Dr Sue Fyfe 'Detecting Photosynthetic Stress in Temperate Australian Seagrasses’

Sue, from the ANBG, will introduce the evolution of temperate Australian genera to their marine environment, and discuss photosynthesis in seagrasses, their physiological response to light stress, and the potential for monitoring meadow health with remote sensing.

Abstract

Seagrasses are extremely important primary producers and indicators of whole ecosystem health in shallow marine environments but they are increasingly under threat from development and climate change. In this talk Sue will introduce the evolution of temperate Australian genera to their marine environment, and discuss photosynthesis in seagrasses, their physiological response to light stress, and the potential for monitoring meadow health with hyperspectral remote sensing.

Biography

Dr Sue Fyfe is the Director of Biodiversity Science at the ANBG, with responsibility for the Australian Biological Resources Study, Bush Blitz program, the National Seed Bank, Biodiversity Informatics and ANBG’s partnership with CSIRO in the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research including duties as Deputy Director of the Australian National Herbarium. Sue built on an early career in horticulture, landscape design and environmental consulting with a BSc (Hons) in dry rainforest biogeography and ecology and a PhD combining marine plant physiology with remote sensing. Sue has worked in the Australian Public Service for nearly 14 years in executive roles focused on science, conservation, strategic information, open data and eResearch.