marine Bio‐Innovation and will apply his background in microbiology and virology to the study of viruses in the stormwater sediments. Vivian Sim joins the team to investigate distribution and ecological effects of sediment microplastics and you can follow her research @vivian_xy_sim. Michael is our newest recruit and is working closely with Peter Scanes and Jaimie Potts of OEH to understand sediment processes under stormwater regimes. The first baseline sampling was in early February and after months of warm sunshine the Sydney drought broke on our first day of fieldwork! We will continue monthly baseline sampling and are on standby for increased temporal sampling when an intensive storm event occurs. The team’s adventures (and fashions in the field!) can be followed at @DrKDafforn or #sydneystormchasers. Lab comings and goings – busy BEES The SEE Lab has recently said farewell to two of our members, Drs Katelyn Edge and Ceiwen Pease. Katelyn has taken up a position at the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and recently hosted a “Meeting and Tweeting” workshop for UNSW postgraduates. She was also recently published in Chemosphere with her study entitled “A biomarker of contaminant exposure is effective in large scale assessment of ten estuaries” 100:16‐
26. The study assessed the applicability of biomarkers in large‐scale monitoring programs and found lysosomal stability to be a robust indicator of contaminant stress. Katelyn maintains strong scientific (and social!) links with the lab and we look forward to future opportunities for collaboration. Ceiwen Pease has also flown the nest and taken a job with the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS) in Darwin. Ceiwen has been enjoying life at the “Top End” and experiencing research by helicopter. PhD student Jaz Lawes has been jetsetting around to conferences and most recently attended “ECSA 53: Estuaries and coastal areas in times of intense change” in Shanghai, October 2013, and “Western Society of Naturalists” in California, November 2013 where she presented her study ”Cop it sweet or sweeten the deal? Investigating effects of two common contaminants on sessile communities and their recruitment” and “Contaminant cocktails: effects of multiples stressors on sessile invertebrates” respectively. Jaz is currently juggling the completion of her PhD thesis with her new job at the University of New South Wales. She has also submitted a paper to review in Marine Ecology Progress Series “Contaminant cocktails: Interactive effects of nutrients and metals on marine invertebrate settlement and mortality”. For more information on the lab please contact Dr Katie Dafforn ([email protected]). 21 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Marine Predators Lab leader, Rob Harcourt, Marine Predator Research Group, Macquarie University Contribution by Gemma Carroll ([email protected]) Our lab has broad interests in the A juvenile Australian fur seal equipped with loggers that behaviour, ecology and conservation of measure location, depth and animals that occupy higher trophic oceanographic data (Photo by Marcus Salton) levels in marine food webs. Over the past 15 years under Rob’s guidance we have been conducting research on subjects ranging from animal personality, animal communication, mating systems, sociality and population genetics, through to more applied research on foraging ecology, population dynamics, conservation physiology and anthropogenic interactions. The Marine Predator Research Group (MPRG) is a large lab with a strong emphasis on collaboration both within Australia and across the world. We have a lot of exciting projects on the go at the moment, on species as diverse as cuttlefish, whales, gulls and elephant seals. The ‘Montague Island’ project We currently have a large ARC Linkage project through which we hope to identify resource requirements and important foraging areas for marine predators on the east coast of Australia. To do this, we have tracked fur seals, penguins and flying seabirds from beautiful Montague Island off the South Coast of NSW. There are four students working on different aspects of this study, in collaboration with Dr. David Slip from Taronga Conservation Society Australia: 
Marcus Salton is a PhD student using animal‐borne loggers to identify where fur seals go when they are at sea, how long they spend searching for food, and if there is some cue in their environment (such as water temperature) that is associated with finding prey. He is looking at differences in foraging and the use of environmental cues by three species of fur seal (including Australian and New Zealand fur seals from Montague Island) at different life history stages. This will help to determine how environmental factors can inform our definition of areas of ecological significance. In January, he successfully completed his last deployments of devices and now has information on the at‐sea movements and associated environmental data for 100 fur seals! Monique Ladds is conducting her PhD on captive fur seals and sea lions to determine the energetic cost of foraging, and to validate approaches for classifying the behaviour of seals at sea using accelerometer data loggers. Monique is currently working at Taronga Zoo (Sydney), Underwater World (Sunshine Coast) and Dolphin Marine Magic (Coff’s Harbour) to measure the oxygen consumption of seals as they 
22 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 rest and swim. This work will help us to understand the resource requirements of seals, to identify energy budgets in the wild and inform conservation planning. Dustin O’Hara is an MPhil student studying the foraging ecology of four species of seabird that breed on Montague Island (silver gulls, crested terns, and wedge‐tailed and short‐tailed shearwaters). He is investigating the vastly different foraging strategies of these species (from short‐tailed shearwaters foraging in the Southern Ocean to gulls feeding at the local tip) to understand the different foraging strategies and environmental features that are used by each species. Gemma Carroll’s PhD is looking at the potential effects of climate change on little penguins in NSW. She is using GPS and accelerometry to build a model of foraging that incorporates oceanographic features to determine where breeding penguins search for and find prey, and how much energy they expend in the process. Gemma is also studying the physiology of little penguins in relation to heat stress, and will use this information to predict their future distribution and implement specific conservation actions on Montague Island such as improving nesting habitat. 

