United Nations Sustainable Development
Goal 14: Life below water
Maintain ecosystems and their biodiversity (direct work). Work directly (research and/or engagement with industries) to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, of both plants and animals, especially ecosystems under threat.
UniSC works directly through research and engagement with industries to maintain and extend existing ecosystems. By collaborating with various sectors, UniSC can develop and implement strategies that promote sustainable practices and mitigate harmful impacts on the environment. Research initiatives can provide valuable data on ecosystem health and biodiversity, guiding conservation efforts and policy-making. Engaging industries in these efforts ensures that economic activities are aligned with environmental goals, fostering a balance between development and conservation. This integrated approach not only helps protect and restore ecosystems but also supports the resilience and sustainability of both natural habitats and human communities.
UniSC is leading the way on multiple research marine ecology projects:
Leopard Shark Conservation
Dr. Christine Dudgeon is working to save endangered leopard sharks. In an effort to preserve the species worldwide, researchers from South East Queensland have pioneered a world-first method for extracting semen from male leopard sharks in the wild. Dr. Dudgeon, who has studied leopard sharks for 20 years, is part of a global collaboration of scientists now awaiting the progeny following the successful artificial insemination of female leopard sharks at Sea World Gold Coast, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.
Helping wildlife in danger of disappearing forever
From majestic manta rays to elusive dugongs and sharks that walk, UniSC researchers based at its Fraser Coast campus are providing new insights to help protect at-risk marine life. Associate Professor Kathy Townsend says this includes PhD candidates from around the world who have relocated to the region to join over 15 UniSC research projects aimed at better understanding and protecting the world’s keystone species.
Understanding bull shark ecology for improved shark control and education
This project brings together a diverse industry collaboration, including UniSC, Griffith University, the Sunshine Coast Council, the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Noosa Biosphere to advance conservation outcomes for these apex predators in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of the Sunshine Coast region. The project aims to track bull sharks in the waterways of the Noosa and Sunshine Coast Biosphere Reserves using acoustic tags to correlate movements with environmental data and explain fluctuations in abundance off Southeast Queensland, an ocean warming hotspot.
Global Marine Research for a Sustainable Ocean Future
UniSC is an active member of the International Galapagos Science Consortium, a global alliance of research institutions dedicated to protecting one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. With over 30 collaborative research papers already published, the partnership explores urgent marine challenges, including plastic ingestion and toxicology, invasive species management, ocean debris, and the genetic and evolutionary dynamics of species unique to the Galapagos.
The Leaf to Reef Project
The Leaf to Reef Project on Lady Elliot Island in QLD, hosts the largest reef habitat rehabilitation project of its kind in the Southern hemisphere. It presents a unique opportunity to study how revegetation impacts downstream reef health—from leaf to reef. Findings and insights have significance for eco-systems around the world. The UniSC research team conducts several field trips per year with students and staff to gain a better understanding of the island's response to climate change. Numerous projects are studied including cataloguing vertebrate species, turtle health assessments, manta ray studies, ground water sampling, listening stations and sound traps, bird counts and studies and shark monitoring.
Summary
UniSC is committed to working with industries through research and engagement to maintain and extend marine ecosystems and their biodiversity, especially those under threat.