Professor M.G. Chapman (Gee), Professorial Research Fellow Telephone: (61) 2 9351 4835 email: gee@bio.usyd.edu.au Click on these links to scroll down to the following categories RESEARCH INTERESTS SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION PUBLICATIONS

B.Sc. Hon. University of Natal in 1969; M.Sc. University of Sydney in 1980; Ph.D. University of Sydney in 1992; D.Sc. University of Sydney in 2009; Professional Officer in the School of Biological Sciences 1975 - 1989; Appointed to Institute of Marine Ecology as Research Assistant (1989), Research Fellow (1993), Senior Research Fellow (1996); Director, Institute of Marine Ecology 1997-2001; Associate Director, Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, 1997-1999; Deputy Director, Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, 1999-2008

My first interest in marine ecology was on the processes that determine patterns of distribution of intertidal animals and plants on rocky shores, particularly the importance of behaviour of animals. Many animals influence ecological patterns through their behavioural responses to other animals, plants or features of habitat. I have, over many years, developed procedures and protocols for experimentally studying and analyzing many aspects of animal behaviour in the field, particularly effects of any experimental manipulations themselves on behaviour and the analysis of movement of animals in complex environments.

I also have a strong interest in many of the rare species of invertebrates that live on our shores. The ecology of invertebrates in general and marine organisms in particular has been largely ignored in the development of much of the theory about rarity. In addition, most Australians are not aware of the many unique, rare invertebrate animals living in our coastal habitats. There is therefore little or no "ethic" of conservation for these species and they are largely overlooked in legislation protecting biodiversity. My research interests are centred around testing whether current ecological theory about rarity is applicable for these types of organisms and, more practically, documenting and understanding the ecology of a group of rare species of snails and chitons that live in intertidal boulder fields. They show extremely strong preferences for different patches of habitat and, until we really understand these, management and conservation of these animals will be far more problematic. In recent years, much of my research and that of my students has concentrated on effects of urban structures – seawalls, wharves and their associated debris – on marine animals and plants. Replacement of natural of shorelines is one of the biggest changes that humans make to coasts, yet one that has been largely ignored. We are looking at what species can or cannot live in highly altered habitats and, more interestingly, can we build infrastructure to make it more “ecologically friendly”.

I have been and continue to be involved in many environmental consultancies and interactions with outside bodies on topics such as the effects of sewage on intertidal and subtidal populations, intertidal and subtidal baseline studies on rocky shores, mudflats and mangrove forests, effects of seawalls and the effects of reduced tidal flushing in urban wetlands.

As an outcome from some of these consultancies, I have developed a strong interest in restoration of habitat. Restoration of damaged habitat is going to be extremely important in future, especially around cities where there are no remaining patches of pristine habitats. Much of the theory of restoration does not easily apply to marine systems with interconnections via planktonic larval stages. There is also little in common among what scientists, managers, government authorities and community groups mean by restoration. This lack of understanding and communication is an important hole to fill.

I have a long-standing concern about the lack of scientific information in debates about environmental issues. I believe that this is, in part, due to social pressures and interests which exclude "unpopular" information, but also to a lack on the part of many scientists to provide such information in an accessible form. An important part of my role as a scientist is to learn new ways to deliver relevant science to the general public, so that they are in a position to make informed decisions about ecological and environmental issues.

To 2005:

• 81 scientific papers
• 2 books
• 16 chapters in books
• 1 book review
• 1 conference proceedings
• 52 environmental reports
• 13 popular publications

List of publications by Gee Chapman

Barnes, P.B. & M.G. Chapman (2001). Changes to benthic fauna in the Newington mangroves in response to restoration of tidal flushing. Final Report to the Olympic Co-ordination Authority.