School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research Edith Cowan University Improve capacity to predict impacts of dredging on seagrasses Funding source: WAMSI – Dredging research Collaborators: ECU, UWA, CSIRO Research direction –Genetic diversity and connectivity of seagrass populations –Natural recovery dynamics –Responses and thresholds for light reduction and sediment burial

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research Edith Cowan University Connectivity in coastal systems Connectivity of seagrasses Funding source: WAMSI - Kimberley Collaborators: ECU, UWA, U Adelaide Research direction –genetic diversity and connectivity of seagrass populations in the Kimberley region Microbial interactions with benthic primary producers Funding source: WAMSI - Kimberley Collaborators: ECU, UWA Research direction –Bacterial abundance, biomass, carbon production and functional profiles in the benthos

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research Edith Cowan University Marine and Coastal Carbon Biogeochemistry Cluster Research direction Carbon captured and stored for millennia by marine environments (Blue carbon) a potential mechanism for mitigation of GHG gases Carbon sequestration, stoichiometry and stores potential of Australian vegetated coastal ecosystems: Seagrasses, Mangroves & Saltmarshes

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research Edith Cowan University Other projects Seagrass barcoding Funding source: ECU and U Adelaide Collaborators: ECU & U Adelaide Research direction –Global initiative to barcode seagrasses –Improve knowledge and resolution of seagrass taxonomy Marine microorganisms Funding source: ECU Collaborators: ECU, UWA, WAM, Uni Oklahoma Research direction –The coral 'holobiont’: shifts in communities across large biogeographical areas of the coastline –Acquisition of microbial partners in early life history

School of Natural Sciences, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research Edith Cowan University Indigenous involvement Funding source: –WAMSI Collaborators: –ECU (Colleen Haywood) & NW Indigenous communities Research direction –Engagement and consultation with Indigenous knowledge-holders and relevant Prescribed Bodies Corporate –Recruitment of local Aboriginal researchers seen as part of the reciprocation with local communities –Focus on participatory methods for the collection of qualitative data –Use of Indigenous ways of understanding and using knowledge