1. Ecosystem Modelling and Integration

This theme is delivering an integrated ecosystem modelling framework for Cockburn Sound to support our understanding and management of the effect of pressures on the marine environment during the development and subsequent operation of the port.

A key component is the development and integration of state-of-the-art environmental modelling tools to simulate how water quality and benthic communities will respond under different development and restoration scenarios in the Sound and help us understand how the future will look compared to the past. The models being developed are built on a historical compilation of data as well as the new findings from the other research themes. This will mean that cumulative impact assessments and decisions will have the strongest evidence-base possible to ensure key ecological and social values are protected in the long term.