Biological Sciences News
Student scoops two prizes for marine algae research
(9 Oct 2009) Biological Sciences PhD student Leigh Tait won not one, but two student prizes at the annual New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Meteorological Society Joint Conference last month.
He won best overall student presentation, sponsored by the Meteorological Society and NZ Marine Sciences Society, and best student presentation in marine science, sponsored by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council.
“I was stoked to win both prizes and was extremely pleased,” he said.
Leigh is part of the UC Marine Ecology Research Group (MERG) and is investigating the primary production of macroalgal species within the intertidal zone. He aims to investigate the contribution of macroalgae to the near-shore environment and the implications of biodiversity loss on the quantity and quality of primary productivity.
The research provides both an ecological and physiological insight into the functioning of these complex assemblages. Macroalgae are important components of temperate reefs, yet little is known about their primary productivity dynamics and the potential effects of species losses on that productivity.
“Our results show a positive effect of macroalgal biodiversity on primary production. The three-dimensional structure of macroalgal assemblages plays a significant role in light utilisation. In particular, once critical subcanopy light levels are reached there is significantly enhanced primary production as understorey species sequentially ‘turn on’,” Leigh said.
Novel in situ experiments showed that this effect occurs in numerous assemblages, and highlights considerable differences from what is currently known about the role of diversity in primary production and its crucial relationship to light intensity. The loss of habitat-dominating species, which often facilitate diversity by shielding understorey species, therefore has a considerable effect on a primary function of shallow coastal reefs.
Leigh believes his success at the conference could be put down to the subject and the emphasis on quality oral presentations within the MERG group, which is headed by Professor David Schiel (Biological Sciences).
“My research is very interesting and it is unique in that my research has come up with results that we didn’t expect,” he said. “We found that primary production is significantly enhanced in diverse communities, particularly at high levels of irradiance, highlighting the need to test these hypotheses in real-life situations.”
Leigh completed an Honours degree in animal physiology and, in an unusual change of direction, decided to research plant physiology. “I have always enjoyed the marine environment. I surf and go diving and this PhD has allowed me to pursue my love for the ocean. I have moved from being lab-based to field-based, which has been really enjoyable,” he said.
Leigh said one of the most rewarding components of his PhD was designing, building and testing novel incubation chambers, which are designed to seal around naturally occurring algal communities.
“They allow a quick and accurate estimate of reef primary production and test the role of diversity in enhancing that production.”