Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Climate change is leading to shifts in species geographical distributions, but populations are al... more Climate change is leading to shifts in species geographical distributions, but populations are also probably adapting to environmental change at different rates across their range. Owing to a lack of natural and empirical data on the influence of phenotypic adaptation on range shifts of marine species, we provide a general conceptual model for understanding population responses to climate change that incorporates plasticity and adaptation to environmental change in marine ecosystems. We use this conceptual model to help inform where within the geographical range each mechanism will probably operate most strongly and explore the supporting evidence in species. We then expand the discussion from a single-species perspective to community-level responses and use the conceptual model to visualize and guide research into the important yet poorly understood processes of plasticity and adaptation. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to ra...
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Climate change is leading to shifts in species geographical distributions, but populations are al... more Climate change is leading to shifts in species geographical distributions, but populations are also probably adapting to environmental change at different rates across their range. Owing to a lack of natural and empirical data on the influence of phenotypic adaptation on range shifts of marine species, we provide a general conceptual model for understanding population responses to climate change that incorporates plasticity and adaptation to environmental change in marine ecosystems. We use this conceptual model to help inform where within the geographical range each mechanism will probably operate most strongly and explore the supporting evidence in species. We then expand the discussion from a single-species perspective to community-level responses and use the conceptual model to visualize and guide research into the important yet poorly understood processes of plasticity and adaptation. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to ra...
Waters in south-eastern Australia are responsible for 50% of Australia’s fisheries production, ho... more Waters in south-eastern Australia are responsible for 50% of Australia’s fisheries production, host a high level of endemic species and offer no land mass further south for species that find themselves in unable to cope with increasing water temperature. Several dozen species from a range of taxa have exhibited major climate related distributional shifts in recent decades, and there have been significant climate-related changes in key fisheries. Consequently, the south east region of Australia, particularly within the East Australian Current (EAC) system found along the eastern seaboard, has been the focus of much research effort over recent years. This research effort has been, and continues to be, relevant at State, Regional and National levels with the diversity of issues examined reflected in the 27 presentations delivered at the ‘Meeting of primary investigator's working on marine climate change projects within the eastern seaboard of south- east Australia’ on November 4th, 2011. The purpose of this meeting report is to provide an informal document that summarises much of the research activity currently occuring within the southeast region of Australia, and provide the contact details of key researchers, to facilitate better networking and communication between relevant researchers working in the region. Additionally, it was considered a priority to document the outcomes of the discussions held on the day. Discussion topics included ‘synergies with regard to data requirements – project needs and wants’ and issues around ‘engagement, communication and extension’. Many participants felt that there was a miss-match between the spatial resolution of models and oceanographic data that was more readily available (better off-shore) and that which was required for many biological projects (most of which are concentrated closer to the coast). Many projects also require social and economic data although most of these projects were at initial stages and it was unclear to what extent projects could collaborate in the sourcing or production of suitable data. Several participants noted that many current projects in the south-east, particularly those working in the adaptation area, involved participatory approaches (e.g. workshops and surveys with industry). With this in mind, and considering that adaptation options when/if implemented require the support of industry and community, ongoing community and industry engagement is essential. Support for the development of extension networks and stronger collaborations and communication between researchers and extension officers was identified as a need and incorporating financial support for extension officers in research grant budgets was considered an option. Given this meeting brought together over 40 researchers working on marine climate change within the south-east, it presented a unique opportunity to conduct a ‘gaps analysis’ of the National Adapation Research Plan for Marine Biodiversity and Resources. The second two discussion items, ‘Identifying critical gaps and opportunities that deserve additional attention’ and ‘Potential for future collaboration’ related directly to this gaps analysis. Improving monitoring capacity in the south-east was identified as critically important. This included establishing priorities for monitoring in a cost effective program and extension into social and economic domains, and better coordination of existing monitoring already being conducted. Long term datasets will be of key importance for addressing issues of attribution, validating the projection models presently being developed and in determining our success in decades to come in terms of developing and implementing adaptation options in the south-east region of Australia. If participants at this meeting now have a greater awareness of each other’s projects and will consider synergies and future opportunities to address the challenges presented by climate change, then this workshop will have been valuable. Future meetings of a similar style may be convened in future.
