Kate Emily Whitton
Geocoastal Research Group
School of Geoscience, The University of Sydney
kate.whitton@sydney.edu.au

Kate is a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, Australia. She was recently awarded Honours in Advance Science from the University of Sydney where she majored in Marine Science and Wildlife Conservation. During her PhD she will investigate the compound effects of coral reef stressors over the past 40 years in the Great Barrier Reef. The project aims to improve current ecomorphological models, such as carbonate budgets, to accurately predict future coral reef evolution. The study will synthesise existing biogeochemistry, hydrodynamic, geological, and ecological data across various reef types and zones within the GBR. Data includes remote imagery, ground surveys, bathymetry, sediment cores, and oceanographic/climate models. The results of the project will have implications for ecosystem management and coastal protection.   

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT 

Investigating the compound effects of coral reef stressors over the last 40 years in the Great Barrier Reef 

Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is altering coral reef eco-morphodynamics leading to long-term impacts on reef ecosystems and the ecological services they provide. To quantify impacts on coral reef systems and their ability to provide coastal protection, a fine-scale analysis of reef stressors (e.g., sea-level rise, increased storminess) across multiple spatial and temporal scales is urgently required. Here we synthesise 40 years of existing biogeochemistry, hydrodynamic, geological, and ecological data at 3 key locations spanning the North, Central and Southern Great Barrier Reef (GBR): Lizard Island, Low Isle and One Tree Reef. By integrating a large set of variables, such as change in coral cover/composition, structural complexity, substrate, bathymetry, and biodiversity, the study allows for the mapping of intra- and inter-reef eco-morphodynamic variation via remote sensing techniques, plus a review of previous literature. Our research aims to identify the main environmental parameters that trigger long-term changes in coral reef eco-morphology, and the main factors associated with spatial variation. Through the parametrization of reef stressors, our findings will enable numerical modelling of future coral reef eco-morphological evolution, under IPCC projections, to inform policy and coastal management. 

PAST RESEARCH PROJECT  

Relationships between geomorphology and biodiversity in the Ribbon Reef Canyon system, GBR 

Abstract
Submarine canyons have ecological importance as they host unique species, control sediment and nutrient pathways, and act as refugia for shallow ecosystems on the continental shelf. Canyon morphology, substrate type, oceanography, and biodiversity of benthic macrofauna were compared across three canyon types in the Ribbon Reef Canyon (RRC) to determine how variations in canyon geomorphology affect biodiversity. Data was collected from the Schmidt Ocean Institute R/V Falkor 200802 which included multibeam (bathymetry and backscatter), remotely operated vehicle (ROV) imagery, oceanographic variables, and geological samples. The study focused on three canyon types on the basis of shelf-connectivity: shelf-connected (type 1a), reef-blocked (type 1b), and slope-confined (type 2). The study looked at macrofaunal distribution within and along submarine canyons between 300 and 1800 m depth in the RRC. The study hypothesised that canyons with greater shelf-connectivity would feature greater signs of disturbance, habitat heterogeneity, and biodiversity. Type 1a canyons had the greatest canyon morphological complexity, sediment activity, habitat heterogeneity, and taxonomic abundance. There were no significant differences in taxonomic richness between canyons. There were variations in taxonomic assemblages between canyons but these were influenced by a small number of local samples within each ROV transect. 

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS/ PUBLICATIONS 

2023 

YCSEC (Australasian Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference) – Sydney, September 2023 

Whitton, K., Vila-Concejo, A., Byrne, M., Da Silva, A., Fellowes, T., 2023. Investigating the compound effects of coral reef stressors over the last 40 years in the Great Barrier Reef. Oral Presentation.  

AMSA (Australian Marine Science Association), Science in Sea Country – Gold Coast, July 2023 

Whitton, K., Webster, J., Beaman, R., McNeil, M., Przeslawski, R., Nothdurft, L., Monk, J., Friedman, A., Huang, Z., 2023. Relationships between geomorphology and biodiversity in the Ribbon Reef Canyon system, GBR. Oral Presentation.