Projects

Using ancient DNA to uncover climate change impacts on Antarctica

ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award DE210100929

This project aims to utilise ancient DNA preserved in the seafloor to investigate how past Antarctic marine ecosystems have responded to past climatic changes, with a focus on the Holocene (last ~11,700 years). The study will generate the first-ever picture of marine community changes across the entire marine food web and unravel adaptation mechanisms of key marine organisms to climate shifts. Expected project outcomes will include significant knowledge advances into the evolution and resilience of Antarctic ecosystems over geological timescales. This will position Australia at the forefront of marine sedimentary ancient DNA research, and also provide valuable guidance for the conservation of Antarctica during ongoing climate change.

Research into this project is currently underway, using unique sediment material collected during IODP Exp 382 - Iceberg alley and Subantartcic Ice and Ocean Dyamics (West Antarctica) and IN2017_V01 - Sabrina Seafloor Survey (East Antarctica). The focus is on the reconstruction of past marine phytoplankton composition over thousands of years, and investigating the evoutionof key Antarctic species, such as the polar model diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus, and Antarctic krill. If you are looking for opportunities to get involved into this research, contact Linda Armbrecht.

Improved management of coastal plankton systems by aDNA technology

ARC Discovery Project DP170102261

This project aims to assemble comprehensive long term Australian plankton records spanning 50 to 1000 years, by applying ancient DNA technology to dated sediment depth cores. Long-term data for Australian coastal and estuarine waters are sparse, so cannot be used for management of fisheries, tourism or urban development. Long-term records are essential to understand how disruptive algal and jellyfish blooms, introduced species and increased human use of coastal resources affect dynamic plankton ecosystems. This project’s findings are expected to explore cyclical patterns, define range expansions and understand and manage how dynamic coastal ecosystems respond to multistressor anthropogenic change. Findings will improve understanding of how dynamic marine environments retain their biodiversity values and critical ecological functions.

Exploring the North Atlantic using sedaDNA

Research Collaboration with A/Prof. David Thornalley, University College London

This project aims to assemble comprehensive long term Australian plankton records spanning 50 to 1000 years, by applying ancient DNA technology to dated sediment depth cores. Long-term data for Australian coastal and estuarine waters are sparse, so cannot be used for management of fisheries, tourism or urban development. Long-term records are essential to understand how disruptive algal and jellyfish blooms, introduced species and increased human use of coastal resources affect dynamic plankton ecosystems. This project’s findings are expected to explore cyclical patterns, define range expansions and understand and manage how dynamic coastal ecosystems respond to multistressor anthropogenic change. Findings will improve understanding of how dynamic marine environments retain their biodiversity values and critical ecological functions.