Forecasting the imminent invasion of tropical marine species along the NSW coastline

Ecosystems are changing in unprecedented ways, yet the drivers and effects of such change remain poorly understood. Marine transition zones where tropical and temperate ecosystems overlap, provide a unique ‘window’ into how global change may influence complex biological systems. I will develop the first-ever ecological model of marine transition zones to understand (1) how complex and vulnerable marine ecosystems function, (2) how they will respond to climate change, and to (3) provide a novel tool that informs climate change adaptation strategies. This will advance our understanding of marine ecosystems and how to manage them so they remain healthy and productive.