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    • Professor Kathryn McMahon
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    • Professor Kathryn McMahon

      Professor Kathryn McMahon

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Professor Kathryn McMahon

Professor of Marine Ecology

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 5145
Mobile: 0403 820 104
Email: k.mcmahon@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4355-6247

Kathryn is the Co-Director of ECU’s Strategic Research Centre, Centre for People, Place and Planet and Professor of Marine Science in the School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research.

Background

Kathryn has been employed at ECU since 2005 with her career commencing as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2005-2015), Senior Research Fellow (2015), Senior Lecturer (2016-2018), Associate Professor (2019-2022) and Professor (from 2023). Her research leadership roles include Director of Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research (2018-2021), Associate Dean of Research (2021-2026), Acting Dean of Graduate Research (2026) and Co-Director of the Centre for People, Place and Planet. She has a BSc (Hons) First class from University of Western Australia (1994), a PhD in Marine Ecology from University of Queensland (2005) and High Performance Leadership training from University of Oxford (2025).

Professional Memberships

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

Research Areas and Interests

  • Respected research leader with 20+ years’ experience in the tertiary sector.
  • Delivers respected advice to government and industry for natural resource management and policy
  • Experienced in management of research end-user partnerships for impact.
  • Adept at driving collaborative, innovative research ecosystems.
  • Strong champion of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Globally recognized marine science expert in resilience of coastal ecosystems.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Marine Science, The University of Queensland, 2005.
  • Bachelor of Science. Hons (Botany), The University of Western Australia, 2000.

Research Outputs

2025

Journal Articles

  • Said, N., Cleguer, C., Lavery, P., Hodgson, A., Gorham, C., Tyne, JA., Frouws, A., Strydom, S., Lo, J., Raudino, HC., Waples, K., McMahon, K. (2025). Sparse seagrass meadows are critical dugong habitat: A novel rapid assessment of habitat-wildlife associations using paired drone and in-water surveys. Ecological Indicators, 171(February 2025), Article number 113135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113135.
  • Said, N., Webster, C., Strydom, S., Dunham, T., Adams, MP., McMahon, K. (2025). Seagrasses are most vulnerable to marine heatwaves in tropical zones: local-scale and broad climatic zone variation in thermal tolerances. New Phytologist, 2025(Article in press), 17 p.. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70742.
  • Gomis, E., Strydom, S., Foster, NR., Montemayor, D., Mateo, M., Serrano, E., Inostroza, K., McCallum, R., Lafratta, A., Webster, C., O'Dea, C., Said, N., Dunham, T., Bernasconi, R., Werner, A., Vitelli, F., Puigcorbé, V., D'cruz, A., Salinas Zapata, C., McMahon, K., Hyndes, G., Lavery, P., Pessarodona, A., Duarte, CM., Serrano Gras, O. (2025). Global estimates of seagrass blue carbon stocks in biomass and net primary production. Nature Communications, 16(1), 9530. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64667-6.
  • Webster, C., Said, N., Dunham, T., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2025). Sediment burial negatively impacts the growth of seagrass Posidonia sinuosa. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 221(2025), 118505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118505.

Reports

  • Wesselmann, M., Said, N., Webster, C., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2025). Enhanced resilience to prolonged marine heatwaves in seagrass Posidonia sinuosa populations from warmer regions. Perth, Western Australia. Western Australian Marine Science Institution.

2024

Journal Articles

  • Hatum, PS., McMahon, K., Mengersen, K., McWhorter, JK., Wu, PP. (2024). In hot water: Uncertainties in projecting marine heatwaves impacts on seagrass meadows. PLoS One, 19(11), 35 pages. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298853.
  • Said, N., Lafratta, A., D'cruz, A., Frouws, A., O'Dea, C., McMahon, K., Webster, C., Salgado Kent, C., Tucker, J., Hodgson, A. (2024). Dugongs: Underwater Seagrass Detectors That Help Scientists Protect Important Ecosystems. Frontiers for Young Minds, 12(2024), Article number 1386359. https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2024.1386359.
  • Hatum, PS., McMahon, K., Mengersen, K., Kilminster, K., Wu, PP. (2024). Predicting seagrass ecosystem resilience to marine heatwave events of variable duration, frequency and re-occurrence patterns with gaps. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 34(6), article number e4210. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4210.

