Profiles
Cayne Layton
Cayne Layton
Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Lecturer
Room Level 2 , IMAS Hobart Waterfront Building
+61 413188964 (phone)
Cayne Layton is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Lecturer at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. He studies the ecology and restoration of kelp forests and temperate reef systems. Cayne combines field and lab experiments, and scientific diving to examine how kelp forest ecosystems function and persist, especially in the face of increasing anthropogenic stressors. He seeks to answer fundamental ecological questions while ensuring his research has practical applications for habitat conservation, restoration, and management. Cayne is also an active science communicator and has a keen interest in scientific/research diving, and the engagement of science with education and policy.
Biography
Cayne completed his PhD at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, researching the population and community ecology of Ecklonia radiata kelp forests. This project centered around several long-term field experiments and involved over 400 hours of diving. Cayne’s passion for temperate reef ecology and scientific diving brought him to the University of Tasmania from the Australian National University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in science with honours (majoring in Zoology and Ecology & Evolution) and worked as a research assistant.
Cayne’s research actively engages with a variety of partners, including NGOs, Aboriginal organisations, industry, and government. He is a member of the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub, and the Hidden Deserts, Marine Forests, and OzFish citizen science initiatives
Career summary
Qualifications
PhD | Resilience and stability of Ecklonia radiata kelp forests: the importance of intraspecific facilitation and patch dynamics | University of Tasmania | Australia | 01/10/2018 |
BSc (1st Class Hons) | Swimming activities and costs in free-living coral reef wrasses | Australian National University | Australia | 01/07/2011 |
Memberships
Professional practice
Australian Marine Science Association
Ecological Society of Australia
Marine Biodiversity Hub, NESP
Australasian Society of Phycology and Aquatic Botany
Society for Ecological Restoration
Teaching
Unit Coordinator for Masters course - Literature Review
Teaching responsibility
- Unit Coordinator for Masters course - Literature Review
- Former Demonstrator for the courses Marine Ecology, Quantitative Methods in Biology, and Marine and Antarctic Ecosystems
View more on Mr Cayne Layton in WARP
Expertise
Conservation and Biodiversity (050202)
Ecological Impacts of Climate Change (050101)
Ecological Physiology (060203)
Ecosystem Adaptation to Climate Change (960305)
Ecosystem Function (050102)
Community Ecology (060202)
Environmental Rehabilitation (050207)
Marine and Estuarine Ecology (060205)
Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (960808)
Phycology (060701)
Population Ecology (060207)
Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics (060411)
Rehabilitation of Degraded Coastal and Estuarine Environments (961201)
Research Themes
Cayne’s research aligns with the University’s research themes of ‘Marine, Antarctic and Maritime’ and ‘Environment, Resources and Sustainability’. His research focusses on how temperate marine ecosystems (especially kelp forests) function, and how they respond to climate change and other anthropogenic stressors. His broader research interests include facilitation and niche theories, and habitat stability and resilience. Cayne also utilises physiology and genetics research to improve understanding of ecological outcomes and mechanisms. His work also focusses on restoration of kelp forest ecosystems, and kelp aquaculture and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture.
Collaboration
Cayne is currently involved in collaborations with researchers in Chile, New Zealand, Spain and the USA. Domestically, Cayne has collaborators at Deakin University, Melbourne University, Southern Cross University, University of Western Australia and UNSW.
Current projects
- Assessing the potential for restoration and permaculture of Tasmania’s giant kelp forests
- The role of restoration in conserving matters of national environmental significance
- Restoring kelp habitat in Australia
Fields of Research
- Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) (310305)
- Environmental rehabilitation and restoration (410405)
- Conservation and biodiversity (410401)
- Fish pests and diseases (300503)
- Ecosystem function (410203)
- Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology) (310302)
- Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation (410102)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture (450104)
- Social and cultural anthropology (440107)
- Environmental management (410404)
- Bioremediation (410303)
Research Objectives
- Rehabilitation or conservation of coastal or estuarine environments (180206)
- Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems (180601)
- Marine biodiversity (180504)
- Coastal or estuarine biodiversity (180203)
- Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems (180403)
- Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
- Terrestrial biodiversity (180606)
- Other environmental management (189999)
- Effects of climate change on Australia (excl. social impacts) (190504)
- Conserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture (210407)
- Ecosystem adaptation to climate change (190102)
- Social impacts of climate change and variability (190103)
- Wild caught edible molluscs (100304)
- Environmental education and awareness (190203)
Publications
Total publications
10
Journal Article
(9 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Layton C, Coleman MA, Marzinelli EM, Steinberg PD, Swearer SE, et al., 'Kelp forest restoration in Australia', Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, (FEB) Article 74. ISSN 2296-7745 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00074 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Johnson CR | |
