Ms Olivia Johnson1, Associate Professor Rick Stuart-Smith1, Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith1, Dr Freddie Heather1, Professor Graham Edgar1
1Institute For Marine & Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania), Battery Point, Australia
The identification of threatened species in the marine environment is much more challenging than in the terrestrial environment. Collection of population trend and distribution data is logistically difficult for marine species. Many marine species are rare or highly cryptic, hence difficult to find, let alone study, and few species beyond commercially exploited or highly charismatic have been studied in any detail. Given the large range of anthropogenic effects threatening marine biodiversity, including climate change, fishing, habitat degradation, and pollution, a critical need exists to identify the most vulnerable species before they are lost. In this study, we systematically identify a large range of Australian shallow (<30m) reef species (including fish, invertebrate, algae, and coral) that classify as threatened based on international (IUCN) and federal criteria. Our analysis focuses on recent population trends and geographic distribution as revealed in long-term reef monitoring datasets (Reef Life Survey, the Australian Temperate Reef Collaboration, and AIMS Long-term Monitoring). Shared traits of threatened reef species have been identified and species most in need of urgent management attention brought to light.
Presentation Slides – Olivia Johnson
Biography:
Olivia is a PhD Candidate with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania within the Ecology and Biodiversity Centre.