Reports

  • Webster, C., McMahon, K., Ross, C., Afrifa-Yamoah, E., Said, N., Hovey, R., Martin, B., Strydom, S. (2024). Two decades of seagrass monitoring data show drivers include ENSO, climate warming and local stressors. WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program. WAMSI. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks2022-2026/6308.
  • Whale, J., Dunham, T., Bywater, A., Field, D., Sinclair, EA., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2024). Thermal priming of dehisced Posidonia seed does not increase thermal tolerance in establishing seedlings. Online. Western Australian Marine Science Institution.
  • Webster, C., Said, N., Dunham, T., Bywater, A., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2024). Resilience of seagrass Posidonia sinuosa is negatively affected by high levels of burial of dredged material. Online. Western Australian Marine Science Institution.
  • McMahon, K., Frouws, A. (2024). Keep Watch Seagrass Monitoring 2024 Report for GeoCatch. Australia. Edith Cowan University.
  • Said, N., Webster, C., Dunham, T., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2024). Current state of knowledge for dredging and climate change impacts on seagrass ecosystems to inform environmental impact assessment and management A case study: Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage, Western Australia. Online. Western Australian Marine Science Institution.
  • Said, N., Webster, C., Dunham, T., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2024). Seagrass thermal tolerance varies between species and within species across locations. Online. Western Australian Marine Science Institution.
  • Webster, C., Said, N., Dunham, T., Bywater, A., Jung, M., Billinghurst, J., Strydom, S., McMahon, K. (2024). Posidonia sinuosa tolerates the cumulative effects of a short-term heatwave and low light event. Online. Western Australian Marine Science Institution.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Strydom, S., McCallum, R., Lafratta, A., Webster, C., O'Dea, C., Said, N., Dunham, T., Inostroza, K., Salinas Zapata, C., Billinghurst, S., Phelps, C., Campbell, C., Gorham, C., Bernasconi, R., Frouws, A., Werner, A., Vitelli, F., Puigcorbe Lacueva, V., D'cruz, A., McMahon, K., Robinson, J., Huggett, M., McNamara, S., Hyndes, G., Serrano Gras, O. (2023). Global dataset on seagrass meadow structure, biomass and production. Earth System Science Data, 15(1), 511-519. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-511-2023.
  • Webster, C., Lavery, P., Strydom, S., Billinghurst, J., McMahon, K. (2023). The Ability Of Ruppia Polycarpa To Regenerate From Seed Depends On Seasonal Porewater Salinity Dynamics And Declining Winter Rainfall Could Delay Recruitment. Estuaries and Coasts, 46(5), 1239-1252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-023-01195-w.
  • Webster, C., Lavery, P., O'Dea, C., Sanchez Alarcon, M., Salgado Kent, C., McMahon, K. (2023). The Influence Of Abiotic And Biotic Conditions On Lifecycle Stages Is Critical For Estuarine Seagrass Resilience. Marine Biology: international journal on life in oceans and coastal waters, 170(4), article number 48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04192-6.
  • Hernawan, U., Van Dijk, K., Kendrick, G., Feng, M., Berry, O., Kavazos, C., McMahon, K. (2023). Ocean connectivity and habitat characteristics predict population genetic structure of seagrass in an extreme tropical setting. Ecology and Evolution, 13(7), article number e10257. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10257.
  • Carmignani, A., Radice, VZ., McMahon, K., Holman, AI., Miller, K., Grice, K., Richards, Z. (2023). Levels Of Autotrophy And Heterotrophy In Mesophotic Corals Near The End Photic Zone. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10(2023), article number 1089746. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1089746.
  • Dahl, M., McMahon, K., Lavery, P., Hamilton, SH., Lovelock, CE., Serrano Gras, O. (2023). Ranking The Risk Of Co2 Emissions From Seagrass Soil Carbon Stocks Under Global Change Threats. Global Environmental Change, 78(2023), article number 102632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102632.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Hatum, P., McMahon, K., Mengersen, K., Wu, P. (2022). Guidelines for model adaptation: A study of the transferability of a general seagrass ecosystem Dynamic Bayesian Networks model. Ecology and Evolution, 12(8), article number e9172. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9172.
  • O'Dea, C., Lavery, P., Webster, C., McMahon, K. (2022). Increased extent of waterfowl grazing lengthens the recovery time of a colonizing seagrass (Halophila ovalis) with implications for seagrass resilience. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13(29 August 2022), Article number 947109. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.947109.
  • McMahon, K., Kilminster, K., Canto, R., Roelfsema, C., Lyons, M., Kendrick, G., Waycott, M., Udy, J. (2022). The Risk of Multiple Anthropogenic and Climate Change Threats Must Be Considered for Continental Scale Conservation and Management of Seagrass Habitat. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9(March 2022), Article number 837259. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.837259.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Hernawan, U., Lavery, P., Kendrick, G., Van Dijk, K., Ulumuddin, Y., Triandiza, T., McMahon, K. (2021). Predictors of marine genetic structure in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 47(September 2021), Article number 101919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101919.
