Reef Ecologic

Dear Colleagues, Coral reefs are among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Humans rely on these coral reef ecosystems to provide significant ecological, economic, social, and cultural resources. The climate crisis is the single greatest threat to coral reefs and the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of the global population, particularly populations adjacent to coral reefs. Without radically reducing carbon emissions, the ocean is predicted to be 1–3 °C warmer, 0.2 pH units more acidic, and up to 1 m higher by 2050. Mitigating climate change requires collective action and rapid decarbonization, including an unprecedented energy transition. This calls for research and science-based decision making across political and corporate leaders, in addition to action by individuals on all levels. We encourage research from individuals and organisations associated with coral reefs, the acceleration of heat tolerance of corals, methods for mass-producing coral, and education and communication strategies designed to strengthen individual and community climate action. This Special Issue highlights diverse research solutions for increasing the scales and effectiveness of coral restoration and diverse management approaches and encourages increased communication and collaboration with a broad community of practitioners, traditional owners, managers and politicians to share knowledge and take action to support coral reef recovery, while emphasising the critical importance of reducing carbon emissions.  Our goal for this Special Edition is to inform, inspire and influence people to make a positive changes to preserve for reefs and our future. Adj Prof Adam Smith FARLF FEIAZ CEnvP Professor John 'Charlie' Veron Peter Harrison Katharina Fabricius Guest Editors https://lnkd.in/gS-7SE5w

Wonderful, insightful, informative and knowledgeable presentation by Adj Prof Adam Smith FARLF FEIAZ CEnvP and Paul Hardisty for Royal Geographical Society of Queensland. https://lnkd.in/gzmQbCAv also Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority ReefTO Reef Check Australia TropWATER: JCU's Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research James Cook University Coral Expeditions Australian Geographic Climate Council Nita Green Townsville City Council Phillip Thompson OAM MP Anthony Albanese Steven Miles Australian Rural Leadership Foundation IPCC

What an amazing opportunity for Reef Ecologic to assist Citizens of the Reef with the 2024-5 Great Reef Census of coral reefs in the Palm Islands area. The weather forecast was for very light winds and calm seas so we planned a circumnavigation trip that included priority sites at Pelorus, Orpheus, Great Palm, Curacoa, Barber, Eclipse, Brisk-Falcon and Fantome Islands. There were between one and seven survey sites at each island (see map) and we snorkelled and used an underwater camera to capture 40 images of reef habitats at each site (over 800 photos in total). Underwater visibility varied from about 3 to 15m and we observed a great diversity of hard and soft corals and some interesting fish species. This is our biggest ever spatial citizen science reef survey with 20 sites covering a distance of over 100km. Huge effort (and perfect weather) by world record free diver Chris Ellem and Adj Prof Adam Smith FARLF FEIAZ CEnvP Smith. The census is an opportunity between 1 October and January 31 so get involved in reef citizen science. CONTACT US if we can assist you with expert underwater surveys of corals, fish, seagrass, citizen science, capacity building or environmental impact assessments. Great Barrier Reef Foundation Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority James Cook University Australian Institute of Marine Science Coral Expeditions Australian Geographic Australian Rural Leadership Foundation FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

This is the How for the Marine Plants Recovery Survey Kingfisher Bay Resort Jetty K'Gari -Fraser Island. We used SCUBA divers with underwater cameras as the methodology. https://lnkd.in/gVxy3afk

This is the Where and Why for the statistical design for the "Marine Plants Recovery Survey Kingfisher Bay Resort Jetty K'Gari -Fraser Island" https://lnkd.in/gVxy3afk

Many of our projects are very interesting and unique and lead to new information for clients, community and Government. Our underwater survey of marine life "Marine Plants Recovery Survey Kingfisher Bay Resort Jetty, K'Gari -Fraser Island" by Adj Prof Adam Smith FARLF FEIAZ CEnvP and Al Songcuan has been highly regarded by the client and Queensland Government. https://lnkd.in/gVxy3afk Kingfisher Bay Resort Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland) FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation K'gari Explorer Tours Fraser Island Ferry HERVEY BAY CITY COUNCIL SeaLink Marine & Tourism James Cook University Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) Engineers Australia Marina Industries Association Australian Seaweed Institute ASSA - Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance TropWATER: JCU's Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research