| 2020 | Morris RL, Hale R, Strain EMA, Reeves SE, Verges A, et al., 'Key principles for managing recovery of kelp forests through restoration', Bioscience, 70, (8) pp. 688-698. ISSN 0006-3568 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa058 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: Strain EMA; Shelamoff V | |
| 2019 | Layton C, Cameron MJ, Shelamoff V, Fernandez PA, Britton D, et al., 'Chemical microenvironments within macroalgal assemblages: implications for the inhibition of kelp recruitment by turf algae', Limnology and Oceanography, 64, (4) pp. 1600-1613. ISSN 0024-3590 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/lno.11138 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6 Co-authors: Cameron MJ; Shelamoff V; Fernandez PA; Britton D; Hurd CL; Wright JT; Johnson CR | |
| 2019 | Layton C, Shelamoff V, Cameron MJ, Tatsumi M, Wright JT, et al., 'Resilience and stability of kelp forests: the importance of patch dynamics and environment-engineer feedbacks', PLoS ONE, 14, (1) Article e0210220. ISSN 1932-6203 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210220 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 16 Co-authors: Shelamoff V; Cameron MJ; Tatsumi M; Wright JT; Johnson CR | |
| 2019 | Shelamoff V, Layton C, Tatsumi M, Cameron MJ, Edgar GJ, et al., 'Kelp patch size and density influence secondary productivity and diversity of epifauna', Oikos, 129, (3) pp. 331-345. ISSN 0030-1299 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/oik.06585 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Shelamoff V; Tatsumi M; Cameron MJ; Edgar GJ; Wright JT; Johnson CR | |
| 2019 | Shelamoff V, Layton C, Tatsumi M, Cameron MJ, Wright JT, et al., 'Ecosystem engineering by a canopy-forming kelp facilitates the recruitment of native oysters', Restoration Ecology, 27, (6) pp. 1442-1451. ISSN 1061-2971 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/rec.13019 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Shelamoff V; Tatsumi M; Cameron MJ; Wright JT; Johnson CR | |
| 2019 | Shelamoff V, Layton C, Tatsumi M, Cameron MJ, Wright JT, et al., 'Patch size and density of canopy-forming kelp modify influences of ecosystem engineering on understorey algal and sessile invertebrate assemblages', Marine Ecology - Progress Series, 632 pp. 59-79. ISSN 0171-8630 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3354/meps13155 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 3 Co-authors: Shelamoff V; Tatsumi M; Cameron MJ; Wright JT; Johnson CR | |
| 2014 | Layton C, Fulton CJ, 'Status-dependent foraging behaviour in coral reef wrasses', Coral Reefs, 33, (2) pp. 345-349. ISSN 0722-4028 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s00338-014-1138-1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 6 | |
| 2013 | Binning SA, Roche DG, Layton C, 'Ectoparasites increase swimming costs in a coral reef fish', Biology Letters, 9, (1) Article 20120927. ISSN 1744-9561 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0927 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 40Web of Science - 40 |
Other Public Output
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | McLeod IM, Bostrom-Einarsson L, Johnson CR, Kendrick G, Layton C, et al., 'The role of restoration for conserving matters of national environmental significance in marine and coastal environments', Report to the National Environmental Science Programme, Marine Biodiversity Hub, Hobart, Tasmania, 18 December 2018, Milestone 3 (2018) [Government or Industry Research] Co-authors: Johnson CR |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
3
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- Dense giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests were previously a conspicuous and iconic feature of the Tasmanian coast, but loss of ~95% of these giant kelp forests over the past several decades has seen them listed by the Australian Government as an endangered marine community. Active restoration of these degraded and disappearing habitats represents a potential approach for conservation of giant kelp forests. This project will leverage from the larger IMAS Giant Kelp restoration project, and specifically, will monitor and examine the reestablishment of biodiversity within the restored patches of giant kelp. The project will also provide training support to community groups and/or seafood industry stakeholders in kelp cultivation, and technical advice for development of school and community educational resources regarding giant kelp restoration.
- Funding
- Southern Regional Natural Resource Management Association Inc ($40,000)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Layton C
- Period
- 2020 - 2022
- Description
- Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests were previously a conspicuous and iconic feature of the eastern Tasmanian coast, but loss of ~95% of dense surface canopies has seen giant kelp forests listed as an endangered marine community in Australia. The collapse of giant forests is associated with ocean warming and the increased influence of warm East Australian Current water in eastern Tasmania. Nonetheless scattered healthy individual giant kelps persist. This project is focussed on identifying warm tolerant genotypes, and means to restore dense surface canopy stands of giant kelp that are self-replenishing and self-expanding. This research will also aid development of giant kelp for commercial harvest and as a means to ameliorate nitrogen input from fish farms in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture setting.
- Funding
- Climate Foundation ($235,537)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Johnson CR; Layton C; Wright JT
- Period
- 2018 - 2019
- Description
- The project aims to achieve a broader understanding of how aspects of kelp population dynamics (density and habitat patch size) may influence the recruitment of associated invertebrate and fish species. This information will help to fill a gap in existing knowledge of the links between kelp community health and the biodiversity and productivity of kelp reef habitats as a whole.
- Funding
- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment ($22,000)
- Scheme
- Grant
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Johnson CR; Wright JT; Layton C; Cameron MJ
- Period
- 2014 - 2016