  • Said, N., McMahon, K., Lavery, P. (2021). Accounting for the influence of temperature and location when predicting seagrass (Halophila ovalis) photosynthetic performance. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 257(31 August 2021), Article number 107414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107414.
  • Webster, C., Kilminster, K., Sanchez Alarcon, M., Bennett, K., Strydom, S., McNamara, S., Lavery, P., McMahon, K. (2021). Population-specific resilience of Halophila ovalis seagrass habitat to unseasonal rainfall, an extreme climate event in estuaries. Journal of Ecology, 109(9), 3260-3279. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13648.
  • McCallum, R., Eyre, B., Hyndes, G., McMahon, K., Oakes, J., Wells, N. (2021). Importance of internal dissolved organic nitrogen loading and cycling in a small and heavily modified coastal lagoon. Biogeochemistry: an international journal, 155(2), 237-261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-021-00824-5.
  • Evans, R., McMahon, K., Van Dijk, K., Dawkins, K., Nilsson Jacobi, M., Vikrant, A. (2021). Identification of dispersal barriers for a colonising seagrass using seascape genetic analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 763(1 April 2021), Article number 143052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143052.
  • Hernawan, U., Rahmawati, S., Rappe, A., Sjafrie, N., Hadiyanto, H., Yusup, D., Nugraha, A., La Nafie, Y., Adi, W., Prayudha, B., Irawan, A., Rahayu, Y., Ningsih, E., Riniatsih, I., Supriyadi, I., McMahon, K. (2021). The first nation-wide assessment identifies valuable blue-carbon seagrass habitat in Indonesia is in moderate condition. Science of the Total Environment, 782(15 August 2021), Article number 146818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146818.
  • Collier, C., Langlois, L., McMahon, K., Udy, J., Rasheed, M., Lawrence, E., Carter, A., Fraser, M., McKenzie, L. (2021). What lies beneath: Predicting seagrass below-ground biomass from above-ground biomass, environmental conditions and seagrass community composition. Ecological Indicators, 121(February 2021), Article number 107156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107156.
  • Cvitanovic, C., Mackay, M., Kelly, R., Wilson, SK., Waples, K., Nash, KL., Van Putten, EI., Field, S., Botterill-James, T., Austin, BJ., Beckley, LE., Boschetti, F., Depczynski, M., Dobbs, RJ., Evans, RD., Feng, M., Goater, RK., Halford, AR., Kendrick, A., Kendrick, GA., Lincoln, GD., Ludgerus, LJ., Lowe, RJ., McMahon, K., Munro, JK., Newman, SJ., Nutt, C., Pearson, L., O'Leary, MJ., Richards, ZT., Robbins, WD., Rogers, DI., Salgado Kent, C., Schoepf, V., Travers, MJ., Thums, M., Tucker, AD., Underwood, JN., Whiting , S., Mathews, D. (2021). Thirty critical research needs for managing an ecologically and culturally unique remote marine environment: The Kimberley region of Western Australia. Ocean and Coastal Management, 212(15 October 2021), Article number 105771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105771.
  • Phelps, C., McMahon, K., Bissett, A., Bernasconi, R., Steinberg, P., Thomas, T., Marzinelli, E., Huggett, M. (2021). The surface bacterial community of an Australian kelp shows cross-continental variation and relative stability within regions. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 97(7), Article number fiab089. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiab089.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Ontoria, Y., Webster, C., Said, N., Ruiz, J., Perez, M., Romero, J., McMahon, K. (2020). Positive effects of high salinity can buffer the negative effects of experimental warming on functional traits of the seagrass Halophila ovalis. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 158(September 2020), Article number 111404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111404.
  • Abdolahpour, M., Ghisalberti, M., McMahon, K., Lavery, P. (2020). Material Residence Time in Marine Canopies Under Wave-Driven Flows. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7(14 August 2020), Article number 574. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00574.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Pujol, D., Abdolahpour, M., Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Oldham, C. (2019). Flow velocity and nutrient uptake in marine canopies. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 622(18 July 2019), 17-30. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12987.
  • Kendrick, GA., Nowicki, RJ., Olsen, YS., Strydom, S., Fraser, MW., Sinclair, EA., Statton, J., Hovey, RK., Thomson, JA., Burkholder, DA., McMahon, K., Kilminster, K., Hetzel, Y., Fourqurean, JW., Heithaus, MR., Orth, RJ. (2019). A Systematic Review of How Multiple Stressors From an Extreme Event Drove Ecosystem-Wide Loss of Resilience in an Iconic Seagrass Community. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6(JUL, 2019), Article number 455. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00455.
  • Wu, PP., Mergersen, K., Caley, MJ., McMahon, K., Rasheed, MA., Kendrick, GA. (2019). Analysing the dynamics and relative influence of variables affecting ecosystem responses using functional PCA and boosted regression trees: A seagrass case study. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 10(10), 1723-1733. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13269.
  • Binks, RM., Byrne, M., McMahon, K., Pitt, G., Murray, K., Evans, RD. (2019). Habitat discontinuities form strong barriers to gene flow among mangrove populations, despite the capacity for long-distance dispersal. Diversity and Distributions, 25(2), 298-309. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12851.

