From Seed to Meadow: Optimising Seedling Propagation and Establishment for Field-Based Restoration
Subject(s)Science, Marine Sciences, Aquaculture.
DegreeDoctor of Philosophy
SupervisorDr Hazel Needham
About this opportunity
Applicants for this opportunity must be eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation funding.
Seagrass meadows are one of the most functionally important coastal habitats on Earth. They provide crucial ecosystem services such as fixing and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, improving water quality by trapping sediment, absorbing nutrients and enhancing biodiversity through habitat provision. Unfortunately, Aotearoa New Zealand, like many other nations, has documented extensive seagrass loss over the past 100 years; primarily due to deteriorating water quality and physical disturbance.
To prevent further loss and rebuild these important habitats, restoration projects are essential. Through the ‘Restore the Meadows’ program, the Cawthron Institute is pioneering seed-based seagrass restoration in Aotearoa. This internationally proven approach offers a scalable method for restoring degraded seagrass ecosystems while minimising impacts on donor meadows. This proposed project will focus on developing reliable nursery and planting methods to improve seedling growth and establishment in the wild - a critical next step toward scalable restoration implementation.
The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by scientists from the University of Waikato and the Cawthron Institute. The supervisory team brings together established scientists with a strong background in collaborative coastal research. The candidate will be well supported in terms of their access to research facilities, equipment, and mentoring. They will primarily be based at the Cawthron Institute in Nelson, New Zealand. Cawthron is Aotearoa’s largest independent science institute and has world-class laboratory and aquaculture facilities. There will also be opportunity to visit and work at the University of Waikato’s research facilities as the project progresses.
Location
The Cawthron Institute, Nelson
Eligibility
Eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research & Innovation funding. Candidate must also have:
- A MSc or BSc (Hons) or equivalent qualification in a related field (marine sciences, ecology, botany, conservation).
- An international drivers' license.
- A willingness to be vaccinated for tetanus, Hepatitis C, Covid-19, and other infectious diseases is also necessary, due to the Cawthron Institute’s fieldwork health and safety protocols.