|
Current research programs in marine science are strengthened by the collaborative work between the following groups: TAFI, CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research, and the National Oceans Office. The Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems CRC is also Hobart-based and represents a concentration of Antarctic climatological and biological research. The ACE CRC works in close association with the Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS), located on the Hobart campus of the University of Tasmania , the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (CCALMR) and the Australian Antarctic Division.
The following Schools and Institutes offer places in Research Higher Degree programs.
Non-clinical microbiology teaching and research is based at the School of Agricultural Science . Research includes food, environmental and Antarctic microbiology. The latter two areas involve the study of microbial ecosystems of coastal Antarctic and Tasmanian waters and sediment, with a focus on the effects of environmental degradation, including hydrocarbon and nutrient pollution. Scientific techniques employed range from classical laboratory microbiology to genomic, proteomic and PCR technologies. Such approaches are being used to examine how microbial communities respond to human induced changes and impacts on coastal environments as well as for studying the ecology of marine microbes in the Antarctic zone.
The School of Aquaculture , located on the University of Tasmania 's Launceston campus, was established in 1991 as Australia 's first dedicated research and teaching department of aquaculture. Staff bring expertise in many areas of sustainable aquaculture including technology; animal health; environment; algal, live feed, shellfish and fish culture; nutrition; physiology; product technology; commercial operations and policy. Their research through the Tasmanian Aquaculture & Fisheries Institute (TAFI) supports Australian producers in their pursuit of improved production, aquatic animal health and environmental management. Honours, Masters and PhD research projects are available through the School. The School of Aquaculture also offers a G raduate Diploma in Aquaculture, which focuses on equipping students with a sound theoretical and practical background in the discipline and is intended for graduates of other biological and agricultural science courses.
Marine geosciences are an increasingly important component of research work undertaken in the School of Earth Sciences . Most work has been fundamental investigations the age and origin of rocks dredged and drilled from the seafloors around Australia and in the SW Pacific. Multi-beam imaging of the seafloor using the Australian research vessel R/V Southern Surveyor continues to generate remarkable new information about the evolution of the submerged parts of Australia . Graduates in marine geosciences are in increasing demand with agencies such as Geoscience Australia , CSIRO and marine consultancy groups.
Climatology, Environmental Mapping and Remote Sensing group are investigating climate change at the earth's surface using global climate models, satellite data and field measurements. Study areas involve Antarctic coastal waters, the Great Barrier Reef and the State of Tasmania . Satellite and airborne remote sensing is being used to measure and monitor coastal marine and nearshore habitats, plantation and native forest structure.
The Coastal and Marine Studies group are mapping and monitoring temperate nearshore marine environments on a range of spatial and temporal scales to assist with natural resource management and conservation. Techniques are being developed such as benthic videography, aerial and satellite remote sensing, acoustic surveys including single beam, multi-beam and side scan sonar. Spatial science methods are being applied and developed including spatial metrics, interpolation, error estimation and modeling. Onshore coastal environments are also under considerable pressure and studies are being conducted into dune mobility and coastal erosion rates and response to sea level rise with a view to improved management outcomes.
The Harmful Algal Bloom research group, within the School of Plant Science , focuses on Australian microalgal species which impact on finfish and shellfish aquaculture operations. The group has been developing a culture collection of harmful marine micro-algae for both research and teaching, and makes extensive use of molecular approaches to taxonomy, toxicology and ecology
The School of Zoology offers special opportunities for research in temperate marine ecology because of the high diversity and level of endemism of marine species in Tasmania and ready access to superb field sites. Their research through the Tasmanian Aquaculture & Fisheries Institute (TAFI), is largely concerned with whole animals in the marine environment and include the population biology of marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates; patterns of biodiversity; zooplankton ecology including social behaviours; invasion and impacts of exotic marine species; the dynamics of kelp-bed communities; marine conservation issues including by-catch; and theoretical aspects of marine systems including predictive models of benthic community dynamics and characteristic scales of marine systems.
The Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS) offers graduate diploma, honours, research masters and PhD programs for students who would like to tackle a range of environmental topics with specific reference to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The flagship honours program is a challenging one-year, full-time course, which can be commenced either in February or July.
TAFI was established as a centre of excellence in applied marine research to support the development and sustainable management of Tasmania 's living marine resources. Specialist skills in fisheries assessment, marine biology and ecology, aquaculture, spatial science, marine pests and ecosystem based management of resources are supported by state of the art facilities and equipment.
TAFI combines the marine research activities and resources of the:
- Fish Health Unit, Mt Pleasant Animal Laboratories, Launceston
- Marine Research Laboratories, Taroona
- School of Aquaculture , University of Tasmania , Launceston
- School of Zoology , University of Tasmania , Hobart.
CSIRO provides the scientific basis for ecologically sustainable development of Australia 's marine resources and advanced models for marine environmental prediction and climate prediction. CSIRO has a diverse skill-base and capabilities that include deep sea research in observational and theoretical circulation dynamics, chemistry and biology, inshore ecosystems and environmental studies, long range research vessels and modern oceanographic instrumentation. Our strategy is to create multi-disciplinary teams that realise the benefits of the nation's extensive marine jurisdiction. In QMS CSIRO intends to be engaged in the education and training of the next generation of marine scientists.
The Antarctic, Climate and Ecosystems CRC (ACE CRC) represents a globally significant concentration of Antarctic, climate and biological research and involves the University of Tasmania , the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as major partners. The ACE CRC also involves much international collaboration and has formal partnerships with the Alfred Wegner Institute in Germany and NIWA in New Zealand . The main research programs are: Southern Hemisphere Climate Variability and Change, Sea Level Rise, Ocean Control of Carbon Dioxide, Antarctic Marine Ecosystems, and Antarctic & Southern Ocean political, marine, legal and policy matters.
|
