Research
The marine parks research program is complementary to the Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting (MER) Program. The research program aims to build partnerships that utilise the skills and experience of the broader research community.
The marine parks program logic and the MER plan have identified key assumptions that support the cause and effect relationships (theory of change) that underpin the MER Program, such as the marine parks network is a comprehensive adequate and representative network. Research provides a means to test these assumptions.
The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) provides research grants and encourages partnering with universities and research organisations. Collaborations provide additional data, fill knowledge gaps and improve understanding of South Australia’s Marine Parks Network.
Research should be aligned with one or more of the following themes
- Ecological systems: status and processes
- Communities: social, cultural and economic values and assets
- Management effectiveness
If you are interested in partnering with DEW for marine parks research, please see our research prospectus and contact the Department for Environment and Water.
Email: marineparks@sa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 8204 1910
Completed research
Jones, J. M and Nagelkerken, I (2014). The distribution of larval fish assemblages of Gulf St. Vincent in relation to the positioning of sanctuary zones. University of Adelaide SA
Janetzki, N., Fairweather P.G. and Benkendorff, K (2015). Inventory of rock types, habitats, and biodiversity on rocky seashores in South Australia’s two south-east marine parks: Pilot Study. A report to the South Australian Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources. Flinders University SA
Baring, R., Dittman, S. and Fairweather. P. Coffin Bay subtidal soft sediment macrofaunal assessment, collected as part of Baseline characteristics of Coffin bay (Thorny Passage marine Park) Flinders University SA
Clarke, B., Thurstan, R. and Yates, K. L (2016). An investigation into the socio‐cultural dimension of determining MPA effectiveness. Report prepared for Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide. Flinders University SA
Delean, S., Research into statistical methods applicable to Marine Parks Monitoring in South Australia. University of Adelaide SA
Apps. K and Huveneers, C (2016). Assessing the knowledge, social values and stewardship of white shark cage-diving participants within the Sanctuary Zone of the Neptune Island group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park. Final Report to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Adelaide. Southern Cross University, NSW, Flinders University SA
Jones. A. Assessing the connectivity in South Australia’s Marine Park Network. University of Adelaide SA
Wooton, N. and Gillanders, B. (2017). Quantifying fish assemblages in South Australian Marine Protected Areas. University of Adelaide SA
Whitmarsh, S. and Huvaneers, C., and Fairweather. P (1) (2017) Description of fish assemblages in key sanctuary zones and other protected areas prior to zoning implementation in South Australia’s marine parks.(1) Flinders University SA
Ongoing research
Edgar. G . Functional responses of rocky reef communities to effects of fishing and other anthropogenic stressors. University of Tasmania
Baring, R., Dittman, S. and Fairweather. P. Baseline characterisation of Coffin Bay (Thorny Passage Marine Park) Flinders University SA
Grammer, G. Establishing benthic reference sites for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) monitoring in the Western Eyre Commonwealth Marine Park and the Pearson Isles Sanctuary Zone of the Investigator Marine Park. South Australian Research and Development Institute
Grammer, G. Establishing the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) benthic monitoring program in South Australia. South Australian Research and Development Institute
Huvaneers, C. Acoustic monitoring of large predators in SA marine parks. Flinders University South Australia
Jones, A. Seagrass, macroalgae, sediment and micro-plastic sampling from Pearson Isles Sanctuary Zone and South West Commonwealth Marine Reserve for genetic connectivity and contamination studies. University of Adelaide South Australia
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