Marine Conservation, James Cook University – ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Dr Ban explores how conservation planning can be improved to protect biodiversity while minimizing impacts on humans. Realising that the marine environment is not static, Natalie’s research is innovative because it incorporates patch dynamics into conservation planning. A further challenge is that our climate is changing, and this affects where plants and animals live in the ocean. It is necessary to protect parts of the ocean if we want future generations to enjoy the oceans in the same way that we can today.
Natalie has an exceptional media presence, explaining science on radio, television and online to a diverse audience both domestically and internationally. She presented a public talk at theNationalMuseumofAustraliainCanberrato celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society. Her research is widely recognized as being of relevance to communities and policy-makers, with Natalie actively engaging with several working groups that discuss policy issues in the marine environment, including two established by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.