Marine ecosystems are experiencing uneven and accelerating change under the combined influence of climate warming and human activities. As the base of ocean food webs and a major driver of global carbon cycling, phytoplankton respond rapidly to environmental variability and provide early signals of ecosystem change. However, how large-scale climate forcing interacts with regional coastal pressures to shape phytoplankton productivity and seasonal dynamics remains poorly understood.

In this thesis, I investigate long-term patterns of marine phytoplankton productivity across the Asia–Pacific region using satellite observations combined with ecological modelling. I examine how climate drivers, extreme events, and human influences affect productivity and phenological cycles across contrasting marine environments. The results reveal widespread declines in productivity and shifts in bloom timing, with particularly strong responses in coastal regions subject to intense human pressure. These findings highlight the importance of integrated climate and coastal management strategies for maintaining marine ecosystem resilience in a warming ocean.

About the Speaker

Yinuo Xu is a PhD candidate at the Fenner School of Environment & Society at The Australian National University, specialising in marine science and environmental remote sensing. Her research focuses on how climate change and human activities shape marine phytoplankton productivity and ocean ecosystem dynamics across the Asia–Pacific region. She is particularly interested in applying advanced geospatial techniques and satellite-based modelling to improve understanding of ocean ecosystems and the marine carbon cycle. Yinuo values interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to contribute to scientific approaches that support resilient marine environments.