Assessing the role of natural kelp forests in modifying seawater chemistry.

Climate change is causing widespread impacts on seawater pH through ocean acidification (OA). Kelp forests, in some locations can buffer the effects of OA through photosynthesis. However, the factors influencing this variation remain poorly understood.

Patterns of spawning and settlement of reef fishes as strategic responses to post-settlement competition.

Settlement is a critical transition in the life history of reef fish, and the timing of this event can have a strong effect on fitness. Key factors that influence settlement timing are predictable lunar cyclic variation in tidal currents, moonlight, and nocturnal predation risk as larvae transition from pelagic to benthic environments. However, populations typically display wide variation in the arrival of settlers over the lunar cycle.

The impact of positive and adverse childhood experiences on social connectedness in young adults.

Establishing and maintaining social relationships is a critical developmental milestone for adolescents and young adults and can be disrupted by childhood adversities. Adverse and positive childhood experiences (ACEs and PCEs, respectively) represent independent, yet critical, domains that support the exploration of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PACEs) as pathways to social connection. Recent research has examined the impact of COVID-19 on child development.

Lunar rhythms and their carry-over effects may shape environmental sex determination in a coral reef fish.

Lunar rhythms shape spawning phenology and subsequent risks and rewards for early life-history stages in the sea. Here, we consider a perplexing spawning phenology of the sixbar wrasse (), in which parents spawn disproportionately around the new moon, despite the low survival of these larvae. Because primary sex determination in this system is highly plastic and sensitive to social environments experienced early in development, we ask whether this puzzling pattern of spawning is explained by fitness trade-offs associated with primary sexual maturation.

Research priorities on microplastics in marine and coastal environments: An Australian perspective to advance global action.

Plastic and microplastic contamination in the environment receive global attention, with calls for the synthesis of scientific evidence to inform actionable strategies and policy-relevant practices. We provide a systematic literature review on microplastic research across Australian coastal environments in water, sediment and biota, highlighting the main research foci and gaps in information. At the same time, we conducted surveys and workshops to gather expert opinions from multiple stakeholders (including researchers, industry, and government) to identify critical research directions to meet stakeholder needs across sectors.