Skip to main content

Staff Profile

Dr Fabrice Stephenson

NUAcT Fellow: One Planet

Background

I'm a quantitative marine ecologist within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and Vice Chair (marine theme) for IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA - https://www.iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-wcpa-marine-thematic-group).

I have primarily worked on understanding the ecology of organisms that live on or near the seafloor spanning coastal to deep sea ecosystems, although I have also worked on distribution patterns of top predators such as whales and sharks. Using a combination of experimental and statistical modelling approaches, my research has focussed on developing quantitative science that aims to inform strategic policy approaches to managing the marine environment.



PhD: Newcastle University (2016)

MSc: Newcastle University (2012)

BSc (Hons): Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh (2009)

Research

Research Overview

My research has focussed on understanding spatial patterns and drivers of biodiversity at different spatial scales, including understanding how anthropogenic impacts (e.g., effect of multiple stressors such bottom-fishing and climate change) may affect these patterns. Ultimately, I’m most interested in understanding how this information can be used for effective marine spatial planning and risk assessment, including considerations of how ecologically, economically and culturally important ecosystems can be protected at present and moving forward in the face of a changing climate.

My interdisciplinary NUAcT fellowship, Using Spatial Estimates of Ecosystem Services for Equitable Conservation of Multiple Values Under a Changing Climate, will focus on:

  • developing novel methods for predicting spatial patterns of biodiversity that can more robustly predict into future climatic conditions by accounting for biological interactions. 
  • Using these biodiversity predictions, to quantify current and future spatial patterns in coastal ecosytem services and ecosystem service bundles for use in collaborative decision-making processes.

External Funding

  • Principal investigator (2024 - 2027): "Identifying priority areas for effective nature-based solutions to mitigating the impacts of climate of change". Part of the Stronger Shores programme (https://strongershores.com).
  • Principal investigator (2023 - 2024): "Developing a maintenance framework, guidance and case studies for the New Zealand Community Classification". Funded by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
  • Co-leader (2019 – 2023, with Dr Joanne Ellis from the University of Waikato): “Communicating risk and uncertainty to aid decision-making”. Phase II of The Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. https://www.sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz/our-research/communicating-risk-and-uncertainty
  • Project manager and science leader (2020 – 2022): “Understanding ecosystem degradation and recovery”. Funding from NIWA Coasts & Oceans Research Programme 5.
  • Project manager and science leader (2019 – 2021): “Development of a New Zealand Marine Habitat Classification”. Funded by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
  • Project manager and science leader (2018 – 2019): “Improving information on the distribution of seabirds and marine mammals”. Funded by Fisheries New Zealand (New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries).
  • Project manager and science leader (2018 – 2019): “Mapping key ecological areas in the New Zealand marine environment”. Funded by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Teaching

Teaching

NES8010 - Quantitative Ecological Research Methods (PG module)

NES8321 - Designing and Evaluating Conservation Areas (PG Module)

Postgraduate Research Supervision

Completed

Dr Savanah Goode, University of Victoria, Wellington. (2023) Thesis title: Resilience of seamount benthic communities to fishing disturbance

Dr Stephanie Watson, University of Waikato. (2024) Thesis title: Marine stressor and receptor interactions: A new approach to incorporate cumulative effects into marine spatial management

Dr Edoardo Zelli, University of Waikato. (2025) Thesis title: Protecting the deep: The combined impact of climate change and bottom trawling on VME indicator taxa in New Zealand and implications for management

Dr Claire Shellem, University of Waikato. (2025) Thesis title:Multiple stressor effects of climate change and coastal runoff on fjord ecosystems

In progress

Elizabeth Harrison, University of Waikato. PhD: The effects of cumulative stressors on the ecosystem service potential and restoration of infaunal estuarine bivalves.

Grady Petersen, University of Victoria, Wellington. PhD: Development of a spatially Bayesian network model to identify shifts in ecosystem function in estuaries

Huw James, Newcastle University. PhD: Assessing the environmental and ecological drivers of interannual variability in the life histories and population dynamics of icefishes around the sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia

Katarina Scaife, Newcastle University. PhD: Oxygen availability as driver of community composition in shallow aquatic habitat.

Ben Hall, Newcastle University. PhD: Quantifying changes in marine ecosystem services in a changing climate.

Yaofa Ren, Newcastle University. PhD: Embedding equity into research on and management for ecosystem services and disservices

Miaad Al Maamari, Newcastle University. PhD: Assessment of shark catches in Oman small scale fisheries

Sarah Tubbs, Newcastle University. PhD: Interdisciplinary conservation of coastal cetaceans in Cambodia.

Sylvie Tranter, Newcastle University. PhD: Utilising a marine biodiversity metric to support conservation in Small Island Developing States

Publications