2018

Book Chapters

  • Marsh, H., Creche, A., McMahon, K. (2018). Dugongs: Seagrass Community Specialists. Seagrasses of Australia: Structure, Ecology and Conversation (629-661). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71354-0_19.
  • McMahon, K., Sinclair, EA., Sherman, CD., Van Dijk, K., Hernawan, UE., Verduin, J., Waycott, M. (2018). Genetic Connectivity in Tropical and Temperate Australian Seagrass Species. Seagrasses of Australia: Structure, Ecology and Conversation (155-195). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71354-0_6.

Journal Articles

  • Wu, PP., Caley, MJ., Kendrick, G., McMahon, K., Mergersen, K. (2018). Dynamic Bayesian network inferencing for non-homogeneous complex systems. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C: Applied Statistics, 67(2), 417-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/rssc.12228.
  • Strydom, S., McMahon, K., Kendrick, G., Statton, J., Lavery, P. (2018). Short-term Responses of Posidonia australis to Changes in Light Quality. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8(17 January 2018), article no.2224. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.02224.
  • Wu, PP., McMahon, K., Rasheed, MA., Kendrick, GA., York, PH., Chartrand, K., Caley, MJ., Mergersen, K. (2018). Managing seagrass resilience under cumulative dredging affecting light: Predicting risk using dynamic Bayesian networks. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55(3), 1339-1350. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13037.
  • Verges, A., Doropoulos, C., Czarnik, R., McMahon, K., Llonch, N., Poore, AG. (2018). Latitudinal variation in seagrass herbivory: Global patterns and explanatory mechanisms. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 27(9), 1068-1079. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12767.
  • Abdolahpour, M., Ghisalberti, M., McMahon, K., Lavery, P. (2018). The impact of flexibility on flow, turbulence, and vertical mixing in coastal canopies. Limnology and Oceanography, 63(6), 2777-2792. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.11008.
  • O'Brien, KR., Waycott, M., Maxwell, P., Kendrick, GA., Udy, JW., Ferguson, AJ., Kilminster, K., Scanes, P., McKenzie, LJ., McMahon, K., Adams, MP., Samper-Villarreal, J., Collier, C., Lyons, M., Mumby, PJ., Radke, L., Christianen, MJ., Dennison, WC. (2018). Seagrass ecosystem trajectory depends on the relative timescales of resistance, recovery and disturbance. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 134(2018), 166-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.006.
  • Statton, J., McMahon, K., Lavery, P., Kendrick, GA. (2018). Determining light stress responses for a tropical multi-species seagrass assemblage. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 128(March 2018), 508-518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.060.
  • Huggett, M., McMahon, K., Bernasconi, R. (2018). Future warming and acidification result in multiple ecological impacts to a temperate coralline alga. Environmental Microbiology, 20(8), 2769-2782. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.14113.
  • Hallett, C., Hobday, A., Tweedley, J., Thompson, P., McMahon, K., Valesini, F. (2018). Observed and predicted impacts of climate change on the estuaries of south-western Australia, a Mediterranean climate region. Regional Environmental Change, 18(5), 1357–1373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-017-1264-8.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Strydom, S., McMahon, K., Lavery, P. (2017). Response of the seagrass Halophila ovalis to altered light quality in a simulated dredge plume. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 121(1-2), 323-330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.060.
  • York, PH., Smith, TM., Coles, RG., McKenna, SA., Connolly, RM., Irving, AD., Jackson, EL., McMahon, K., Runcie, JW., Sherman, CD., Sullivan, BK., Trevathan-Tackett, SM., Brodersen, KE., Carter, AB., Ewers, CJ., Lavery, P., Roelfsema, CM., Sinclair, EA., Strydom, S., Tanner, JE., Van Dijk, K., Warry, FY., Waycott, M., Whitehead, S. (2017). Identifying knowledge gaps in seagrass research and management: An Australian perspective. Marine Environmental Research, 127(June 2017), 163-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.06.006.
  • Abdolahpour, M., Ghisaberti, M., Lavery, P., McMahon, K. (2017). Vertical mixing in coastal canopies. Limnology and Oceanography, 62(1), 26-42. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.10368.
  • Wu, PP., Mengersen, K., McMahon, K., Kendrick, GA., Chartrand, K., York, PH., Rasheed, MA., Caley, MJ. (2017). Timing anthropogenic stressors to mitigate their impact on marine ecosystem resilience. Nature Communications, 8(November), Article number 1263. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01306-9.
  • Fraser, MW., Short, J., Kendrick, G., McLean, D., Keesing, J., Byrne, M., Caley, MJ., Clarke, D., Davis, AR., Erftemeijer, PL., Field, S., Gustin-Craig, S., Huisman, J., Keough, M., Lavery, P., Masini, R., McMahon, K., Mengersen, K., Rasheed, M., Statton, J., Stoddart, J., Wu, P. (2017). Effects of dredging on critical ecological processes for marine invertebrates, seagrasses and macroalgae, and the potential for management with environmental windows using Western Australia as a case study. Ecological Indicators, 78(2017), 229-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.03.026.
  • Strydom, S., McMahon, K., Kendrick, G., Statton, J., Lavery, P. (2017). Seagrass Halophila ovalis is affected by light quality across different life history stages. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 572(2017), 103-116. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12105.
  • McMahon, K., Evans, R., Van Dijk, K., Hernawan, U., Kendrick, G., Lavery, P., Lowe, R., Puotinen, M., Waycott, M. (2017). Disturbance is an important driver of clonal richness in tropical seagrasses. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8(5 December), Article Number: 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.02026.
  • Hernawan, U., Van Dijk, K., Kendrick, G., Feng, M., Biffin, E., Lavery, P., McMahon, K. (2017). Historical processes and contemporary ocean currents drive genetic structure in the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Molecular Ecology, 26(4), 1008-1021. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.13966.

