The Great Southern Reef (GSR) spans 8,000 km along Australia's southern coast, from Kalbarri in WA to Coolangatta in QLD. This interconnected system of temperate reefs includes kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs, making it a global biodiversity hotspot. The GSR holds immense cultural and spiritual value for Indigenous Australians and plays a vital role in local communities and economies, supporting fishing, tourism, and recreational activities.
The recently formed Great Southern Reef Research Partnership, supported by the Ian Potter Foundation, brings together Australian universities, management agencies, and NGOs to study ecological and socio-ecological systems and processes to better protect the reef. The partnership's objectives include national-scale monitoring of reef biodiversity, assessing critical ecological processes, and investigating social dynamics and human behaviours to develop strategies for sustainable interactions with the reef.
Research activities involve field studies using advanced technologies and methodologies for data collection and the application of behavioural science to understand human dimensions of GSR conservation. This project aims to transform the understanding and management of temperate reefs in Australia, providing a foundation for intergenerational sustainability and stewardship of the Great Southern Reef.