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Dr Kathryn McMahon

Dr Kathryn McMahon

Dr Kathryn McMahon

Research Fellow

Telephone: (61 8)  6304 5145  
Mobile: 0403 820 104  
Email: k.mcmahon@ecu.edu.au   
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO19.336  

 

Current Teaching

  • Environmental Investigations and Monitoring
  • Coastal and Marine Management

Background / Employment History

  • 2012-present: Research Fellow, Edith Cowan University
  • 2011-2012: Lecturer, Edith Cowan University
  • 2005-2010: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Edith Cowan University
  • 2001-2005: Casual Lecturer and Tutor, University of Queensland
  • 1997-1999: Environmental Officer, Water and Rivers Commission, Western Australia
  • 1995: Research Assistant, University of Western Australia

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Marine Sciences Association
  • Australian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany
  • Australian Coastal Society
  • Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation

Research Areas and Interests

I have three main streams of research in coastal biology and ecology largely focusing on seagrass ecosystems. I use a variety of tools and methods such as ‘manipulated’ and ‘observational’ field and laboratory studies using ‘eco-physiological’ and ‘molecular’ tools.

1. Human impacts in coastal ecosystems

  • Largely focusing on impacts through light reduction, climate change, and dredging
  • How do plants respond to different stressors (developing sub-lethal indicators)?
  • What levels of stress can they cope with?
  • What are the consequences of disturbance?

2. Seagrass-grazing interactions

  • How much is consumed?
  • How do plants cope with grazing?

3. Seagrass evolution and taxonomy

  • What are the evolutionary relationships in seagrasses, particularly Posidonia and Halophila?

Staff Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland, 2005 .
  • Bachelor of Science Honours, The University of Western Australia, 2000 .

Research

Recent Research Grants

  • Seagrass Monitoring Program for Geographe Bay 2011,  Dept of Water WA,  Grant,  2011,  $1,561.
  • Improving capacity to predict impacts of dredging - modelling light and the response of seagrasses,  Edith Cowan University,  ECU Industry Collaboration - Grant,  2011,  $5,000.
  • Developing indicators of nutrient-enrichment impacts on nearshore coastal reefs,  Edith Cowan University,  ECU Industry Collaboration - Grant,  2011,  $29,468.
  • Quantification of the Biodiversity of the Lake MacLeod Northern Ponds,  Dampier Salt Limited Perth Division,  Grant-Dampsalt,  2011,  $136,459.
  • Quantification of the Biodiversity of the Lake MacLeod Northern Ponds,  Dampier Salt Limited Perth Division,  Grant-Dampsalt(**),  2010,  $76,475.
  • Research Study into Seagrass Wrack Movement at Geographe Bay,  University of Western Australia,  Grant(**),  2010,  $138,909.
  • Research Study into Seagrass Wrack Movement at Geographe Bay ,  University of Western Australia,  Grant,  2009,  $97,273.
  • Attributes of a Sustainable Reef: Seagrass and Associated Megafauna,  Great Barrier Reef Foundation,  Grant,  2009,  $3,000.
  • Impact of Dredging on Coral Communities,  Woodside Energy Ltd,  Grant,  2009,  $43,371.
  • Determining Seagrass Distribution in the Swan-Canning River - Testing Methods,  Dept of Water WA,  Grant,  2008,  $10,194.
  • Impact of Dredging on Coral Communities,  Woodside Energy Ltd,  Grant,  2008,  $74,849.
  • Research Study into Seagrass Wrack Movement at Geographe Bay ,  University of Western Australia,  Grant,  2008,  $93,818.
  • Recovery of Amphibolis seagrass following periods of light reduction,  Department of Environment & Conservation WA,  Grant,  2007,  $16,000.
  • Habitat Use by Black Swans in the Swan River Estuary,  Ernest Hodgkin Trust,  Scholarship,  2007,  $2,182.

Recent Publications (within the last five years)

Journal Articles

  • McMahon, K., Lavery, P., Mulligan, M., (2011), Recovery from the impact of light reduction on the seagrass Amphibolis griffithii, insights for dredging management. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(2), 270-283, DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.11.001.
  • Gartner, A., Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Brearley, A., Barwick, H., (2010), Light reductions drive macroinvertebrate changes in Amphibolis griffithii seagrass habitat. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 401(1), 87-100, Olendorf/Luhn, Germany, DOI: 10.3354/meps08367.
  • Arthur, K., McMahon, K., Limpus, C., Dennison, W., (2009), Feeding ecology of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Shoalwater Bay, Australia. Marine Turtle Newsletter, 2009(123), 6-12, United States.
  • Eklof, JS., McMahon, K., Lavery, P., (2009), Effects of Multiple Disturbances in Seagrass Meadows: Shading Decreases Resilience to Grazing. Marine and Freshwater Research, 60(12), 1317-1327, Australia, DOI: 10.1071/MF09008.
  • Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Mulligan, M., Tennyson, A., (2009), Interactive effects of timing, intensity and duration of experimental shading on Amphibolis griffithii. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 394(2009), 21-33, Ohne, Germany, DOI: 10.3354/meps08242.
  • McMahon, K., Waycott, M., (2009), New record for Halophila decipiens Ostenfeld in Kenya based on morphological and molecular evidence. Aquatic Botany, 91(4), 318-320, The Netherlands, DOI: 10.1016/j.aquabot.2009.07.008.

Research Student Supervision

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Environmental Management),  The Impact Of Black Swan (cygnus Ataratus) Grazing On The Seagrass Halophila Ovalis In The Lower Swan River Estuary.

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy,  Trophic Implications Of Light Reductions For Amphibolis Griffithi Seagrass Communities.