Maintain Ecosystems and Their Biodiversity

In 2025, the University of Newcastle worked directly with researchers, government agencies, community groups and marine industries to understand, protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. From threatened mangroves in Samoa and kelp-forest habitats along the Great Southern Reef to reef fisheries and Pacific catchments, these collaborations combine ecological research with practical conservation and evidence-informed management.

Direct ecosystem conservation and monitoring in 2025

Protecting Samoa’s mangroves through the Moata’a Living Lab

Throughout the 2024–2025 reporting period, University of Newcastle researchers worked with the Moata’a Village Council and community, Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the National University of Samoa to monitor and conserve threatened mangrove habitats in Samoa. Development, pollution and climate pressures had placed this coastal ecosystem at risk. The University’s NIER Annual Report 2024–2025 documents active fieldwork, training and management support rather than conservation planning alone.

Led by Associate Professor Troy Gaston, a University research team including Adam Vrandich, Paige Sawyers and Amy Stephens conducted mangrove-health assessments, examined coral and fish communities in an adjacent lagoon and collected samples for water-quality and food-web analysis. Through the Mangrove Masters programme, the team delivered monitoring workshops to Samoan government staff and community members, helping them recognise signs of mangrove decline and take action to protect the ecosystem.

The Moata’a Living Lab is a community-led restoration partnership, supported by University research and technical training. According to the University research impact profile, Samoan community and youth groups have organised clean-up days and planted more than 2,500 mangrove seedlings in recent years. Their restoration work is complemented by University-led ecological monitoring, training and collaborative management.

Research to protect kelp forests along the Great Southern Reef

In April 2025, University of Newcastle PhD researcher Jeremy Day, with Dr Megan Huggett and Associate Professor Troy Gaston, reported new findings on predator–prey relationships relevant to the spread of kelp-depleted “urchin barrens” along the Great Southern Reef. By analysing the stomach contents of 39 blue groper and 111 pink snapper collected along approximately 1,250 kilometres of coastline, the team found that long-spined sea urchins were eaten much less frequently than previously assumed. The April 2025 research announcement explains why the finding matters for future conservation management.

The findings challenge the assumption that these large fish regularly control long-spined sea urchin populations. By improving understanding of these food webs, the research can help guide future decisions to protect kelp forests and the biodiversity they support.

^{Above: A blue groper consuming a long-spined sea urchin offered by a diver. The University study examined how often this predation occurs naturally in the wild. Photo: Dr John Turnbull.}

Catchment biodiversity fieldwork in the Cook Islands

In September 2025, Associate Professor Troy Gaston and Dr Alex Callen undertook catchment fieldwork in Rarotonga alongside staff from the Cook Islands National Environment Service as part of the Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas: Catchment Audit Activities project. The collaboration supports ecological assessment and conservation planning for freshwater catchments and connected coastal environments, while University researchers shared restoration expertise with local government and community organisations.

Research informing biodiversity protection and sustainable fisheries

Monitoring sea cucumber populations on the Great Barrier Reef

University of Newcastle researcher Kristen McSpadden, who began her PhD in 2022, has worked with fishers and research partners to investigate the population dynamics and sustainability of sea cucumber fisheries on the Great Barrier Reef. Her research uses remotely operated vehicles to survey seabed habitats and collect high-resolution, species-level population information. Sea cucumbers contribute to healthy benthic habitats by processing sediments; better population data can help fishery managers protect these species while managing harvesting pressure, as described in Kristen McSpadden’s research account.

^{Above: Kristen McSpadden holding a large prickly redfish sea cucumber.}

Investigating threatened White’s Seahorse populations

The University’s marine research portfolio includes a project examining the distribution, population structure and camouflage traits of White’s Seahorse (Hippocampus whitei), a threatened species dependent on coastal and estuarine habitats. The project aims to improve understanding of population occurrence and inform management of sensitive habitats, including those affected by coastal infrastructure. This project is part of the University’s wider effort to improve scientific understanding of at-risk marine species.

^{Above: White’s Seahorses attached to white rope in aquaria.}

Assessing threats to Little Penguin populations

The University also lists a research project assessing threats to Little Penguin populations to inform conservation management. The project aims to strengthen the ecological understanding needed to protect vulnerable marine wildlife in New South Wales, contributing to the wider coastal conservation research undertaken through the Coasts, Water and Climate research centre.

Long-term Pacific partnerships and conservation skills

Building on its collaboration with Pacific partners, the University established the Pacific Node with SPREP in 2024 to connect research and community priorities in biodiversity protection, climate resilience and environmental governance. The earlier Moata’a Living Lab partnership began in 2019 and continued through 2025; these two initiatives have related but distinct histories.

In 2024, University students also contributed to field investigations of microplastic pollution in Samoan waterways through New Colombo Plan activities. This research strengthens understanding of pollution pressures on marine habitats and contributes to the University’s continuing Pacific conservation work, described further in the University’s Pacific plastics research account.

The University develops conservation capabilities through courses such as SRMT3060, titled Vegetation Classification and Ecological Restoration in the 2025 Handbook. Its teaching in ecological assessment and restoration equips students to contribute to future habitat conservation and recovery.

The University’s environmental engagement also extends to public education. The Marine Invaders exhibition, held in November–December 2024, used a marine biosecurity card game to introduce visitors to threats from invasive species. It introduced visitors to marine biosecurity and the role communities can play in protecting native species. The 2024 Marine Invaders exhibition is documented in the University galleries archive.

Through field research, ecosystem monitoring and collaboration with communities and conservation partners, the University of Newcastle helps build the knowledge and practical capacity needed to protect aquatic biodiversity. Its 2025 work in Samoa, the Great Southern Reef and Pacific catchments demonstrates how ecological evidence can guide the care of vulnerable marine and freshwater environments.