Publications

Seal, S., Bayyana, S., Pande, A., et al. (2026), Scientific Reports.

Published in Scientific Reports, this study identifies suitable dugong habitats in Indian waters and examines the environmental factors that influence them. The researchers combined environmental modelling with interviews, citizen-science data and field surveys to identify suitable habitats and assess the risks they face. Seagrass presence was the strongest determinant of habitat suitability, while depth, seabed slope and distance from shore were also important. Dugong habitat suitability varied by region and season, with shifts observed between Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar. Many suitable habitats face moderate to high risks, with less than 15% of high-risk areas falling within existing protected areas. Identifying these critical dugong habitats can help guide conservation planning as India works towards the global 30 × 30 biodiversity target. The study also demonstrates the value of citizen-science for conducting ecological analyses across large geographic areas.

Project Seagrass (2026).

This article highlights new research revealing the critical role of seagrass meadows in supporting the livelihoods and food security of millions of people living in poverty across the Indo-Pacific. The study estimates that at least 18 million people living in poverty fish in seagrass meadows, including around 6.5 million who may depend entirely on these habitats for subsistence and fishing-related income. It also finds that households experiencing extreme poverty are more likely to depend exclusively on seagrass fisheries and that seagrass-dependent households earn around 23% less than other fishers. The findings highlight the importance of integrating seagrass conservation into poverty alleviation, food security, sustainable fisheries and development strategies, particularly in vulnerable coastal communities.

Schmitz, O.J., Almealla, R., and Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education (2026), Frontiers in Marine Science.

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, this study investigates how dugongs can enhance the carbon storage potential of seagrass ecosystems. Using a carbon–nutrient cycling model applied to seagrass habitats in Bahrain, the authors found that dugong grazing and nutrient recycling can significantly increase seagrass productivity, ecosystem carbon balance, and sediment carbon storage. Results suggest that the presence of dugongs may more than double carbon capture and storage compared to areas without dugongs.

Macreadie, P.I. et al. (2026), Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, this paper identifies the most pressing research and implementation priorities for advancing blue carbon science over the next decade. Drawing on the expertise of 28 international specialists, the authors outline ten priority questions focused on improving the conservation, restoration, measurement, governance and financing of blue carbon ecosystems, including seagrasses, mangroves and tidal marshes. Key themes include supporting coastal livelihoods, integrating traditional ecological knowledge, developing cost-effective restoration methods, improving greenhouse gas accounting, and harnessing emerging technologies such as remote sensing and machine learning.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) contracted James Cook University to prepare a new edition of the 2002 publication: ‘Dugong: status report and action plans for countries and territories’.

The new edition, which is titled ‘A global assessment of dugong status and conservation needs’, comprises eleven chapters, each written by the listed co-authors. The report has been edited by Helene Marsh, Philippa Loates and Luisa Schramm and reviewed by Abdelmenam Mohamed, Lauren Lopes, Yasmeen Tel Wala and Harris Wei-Khang.

Burt, J. A. (2024)

A comprehensive and up-to-date review of the nature and environment of the Emirates. Includes contributions from over 20 leading experts on UAE ecosystems and biota.

Jones, B. et al. (2022), Ecology & Society, 2(10)

Published in Ecology & Society, this paper used tropical seagrass meadows in the Indo-Pacific as a model social-ecological system to investigate how sustainable development initiatives can result in unintended consequences with both positive and negative outcomes for the environment and society. The researchers analysed initiatives and their effects to show that sustainable development initiatives can produce unintended effects with major consequences that can undermine the initiative’s objectives. The paper emphasises the need for an a priori process that considers effects when planning interventions.

Unsworth, R. et al. (2022), Science, Vol 377, Issue 6606 pp. 609-613

Jones, B. et al. (2022), Ocean & Coastal Management, Volume 225 (106247)

Andréfouët, S. et al., (2021), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 173

Tol, S. J. et al. (2021), Biotropica, 53, 1535–1545

Stankovic, M. et al. (2021), Science of the Total Environment. 156858.

Shilland, R. et al. (2021), Marine Policy, 129 (30)

McKenzie, L. et al. (2021), Environment Research Letters. 15 074041

McKenzie, L. et al. (2021), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167

Dunic, J.C. et al. (2021), Global Change Biology

Annual Progress Report

Wildlife Institute of India, (Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change), Dehradun.

Bevitt, K. (2020), WorldFish

United Nations Environment Programme (2020). UNEP, Nairobi

Bujang J.S. et al. (2018), in Finlayson C., Milton G., Prentice R., Davidson N. (eds) The Wetland Book. Springer, Dordrecht.

Nordlund, L.M. et al. (2018), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 134: 145-151

Nordlund, L.M. et al. (2018), Fish Fish, 19: 399-412

Fortes, M., et al. (2018), Botanica Marina 61 (3)

Al Dhaheri, S. et al. (2017), Environment Agency Abu-Dhabi

UNEP (2016)

A mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Dewsbury, B. et al. (2016), Ecosystem Services. 18

Campbell, J. et al. (2015), Estuaries and Coasts. Vol. 38 (242-251)

Burt, J.A. (2014), City. Vol 18, No.6

Fortes, M.D. (2013), Philippine Journal of Science, 142: 95-111

United Nations Environment Programme (2012)

Final Report for Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) Project (2012)

Fortes, M.D. (2012), Coastal marine science, 35(1): 178-181

Green, E.P. et al. (2003), UNEP-WCMC. University of California Press