Work

Braiding Indigenous oral histories and habitat mapping to understand urchin barrens in southern New South Wales

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Context The sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) is linked to urchin barrens and potential kelp forest depletion along New South Wales (NSW) southern coast. Whereas previous studies employed scientific methods to evaluate barrens, Indigenous Traditional Knowledges offer valuable insights into urchin population dynamics. Aims This study aimed to ‘braid’ Traditional Knowledges with Western science to better understand urchin barrens in the region. Methods Yarning circles with Walbunja Traditional Owners were conducted alongside habitat mapping using image segmentation of remotely sensed imagery. Key results Traditional Knowledges highlighted long-term declines in culturally significant species, including snapper (Pagrus auratus), lobster (Jasus edwardsii), groper (Achoerodus viridis), abalone (Haliotis rubra) and cuttlefish (Sepia apama). Habitat mapping showed dynamic vegetation cover, although differentiating kelp from other vegetation posed challenges. Urchin barrens were present across all study sites as part of a habitat mosaic typical of NSW rocky reefs. Conclusions This research demonstrated the value of braiding Traditional Knowledges with Western methods to enhance understanding of kelp and urchin dynamics. Implications The results of the yarning circles suggest that utilising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in future studies would improve ecological insights and inform sustainable marine management strategies. Further, the habitat mapping has highlighted the need for higher resolution aerial imagery.

Source: Marine and Freshwater Research

DOI: 10.1071/mf24117

Authors: Kyah Chewying, Walbunja Traditional Owners, Mitchell Gibbs, Rachel Przeslawksi, Kerrylee Rogers

Institutions: University of Wollongong, The University of Sydney

Language: English

Topic: Marine and coastal plant biology

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: University of Wollongong