Browsing by Author "Cawthra, Hayley"

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    First impressions of benthic biodiversity patterns of the Cape Canyon and its surrounding areas
    (2018-06-20) Filander, Zoleka; Lamont, Tarron; van den Berg, Marcel; Snyders, Laurenne; Lombi, Mfundo; Tutt, Gavin; Cawthra, Hayley; Kirkman, Stephen; Atkinson, Lara; Lombard, Amanda
    The Cape Canyon off the west coast of South Africa is one of the largest known submarine canyons in the country. It extends from 200m depth where its head incises the continental shelf, to 3000m offshore. Although submarine canyons are internationally recognised as sensitive ecosystems and biological hotspots, focused studies are required to validate this view. To increase understanding of the ecological patterns and processes of the Cape Canyon and adjoining areas inshore and offshore of it, hydrographic, oceanographic and biodiversity data were collected during three summer research cruises undertaken during 2016 – 2018. A total of 50 camera and 65 dredge stations were completed under a randomly-stratified design. Preliminary results show that the canyon is predominately unconsolidated with scavengers such as ophuiroidea and decapoda prevalent within habitats ranging from sandy areas, to patches of inshore and offshore mud belts. Furthermore, interesting consolidated habitats were observed at the canyon head and inshore areas, while boulders covered in gorgonians and stylasterines were revealed at <100m in some non-canyon areas. Oceanographic profiles revealing anoxic conditions of bottom layers in near-shore areas were confirmed by the benthic structure in these areas. This new research will contribute to marine biodiversity planning and management efforts.
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    Iterative mapping of marine ecosystems for spatial status assessment, prioritization, and decision support
    (2023-03-31) Harris, Linda R.; Karenyi, Natasha; Porter, Sean; Kirkman, Stephen; Pfaff, Maya; van Niekerk, Lara; Atkinson, Lara J.; Bernard, Anthony; Cawthra, Hayley; de Wet, Willem; Filander, Zoleka; Green, Andrew; Herbert, David; Holness, Stephen; Lamberth, Stephen; Livingstone, Tamsyn; Lück-Vogel, Melanie; Mackay, Fiona; Makwela, Mapula; Palmer, Ryan; van Zyl, Wilhem
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    Strontium isoscapes for provenance, mobility and migration: the way forward
    (2025-06-18) Spies, Maximilian J.; Alblas, Amanda; Ambrose, Stanley H.; Barakat, Sarah; Barberena, Ramiro; Bataille, Clément; Bowen, Gabriel J.; Britton, Kate; Cawthra, Hayley; Diamond, Roger; Dosseto, Anthony; Evans, Jane A.; Fisher, Erich; Gray, Kerryn; Heddell- Stevens, Phoebe; Holt, Emily; James, Hannah F.; Janzen, Anneke; Le Corré, Mael; le Roux, Petrus; Lee-Thorp, Julia; Mackay, Alexander; McNeill, Patricia J.; Montgomery, Janet; Mugabe, Bedone; Oelze, Vicky M.; Pfab, Michèle; Richards, Michael P.; Samec, Celeste T.; Santana-Sagredo, Francisca; Serna, Alejandro; Stantis, Chris; Snoeck, Christophe; Stewart, Brian; Stuurman, Cameron; Tarrant, Damon; West, Adam G.; Winter-Schuh, Christine; Sealy, Judith