Mission

The overarching aim of the Biodiversity and Resources theme within the broader network is to better understand the adaptive capacity of marine biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels in the overall context of vulnerability to climate change risks. This information is vital to enable us to usefully inform policy and management decision-making for the long-term conservation of Australia’s marine assets and to enhance the adaptive capacity of Australia’s marine based industries. There is also a clear need to develop adaptation strategies for industry stakeholders that optimise the socio-economic goods and services provided by Australia’s marine resources.

Australia’s ocean territory covers 14.7 million square kilometres and includes some 36,000 kilometres of coastline extending from the tropical north to the cool temperate south. Australia’s isolation as an island nation has resulted in a diverse and highly endemic marine fauna and flora and the biodiversity of Australia’s vast marine jurisdiction has been recognised as being globally significant. The total annual value of the goods and services of Australia’s marine areas has been estimated at $1,359.3 billion, with around two-thirds of this derived from our diverse coastal (mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, seagrass beds and beaches) and shelf areas. Our marine fisheries and aquaculture industries are worth around $2.18 billion annually (ABARE 2008). Australia has developed as a coastal population which has resulted in a large affinity with our coastal assets. We have a very high participation in recreational fishing and our iconic marine areas support extensive tourism and other recreational activities. Australians are increasingly valuing the environmental, economic and social benefits of marine biodiversity and the ecosystem services that a healthy marine environment provides.

There is growing awareness of climate change, and Government at all levels now has a strong focus on adaptation. However, our understanding of the current and potential impacts of climate change, particularly in the marine context, has not moved at the same rapid pace as increasing public awareness and acceptance of climate change as a major issue. With this in mind there will be an ongoing need to establish clear baselines, and to improve our understanding of impacts in our marine systems. This must be tackled with a view to developing the necessary understanding on which to base adaptation strategies and management plans, and on assessing the success of implemented management strategies. Investigating the causes for species or ecosystem shifts away from baselines will be important for improving the understanding needed to underpin adaptation strategies, and in turn evaluate the effectiveness of those strategies. For many of us this requires a shift in the perspective from which we conduct our research (see Figure 1); one of the goals of the Biodiversity and Resources theme of the marine adaptation network is to support this transition. 

The potential climate change impacts, degree of resilience and adaptive capacity of the vast majority of our marine species and ecosystems are still largely unknown. The Biodiversity and Resources theme aims to provide a central national location whereby researchers, governments and industry can enhance their knowledge of the latest scientific information that can inform adaptation options. To engage with the Biodiversity and Resources theme, please forward your contact details to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Meet the Biodiversity & Resources Team