Treasure trove of eco data ‘mapped’ online to help future marine heatwave response
April 18, 2025
.
Marine Heatwaves
About the Project
WAMSI is managing a major UN-endorsed research project that aims to better forecast and respond to extreme marine heatwaves, as modelling indicates marine heatwaves will become more frequent and intense.
The project, ‘Advancing predictions of Western Australian marine heatwaves and impacts on marine ecosystems’ brings together scientists from around Australia who are developing improved knowledge and practical tools to forecast extreme ocean temperatures and their impacts on Western Australia’s (WA’s) marine ecosystems.
By improving our ability to predict these events, we can take proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of marine heatwaves and help manage responses to devastating future ocean events.
The project was endorsed as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 and has received funding from the (WA) Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The project is also funded by the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund, the Jock Clough Marine Foundation and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Multidisciplinary research
Our scientists
The multi-disciplinary project team of 26 includes researchers in oceanography, marine ecology, atmospheric science and data science from organisations including Bureau of Meteorology, Curtin University, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and UWA.
Research themes
Our research
Characterisation of WA marine heatwaves
Identify and characterise the coastal heatwaves off Western Australia and understand the dynamics of key marine heatwave events.
Ecological response to marine heatwaves
Predict seagrass thermal tolerance to ocean warming and marine heatwaves and forecast impacts on species dynamics in WA.
Seasonal temperature forecasts
Development of a seasonal surface water temperature prediction methodology.
Thermal refugia
Identification of thermal refugia within key WA coastal ecosystems.
Marine heatwaves forecasts and data
Presentation of marine heatwaves forecasts and data (Scott Reef thermal refugia, Coral resilience and Ningaloo thermal refugia)
Research insights
Latest updates
Our Mailing List