Long term changes in Southern Bull Kelp

Long term changes in Southern Bull Kelp on King Island and implications for kelp harvesting

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 June 2024

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic

About the research project

Kelp forests cover 1/3 of the worlds coastlines and provide critical services that benefit ecosystems and people throughout temperate-polar regions worldwide. Climate change is undermining these benefits, leading to extensive loss of kelp from many regions, including Australia, where more than 100,000 Ha of kelp forest has been lost to marine heatwaves in the past two decades alone. The true historic change in kelp forests in Australia, however, is potentially far greater, owing to a critical lack of historical information on the distribution and abundance of kelp forests.


Southern bull kelp, Durvillaea potatorum (Order Durvillaeales), is an endemic large brown leathery seaweed that dominates shallow subtidal reefs throughout south eastern Australia. Bull kelp is one the largest and most commercially important seaweed species in Australia, supporting a beach cast harvest industry, used to supply alginates to domestic and international markets. Remarkably very little is known about the historic distribution, abundance and change in bull kelp populations in Australia.


This  project will examine historical change in bull kelp on King Island, drawing on a unique historical dataset from kelp harvest industry. King Island has been harvesting bull kelp for alginate since 1975 when Kelp Industries Pty Ltd was established. During this time, kelp harvesters have witnessed a north-south contraction, declining length, vigour and changing colour, as well as decreasing quantities and changing seasonal availability of storm cast kelp.  This provides a unique opportunity to work with kelp harvesters, as knowledge holders to interrogate this change.


A multi-disciplinary, mixed data approach will be taken to examine:

  1. Has there been historical change in the distribution, abundance and condition of Durvillaea potatorum on King Island and how do these relate to changes in ocean temperature and storm activity surrounding King island?
  2. What is the future viability of Durvillaea potatorum populations and beach cast harvesting on King island under down-scaled projections of ocean warming?
  3. How have the changes to Durvillaea potatorum influenced industry practices, and the associated cultural, social, and economic well-being of the King Island community? and what are the implications of projected changes?

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Scott Bennett

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Personal or professional connections with Kelp Industries on King Island.
  • Experience living and working on King Island.

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Scott Bennett to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. In your application:
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
  4. Apply prior to 1 June 2024.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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