Research in Marine Biology

Long Term Major Research Programs

• Coastal and Estuarine Ecology
  This program focuses on the biological assemblages of mangrove, intertidal and estuarine habitats.
• Coral Reef Ecology and Coral Biology
  Ecological and evolutionary questions concerning scleractinian corals.
• Invertebrate Biology
  The primary focus is the phylogeny and taxonomy of crustaceans and molluscs and the functional biology of particular groups including decapod crustaceans.
• Marine Conservation Biology and the Detection of Biological Change
  Long term monitoring of Coral Reefs and Reef Fish Reserves.
• Reef Fish Biology
  Studies focus on Herbivorous reef fishes, reflecting their abundance and functional importance in coral reef environments.
• Tropical Fisheries Biology
  The main goals of the fisheries biology program are to provide assessments of the status of reef fish stocks and to predict their responses to different levels of exploitation.

Developing Research Programs

• Connectivity of marine populations
  This program emphasizes understanding the movements of larval, juvenile and adult forms of marine organisms among local populations such as reefs and estuaries.
• Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics
  In this program we use molecular genetics to explore the relationships between populations and species of reef organisms.
• Marine Ecological Modelling
  This research program applies contemporary mathematical modelling techniques to a very broad range of ecological questions relevant to marine ecosystems.
• Qualitative Assessments of Reef Fish Development
  Investigations on the relationships between nutritional status, developmental history and the condition of fish in terms of body composition Marine Biology hormone levels and morphometrics.

Cross Discipline Programs

• Freshwater and Marine Phycology
  Microalgae are extremely important for the productivity and carbon balance of aquatic ecosystems.
• Plant Adaptations and Responses to Environmental Pressures
  All plants possess adaptations to cope with stresses imposed by the environment in which they exist.
• Plant Molecular Ecology
  Plant Molecular Ecology: We study the dynamics, adaptations and functioning of plant diversity in tropical Australia and beyond.