ERI Seminar Series: “Translating science into management action: Examples from coastal ecosystems in South Australia”

Abstract:

Coastal ecosystems have been modified by human activities around the world, including river regulations restricting flow, increasing nutrient loads, introduction of alien species and destruction of habitats. Yet, endeavours for restoration and remediation are gaining pace. This talk will illustrate how long-term estuarine monitoring integrated in government programs can inform decision making on the management of water for the environment. Growing knowledge on functional traits of benthic macrofauna can offer remediation options for highly eutrophic estuaries, as evidenced by our manipulative field experiments. Marine invasive species are hard to eradicate once established and, as will be shown by our investigations on reefs of Ficopomatus enigmaticus, understanding their ecological functions can re-evaluate their role in coastal ecosystems. Nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change can be lucrative in coastal ecosystems that sequester carbon in biomass and soil. Our research into carbon capture after tidal reconnection of a former salt-pond informed policies for Blue Carbon. Current investigations include the up-scaling of tidal restoration for carbon capture by saltmarsh and mangrove and associated biodiversity benefits. I will also reflect on the merit of communicating science beyond the traditional pathways.

Speaker Bio:

Sabine Dittmann is Professor for Marine Biology at Flinders University, and a nationally and internationally renowned expert on coastal ecosystem ecology. She is working closely at the interface between research, environmental management, and policy. Focal areas of her current work include, for example, effects of water management on benthic communities and the food web in the Coorong, blue carbon offset opportunities through coastal restoration, and marine invasive species. Sabine has recognised science leadership through election to presidency of peak professional associations and appointments to advisory committees at State and Commonwealth level.