This is a topic that may help all of us to create a better future for our families, communities and the biodiversity of planet earth. Our CEO Adj Prof Adam Smith FARLF FEIAZ CEnvP is joined by Paul Hardisty to discuss the big issues and opportunities that matter with Royal Geographical Society of Queensland. Please spend $5 to join the online event on 8 October and \ or donate time or money to a worthwhile charity who are making a difference Australian Marine Conservation Society Reef Check Australia MOUA / Museum of Underwater Art Climate Council North Queensland Conservation Council Australian Conservation Foundation OzFish Unlimited Greening Australia Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)

CHANGING THE WORLD THROUGH REEF CONVERSATIONS When Tuesday, October 08, 2024   7:30 PM - 8:30 PM (AEST) Zoom only Spaces left Registration Non-member Zoom – $5.00 Geography Matters Presenter: Assoc Professor Adam Smith is the founder and chief executive officer of Reef Ecologic, an Australian based company and social enterprise that provides research and monitoring, strategic advice, and capacity building to facilitate sustainable outcomes. Adam holds a BSc (Hons), PhD, and MBA, and has authored over 100 scientific papers, books, and reports. In his leisure time, Adam is a keen ocean sportsman, naturalist, free diver and kayaker. Adam will be joined in conversation by Dr Paul Hardisty a scientist and author. He was CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science from 2017 to 2023, and his most recent non-fiction book IN HOT WATER: Inside the Battle to Save the Great Barrier Reef, is in bookstores now. He is also the author of seven novels, including the best-selling thriller THE DESCENT, which describes a near future affected by climate change, and its prequel/ sequel THE FORCING.  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead The world is full of uncertainty. Monumental challenges—including climate change, poverty, and war—are at the forefront of daily life and becoming ever more urgent. Key barriers to adaptation are limited resources, lack of private sector and citizen engagement, insufficient mobilization of finance (including for research), low climate literacy, lack of political commitment, lobbying from commercial interests, limited research and/or slow and low uptake of adaptation science, and low sense of urgency. The good news is that there are many people making a positive difference at local, city, state, national and global scales. Dr Smith will discuss diverse projects including the Citizen science expedition to the Great Barrier Reef, Museum of Underwater Art and Indo-Pacific Environment Security Forum to communicate successes, failures and the importance of changing the world through reef conversations. When: 8 October 2024 Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM AEST Location: Zoom Only Please note: The ZOOM link for this event is included in the confirmation email which you will receive once you have registered. You will find it at the bottom of the notice Please keep this in a place where you can find it when needed. A reminder email will be sent with the link on the day of the event close to Close of Business hours. This event may be recorded. If you have any questions, please email us at info@rgsq.org.au https://lnkd.in/gQetRs2j

NEW SCIENTIFIC PAPER- research of fish and coral using citizen science tools including Eye on the Reef, iNaturalist, video transects and eDNA methodology on a breakwater in Sri Lanka. https://lnkd.in/gZggi46k

Call for military to prioritise citizen science and global climate action. Dr Adam Smith, Adjunct Professor at JCU is calling for the military to become more involved in environmental research and climate action through participation in citizen science projects.  “While scientists face limitations in data collection due to constraints in time, funding, and manpower, the military possesses ample skills, resources and an increasing interest in environmental security,” said Dr Smith. Engagement in citizen science projects by defence entities offers both regional and personal advantages. These include enhanced community, scientific, and policy knowledge, as well as personal benefits such as improved health and well-being, heightened scientific literacy, and positive shifts in attitudes and behaviours, particularly regarding environmental stewardship and climate action. A co-author of the paper Admiral Piyal De Silva (Retd) said “Military possesses a greater strength that is achieved through tangible and intangible resource. There is a tremendous synergy for mitigation and response when civil capacities are combined with such might” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gq3rdYqu James Cook University Reef Ecologic #citizenscience #climateaction #military #globalaction #environmental #stewardship