Aquatic Ecosystems
This Unit is responsible for research into:
- Freshwater biodiversity and habitats: monitoring the condition of riverine systems; distribution and abundance of freshwater threatened and pest species; genetic population structure of threatened and pest species; impacts of pest species and control techniques; evaluating fishways and other barriers to fish passage; active restoration of in-stream habitats; and freshwater fish stocking.
- Marine biodiversity and habitats: Monitoring condition of marine and estuarine systems; evaluation of floodgates and other barriers in estuaries; mapping of estuarine and marine habitats; distribution and abundance of marine and estuarine threatened and pest species; impacts of pest species and control techniques; and evaluating effectiveness of marine protected areas.
- Ecosystem function: Includes quantitative assessments of the functioning of aquatic systems and the connectivity between systems and ecosystem-based management and modelling. The current focus is on ecosystem modelling in marine and estuarine waters and an ACIAR project in the Philippines.
Key research collaborations
R&D fund providers: Many inland projects are collaborative ventures with the Murray–Darling Basin Commission and other government agencies in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Other freshwater work is being done for Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) or State Water. Fish pest projects are managed through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). Coastal work often involves partnerships with other NSW agencies. Ecosystem modelling work is a joint partnership with the CSIRO Marine and Atmosphere division.
Universities: include Griffith, Sydney, Macquarie, Newcastle, Southern Cross and Wollongong.
International: Australian Council for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
Key research infrastructure
This unit uses NSW DPI facilities at Narrandera, Cronulla, Port Stephens and Grafton.
Current projects
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Aquatic Ecosystems Maps
Mapping the estuarine habitats of NSW
Scientific Outputs
The Aquatic Ecosystems Unit has online summaries of its scientific outputs. In some cases the summary has the full outputs available as a PDF which can be downloaded. The scientific outputs are arranged by year of publication.
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 |
Scientists
Find a list of Aquatic Ecosystems scientists
Contact
Dr Bob Creese
Research Leader, Aquatic Ecosystems
Phone 02 4916 3806
Email: bob.creese@dpi.nsw.gov.au