Ecology of kelp forests along the Great Southern Reef
I am a PhD student at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, researching the macroecology of Australian kelp forests. I am interested in better understanding the distribution, structure, and function of kelp forests along Australia’s Great Southern Reef, by expanding field surveys and historical experiments.
My research so far has focused on kelp forest ecology, restoration, and seaweed aquaculture. I completed my honours thesis on the faunal composition of Tasmanian giant kelp forest communities. I have also worked as a technical officer providing field and research support for a variety of marine ecology research labs and projects. I’m a keen scientific diver, underwater photographer, and science communicator.
Supervisors: Scott Bennett (IMAS), Catriona Hurd (IMAS), Thomas Wernberg
Qualifications:
· 2022: Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science with Honours First Class, University of Tasmania. Thesis: Characterising biodiversity in Tasmanian Macrocystis and Ecklonia forests.
Peer Reviewed Publications:
1. Forbes H, Visch W, Bennett S, Sanderson JC, Wright JT, Layton C (2025). A historical review of giant kelp harvesting in Tasmania. Journal of Phycology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.70015
2. Forbes H, Johnson OJ, Jones TR, Layton C, Pecl GT, Williams J (2025). Unsolicited nudis: Ongoing spread of two non-native nudibranchs along Australia’s east coast. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03622-4
3. Forbes H, Strain EMA, Bennett S, Ling SD, Layton C (2024). Endangered surface canopy-forming kelp forests support similar fish and invertebrate communities to sympatric stipitate kelp forests. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02867-0
4. Forbes H, Shelamoff V, Visch W, Layton C (2022). Farms and forests: Evaluating the biodiversity benefits of kelp aquaculture. Journal of Applied Phycology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02822-y
5. Herrera Fuchs Y, Edgar GJ, Barrett NS, Denis-Roy L, Willis SY, Forbes H, Stuart-Smith RD (2025). Contrasting Population Trajectories of Temperate Reef Fishes and Invertebrates Following Seasonal and Multi-Decadal Temperature Change. Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70233
6. Eger et al. (2023). The Kelp Forest Challenge: A collaborative global movement to protect and restore 4 million hectares of kelp forests. Journal of Applied Phycology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-023-03103-y
Other Publications:
1. Lacharité M, Forbes H, Fractal K, Strain B (2023). Development of a marine restoration roadmap for Tasmania: A case study using East Coast Giant Kelp forest communities (report).
2. Eger et al. (2023). A roadmap for protecting and restoring 4 million hectares of kelp forests by 2040 (report).
Achievements and Awards:
· 2025: Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship
· 2025: Grant winner, The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
· 2023: University Medal
· 2022: University of Tasmania Roll of Excellence
· 2022: University of Tasmania Honours Scholarship
· 2022: Marine and Antarctic Studies Honours & Masters Scholarship
Links: Google Scholar UTAS Profile ResearchGate
Wernberg & Filbee-Dexter Labs 