Islands and their connected reefs are facing increasing threats from a rapidly changing climate. The Leaf to Reef project explores how reef ecosystems respond to these challenges, taking a whole ecosystem approach.
At the heart of this work is the The Lady Elliot Island revegetation project, the largest reef habitat rehabilitation project of its kind in the Southern hemisphere. This living laboratory presents a unique opportunity to study how restoring island vegetation impacts downstream reef health, from Leaf to Reef.
Research insights have impact far beyond the island shores. They offer actionable guidance for restoring and protecting interconnected ecological systems around the world.
Real time research
The research team conducts field trips to Lady Elliot Island three times a year to better understand the island's response to climate change.
Research includes:
- Cataloguing vertebrate species with the support of submissions from citizen scientists.
- Turtle health assessments using tagging and genetic sampling.
- Manta ray studies through photo-identification, acoustic and satellite tagging. Learn more about Project Manta.
- Ground water sampling to explore links with revegetation work carried out on the island.
- Listening stations and sound traps establish the connectivity between the island and other locations to identify uncommon visitors such as the Dwarf Minke Whale.
- Bird counts to assess the size of the nesting and non-nesting bird populations and associated nutrient loads.
- Red-tailed Tropicbird studies using satellite tagging, measurement and observations of the islands six nesting pairs.
- Capricorn Silvereye research assesses the genetic variability and relatedness through genetic analysis and song recordings.
- Epaulette Shark monitoring by photographing spot patterns, taking genetic samples and measurements.
Lady Elliot Island Life on the Reef
Ocean Docuseries
Go behind the scenes with the research teams out in the field trying to better understand the natural wonders of Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
From microscopic to apex predators, dive in and take a closer look at the creatures that call this place home.
Watch the series on YouTube.
In the news
“2000km to find a mate” meet Australia’s most determined seabirds
New genetic testing from the University of the Sunshine Coast has uncovered the extraordinary lengths a group of Queensland sea birds will travel to keep love blossoming on their little island.
Underwater recorders reveal surprising dolphin and whale activity at southern Great Barrier Reef
UniSC researchers have become the first to publish acoustic data that confirms the presence of the elusive dwarf minke whale in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Where do manta rays go, and other marine life riddles researchers need help to unravel
This summer, beach goers, boaties and scuba divers are being asked to help solve the mystery of how manta rays spend their days, join a search for leopard sharks and become ‘dolphin spotters’.
Love island: Bird’s refusal to leave resort life leads to genetic change
A little yellow-and-white bird that prefers to date its mates in an idyllic island lifestyle rather than fly to the mainland to mingle is an example of avian species evolution in action, according to new UniSC research.
Researchers find new fish species in Great Barrier Reef
At a time when marine life is disappearing from the world’s oceans, University of the Sunshine Coast researchers are celebrating the discovery of a new species of coral reef fish in the southern waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Oldest Red-tailed Tropicbird found on reef island
USC researchers have found what could be the oldest known breeding individual of one of the world’s most elusive seabirds on Lady Elliot Island, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
Meet the research team
This research project is a collaborative effort between researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast, University of Queensland, Southern Cross University, Lady Elliot Island Resort staff, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Associate Professor Kathy Townsend
Associate Dean, Research | Professor, Animal Ecology | School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Dr Christine Dudgeon
Senior Research Fellow | School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Dr Dominique Potvin
Associate Professor, Animal Ecology | Member, Centre for Bioinnovation | School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Associate Professor Ben Gilby
Associate Professor, Animal Ecology | School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Professor David Schoeman
Professor of Global-Change Ecology | School of Science, Technology and Engineering
In collaboration with:
- Dirk Erler, Southern Cross University
- Mike Bennett, University of Queensland
- Anthony Richardson, CSIRO/University of Queensland
- Jason van de Merwe, Griffith University
- Chris Roelfsema, University of Queensland
- Peter Erskine, University of Queensland
- Caitlin Smith - PhD graduate (2024)
- Sarah Thackwray - PhD graduate (2024)
- Zerra Edgerton - Honours (2021) and PHD student
- Romney Edwards-Francis - Honours (2023) and PHD student
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Jacinta Shackleton - Honours (2022)
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Sophie Beutel - Honours (2024)
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Caitlin Raine Ivey - Honours (2023)
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Sara Perrott - Honours (2019)