2016

Journal Articles

  • Hyndes, G., Heck, KL., Verges, A., Harvey, ES., Kendrick, GA., Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Orth, RJ., Pearce, A., Vanderklift, M., Wernberg, T., Whiting, S., Wilson, S. (2016). Accelerating Tropicalization and the Transformation of Temperate Seagrass Meadows. Bioscience, 66(11), 938-948. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biw111.

Conference Publications

  • Abdolahpour, M., Ghisalberti, M., Lavery, P., McMahon, K. (2016). The importance of creating dynamically-scaled models of aquatic vegetation in the laboratory. Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Ecohydraulics (Paper 25992). University of Melbourne.
  • Abdolahpour, M., Ghisalberti, M., Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Hambleton, M. (2016). Residence time in aquatic canopies in wave-dominated flows. The Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (p.1-4). Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.

2015

Journal Articles

  • Lynch, AJ., Thackway, R., Specht, A., Beggs, PJ., Brisbane, S., Burns, EL., Byrne, M., Capon, SJ., Casanova, MT., Clarke, PA., Davies, JM., Dovers, S., Dwyer, RG., Ens, E., Fisher, DO., Flanigan, M., Garnier, E., Guru, SM., Kilminster, K., Locke, J., Mac Nally, R., McMahon, K., Mitchell, PJ., Pierson, JC., Rodgers, EM., Russell-Smith, J., Udy, J., Waycott, M. (2015). Transdisciplinary synthesis for ecosystem science, policy and management: The Australian experience. Science of the Total Environment, 534(2015), 173-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.100.
  • Kilminster, K., McMahon, K., Waycott, M., Kendrick, GA., Scanes, P., McKenzie, L., O'Brien, KR., Lyons, M., Ferguson, A., Maxwell, P., Glasby, T., Udy, J. (2015). Unravelling complexity in seagrass systems for management: Australia as a microcosm. Science of the Total Environment, 534(2015), 97-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.061.
  • Jahnke, M., Pagés, J., Alcoverro, T., Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Procaccini, G. (2015). Should we sync? Seascape-level genetic and ecological factors determine seagrass flowering patterns. Journal of Ecology, 103(6), 1464-1474. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12470.

Conference Publications

  • Wu, P., Mengersen, K., McMahon, K., Kendrick, G., Caley, J. (2015). Predicting the temporal response of seagrass meadows to dredging using Dynamic Bayesian Networks. MODSIM2015, 21st International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. (1282-1288). The Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc..

2014

Books

  • Waycott, M., McMahon, K., Lavery, P. (2014). A Guide to Southern Temperate Seagrasses. CSIRO Publishing.

