Council commissions Avondale to study the sand
Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
The city of Lake Macquarie has invited researchers at Avondale College of Higher Education to study the impact humans make on its beaches.
Life’s a beach: Bachelor of Science student Amy Warner collects samples as part of a study of the impact of humans on sandy beaches in Lake Macquarie. Credit: Sophie Gamble.
Dr Jason Morton, Dr Ewan Ward and Associate Professor Kevin de Berg will determine what effect driving vehicles and removing weed has on the biological health of Catherine Hill Bay, Caves, Dudley, Nine Mile and Redhead beaches.
They will base their findings on: the level of bacteria; the abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrate and meiofauna assemblages (ghost crabs are an example of the former; organisms living in the spaces between grains of sand the latter); and the level nitrogen in the groundwater on these exposed sandy beaches.
Lake Macquarie City Council commissioned the study to monitor the health of its beaches and to raise awareness of their ecological function. “We take our beaches for granted,” says coastal projects officer Kym Bilham. “They’re not deserts or places to just lay out a towel. They actually play a critical role in keeping the water in our oceans clean.”
The study of sandy beaches is a relatively new field, says Jason, a senior lecturer in biology in the School of Science and Mathematics and the chief investigator of the study. “We know a lot about rocky shores and other marine habitats like seagrass beds, but it seems we’ve neglected sandy beaches.” He is impressed, then, with the council’s commissioning of the study. “The city cares about the environment—not just sandy beaches but all marine habitats. It’s on the lake’s side.”
“We’re a coastal city,” says Kym, “so it’s important to have healthy beaches. They’re a big part of our lifestyle and contribute to our wellbeing.”
Lake Macquarie City Council’s partnership with Avondale will also benefit students such as environmental biology major Stephanie Hernandez. “When you realise how much life there is in these areas, you’re more aware of the impact you’re having and of what might happen if you don’t take enough care,” she says. Stephanie has been collecting and analysing samples from the beaches. “Engaging with research like this early in an undergraduate course will help Stephanie put theory into practice,” says Jason, “and she gets paid.”
Jason and his colleagues aim to complete their study early next year.