The Western Australian Marine Science Institution welcomes you to the first of a series of free seminars on past, current and planned research in the Kimberley.
1st Speaker: Dr Barry Wilson (Murex Consultants), Patterns of life on Kimberley shores
The major controls of palaeographic development of the North West Shelf, including the Kimberley, have been climatic and sea level change and tectonism. The history of these events, especially those of the Quaternary, superimposed on the regional geology, has determined the range of habitats, the biological connectivity between them and adjacent regions, and the evolutionary development of the marine fauna. In this presentation, the contemporary marine fauna of the Kimberley is discussed in these historical biogeographic terms.
2nd Speaker: Dr James Gilmour (AIMS), Two decades of research on the Kimberly’s oceanic reef systems: dynamics and connectivity of coral assemblages in a changing world
This talk summarises almost twenty years of research by AIMS on the oceanic reefs of north-western Australia, focusing on the Scott Reef system. Scott Reef is unique in being far from the influence of many human activities responsible for the degradation of coral reefs globally, but for a catastrophic mass bleaching event in 1998. The 80% reduction in coral cover that followed provided an opportunity to quantify the rates and processes of recovery following a massive climatic disturbance. The recovery of the reef after 12 years is explained in the context of its connectivity to other reef systems and the underlying demography of its coral assemblages.
Afternoon tea (provided) and networking opportunities will follow the presentations.
RSVPs are essential please, for catering purposes.
General public and media welcome to attend.
RSVP & more info: Sue Lim
[email protected]www.wamsi.org.au