2015-11-10 - P&O Agenda - Item 7, Attach 3 - History of Aquatic Restoration and Management Options for Noosa Estuary and Lakes

Assoc. Prof. Thomas Schlacher
The University of the Sunshine Coast

Thomas is an internationally recognised expert in coastal
ecology, focussed particularly at the interface between
estuaries and the ocean. Noosa and the Sunshine Coast is
Thomas’ backyard, and he has built a considerable body of
literature examining the impacts of humans on coastal
ecosystems and how to best manage and restore these
systems to improve condition. Of particular relevance to
this project is his research on nuisance algal blooms and
the impacts of coastal urbanisation on estuarine fisheries using accurate pollution
indicators, nutrient flow and dynamics in coastal systems, and assessing the human
impacts and restoration of sandy beaches.



Dr Emma Jackson
Central Queensland University

Emma has over 15 years experience as a seagrass ecologist
assessing the landscape ecology and effects of human
pressures on the state of structural benthic habitats
(particularly seagrass and biogenic reef) and the
subsequent changes in ecosystem function and services.
She is particularly interested in the structure and functioning of seagrass habitats at a
landscape scale (fragmentation, depth squeeze, connectivity) and is currently engaged in
the large-scale restoration of seagrass habitats in Port Curtis, including researching
methods suitable for restoration in Eastern Australia. She bridges the knowledge gap
between science and policy including assessing the conservation importance of coastal
habitats, and identifying suitable indicators for monitoring change and targets for habitat
restoration.