Journal Articles

  • Oldham, CE., McMahon, K., Brown, E., Bosserelle, C., Lavery, P. (2014). A preliminary exploration of the physical properties of seagrass wrack that affect its offshore transport, deposition and retention on a beach. Limnology and Oceanography: Fluids and Environment, 4(1), 120-135. https://doi.org/10.1215/21573689-2844703.
  • McMahon, K., Van Dijk, KJ., Ruiz-Montoya, L., Kendrick, G., Krauss, S., Waycott, M., Verduin, J., Lowe, R., Statton, J., Brown, E., Duarte, C. (2014). The movement ecology of seagrasses. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 281(1795), Article number 20140878, 9p. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.0878.
  • McMahon, K., Lavery, P. (2014). Canopy-scale modifications of the seagrass Amphibolis griffithii in response to and recovery from light reduction. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 455(June), 38-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2014.02.015.
  • Hedley, J., McMahon, K., Fearns, P. (2014). Seagrass Canopy Photosynthetic Response Is a Function of Canopy Density and Light Environment: A Model for Amphibolis griffithii. PLoS ONE, 9(10), Article no. e111454. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111454.
  • Choney, G., McMahon, K., Lavery, P., Collier, N. (2014). Swan grazing on seagrass: abundance but not grazing pressure varies over an annual cycle in a temperate estuary. Marine and Freshwater Research, 65(8), 738–749. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF13126.

2013

Journal Articles

  • Gartner, A., Tuya, F., Lavery, P., McMahon, K. (2013). Habitat preferences of macroinvertebrate fauna among seagrasses with varying structural forms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 439(January 2013), 143-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2012.11.009.
  • McMahon, K., Collier, C., Lavery, P. (2013). Identifying robust bioindicators of light stress in seagrasses: A meta-analysis. Ecological Indicators, 30(1), 7-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.01.030.
  • Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Weyers, J., Boyce, M., Oldham, CE. (2013). Release of dissolved organic carbon from seagrass wrack and its implications for trophic connectivity. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 494(2013), 121-133. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10554.

2011

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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.11.001.

2010

Journal Articles

  • 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. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08367.

2009

Journal Articles

  • 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.
  • Eklöf, 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

2008

Reports

  • Gartner, A., Lavery, P., McMahon, K., Brearley, A. (2008). Consequences of reduced light availability in seagrass meadows for fauna and fisheries. Joondalup. ECU.

2005

Journal Articles

  • Bengston-Nash, S., McMahon, K., Eaglesham, G., Müller, J. (2005). Application of a novel phytotoxicity assay for the detection of herbicides in Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Straits. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 51(1-4), 351-360.
  • McMahon, K., Bengston-Nash, S., Eaglesham, G., Müller, J., Duke, N. (2005). Herbicide contamination and the potential impact to seagrass meadows in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 51(1-4), 325-334.

2004

Books

  • Waycott, M., McMahon, K., Mellors, J., Calladine, A., Kleine, D. (2004). A guide to tropical seagrasses of the Indo-West Pacific. James Cook University.

2003

Journal Articles

  • Thompson, P., Waite, A., McMahon, K. (2003). Dynamics of a cyanobacterial bloom in a hypereutrophic, stratified weir pool. Marine and Freshwater Research, 54(1), 27-37.

