Dr Jonny (Jonathan) Stark: BSc, MSc, PhD
Research interests
I am a marine ecologist leading research to aid in the management and conservation of Antarctic coastal ecosystems. As a Principal Research Scientist with the Australian Antarctic Division, my work supports evidence-based decision-making and provides practical, science-led advice to inform policy and protect Australia’s Antarctic marine and coastal environments.
My research focuses on the biodiversity, ecological processes, and human impacts affecting Antarctic coastal and benthic ecosystems. It is inherently multidisciplinary, combining ecology, biology, chemistry, and environmental science. I integrate fundamental ecological research with applied approaches such as environmental monitoring and impact assessment to support effective conservation and management.
A core goal of my work is to advance our knowledge of Antarctic coastal ecosystems and ensure their long-term protection for future generations. I have pioneered approaches to environmental impact assessment in Antarctica, integrating traditional methods with innovative experimental monitoring to better understand cause-and-effect relationships. My research into the legacy pollution at Casey station contributed to the first full-scale contaminated site remediation in the Australian Antarctic Territory (2003–04), and has also informed policy changes, including improvements to wastewater treatment and disposal at Australian Antarctic stations.
My current research, conducted under the East Antarctic Monitoring Program (EAMP), investigates:
- Biodiversity patterns and drivers in coastal Antarctica
- Impacts of station operations and human presence
- Climate change effects, including ocean acidification and sea ice variability
- Trophic ecology and energy flow in marine ecosystems
This work covers a diverse range of Antarctic biotopes—from microbial communities and meiofauna to macrofauna, megafauna, fish, and seabirds—as well as terrestrial biodiversity and Antarctic lakes. It draws on advanced tools in statistics, genomics, chemical analysis, remote sensing, and the use of emerging technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). I also contribute to the design and implementation of long-term marine monitoring programs at Australia’s Antarctic stations, with datasets extending back to 1996–97 at Casey station, and 1985 at Davis.
I began my scientific career at the Institute of Marine Ecology (University of Sydney), completing an MSc in 1996 on the impacts of urban runoff on intertidal mudflats. My field experience spans tropical coral reefs, temperate kelp beds, and the polar coasts of Antarctica. I completed a PhD at the University of New England in 2002—the first study to examine the impacts of Australian Antarctic stations on the marine environment.
Current projects
- #4633: Biodiversity of East Antarctica – Underwater and Terrestrial
- #4644: Antarctic Nearshore and Terrestrial Observing System (ANTOS)
- #4622: A Cleaner Antarctica (ACA)
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), Special Research Initiative