Rivers and Estuaries Science Program

A scientist conducting fish surveys in the Canning River. Photo - Kerry Trayler/DBCA

Rivers and Estuaries Science Program

The Rivers and Estuaries Science Program has a primary role to address knowledge gaps and inform management of the Swan Canning Riverpark, although effort is not limited to this waterway.

The objectives and deliverables of the program align with the Swan Canning River Protection Strategy and include science to monitor the status of the Riverpark, address knowledge gaps and ensure scientific information is available to inform adaptive management and decision making.

The program provides scientific advice and support to the Swan Canning Waterways Branch, Conservation and Ecosystem Management Division, in relation to waterway condition, management and incident response including, but not limited to, fish kills, algal blooms, sewerage overflows and dolphin deaths. 

Science on the Swan Canning is underpinned by intensive water quality and biological monitoring and reporting on the estuary and its catchment.

Research priorities for the Swan Canning are determined in consultation with the Swan Canning Waterways Branch, and other waterway managers. These align with the department’s Science Strategic Plan and the Western Australian Marine Science Institute estuarine research priorities. Key research themes are: 

Partnerships

While the focus of effort is on the Swan Canning, our scientists can and do support the development of projects elsewhere in the State.

The program has strong collaborative linkages with universities, research centres, natural resource management groups and government organizations, including the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, Curtin University, CSIRO, Department of Primaries Industries and Regional Development, and the Department of Health, which assist in achieving the department’s science goals.

Our people

Staff are skilled in the collection, analyses and interpretation of river and estuarine science and possess expertise across a range of topics including fish, invertebrates, algae, seagrass, macrophytes, environmental flow, contaminants, trophic ecology, microbial ecology, eDNA, habitat enhancement, hydrology and modelling.

Dr Kerry Trayler
Principal Scientist and Rivers and Estuaries Science Program Leader

Dr Steeg Hoeksema (currently seconded elsewhere)
Senior Environmental Officer

Dr Peter Novak
Senior Environmental Officer

Dr Jeff Cosgrove (currently seconded elsewhere)
Senior Environmental Officer

Suzanne Thompson
Senior Environmental Officer

Dr Lucy Arrowsmith
Senior Environmental Officer

Dr Michelle vanCompernolle
Acting Senior Environmental Officer

Dr Charlie Phelps
Acting Senior Environmental Officer

Dr Sri Adiyanti
Research Scientist

Jake Watsham
Environmental Officer

Peter Howie
Environmental Officer

Amie Gillies
Environmental Officer

Eleanor Sydney
Environmental Officer

Dr Thomas Crutchett
Environmental Officer

Jarra Chapman
Technical Officer

Sarah Muller (on maternity leave)
Technical Officer

Riley Karker
Technical Officer

Joanne Gregory
Data Management Officer

Shannon Pugh
Technical Officer/Administration

Animal Science Program

Research program to understand the factors and processes critical to the conservation of WA’s unique native fauna.

Biodiversity Information Office

Making Western Australian biodiversity data more discoverable, accessible, and usable.

Ecosystem Science Program

Research program to understand the environmental, ecological and biogeographical processes that determine the conservation values, health and productivity of the lands and inland waters managed by the department.

Fire Science Program

Research to inform fire management and biodiversity conservation in Western Australia.

Kings Park Science Program

Research program in native plant biology and ecology, ex situ conservation, and ecological restoration, informing the conservation and management of Western Australia's biodiversity and ecosystems.

Marine Science Program

Research and monitoring program to inform the conservation and management of WA’s marine protected areas, threatened and protected marine fauna, and marine biodiversity.

Perth Zoo Science Program

Research program to support the breed-for-release programs for six threatened species.

Plant Science and Herbarium Program

Research, collections management and biodiversity knowledge program to create and disseminate new knowledge on the diversity, distribution, evolution and ecology of the state’s flora.