These discrete studies will each give us new insight into the ecology and physiology of the individual predator species. The information gained from each thesis will then be brought together to understand how biophysical processes influence the foraging of marine predators on the east coast of Australia, and will enable us to predict how these animals might be affected by environmental change. Antarctic Predators An Adelie penguin, a major predator of krill in the Antarctic ecosystem (Photo by Rob Harcourt) Marine Desprez’s PhD is on the demography of a population of elephant seals on Macquarie Island that has been declining for more than 50 years. She is describing how environmental and individual variability affect life history strategies, and her work has shown a clear cost of reproduction in elephant seals, particularly for early breeders. Marine spent an amazing 3 months in Antarctica doing hands‐on work with juvenile southern elephant seals at the start of her PhD, and recently published the first paper from her PhD in Ecology and Evolution showing the benefits of incorporating uncertainty in breeding state assignments into demographic models. Lisa‐Marie Harrison’s PhD will use quantitative models to assess the distribution of marine wildlife. In the first part of her project she will identify biophysical drivers of krill distribution using data from the BROKE (Baseline Research on Oceanography, Krill and the Environment) surveys conducted in 1996 and 2006 off Antarctica. Lisa is also conducting helicopter surveys between Newcastle and Wollongong in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries, using distance sampling to calculate the density and distribution of large marine animals along the NSW coast. Both of these studies will improve our understanding of the oceanographic and temporal variables that dictate the distribution of predators on varying spatial scales. We are also excited to welcome Dr. Ian Jonsen who is joining Macquarie University and the Marine Predator Research Group this year from Dalhousie, Canada. Ian is a quantitative ecologist who is a world leader in the 23 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 development of state‐space models that enable us to understand the foraging behaviour of marine vertebrates. He is embarking on the immense task of consolidating decades of tracking data for marine predators in the Southern Ocean and relating these movements to environmental data. Conservation Biology Vanessa Pirotta is in the second year of her Master of Research, and she is assessing the effectiveness of whale alarms for deterring migrating humpback whales from becoming entangled in fishing gear. Vanessa recently presented a speed talk at the Society of Marine Mammalogy conference in Dunedin showing that humpback whales do not appear to change their behaviour in the presence of a commercially available whale alarm. She is currently analysing a follow‐up experiment assessing the efficacy of a louder swept‐tone alarm. This study will provide further insight into the viability of acoustics as a means of preventing whale entanglement in the future. Yuna Kim is almost finished her PhD on the foraging ecology, diet and chick provisioning strategies of the threatened Gould’s petrel on Cabbage Tree Island near Port Stephens. She has tracked the petrels using light‐
level data recorders, and used infra‐red cameras to record nest attendance. Yuna was recently invited to attend a conference in Korea by Birdlife International, on preventing seabird by‐catch in longline fisheries. A humpback whale entangled in fishing gear (Photo by Rob Harcourt) Paolo Momigliano’s PhD is investigating how complex habitats shape gene flow and local adaptation in grey reef sharks in Australia and Indonesia. To do this, he is using a combination of novel laboratory techniques (such as RAD‐tag genotyping), GIS, and analytical frameworks borrowed from Graph Theory and Circuit Theory. He has recently written a book chapter with Rob addressing the disconnect between science and management of sharks, and is hoping to spend time in Indonesia this year analyzing DNA from shark fins sold at Indonesian 24 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 markets. Paolo is co‐supervised by A/Prof Adam Stow who runs the Conservation Genetics lab at Macquarie and who is a long‐time friend of the MPRG, working with Rob for many years on projects on the molecular ecology and conservation of gummy sharks, grey nurse sharks and Australian sea lions. Finally, our newest member is Nicolette Armansin a second year Master of Research student working with Rob and recent graduate from the MPRG Dr. Kate Lee. Nicolette is using social network analysis to characterise the social behaviour of spotted wobbegongs in a small marine reserve in Sydney, using the photo‐ID and fine‐scale acoustic telemetry data that Kate collected during her PhD. She aims to determine the frequency and nature of associations between individuals, and establish whether wobbegongs show preferences in their associations with conspecifics. Animal Behaviour Dr. K‐lynn Smith is a postdoctoral research fellow in the MPRG researching animal communication systems to inform conservation and captive animal welfare. K‐lynn is currently working on understanding how the endangered regent honeyeater learns its songs and whether song dialect influences mate choice. This will ensure that captive‐bred individuals learn the right repertoire and become fully