Research Projects

  • Seagrass Resilience Under Burial and Light Stress, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (WA), WAMSI Westport Project, 2026 ‑ 2029, $72,509.
  • Seagrass of the Future: Building Climate-Ready Meadows for Westport Resilience Building, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (WA), Westport, 2026 ‑ 2029, $900,000.
  • Overcoming key barriers to seagrass restoration, SA Water, Scholarships to support Industry Engagement PhD Projects, 2022 ‑ 2027, $92,135.
  • Advancing predictions of WA marine heatwaves and impacts on marine ecosystems, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, WA Marine Science Project, 2022 ‑ 2027, $272,249.
  • Identifying the ecological roles, values and functions of intertidal benthic communities and habitat, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (WA), WAMSI Westport Project, 2023 ‑ 2026, $1,071,000.
  • Sponsorship Agreement for Research Fellow in Analytical Chemistry/Proteomics, Chemistry Centre WA T/A ChemCentre, Research Fellowship Grant, 2023 ‑ 2026, $473,619.
  • 3.5 Supporting regional planning in northern Australia: Building knowledge, skills and partnerships for understanding seagrass distribution, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Environmental Science Program, 2023 ‑ 2026, $73,605.
  • 4.1 Coastal Seagrass of the Gulf of Carpentaria: Building Knowledge & Capacity as a Foundation for Long-Term Monitoring, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Environmental Science Program, 2024 ‑ 2026, $115,500.
  • Conserving pygmy blue whales in the southeastern Indian Ocean amid growing human activity, Jock Clough Marine Foundation, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2026, $20,000.
  • Migratory Shorebirds habitat use and trophic webs on the Pilbara Coast, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2026, $170,300.
  • Project 5.2 – A toolkit for ranger-led seagrass monitoring in northern Australia Sea Country, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, National Environmental Science Program, 2025 ‑ 2026, $42,450.
  • Seagrass and turtles hang in the balance - Effect of herbivory and structure on seagrass habitat in one of Australia’s most remote territories, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2025 ‑ 2026, $10,530.
  • Keep Watch' Geographe Bay Seagrass Monitoring Program - 2022 - 2026, Geographe Catchment Council Inc, Grant - Geocatch, 2021 ‑ 2026, $82,094.
  • Project 2.2. Pressure-response relationships, building resilience and future proofing seagrass meadows , Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Westport Project, 2021 ‑ 2025, $1,313,000.
  • Assessing the impacts of the 2025 heatwave on seagrass using thermal tolerance data and long-term seagrass monitoring data in Exmouth Gulf, Minderoo Foundation, Grant, 2025, $2,400.
  • Project 2.4 Benthic communities in soft-sediment and hard substrates: baseline data, pressure-response relationships of key biota for EIA, and mitigation strategies for artificial reefs, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Westport Project, 2021 ‑ 2024, $301,714.
  • RESEARCH TOPIC: Resilience of tropical seagrasses, University of Western Australia, McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship, 2018 ‑ 2024, $87,500.
  • Predicting climate resilience of seagrasses through estimating optimum and maximum temperature ranges , Minderoo Foundation, Flourishing Oceans - Exmouth Research Laboratory, 2023 ‑ 2024.
  • Plant-herbivore interactions in a changing climate and implications for seagrass recovery, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2019 ‑ 2023, $6,300.
  • Conserving Critical Seagrass Habitat for Iconic Wildlife: An Integrated Assessment across the Pilbara, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Scholarships to Support Industry Engagement PhD Projects, 2016 ‑ 2023, $10,500.
  • Genetic diversity and resilience of estuarine seagrasses, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Scholarships to Support Industry Engagement PhD Projects, 2018 ‑ 2021, $10,500.
  • Keep Watch – Seagrass Health Monitoring 2017-2021, Geographe Catchment Council Inc, Grant - Geocatch, 2017 ‑ 2021, $75,000.
  • Determining the cumulative effect of putative pathogenic microbes, high temperatures and herbivory on the kelp, Ecklonia radiata, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2019 ‑ 2020, $3,400.
  • Conserving critical seagrass habitat for dugong: an integrated assessment across the Pilbara, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Botanic Parks and Gardens - Grant, 2017 ‑ 2020, $487,330.
  • Nitrogen Isotope Study - Wastewater Treatment Plant Plume Mapping, Water Corporation, Grant, 2019, $23,013.
  • Impact of nutrients and stormwater on periphyton in a shallow embayment, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Sponsorship, 2017 ‑ 2019, $2,000.
  • Nutrient sources for primary producers in Roebuck Bay, Water Corporation, Grant, 2016 ‑ 2018, $27,960.
  • Visiting Fellow A/Professor Kate O'Brien, Edith Cowan University, Edith Cowan University, School of Science Visiting Fellow Grant Scheme, 2018, $1,500.
  • Resilience of seagrasses in tropical systems exposed to human impacts, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Grant - 2016 (Round 1), 2015 ‑ 2018, $52,000.
  • Determining the cumulative effect of putative pathogenic microbes, high temperatures and herbivory on the ecologically important kelp, Ecklonia radiata, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2017 ‑ 2018, $6,000.
  • Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands Investigation, South West Catchment Council, Grant, 2014 ‑ 2018, $48,000.
  • Australian-wide risk assessment of carbon dioxide emissions from seagrass habitat under current and future global change threats , Edith Cowan University, ECU Collaboration Enhancement Scheme - 2016 Round 1, 2016 ‑ 2017, $6,000.
  • Provision of Preliminary Investigation into Macroalgae and Seagrass Wrack at Jurien Bay Boat Harbour - DOT306815, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (WA), DoT WA - Grant, 2016 ‑ 2017, $89,399.
  • Defining thresholds and indicators of Primary Producer response to dredging related pressures, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Grant, 2013 ‑ 2017, $802,028.
  • The effects of light quality caused by dredging on seagrass habitats, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2015 ‑ 2016, $4,000.
  • Protection of coastal ecosystems and marine resource management, The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, CRN - Grant, 2011 ‑ 2016, $890,684.
  • Quantification of the Biodiversity of the Lake MacLeod Northern Ponds, Dampier Salt Limited Perth Division, Grant-Dampsalt, 2010 ‑ 2016, $433,711.
  • ‘Keep Watch’ Geographe Bay Seagrass Health Monitoring Program 2015/16, Geographe Catchment Council Inc, Grant - Geocatch, 2015 ‑ 2016, $15,000.
  • Ecological connectivity of Kimberley marine communities - WAMSI Kimberley Research Program, The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Western Australian Marine Science Institution Grant, 2014 ‑ 2016, $97,137.
  • Undertaking Geographe Bay Keep Watch seagrass monitoring program, Geographe Catchment Council Inc, Grant - Geocatch, 2015, $14,393.
  • Undertaking Geographe Bay Keep Watch seagrass monitoring program, Geographe Catchment Council Inc, Grant - Geocatch, 2014, $15,851.
  • Improving capacity to predict impacts of dredging - modelling light and the response of seagrasses, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration - Grant, 2011 ‑ 2013, $25,000.
  • Seagrass Monitoring Program for Geographe Bay 2012 and 2013, Geographe Catchment Council Inc, Grant - Geocatch, 2012 ‑ 2013, $33,700.
  • Seagrass Monitoring Program for Geographe Bay 2011, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Grant, 2011 ‑ 2012, $3,121.
  • Developing indicators of nutrient-enrichment impacts on nearshore coastal reefs, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration - Grant, 2011 ‑ 2012, $58,937.
  • Predicting climate change impacts on seagrasses - the effect of temperature and ocean acidification, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher - Grant, 2010 ‑ 2011, $24,995.
  • Latitudinal Gradients in Tolerance to Multiple Stressors of a Temperate Seagrass, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher - Grant, 2008 ‑ 2010, $24,966.
  • Research Study into Seagrass Wrack Movement at Geographe Bay , University of Western Australia, Grant, 2008 ‑ 2010, $415,000.
  • 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, 2008 ‑ 2009, $118,220.
  • Species diversity and distribution in the seagrass genus, Posidonia using morphological and molecular characters, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher - Grant, 2007 ‑ 2008, $14,625.
  • Recovery of Amphibolis seagrass following periods of light reduction, Department of Environment and Conservation WA, Grant, 2007 ‑ 2008, $16,000.
  • Determining Seagrass Distribution in the Swan-Canning River - Testing Methods, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (WA), Grant, 2008, $10,194.
  • Habitat Use by Black Swans in the Swan River Estuary, Ernest Hodgkin Trust, Scholarship, 2006 ‑ 2007, $2,182.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Mango kernel bioactive extracts a new frontier in functional food and nutraceutical innovation
  • Doctor of Philosophy, From Conflict to Coexistence: A Case Study of Gendered Power Relations in Community-Based Conservation Governance in Sidinda Ward, Hwange District, Zimbabwe.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Overcoming barriers to seagrass restoration

