STANSW 2023 Workshop – Carbon uptake rates in four coastal lagoons, in relation to their catchment development – Dr Samantha Kneeshaw (Teacher)

ACTIVITY OUTLINE:

Comparing other continents it’s a relatively recent problem in Australia, nearly 50% of estuaries remaining classified as pristine. Patterns of settlement such as people choosing a sea-change and its effects on a once pristine systems, are now under pressure.

In this lecture research is linked for use in Extension Science, Earth and Environmental Science and the Biology curriculums.

Primary production monthly rates, chlorophyll-a concentrations, algae species composition, nutrient, light and water conditions taken from May 2001 – April 2003 in 4 east coastal lagoons of NSW. Primary production rate findings were similar to those in worldwide near pristine systems, the most impacted systems were similar to disturbed catchments.

High nutrient retention and low flushing rates was the most important factors determining the level of primary production and biomass in the systems. This is irrespective of entrance status and makes coastal lagoons highly sensitive to changes in nutrient loading.

SPECIAL GUESTS:

Dr Samantha Kneeshaw
Has been a High School Science Teacher since 2011, she lives in Conjola on the South Coast of NSW with her husband and two children, who are about to commence University in Melbourne. She completed a double degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography in 1997 in Bangor, North Wales and moved to Australia shortly afterwards. She started her first job as a Scientist in 1998 for UNSW and moved on to the Environmental Protection Authority. Her work for the organisation led to my PhD with Newcastle University, NSW from 2001-2008, which is the main focus of her talk today. She went on to work for Wollongong University in the generation of seaweed for the food markets. In 2010, UOW opened up a 1-year Diploma of Education (Secondary) Science. Samantha has always had teaching in the back on my mind and chose to live on the South Coast of NSW, career opportunities in Science were limited, so she leapt at the chance. Thanks to her varied double degree, she is qualified to teach Marine Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Environmental Science. Having worked in two South Coast schools, Shoalhaven High School and her current school, Ulladulla High School. She is currently the acting Head Teacher of Science. It has been the most rewarding, yet most knackering, career so far.