Centre for Marine Futures

With more seagrass and macroalgal species than almost anywhere else on the planet, Western Australia is a hotspot of benthic biodiversity. 

Unusually clear water allows seagrasses to flourish at depth, while cool water corals and sponges are important components of benthic productivity. The Centre and its associates are characterising these habitats as well as undertaking research to understand the processes that underlie the distribution and function of these communities.

By using a combination of divers and remote techniques such as drop photo and towed videos, we can work from the shallows to the deep.

This provides a basis from which we can understand the effects of coastal and marine development, climate change, urbanisation and aquaculture, as well as the benefits of marine protected areas.