Xueqin GAO, Gabby

Research Fellow

As a marine biologist and ecologist, Gabby has been working on blue carbon ecosystems for more than ten years. During her PhD study at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, she investigated the regulatory role of crabs (keynote species) in nutrient dynamics in mangroves, and their trophic interactions with microalgae, microbiomes, and the plants, and how these interactions affect the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning/productivity of mangroves. After that, Gabby continued her research on trophic ecology at The University of Hong Kong (2023-2024), mainly works on seagrasses. Besides, Gabby also led and participated in a series of projects on mangrove and seagrass restoration.

Research interests

Ecological processes of coastal ecosystems, trophic ecology, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, restoration ecology

Research group: Shore Protection with Integrated Nature-based Solutions - Eco ("SPINS-Eco")

With the increasing demand for coastal protection, hybrid shorelines, which combine vegetation with hard structures, are gaining traction. The integration of nature-based solutions for coastal protection would be a cost-effective and sustainable means of mitigating the effects of waves and storm surges. For any hybrid shoreline to be successful, the living components of the design need to establish, survive, and grow.

Our group is interested in

1) investigating the optimal condition for mangrove, seagrass, coral, and macroalgae to thrive,

2) determining the survival probabilities for selected species under various climate change scenarios, as well as

3) quantifying their wave attenuation potential.

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