Image credit: Jeffrey Wright
As marine ecosystems face increasing pressure, access to reliable, high-quality spatial data is essential for protecting biodiversity, supporting restoration, and guiding the sustainable use of marine resources. In the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity, we develop and deliver data products, mapping tools and decision-support platforms that help researchers, managers, government, industry and communities better understand marine environments.
A key focus of our work is making marine ecosystem data accessible, consistent and useful. Through national and international data portals such as Seamap Australia and Seamap Antarctica, we bring together information on marine habitats, species distributions, seafloor environments and ecological values. These platforms support evidence-based planning, monitoring, conservation, environmental assessment and sustainable development.
Our research combines field observations, remote sensing, seafloor mapping, animal tracking, ecological modelling, ocean technology and geospatial analysis to produce robust information about marine ecosystems. By integrating these data into accessible tools and portals, we help identify areas of ecological importance, track environmental change, assess threats, and support actions to repair, regenerate and restore marine ecosystems.
This solution-focused research supports a wide range of management needs, including marine protected area planning, threatened species recovery, habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem assessment. In Tasmanian waters, this includes work on species and ecosystems of high conservation concern, such as handfishes, giant kelp forests and threatened sea stars.
Through our data portals, partnerships and applied research, we aim to provide the knowledge and tools needed to improve biodiversity outcomes, strengthen ecosystem resilience and support timely, evidence-based decision-making for the future of our oceans.
Accessible, relevant, reliable, accurate, and timely information is critical to support the management of marine ecosystems and resources.
In the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity, we provide research infrastructure to share knowledge on marine ecosystems and uses by developing advanced geospatial tools. Visit Seamap Australia and the Tasmania’s Marine Atlas to learn more.
Marine ecosystem restoration helps regenerate lost or degraded ecosystems, and the marine diversity they hold.
In the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity, our research on the restoration of kelp, seagrass and native oyster reefs provides the science behind restoration techniques, monitors outcomes, and supports ambitious plans for marine ecosystem restoration.
Because of anthropogenic factors, some marine species are now threatened, endangered or critically endangered. In many cases, action is urgently needed for conservation.
In the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity, our research focuses on understanding the drivers of population decline in these species, monitoring their status, and supporting action for remediation and recovery.
Key species of interest lie close to home in Tasmanian waters, including handfishes, giant kelp, and threatened sea stars.
Conserved and protected areas are essential for safeguarding marine biodiversity, supporting ecosystem resilience and ensuring the long-term health of marine environments.
In the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity, our research supports the planning, monitoring and management of marine protected areas in Australia and the Southern Ocean. We combine geospatial mapping, ecosystem assessment, biodiversity monitoring and spatial modelling to understand how species and habitats are distributed, how ecosystems are changing, and how protected areas can deliver effective conservation outcomes.
This work includes Myriam Lacharité’s expertise in marine spatial science, remote sensing, seabed mapping and habitat classification; Joel Williams’ research using BRUVs, fish surveys and quantitative approaches to assess reef biodiversity and monitoring effectiveness; and Emiliano Cimoli’s work using ROVs and emerging marine technologies to observe and map seafloor habitats.
Using multibeam echosounders, autonomous underwater vehicles, baited remote underwater videos, remotely operated vehicles and other advanced imaging tools, we identify patterns of biodiversity, habitat structure and ecosystem condition to inform evidence-based marine conservation and management.
Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) aquaculture trial
Sustainable development considers social, economic, and ecological factors when making decisions about activities and the use of marine environments and resources.
In the Centre for Ecology and Biodiversity, our research contributes to the advancement of a sustainable 'Blue Economy' through ecological studies, marine spatial planning, data products, and decision-support tools for marine industries.
We strive to enhance our understanding of how marine resources can be used sustainably, such as in seaweed cultivation, while also addressing and mitigating the impacts of industries on marine ecosystems.
Our research is local, national and global. Globally, our research supports sustainable development by mapping and modelling the environmental impacts of interconnected food systems (aquaculture, fisheries, and agriculture), and the risks to aquatic foods associated with climate change.