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Stress and disturbance ecology
Stress and disturbance influence the provision of resources to marine organisms and their interactions. Stress and disturbance is sometimes natural and sometimes caused, directly or indirectly, by human activities.
CMER research in this theme addresses a diverse range of mechanisms causing stress and disturbance, for example biological (herbivory), chemical (pollution) and physical (wave exposure, temperature, light) agents. Our research under this theme aims to address fundamental questions of how stress and disturbance influence ecosystem function.
Projects
- Effect of ocean warming and acidification on seagrass ecosystems
- Dislodgment of kelps from reef ecosystems
- Vegetative canopy regeneration of fucoids
Past Projects
- Impact and recovery from light reduction in an Amphibolis seagrass ecosystem
- Invasion ecology of Caulerpa species

- Ocean climate and resilience of kelp beds to disturbances

- Posidonia sinuosa responses to light availability
- Seagrass and black swan grazing interactions

- Trophic implications of light reductions on seagrass macroinvertabrate assemblages