Project overview
Thi PhD research project (includes three studies) focuses on developing an innovative adaptive modelling and sampling framework for monitoring coral reefs using new Bayesian computational algorithms. The first two studies focused on Great Barrier Reef data and the third study focuses on Scott Reef data.
Coral reefs are dynamic ecosystems that support enormous biodiversity. They play a vital role in protecting the coastline from harmful effects of waves and tropical storms, provide habitat to numerous marine organisms and maintain the carbon level in the water. However, some environmental threats such as cyclone have an impact on the health and the long-term resilience of coral reefs. The aim of this PhD project is to use adaptive design methods to determine when and where samples should be collected based on a particular environmental disturbance to quantify its impact.
Outcomes
The adaptive design methods have been shown to be cost effective and yield highly informative data. Thus, these methods should help to improve the effectiveness of reef monitoring programs.
Project team
QUT team members
- Pubudu Thilian (PhD candidate)
- Professor James McGree
- Associate Professor Helen Thompson
- Dr Julian Carely
External team members
- Dr Patricia Menéndez, AIMS and Monash University
- Dr James Gilmour, AIMS
- Dr Rebecca Fisher, AIMS.
