Reef Futures
Description
More than 95 per cent of Tasmania's giant kelp forests have disappeared as warming waters and invasive sea urchins transform reef ecosystems along our coastline.
Marine ecologist Professor Scott Ling has spent decades diving on Tasmania's reefs to understand why productive ecosystems collapse and what it takes for them to recover. Restoring the giant kelp forests in Tasmania has become a key focus of his work in scaling-up solutions to repair reef ecosystems.
In this Island of Ideas keynote, Scott will take us inside one of Tasmania's most ambitious marine restoration efforts. From reducing sea urchin numbers and rebuilding rock lobster populations, to ‘seaweeding’ competing algae and out-planting giant kelp, he will explore how scientists, industry, and communities are working together to help the giant kelp.
Can we safeguard remnant giant kelp forests and bring them back where they’ve been lost in recent decades? And what might their capacity for recovery teach us about resilience in a rapidly changing ocean?
Ideas worth sharing about issues that matter
Island of Ideas invites all Tasmanians to join our series of free public talks designed to ignite conversation and curiosity across our community. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the program brings together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and community voices to discuss the issues that matter.
Stay connected by subscribing to our mailing list for updates or visit Island of Ideas to watch past talks and register for upcoming events.
Photo Credit: Jarrod Boord
The Experts
Professor Scott Ling, Marine Ecologist and ARC Future Fellow at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania
Professor Scott Ling is a marine ecologist and current ARC Future Fellow at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. His research focuses on how and why productive reef ecosystems collapse into impoverished low-value systems that can be difficult to reverse. He is interested in defining critical tipping-points and early-warning signs for reefs exposed to increasing, but ostensibly manageable human stressors including overfishing, invasive species and urbanisation in combination with climate change. His research approach is founded on a strong understanding of natural history gained from extensive SCUBA-based surveys and critical field experiments to reveal key mechanisms driving reef ecosystems.
Event Schedule
- 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Complimentary refreshments available on arrival
Arrive early and enjoy complimentary refreshments before the talk commences. There is free parking, including accessible spaces, available at the venue. Please bring a copy of your printed or electronic ticket to scan on arrival.
- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Island of Ideas talk
Seating is first come, first served. The event will be live streamed and recorded.
- 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Moderated audience Q&A
You are invited to participate in a Q&A directly following the talk.
FAQs
- I can no longer attend in person, can I attend online?
Island of Ideas talks are available to attend either in person or online!
If you would prefer to watch the event live online via Zoom, please register here.
Alternatively, a YouTube livestream will also be available (Q&A is available only through Zoom).
- How can I find out more about Island of ideas events?
Want to learn more about the University of Tasmania's Island of Ideas public talks series?
Catch-up on past events, register for upcoming talks or get in touch with us via our Island of Ideas webpage or subscribe to our mailing list for Island of Ideas updates.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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