Research Projects

We welcome interns who are looking for a space to do their honours and masters.

A comparison between sounds in pelagic and benthic environments in Shark Bay & Exmouth

Supervisor
Prof Jessica Meeuwig jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au‍ ‍

Sound is a vital sensory cue for marine wildlife, however there is increasing underwater noise from human activities. Baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) are capable of recording the soundscape of the surrounding environment. Data from soundscapes can provide information about the health of the ecosystem and anthropogenic stressors that occur in that region. This project will involve analysis of audio recordings from both mid-water and benthic BRUVS to benchmark the soundscape of these environments and compare how soundscapes differ between benthic and pelagic environments.

Invertebrate ecology of the Antarctic Peninsula

Supervisor
Prof Jessica Meeuwig jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au ‍ ‍

We have been deploying BRUVS along the Antarctic Peninsula, observing a diverse invertebrate community. This project will involve analysis of BRUVS footage to document the diversity, abundance and size structure of the invertebrate community to determine how it varies across habitats and along a 7° gradient of latitude. The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most rapidly warming areas of Antarctica with an expectation of significant invasions by invertebrates, making this an important study to generate a first characterisation of the existing communities.

What can BRUVS tell us about sea jellies: a big data analysis

Supervisor
Prof Jessica Meeuwig jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au;
Dr Chris Thompson christopher.thompson@uwa.edu.au ‍ ‍

Baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) are typically used to study vertebrates. However keen eyes observe a diversity of gelatinous organisms. Such observations are important as, for instance, we know that siphonophores are more common in warm years in Antarctica while krill are less common. This project will involve analysis of a global BRUVS dataset of more than 100,000 records to develop a methodology to classify and count planktonic invertebrates as well as looking at their distributions through space and time. You will hone your quantitative skills and opportunities for field work will be made available when possible.

What can BRUVS tell us about larval fish: a big data analysis

Honours / Masters

Baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) are typically used to study animals larger than 5 cm. However keen eyes observe a diversity of small organisms including larval fish. This project will involve image analysis of a global BRUVS video to develop a methodology to classify and count fish larvae as well as looking at their distributions through space and time. You will hone your quantitative skills and opportunities for field work will be made available when possible.