Beauty and the Bleach–Studying Coral Bleaching in the World’s Southernmost Tropical Coral Reef

By Rosie Steinberg

Rosie Steinberg photographing soft corals at Sylph’s Hole reef in the Lord Howe Island Lagoon.

Have you ever dreamed of going to gorgeous islands surrounded by coral reefs for work? I certainly have ever since I was a little girl, and throughout March I got to realise that particular dream in Lord Howe Island Marine Park. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sun tans and mai tais – I was there to record, monitor, and study the ongoing coral bleaching event. When I was travelling I was very nervous – what would we find? Would we be recording a climate-change induced massacre, or would the reef survive? Would this be a story of tragedy, or one of resilience?

A temperate stripey (Microcanthus strigatus) hiding under tropical corals at the Coral Gardens reef in the Lord Howe Island Lagoon.

Lord Howe Island has the most southern tropical coral reef in the world and has many fish and coral species found nowhere else. It is so beautiful and unique that it has even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you have ever been, you’ll know exactly why. It’s like nowhere you’ve ever seen – There are amazing corals everywhere, but between them are gorgeous bright green temperate algae. The fish are also a mix of tropical and temperate, with bright yellow temperate stripeys attempting to blend into schools of tropical chromis. The seamless mixing of tropical and temperate is absolutely spectacular, but it is also at risk from climate change.

I’ll give you all the bad news first – some of the bleaching was extensive. The most inland reef, surrounded by land on 3 sides, showed over 90% bleaching. That’s by far the most extreme bleaching I’ve ever seen. It was mostly the stony corals that were affected here – soft corals and anemones were more resilient, though during a second wave of hot, sunny weather even these softies started to bleach. The second most severe site was in better shape, with only 50-60% of coral bleached on the reef crest (near the surface) and the deeper areas much less affected.

A seagrass meadow between two massive Acropora hedges at North Reef in Lord Howe Island Lagoon.

Now, the good news! Some reefs were hardly affected, with less than 5% of the corals at these sites showing any signs of bleaching. These sites were generally very close to the oceanic edge of the lagoon or on the opposite site of the island, where they were regularly flushed with cool water from deeper in the ocean. Lagoons are excellent coral habitat because they protect these delicate animals from storms and let in lots of sunlight, but in our current warming climate they can get too hot, like a swimming pool in the sun.

What this tells me is that this is a story of resilience, not one of tragedy. Overall I have high hopes that we will see a lot of recovery in the coming months. When conditions improve, corals can recover from bleaching in as little as a few days, depending on the severity of the bleaching event. I hope to be able to return in late April to understand how quickly Lord Howe Island corals can recover from bleaching, and to quantify any coral death that may have occurred.

Follow me on Twitter (@RosieRiots) if you want to see how this research progresses.

A sea turtle sleeps in the bleached corals at Sylph’s Hole in the Lord Howe Island Lagoon.

Combating Dry Eye and Teaching Jui Jitsu

By Dr Lisa Nivison-Smith

Meet Dr Emma Gibson – optometrist, researcher, science communicator and Jiu Jitsu instructor

Originally hailing from Wales, Emma wanted a new challenge away from her daily life as an optometrist and so travelled halfway across the world to embark on a PhD elucidating the role of female hormones in dry eye disease. Beyond being able to better help her female patients through her PhD research, Emma has spent the last few years helping other female PhD students as the women officer on the UNSW Post Graduate Council and even teaching women self-defence classes. She is now a UNSW Women Science Champion and excited to communicate science and provide honest insight and support to those embarking on their own PhD journeys.

1. Tell me a little about yourself. How did you end up at studying a PhD at UNSW?

I’m an Optometrist from Wales. I was very happy with my job but wanted a new challenge. Through a colleague in the UK I was introduced to my supervisors at UNSW. I initially committed to a Master’s programme, due to the transition from Wales to Sydney. After a few months, I was enjoying researching and living in Australia so much that I transferred my project to a PhD. 

2. Your PhD research looked at the effect of oestrogen on dry eye disease. What made you chose this area of research?

I always had a keen interest in the front of the eye, spending a lot of time looking at it whilst I was practicing as an optometrist in Wales. I have also suffered from dry eye for many years so I had an inherent in this area*. So many of my patients reported symptoms of dry eye so I wanted to invest my time in something that was relevant to my patients when I returned to clinic after completing my PhD. When this project was discussed as an option it just clicked into place with what I was passionate about.

* dry eye is where there is an inadequate film of tears over the eye to provide lubrication; this is important for comfort, health and clear vision

“I wanted to invest my time in something that was relevant to my patients” – Dr Emma Gibson on her decision to investigate dry eye disease

3. And has your PhD helped you with your patients?

Yes! When I now see my female patients, I am able to educate them on what dry eye disease is and the increased risk associated with menopause. I am able to spend the time to discuss what they can do to alleviate it and avoid the symptoms, as well as who to see if problems persist. It is great being able to answer their questions and reassure them that many of the symptoms they experience with their eyes, such as the need for reading glasses is a normal part of aging, or as I like to call it, “refining”.

4. Besides helping educate women about dry eye disease, your PhD gave you other opportunities to help women. Can you tell me about them?

I became involved in the Post Graduate Council at UNSW in 2016 and held positions of International Officer, Vice-President and in 2018 I was Women’s Officer. During these roles I was invited to participate in discussions with university boards including Equity and Diversity. These gave me opportunities to work with inspirational women leaders within the university and to advocate for women across the university. I ran a women’s self-defence course at the university, with my Jiu-jitsu instructor. The women learnt valuable skills and felt empowered. Empowering women is something I feel very strongly about and something I make a focus within the weekly jiu-jitsu classes I teach at the Woolloomooloo PCYC. They are a safe, friendly place to learn life skills and meet a wonderful group of women.

5. Now that you have finished your PhD, what advice would you give others doing or considering a PhD?

  • Don’t be so hard on yourself, you are only human so set yourself realistic goals.
  • Take time for yourself to exercise/ meditate/ see family and friends/ enjoy life.
  • Imposter syndrome is real and happens to all of us, you will spend a lot of time not knowing what you’re doing, this is a normal part of the process.
  • It’s ok to not be ok. Talk to people about how you’re feeling. Don’t isolate yourself. Depression is so common in PhD students, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

6. Why did you join the UNSW Women Science Champions program?

I had been the women’s officer for the Post Graduate Council whilst doing my PhD and wanted to stay involved in the university and help women in science. I thought this was a great program for engagement in the community and it has been an amazing experience to meet the other champions and develop my skills at communicating science to the public.

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