Jun 7, 2013

12 Jun (Wed): Talk on "Singapore’s Underwater Meadows" by Dr. Len McKenzie

Why are seagrasses important? And what is being done for seagrasses in Singapore? How does monitoring seagrass in Singapore contribute to understanding global changes?
Len McKenzie and Rudi Yoshida of Seagrass-Watch guiding
TeamSeagrass monitoring on Pulau Semakau in 2007.
Find out at this special talk by Len McKenzie of international Seagrass-Watch who has been patiently guiding TeamSeagrass from the beginning.


About the talk
Seagrass habitats are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth but few people know what they are and how they are important to the health and functioning of other marine ecosystems and human well-being. In this talk, Dr. Len McKenzie covers the seagrass basics, but also talks about why regular seagrass monitoring is important and how monitoring seagrass in Singapore is contributing to global effort in understanding changes in seagrass ecosystems.

TeamSeagrass monitors seagrasses in Singapore regularly!
Dr. Len McKenzie is a Principal Researcher with TropWATER (James Cook University) and Seagrass-Watch Program Leader. He is also the Task Leader of the Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program – Intertidal Seagrass Monitoring and project leader for a series of projects involving the assessment and sustainable use of coastal fisheries habitats. Len has over 20 years experience as a researcher on seagrass ecology, assessment and fisheries habitats. This includes experience within Australia and internationally in seagrass research, resource mapping/assessment and biodiversity.
Dr Len with TeamSeagrass at Cyrene Reef
He has provided information on seagrass communities that has been vital in management of seagrass resources of the Great Barrier Reef and at the state, national and international levels. He has also advised on fishers and coastal resource-use issues for managers, fishing organisations, conservation and community groups. Len is also the Secretary of the World Seagrass Association.

The talk is free but pre-registration is required, online at http://bit.ly/lmckenzie

Time: 7-8.30pm
Venue: Function Hall, Botany Centre, Level 1, Singapore Botanic Gardens map
Contact: Rachel Lim at lim_li-feng@nparks.gov.sg

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