* CSU graduands receive PhDs to honour their research studies on Wednesday 19 December in Albury.

* Research in environmental sciences and education will be recognised with the PhD awards.

* Awards are part of 2018 Graduation season across all CSU campuses.

Four CSU graduands will be honoured for their research studies when they receive their Doctors of Philosophy at graduation ceremonies in Albury tomorrow, Wednesday 19 December.

Their research includes:

Adrian Clements: “The effect of water column nutrient enrichment and water regime on vegetation in shallow, ephemeral, freshwater lakes”.

Supervisors: Professor Max Finlayson (CSU) and Dr Daryl Neilsen (Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre)

The study aimed to identify if and how the make-up of the wetland plant communities changed in response to changes in wetting and drying cycles and water nutrient levels in shallow freshwater lakes that regularly dried out. The study sites were Lake Brewster, Lake Cowal and Lake Cargelligo near the Lachlan River in Central NSW. Using results from his field studies and experiments, Adrian developed models to show the effect of water nutrients and wetting/drying cycles on vegetation in these shallow lakes. This study has developed the understanding of how water management and nutrient levels affect the composition of aquatic vegetation in these systems, and his findings have been used to review and refine how water is being managed in Lake Brewster to increase vegetation diversity in the lake and maximise the quality of water leaving the lake. Adrian now works for West Gippsland CMA to manage environmental water used along the Latrobe River.

Daniel Svozil: “Trait Divergence in river and reservoir populations of Australian smelt (Retropinna semoni)”.

Supervisors: Professor Robyn Watts, Dr Keller Kopf and Dr Lee Baumgartner (all at CSU).

The study examined how river regulation and water velocity affect body shape, swimming performance and physiology of different populations of Australian smelt, a small freshwater fish living in inland Australian rivers. Fish from flowing rivers had larger deeper bodies, narrower fins, swam faster and had characteristics of muscle, heart and gills that suggest they use more oxygen than fish from still reservoirs. This shows that fish populations can adapt to altered habitats by changes in multiple physical characteristics which could affect how well they can survive in various river habitats.

Carmen Huser: “Children’s perspectives of play and their research participation”

Read and hear about Ms Huser’s research here.