2 February 2018: Australia’s coastal ecosystems are changing and one of the country’s leading coastal ecosystem experts will discuss their fragile future in the University of Canberra’s 2018 Krebs Lecture.
Dean of Science and Professor of marine ecology and ecotoxicology Emma Johnston will deliver the annual public lecture TONIGHT.
Professor Johnston from the UNSW Sydney will use emerging evidence from our changing coasts to paint a picture of the dangers facing Australia’s coastal fringe and how to better protect it.
“Near-shore coastal systems are warming and becoming more nutrient rich,” Professor Johnston said.
“Nutrient flows are entering the ocean through the run-off from farms and from stormwater collected in cities and towns. Combine warmer conditions with artificially high levels of nutrients and the system will change.
“We have seen dramatic changes in algal growth and it puts important systems such as coral reefs and fisheries in jeopardy.”
In 2014, Professor Johnston was awarded the Australian Academy of Sciences Inaugural Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science, and in 2015 the Eureka Prize for the public communication of science.
She has also appeared on the BBC/Foxtel series, Coast Australia.
The University’s annual Krebs Lecture is dedicated to Professor Charles Krebs for his extraordinary contribution to our understanding and appreciation of our natural world.
Past speakers include advisor to former US President Barack Obama Professor Jane Lubchenco, former federal Liberal Party leader Dr John Hewson AM and Environment and Education Minister Peter Garrett AM.
WHAT: 2018 Krebs Lecture - Life in the Fast Lane: How will the coasts respond as we warm them up and feed them fertiliser?
WHEN: TONIGHT, Tuesday 6 February, 6:30 – 7:30pm
WHERE: Ann Harding Conference Centre, Building 24, University of Canberra.
- Professor Johnston is available for interview.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810
Amanda Jones: 0409 140 415