An update on Jamie McWilliam / Can we hear the reef dying? Continuing his research at the Lizard Island Research Station, he has been studying the pulse of a coral reef ecosystems in a changing climate, using underwater microphones (hydrophones) . Jamie’s goal is to develop a tool for marine managers to monitor the sound of the a reef across a range of spatial scales, with […]
Archives for May 2016
Science-based policy for Australia’s coral
The Australian Coral Reef Society has released a paper (PDF, 750KB) identifying 8 key stressors affecting coral reefs and suggesting policy goals: 1. Climate change is the greatest and most pressing challenge. It affects coral reefs through warming sea surface temperatures (see Death by bleaching), ocean acidification, increasing storm intensity and rising sea levels. Suggested policy goals: transition away from fossil fuels; invest in […]
2015 Research Station Report
The Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station has published its 2015 Report. The cover shows a magnificent black feather star Colobometra perspinosa with a beautiful sea fan (species not identified) in the background. Despite the disruption by Cyclone Nathan in March, the Station hosted 140 visiting scientists in 2015 – a record! The Report provides details of their 149 research projects, including ground-breaking […]
Visual nudibranch signals
Nudibranchs are slug-like marine animals. Many nudibranch species use extraordinary colours and patterns to warn predators they are toxic. Research by scientist Naomi Green at the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station is expanding our understanding of nudibranch warnings and how fish respond. Naomi states, ‘Visual signals are used by animals to attract mates and prey, defend territories and deter predators. The […]