Australia and India have coastal marine waters warming at a rate faster than 90% of the world’s o... more Australia and India have coastal marine waters warming at a rate faster than 90% of the world’s oceans. Both countries have extensive coastlines and marine jurisdictions with the majority of the population living adjacent to the coast (Box 1). Marine industries play important roles in sustaining the livelihoods of people in coastal rural towns. Increasing food production, minimising carbon emissions and prioritising carbon sequestration opportunities are key issues facing both countries and form the basis of this research plan. In addressing these issues India and Australia are well placed to become leaders in the development of adaptation options, and pioneers of transformational industries.
Citizen Science for Coastal and Marine Conservation, 2017
Referencing historical breakdowns in communication between scientists and marine stakeholders, as... more Referencing historical breakdowns in communication between scientists and marine stakeholders, as well as within terrestrial citizen science programs, this chapter firstly emphasises that marine and coastal citizen science may only be a sustainable endevour if scientists and project leaders are able to engage in trust-building relationships with citizen science participants. We focus on examples from two citizen science projects to highlight how such trust-building communications can be designed and delivered. We also highlight common barriers to establishing the kind of high-quality communication required. We suggest the beginnings of best communications practice for the field, but note that this practice has to be further developed and publicized if communication failures are to continue to be avoided in marine and coastal citizen science.
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Papers by Gretta Pecl
The purpose of this meeting report is to provide an informal document that summarises much of the research activity currently occuring within the southeast region of Australia, and provide the contact details of key researchers, to facilitate better networking and communication between relevant researchers working in the region. Additionally, it was considered a priority to document the outcomes of the discussions held on the day.
Discussion topics included ‘synergies with regard to data requirements – project needs and wants’ and issues around ‘engagement, communication and extension’. Many participants felt that there was a miss-match between the spatial resolution of models and oceanographic data that was more readily available (better off-shore) and that which was required for many biological projects (most of which are concentrated closer to the coast). Many projects also require social and economic data although most of these projects were at initial stages and it was unclear to what extent projects could collaborate in the sourcing or production of suitable data.
Several participants noted that many current projects in the south-east, particularly those working in the adaptation area, involved participatory approaches (e.g. workshops and surveys with industry). With this in mind, and considering that adaptation options when/if implemented require the support of industry and community, ongoing community and industry engagement is essential. Support for the development of extension networks and stronger collaborations and communication between researchers and extension officers was identified as a need and incorporating financial support for extension officers in research grant budgets was considered an option.
Given this meeting brought together over 40 researchers working on marine climate change within the south-east, it presented a unique opportunity to conduct a ‘gaps analysis’ of the National Adapation Research Plan for Marine Biodiversity and Resources. The second two discussion items, ‘Identifying critical gaps and opportunities that deserve additional attention’ and ‘Potential for future collaboration’ related directly to this gaps analysis.
Improving monitoring capacity in the south-east was identified as critically important. This included establishing priorities for monitoring in a cost effective program and extension into social and economic domains, and better coordination of existing monitoring already being conducted. Long term datasets will be of key importance for addressing issues of attribution, validating the projection models presently being developed and in determining our success in decades to come in terms of developing and implementing adaptation options in the south-east region of Australia.
If participants at this meeting now have a greater awareness of each other’s projects and will consider synergies and future opportunities to address the challenges presented by climate change, then this workshop will have been valuable. Future meetings of a similar style may be convened in future.
Marine industries play important roles in sustaining the livelihoods of people in coastal rural towns. Increasing food production, minimising carbon emissions and prioritising carbon sequestration opportunities are key issues facing both countries and form the basis of this research plan.
In addressing these issues India and Australia are well placed to become leaders in the development of adaptation options, and pioneers of transformational industries.