Project description
Saltmarshes are unique, intertidal habitats that support both marine and terrestrial species, and are recognised for providing important ecosystem services. Despite this, anthropogenic impacts have caused a significant reduction in saltmarsh, while sea-level rise poses further risk to their persistence into the future. Saltmarsh is now listed as a Threatened Ecological Community by the Federal Government. As a result, Governments and private organisations aim to restore and increase the extent of saltmarsh by introducing tidal flows which is expected to initiate restoration processes. However, there is a need to better understand the environmental and ecological factors that influence the formation of saltmarsh communities. In this context, there are several projects on offer that focus on plants and/or invertebrates. The projects will increase our knowledge of saltmarsh ecology in South Australia and help to improve and better predict the outcomes of restoration actions. Projects can include;- Investigations into the environmental niche requirements of saltmarsh plants within natural and restoration settings
- Experimental tests of restoration methods used to enhance plant establishment
- Assessment of invertebrate community responses to tidal introduction
- Investigation into wood-boring insects of the shrubby samphire as micro-habitat creators and possible contributors to plant dieback
- Investigations into the effects of sea-level rise on a ‘terrestrial’ meat ant species that lives is saltmarshes
Co-supervisors
Sabine Dittmann
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