The Marine Adaptation Network designed and delivered the first-ever Australian national summer school in the area of marine climate change adaptation. The main objective of the summer school was to introduce research postgraduates and early career researchers to climate change adaptation research with the aim of facilitating entry of researchers into the field of marine adaptation.

The Graduate School was held at the University of Tasmania on 4 December 2009. This event offered graduates the opportunity to meet and network with peers and with experienced marine researchers in specialised workshops and field trips.

See below for the MARINE ADAPTATION NETWORK FIRST SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM:

PROGRAM

WELCOME
Assoc Prof Neil Holbrook - overview of the Network structure and purpose of the Summer School.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION CHALLENGES FOR THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Dr Paul Marshall, Dr Alistair Hobday & Dr Rosemary Stanford - discuss the interactions between scientists and policy makers, and the challenges faced in policy making with regard to climate change.

OVERVIEW OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONCEPTS
Assoc Prof Neil Holbrook & Tim Smith - speak about climate change and the concepts surrounding climate change risk, impacts, vulnerability, resilience, and building adaptive capacity.

AVENUES TO ADAPTATION
Each speaker will discuss current condition, projected change and what can be done to enhance adaptive capacity in their particular area of expertise.
Dr Julie Davidson - Integration Theme: Social‐ecological resilience
Dr Alistair Hobday & Dr Stewart Frusher - Marine Biodiversity & Resources Theme:
Dr Tim Smith, Dr Sarah Jennings, Dr Rosemary Sandford & Dr Peat Leith - Communities/Markets/Policy Themes:

PRESENTATION OF THREE MBR CASE STUDIES
Dr Alistair Hobday – National Scale Marine Vulnerability Assessment
Dr Paul Marshall - Paul Marshall – Great Barrier Reef VA (regional example)
Dr Gretta Pecl – Rock Lobster VA (sector example)

The Marine Adaptation Network has awarded Research Support Grants to Honours and Masters students studying in 2010 and 2011.  The grant scheme provides funding for honours and masters students to cover research costs of selected eligible projects focused on climate change adaptation in Marine Biodiversity and Resources. For further information contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 03 6226 2134.

See the recipients of the 2010 and 2011 rounds of funding…

2010 RESEARCH SUPPORT GRANT RECIPIENTS

- Shawna Foo (University of Sydney) Read about Shawna’s student research project entitled “Impacts of climate change stressors on early development of the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii” in the Autumn 2011 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Erinn Kelly (University of Adelaide) Read about Erinn’s student research project entitled “The politics of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in South Australia: a critical analysis of the establishment of marine protected areas” in the Winter 2011 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 4.
- Christopher Mabin (University of Tasmania) Read about Christopher’s student research project entitled “Effects of climate-driven East Australian Current (EAC) strengthening on kelp morphology, reproduction and development” in the Summer 2010 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 4.
- Fiona McDuie (James Cook University) Read about Fiona’s student research project entitled “Seabirds and Climate Change: Can Wedge-tailed Shearwaters adapt to changing environmental conditions?” in the Winter 2010 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Claire O’Neill (University of New South Wales) Read about Claire’s student research project entitled “An integrated approach to the development of climate change policy and management strategies for marine resources in Torres Strait, Queensland” in the Spring 2010 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Lorian Woolgar (University of Western Australia)

2011 RESEARCH SUPPORT GRANT RECIPIENTS

- Alexander Brazenor (James Cook University)
- Stuart Milburn (The University of New South Wales)
- Thomas Oliver (University of Wollongong)
- Julian O’Mara (University of Queensland) Read about Julian’s student research project entitled “Intertidal Wetlands and the Impact of Sea Level Rise in South East Queensland” in the Summer 2011/12 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 5.
- Lewa Pertl (The University of Tasmania)
- Rebecca Runting (The University of Queensland) Read about Rebecca’s student research project entitled “Does Less Mean More? The cost-effectiveness of process-based models and high resolution data for conservation planning under sea level rise” in the Spring 2011 Marine Adaptation Bulletin (MAB) page 7.
- Verity Wallace (The University of Western Australia)
- John Wright (University of Western Sydney)