Griffith University

B Sc (Hons)
Contact details for Andrew Olds a.olds@griffith.edu.au 

Thesis

Description

Marine ecosystems are dynamic seascapes, in which habitats are connected to one another by a variety of biological, physical, and chemical processes. In particular, the regular movements of many fish species serve to connect distant habitats. An important implication of this connectivity is that the functioning of an ecosystem may not be independent from its context in the seascape. Maintaining ecological connectivity is now a key conservation objective for the management of marine reserves.  However, few studies have investigated how ecological processes (such as foraging, competition and predation) interact to drive fish movement, or alternatively, how these movements influence ecosystem function. This project focuses on the function of key connections among coral, mangrove and seagrass habitats in Moreton Bay.  It will integrate assessments of fish movement, diet and ecological processes, to understand how connectivity links food webs and ecosystem functions at the seascape scale.  The results will inform the management of the Moreton Bay Marine Park, and have valuable applications for fisheries management and conservation planning.

Supervisors

• Professor Rod Connolly
• Doctor Kylie Pitt
  

Research expertise

• Aquatic ecology (marine & freshwater)
• Seascape ecology
• MPA design & assessment
• Ecology of fish and crustaceans
• Environmental Impact Assessment & monitoring

Publications

• Skilleter, G. A., Olds, A. D., Loneragan, N. R., & Zharikov, Y., 2005, The value of patches of intertidal seagrass to prawns depends on their proximity to mangroves, Marine Biology, 147: 353 – 365.
• Olds, A. D., Thorburn, L., Morton, A., Johnson L., 2008, Regulation of River Flow and Aquatic Ecosystem Health of the Barron Gorge, FNQ, International Riversymposium.
• Olds, A. D., Conacher, C. A., & Walker, S., 2010, Maroochy River Fish Habitat Monitoring Program, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Thorburn, L. M., & Thorogood, J. A., 2010, Ecological Monitoring of Kirra Reef, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., McPherson, K. Y. & Conacher, C. A., 2009, Hamilton Prawn Farm, Ecological Monitoring, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Morton, A, & Thorogood, J. A., 2009, Tully River, Ecological Health Monitoring, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Jones, C. J., Napier-Munn, T. & Thorogood, J. A., 2009, Port Hinchinbrook Seagrass Monitoring Program, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Moore, B. M, Jones, C. J., McPherson, K. Y., & Thorogood, J. A., 2008, Daru Island Deepwater Port Monitoring Program, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Moore, B. M, McPherson, K. Y., & Thorogood, J. A., 2004 – 2008, Shute Bay Marina EIS and Monitoring, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Jones, C., & Thorogood, J. A., 2008, Hayman Island Marina Expansion: Potential Impacts on Reef Communities, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Jones, C., & Thorogood, J. A., 2008, Mornington Island Sewerage Project Marine EIS, Frc Environmental.
• Olds, A. D., Thorburn, L. M., Conacher, C. A., & Thorogood, J. A., 2006 – 2007, Koniambo Coral Monitoring Program, Frc Environmental.