Early Detection of Seagrass Habitat Loss Caused by Eutrophication

Funding: 2015: $120,000
2016: $120,000
2017: $120,000

Project Member(s): Kumar, M.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC DECRA Scheme)

Start year: 2015

Summary: Eutrophication (nutrient over enrichment) caused by a host of anthropogenic activities is recognised as the most widespread cause of seagrass loss. In order to effectively control seagrass loss, there is an urgent need to determine the link between eutrophication and seagrass loss. This project will undertake an innovative `omics approach (transcriptomics and metabolomics) to develop an early-warning system for seagrass loss. The acclimation and plasticity of seagrass to sub-lethal stress induced by eutrophication will be investigated at the molecular and biochemical levels. This will allow mitigation responses such as altered catchment management processes to prevent damage before meadows are lost.

Publications:

Kumar, M, Kuzhiumparambil, U, Ralph, PJ & Contreras-Porcia, L 2017, 'Polyamines' in Algal Green Chemistry, Elsevier, pp. 243-255.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Jiang, Z, Kumar, M, Padula, MP, Pernice, M, Kahlke, T, Kim, M & Ralph, PJ 2017, 'Development of an Efficient Protein Extraction Method Compatible with LC-MS/MS for Proteome Mapping in Two Australian Seagrasses Zostera muelleri and Posidonia australis', Frontiers in Plant Science, vol. 8, pp. 1-14.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Jiang, Z, Liu, S, Zhang, J, Zhao, C, Wu, Y, Yu, S, Zhang, X, Huang, C, Huang, X & Kumar, M 2017, 'Newly discovered seagrass beds and their potential for blue carbon in the coastal seas of Hainan Island, South China Sea', Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 125, no. 1-2, pp. 513-521.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Kumar, M, Padula, MP, Davey, P, Pernice, M, Jiang, Z, Sablok, G, Contreras-Porcia, L & Ralph, PJ 2017, 'Proteome Analysis Reveals Extensive Light Stress-Response Reprogramming in the Seagrass Zostera muelleri (Alismatales, Zosteraceae) Metabolism', Frontiers in Plant Science, vol. 7, pp. 1-19.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Kumar, M & Ralph, P 2017, 'Systems Biology of Marine Ecosystems', Springer International Publishing, pp. 1-351.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Kumar, M, Kuzhiumparambil, U, Pernice, M, Jiang, Z & Ralph, PJ 2016, 'Metabolomics: an emerging frontier of systems biology in marine macrophytes', ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS, vol. 16, pp. 76-92.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Keywords: seagrasshabitat losseutrophication

FOR Codes: Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology), Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments, Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.