competent individuals that thrive and successfully breed when introduced to the wild. On the other end of the size spectrum, she is also working on Asian elephants, studying the potential for using audio‐visual technology to allow captive elephants to create virtual social networks with individuals at other institutions. This will give us further insight into communication in Asian elephants, and provide enrichment for the elephants at night, when their keepers are not present. Alex Schnell is co‐supervised by K‐lynn and is in the throes of writing up her PhD thesis on communication and sexual selection in the giant Australian cuttlefish. This species signals using spectacular changes in its body pattern, however little is known about the specific function of these behaviours or their influence on intraspecific interactions. Alex is using innovative techniques including visual playback with high‐ definition video, as well as staged A male and female giant interactions between cuttlefish in the Australian cuttlefish in laboratory and observational work in the field. the research aquarium This research has opened up new avenues for at Cronulla Fisheries testing communication in marine species, and (Photo by Alex Schnell) has enabled us to tease out the signals that make up the complex language of cuttlefish. For more information on us and the work that we do please see: http://bio.mq.edu.au/research/groups/mprg/ Or contact: [email protected] 25 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 ESA Publication Highlights Watch for new species of frogs in Australia: transport and introduction of exotic amphibians Pablo García‐Díaz & Phill Cassey, University of Adelaide During the last decade the number of incursions of exotic amphibians in Australia has grown significantly. In this work we aim to study the factors that affect the probability of transport (outside their native range) and introduction (release, or escape, into the environment) of amphibians in Australia. We compiled and analysed a database of amphibians transported for the purposes of trade or as stowaways. Regardless of the pathway of incursion, transported amphibians have larger native ranges than a random sample of non‐
transported species. Nineteen species of exotic amphibians have been found at large, and the probability of introduction is related to the transport of the species through both the trade and stowaway pathways. To prevent the establishment of exotic amphibians it is necessary to involve both governmental agencies, and stakeholders implicated in the pet trade and in the trade of goods (both imported and between states and territories). Diversity and Distributions, early view: DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12176 Urban reserve bird communities are distinct, and more variable, than those in suburbs Karen Ikin et al, Australian National University We investigated bird community composition and variability on either side of suburb‐
reserve edges across Canberra. We found that bird communities in suburbs were distinct from those in reserves, and showed slight turn‐over with distance from the edge, with more exotic species in the centre of suburbs. Bird communities in reserves were more influenced by tree and shrub cover, showed higher between‐site variability, and supported guilds declining in Australian urban areas. While there was no clear edge effect into the reserves (up to 250 m from the edge), it is possible that the reserves were “all‐edge” and that the effects of the suburban matrix penetrate into reserves further than previously thought. Despite this, our results suggest that urban reserves do provide habitat resources to support many native species and are important for urban conservation. Oecologia v 174, 545‐557 Frogs bounce back after disease‐driven declines Ben Scheele et al, Australian National University The disease chytridiomycosis has caused the decline of many amphibian species both in Australia and globally. We studied the long‐term response of whistling tree frog populations in south‐eastern Australia to the emergence of chytridiomycosis. We found that populations declined in the 1980s which was likely associated with the arrival of the disease. Populations that persisted during this period of decline then subsequently began to re‐expand, a process that is continuing. Interestingly, re‐expansion has occurred despite ongoing high prevalence of chytridiomycosis, suggesting that disease dynamics have changed, allowing whistling tree frogs to coexist with chytridiomycosis. We also found a positive correlation between high quality habitat and population persistence, indicating that high quality habitat may buffer populations against novel threats. Our research highlights the importance of maintaining habitat in good condition to facilitate species recovery. Biological Conservation, 170, 86‐91 26 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Ecological Society of Australia 2014 Office Bearers President Nigel Andrew Student Affairs Angela Moles Communication Luke Collins University of New England Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology Zoology Department Armidale NSW 2351 Ph: 02 6773 2937 Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of New South Wales, NSW 2052. Ph: 0293858302 Fax: 0293851558 [email protected] School of Biological Sciences University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Ph: 02 4221 3555 [email protected] Past President Kris French School