Margie B. Mohring (PhD 2013)

Shortly after graduating Margie secured a position as research scientist with the Department of Parks and Wildlife in Perth.

Effects of the environment on the reproduction and early performance of the habitat-forming kelp Ecklonia radiata

My thesis research examined the effects of environmental conditions on the reproductive ecology of the brown habitat-forming kelp Ecklonia radiata.  My work included the first documentation of reproductive seasonality for E. radiata, as well as biogeographic comparisons of thermo-tolerance and gametophyte performance [Thesis abstract].

Supervisors: Thomas Wernberg, Gary Kendrick

I completed my Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Marine Science and Management at Southern Cross University in 2006. I then completed my Honours Degree in Marine Science with the University of New England in New South Wales examining ecological relationships between sub-tidal gastropod molluscs and habitat and benthic structure. I have a passion for marine science and conservation, and am a highly experienced (>400 hours), ADAS-qualified scientific diver.

Qualifications

• 2013: Ph.D. (The effects of the environment on the reproduction and early performance of the habitat-forming kelp Ecklonia radiata). School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia. Supervisors Assoc Prof Thomas Wernberg and Prof Gary Kendrick [Thesis abstract].
• 2007: Hons. (Density, size structure and morphological variation of Turbo militaris within the Solitary Islands Marine Park), University of New England, Australia
• 2006: B.Sc. (Marine Science and Mgt.), Southern Cross University, Australia

Prizes and achievements

• 2010 Australian Geographic Sponsorship
• 2013 Best 2012-Student Paper, School of Plant Biology, The University of Western Australia

Peer reviewed papers

5. Rothman MD, Mattio L, Wernberg T, Anderson RJ, Uwai S, Mohring MB, Bolton JJ (2015) A molecular investigation of the genus Ecklonia (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) with special focus on the Southern Hemisphere. Journal of Phycology, 51(2): 236–246.

4. Mohring MB, Wernberg T, Wright JT, Connell SD, Russell, BD (2014) Biogeographic variation in temperature drives performance of kelp gametophytes during warming. Marine Ecology Progress, 513: 85-96.

3. de Bettignies T, Wernberg T, Lavery P, Vanderklift MA & Mohring MB (2013) Contrasting mechanisms of dislodgement and erosion contribute to production of kelp detritus. Limnology and Oceanography, 58(5): 1680–1688

2. Mohring MB, Kendrick, GA, Wernberg T, Rule MJ, Vanderklift, MA (2013) Environmental influences on kelp performance across the reproductive period: an ecological trade-off between gametophyte survival and growth? PLoS One, 8:e65310.

1. Mohring MB, Wernberg T, Kendrick GA & Rule MJ (2012) Reproductive synchrony in a habitat-forming kelp and its relationship with environmental conditions. Marine Biology  160: 119-126

Book chapters

1. Wernberg T, Arenas F, Olebarria C, Thomsen MS & Mohring MB (2016) Threats to ecosystem engineering macrophytes: climate change. In: Marine macrophytes as foundation species (ed Ólafsson E); Science Publisher/CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA. ISBN 978-1-498-72324-4, pp. 201-225.