Five University of Queensland science students have been awarded scholarships to assist research projects that will enhance knowledge of the local environment for the Stradbroke Island community.
UQ's Moreton Bay Research Station (MBRS) awarded scholarships of $1000 each to postgraduate students conducting research projects including mangrove ecology, fish biology and dugong movement patterns.
Dr Kathy Townsend, MBRS Manager of Research and Education, said the scholarship program provided students with resources to further their research while providing important information to the local communities to assist with environmental management, health matters and sustainable tourism.
“Research outcomes from the projects of previous scholarship winners have assisted the local fishing community with information about shark movements and behaviour, provided vital health information about the level of dioxins found in marine turtles and dugongs, and established a framework for scientific techniques for monitoring mangrove health by community groups,” she said.
"MBRS has identified strong community support for research programs that address real issues in Moreton Bay and the surrounding region.
"To foster community involvement in research the MBRS developed the Community Research Scholarship in 2004 to provide participating members of the community, students and academics with the equipment and access required for investigations of the social and environmental concerns of Moreton Bay."
She said the scholarships were open to honours or post-graduates students from all disciplines across UQ and can be used to support current or new projects. Emphasis is placed on system health through projects that range from fresh water usage and the study of toxic algal blooms through to dugong ecology and sustainable tourism.
A committee consisting of MBRS and community representatives judge the project proposals on academic merit and relative significance to the local community.
The 2007 MBRS scholarship winners and their project titles are:
Kate Sprogis: Small scale movements and habitat use of dugongs in relation to tidal cycles and vessel movements in Moreton Bay, Queensland
Jessica Oliver: Why are the male crayfish from North Stradbroke Island dishonest?
Daniel Salomone: Sediment sinking in mangrove environments
Craig Chargaluf: The trophic ecology of Gobiidae in intertidal pools of Moreton Bay
Jennifer Batista: The biology of Moreton Bay Longtom (Belonidae)
Media enquiries: Dr Kathy Townsend (07 3409 9058) or Karissa Douglass, BACS Marketing Manager (0411 162 577).
