Dr Chris Bice
Biography
Chris joined the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in 2005 and has 20 years’ experience conducting research on the ecology of freshwater and estuarine fishes, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin. His research has a particular focus on freshwater flow-related ecology, notably fish movement, fish passage and population dynamics.
As a Subprogram Leader (Fish Ecology) within the Inland Waters and Catchment Ecology (IWCE) Program, Chris leads a passionate team of staff that delivers critical research to address challenges related to the management of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. This research is supported by strong relationships with state and federal government agencies, and a strong collaborative approach.
Research interests
- Spatial ecology of freshwater, diadromous and estuarine fishes
- The application of infrastructure (eg fishways) and strategies to promote biological connectivity
- Fish population dynamics in the context river flow regimes and hydraulics, including restoration (eg environmental flows)
Qualifications
- PhD, 2023, University of Adelaide
- B. Sc. (Honours, 1st class), 2004, University of Adelaide
Research affiliations
- Affiliate Lecturer, Flinders University
- Affiliate Lecturer, The University of Adelaide
Professional affiliations
- Member, Australian Fish Screening Advisory Panel
- Member, Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Scientific Advisory Group
- Member, South Australian River Murray and Floodplain Scientific Advisory Group
Publications and reports
Microinvertebrates (specifically cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, and rotifers) show a high diversity in life history, behaviour, and morphology. Together, these animals form an essential component of food webs in aquatic ecosystems. The primary dispersal vector for microinverte…
The restoration of biological connectivity and facilitation of fish passage between the Coorong and South East is a key ecological objective of the South East Flows Restoration Project (SEFRP). In 2019, this included upgrades of the Salt Creek and Morella flow regulators and the …
The Southeast Flows Restoration Project (SEFRP) was implemented to divert additional water from the Upper South East (USE) into the Coorong South Lagoon with the aims of assisting salinity management in the South Lagoon and allowing managed inundation of wetlands (e.g. Taratap an…
The Lower Lakes and Coorong, at the terminus of the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), are considered a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and an Icon Site under The Living Murray (TLM) Initiative. The region supports a diverse fish assemblage of ecological,…
The Chowilla Anabranch and Floodplain system is the largest remaining area of undeveloped floodplain habitat in the lower River Murray. Chowilla consists of a range of aquatic habitats that are now rare in the region, including permanently flowing creeks, and these habitats suppo…
