Gary is a marine plant ecologist who is passionate about understanding how we both can protect and use our rich marine environments. He has multiple interests including understanding biodiversity and ecology of temperate and tropical seagrass meadows and reefs, conservation and restoration of marine foundation species, and educating people about coastal and marine ecosystems.
Gary's experimental work on the ecology of seagrass meadows, kelp and Sargassum beds includes understanding the role of seagrasses and kelps in structuring communities, herbivory in seagrass meadows and reefs, and the effect of ocean warming and human impacts on the resilience of seagrasses and macroalgae.
Gary has also focussed on dispersal and recruitment ecology, and genetics of seagrasses, has measured and modelled the dispersal of seagrass seeds and documented seedling survival. This has led to research and community action to restore lost seagrass meadows with seeds.
Most important experiences while at UWA
- Developing the Bachelor of Marine Sciences in the late 1990s early 2000s
- Taking on the role as Director of the Oceans Institute for the first 2 years of its life. An incredible period of growth and creativity for marine science and engineering on campus.
- Bringing the Schools of Animal and Plant Biology together with Professor Sarah Dunlop to create the School of Biological Sciences in 2015
- Growing research groups in marine biodiversity and remote sensing and seagrass
Where did you think you would end up, when you began your career?
My goals were flexible and I explored both marine reef and seagrass communiites in my early years at UWA. This changed focus to seagrasses, threats and mitigation of threats, and restoration of seagrass ecosystems over my later years. All my research has had a foundation in marine plant ecology
What are some of your most significant achievements?
My career direction towards applied research has allowed me to both develop and influence national policy and practices. International collaborations into the global staus of seagrasses has brought the plight of this important ecosystem to the general public, influenced state and national programs and resulted in community based restoration practices. Understanding the impact of climate change and variability on seaweeds and seagrasses has also been fruitful.
What has been the most interesting aspect of your career?
The freedom I had at UWA to explore new areas and techniques to address fundamental biological questions about the ocean.
The freedom to build multidisciplinary teams to address larger questions and to work across disciplines to address fundamental questions about Australia’s coastal oceans.
The opportunity to mentor and supervise brilliant students and postdoctoral researchers.
Where are you planning to go from here? Are there new interests you are looking to get involved in?
My research into seagrass restoration has resulted in new opportunities to scale up our efforts through collaborations with community groups, NGOs like OzFish, and to develop mechanization and robotics that can increase the effectiveness of seed based seagrass restoration. These projects and grants continue and will take much of my time. I also have recently joined the Shark Bay World Heritage Advisory Committee and will be working towards protecting and enhancing the values of this important national site.