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Microbial diversity and ecological functions of cyanobacterial mats in intertidal coastal ecosystems, and environmental drivers influencing their photosynthesis
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Seagrass and turtles hang in the balance: Effect of herbivory and structure on seagrass habitat and finding balance in one of Australia's most remote territories
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Understanding the population ecology of pygmy blue whales in the south-eastern Indian Ocean amid increasing cumulative anthropogenic pressures
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Improving Tomatoe Supply Chains Quality Management by Image Processing Techniques
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Understanding variation in seagrass thermal tolerance to assess vulnerability and resilience under ocean warming and marine heatwaves

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Environmental Management), Assessing biofilm and epiphytes on seagress leaves as bioindicators of environmental change
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Microbial diversity and function, and an exploration of bleaching in the Australian kelp Ecklonia radiata
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental variability generates sources of resilience in seagrasses
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Gene flow and genetic structure of the seagrass thalassia hemprichii in the indo-Australian archipelago.
  • Master of Science by Research, Seagrass resilience: Exploring recovery trajectories, succession and facilitation
  • Master of Science (Environmental Management), The impact of black Swan (cygnus ataratus) grazing on the seagrass halophila ovalis in the lower Swan river estuary
  • Master of Science (Environmental Management), Plant-herbivore interactions in a changing climate and implications for seagrass resilience
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigating the effects of changes in light quality on different life history stages of seagrasses
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Spatial and temporal variation in population genetic diversity in seagrasses and the implications for resilience

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Organic Matter and Nitrogen Cycling in a Heavily Modified Coastal Lagoon

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Environmental Management), Influence of hydrological and environmental conditions on mangrove vegetation at coastal and inland semi-arid areas of the Gascoyne region
  • Master of Science by Research, Thermal tolerance thresholds of Posidonia australis seedlings: a multi–scale biological level assessment along a latitudinal gradient
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Trophic implications of light reductions for Amphibolis griffithi seagrass communities
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Residence time in coastal canopies
  • Master of Science (Biological Sciences), Effects of temperature and location on the photosynthesis-irradiance relationship of the seagrass halophila ovalis
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