The world’s coastlines are becoming rapidly urbanised, with marine life affected by a range of stressors. More than 20% of the world’s coastlines are now exposed to artificial light at night and this is expected to increase in both intensity and spatial extent in the coming decades.
While there is evidence of impacts on some marine animals, the effect of this stressor on important ecological processes and multispecies interactions is largely unknown. This project will assess how coastal communities and their trophic interactions are affected by artificial light at night and develop fundamental knowledge for conservation strategies in urban areas.
Supervisor:
Ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate has an Honours or equivalent degree in marine biology, ecology or environmental sciences and has previous fieldwork experience. The candidate needs to have excellent written and oral communication skills and be able to work independently and as part of a team. The candidate should have a strong motivation to understand the mechanisms by which human activities affect the environment, as well as a genuine desire to improve and protect the environment through fundamental research and its translation into management tools. The candidate will have the willingness and capacity to implement required H&S procedures according to university policies as well as equal opportunity policies and programs.