of Biological Sciences University of Wollongong Wollongong NSW 2522 Ph: 02 42213655 [email protected] Secretary Jodie Lia WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services [email protected] Treasurer Brad Murray School of Environment University of Technology Sydney PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007 Ph: 0295144075 [email protected] Executive Officer Gail Spina PO Box 2187 Windsor QLD 4030 Ph: 07 3162 0901 [email protected] Vice‐Presidents Member Communication Liz Tasker NSW Office of Environment & Heritage PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 2220 Ph: 02 9585 6061 [email protected] Research Jose Facelli University of Adelaide Benham Laboratories Adelaide SA Ph: 08 8313 4559 [email protected] Bulletin Editor Ben Gooden School of Biological Sciences University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Ph: 02 4221 3436 [email protected] Membership Manager Bev Watkins PO Box 8250 Alice Springs NT 0871 Ph: 08 8953 7544 [email protected] Finance Officer Lyn McCormick PO Box 8250 Alice Springs NT 0871 Ph: 08 8953 7544 [email protected] Board Directors Hot Topics Don Driscoll Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University 27 Indigenous Engagement & ESA14 LOC Christine Schlesinger School of Environment & Life Sciences Charles Darwin University PO Box 795 Alice Springs NT 0871 Ph: 08 89595218 Early Career Researchers Andrew R. Hayes Dept Primary Industries and Fisheries 80 Meiers Rd Indooroopillly QLD 4068 Ph: 07 3896 9759 Fax: 07 3896 9628 ESA15 LOC Nerissa Haby School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Adelaide North Terrace Adelaide SA 5005 Ph: 08 8303 5254 Fax: 08 8303 4347 Practitioner Engagement Anita Wild Wild Ecology Pty Ltd Private Bag 98 Mount Nelson TAS 7007 Ph: 03 6223 3168 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 Austral Ecology Managing Editor Mike Bull Research Chapters Euan Ritchie Deakin University Burwood, Victoria 3125 Australia Flinders University, SA, [email protected] Membership Romina Rader Book Review Editor Perpetua Turner University of New England Armidale NSW 2351 Ph: +61 02 6773 2857 University of Tasmania Private Bag 78 Hobart TAS 7001 Ph: 03 6226 2989 [email protected] Ecological Management & Restoration Managing Editor Tein McDonald PO Box 42 Woodburn NSW 2472 Tel: 02 6682 2885 [email protected] Chair of Editorial Board Gary Luck Charles Sturt University Institute for Land, Water and Society PO Box 789 Albury NSW 2640 Ph: 02 6051 9945 [email protected] Austral Ecology and EMR could not be published without the ongoing efforts of the numerous members of each journal’s editorial boards. Please refer to the respective publications for the full listing of journal editors. Do you wish to contribute to the Bulletin? The ESA is seeking the following:  General news of interest  Event and Research Chapter announcements  Recent publications highlights  Nominations for Students in Focus (new PhD graduates)  Feature articles summarizing a topic of interest to the ESA  Nominations for Labs in the Limelight  Photographs for the ESA Bulletin cover Feature articles may be 500‐1000 words in length. Submissions and enquiries may be directed to Ben Gooden, the Bulletin Editor: [email protected] or [email protected] 28 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of Australia Issue 1, Volume 44, March 2014 References 1
Marine heatwave. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate‐change/intense‐marine‐heatwaves‐
destroy‐400yearold‐reefs‐off‐was‐pilbara‐coast‐20140213‐32n40.html 2 Marine surveys. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/reef‐audit‐finds‐big‐fish‐lost‐
20140220‐3342f.html 3
Shark culls. http://www.smh.com.au/federal‐politics/political‐news/greg‐hunt‐grants‐wa‐
exemption‐for‐shark‐cull‐plan‐20140121‐315zk.html 4 Mark park zonation. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/scientists‐tell‐government‐
fishing‐ban‐in‐marine‐parks‐must‐be‐reinstated‐20140113‐30qm6.html 5 Dredging on the Great Barrier Reef. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014‐01‐31/abbot‐point‐spoil‐
dredging‐approved/5227774 6
UN take on reef dumping. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/reef‐dump‐decision‐could‐
spark‐legal‐action‐and‐un‐criticism‐20140201‐31u58.html 7
Youngentob, K. N et al. 2013. A survey of long‐term terrestrial ecology studies in Australia. Austral Ecology v 38, 365‐373 8
Major, J. D. 2012. Critical times: How has ecological research responded over the past 35 years? Austral Ecology v 37, 149‐152 9
Morton, S. R. et al. 2009. The big ecological questions inhibiting effective environmental management in Australia. Austral Ecology v 34, 1‐9 NOTICE: Items printed in this Bulletin should not be reproduced without the permission of the Ecological Society of Australia Inc (hereafter the “Society”) or the author of the material. Opinions expressed by contributors to the Bulletin, including the Editor, do not necessarily represent the views of the Society unless otherwise stated. Any mention of companies or products in the Bulletin should not be viewed as an endorsement by the Society. All header and footer images have been submitted to the Society as part of its annual photographic competition; as part of submission to this competition, entrants granted the Society a non‐exclusive, royalty‐free, worldwide right to reproduce and publish their entries. Details of image authorship can be found on the Society’s webpage (www.ecolsoc.org.au).
29