My pronouns are she/her.
I am currently investigating how shark presence impacts fish grazing patterns on coral reefs. Grazing herbivorous fish are responsible for the ‘halos’ of bare sand surrounding reef patches. When sharks are around, fearful fish tend to graze closer to the reef, resulting in a smaller, clearly defined reef halo. Sharks are therefore indirectly responsible for shaping reef halos, and thus patterns of carbon storage around reefs. I am investigating the relationship between reef halos, fish behaviour and shark presence on Ningaloo Reef.
