The University of Western Australia

Assoc/Prof Ryan Lowe

Associate Professor
School of Earth and Environment

Contact details

Address

School of Earth and Environment
The University of Western Australia (M004)
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009
Australia

Phone

6488 2706

Fax

6488 1054

Email

ryan.lowe@uwa.edu.au

Qualifications

BSc Calif., MSc PhD Stan.

Biography

Ph.D. Stanford University, 2005 (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
M.S. Stanford University, 2002 (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
B.S. University of California, 2000 (Mechanical Engineering)

Key research

My research involves the study of how oceanic and atmospheric forcing drives the circulation and distribution of wave energy within a broad range of coastal systems (e.g., on beaches, coral reefs, rocky shorelines, and in estuaries). In most cases, this work is motivated by the need to improve our understanding of the coupling between hydrodynamics and other key processes occurring in marine environments, such as sediment transport, biogeochemical cycling and spatial ecology. As part of this work, I employ a wide range of field, laboratory and numerical modelling techniques. Major research interests include:

Coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics

Numerical modelling of waves and coastal circulation

Coastal sediment transport

Remote sensing of coastal systems

Benthic boundary layer and canopy flow dynamics

Biophysical interactions in marine systems

Publications

Wyatt A.S.J., Falter, J. Lowe R.J., Humphries S., and Waite, A. (2011) Oceanographic forcing of nutrient uptake and release over a fringing coral reef, Limnology and Oceanography, in press

Kendrick GA, Waycott M, Carruthers T, Cambridge ML, Hovey R, Krauss S, Lavery P, Les D, Lowe RJ, Mascaró O, Ooi J, Orth RJ, Rivers D, Ruiz-Montoya L, Sinclair EA, Statton J, van Dijk K, Verduin J (2011) The central role of dispersal in the maintenance and persistence of seagrass populations, Bioscience, in press.

Patten, N., Wyatt, A., Lowe, R.J., Waite, A. (2011) Picoplankton (and virus)? depletion by a fringing coral reef community (Ningaloo, Australia)”, Coral Reefs, in press.

Taebi, S., Lowe R.J., Pattiaratchi, C.B., Ivey, G.N., Symonds, G., and Brinkman R. (2011) “Modelling nearshore circulation in a fringing reef system: Ningaloo Reef, Australia,” Journal of Coastal Research, 64(SI) 1200 – 1203.

Zhang, Z., Lowe, R.J., Falter, J., and Ivey, G. (2011) “A numerical model of wave- and current-driven nutrient uptake by coral reef communities”, Ecological Modelling, 222 1456–1470.

Rousseaux, C., Lowe, R.J., Feng, M., Waite, A., and Thompson, P. (2011) “The role of the Leeuwin Current and mixed layer depth on the winter phytoplankton bloom off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia”, Continental Shelf Research, doi:10.1016/j.csr.2011.10.010.

Taebi, S., Lowe R.J., Pattiaratchi, C.B., Ivey, G.N., Symonds, G., and Brinkman R. (2011) “Nearshore circulation in a tropical fringing reef system,” Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans, 116, C02016, doi: 10.1029/2010JC006439

Wyatt A.S.J., Lowe R.J., Humphries S., and Waite, A. (2010) “Particulate nutrient fluxes over a fringing coral reef: relevant scales of phytoplankton production and mechanisms of supply” Marine Ecology Progress Series, 405, 113-130.

Lowe R.J., Hart, C., and Pattiaratchi, C.B. (2010) “Morphological constraints to wave-driven circulation in coastal reef-lagoon systems,” Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans, 115, C09021, doi:10.1029/2009JC005753.
Falter J.L., Atkinson M.J., Lowe R.J., Monismith S.G. (2009) “Short-term coherency between gross primary production and community respiration in an algal-dominated reef flat community” Coral Reefs, 30(1), 53-58, DOI: 10.1007/s00338-010-0671-9

Lowe R.J., Falter J.L., Monismith S.G., Atkinson M.J. (2009) “A numerical study of circulation in a coastal reef-lagoon system,” Journal of Geophysical Research, doi:10.1029/2007JC004663.
Pattiaratchi, C.B., Olsson, D., Hetzel, Y., Lowe R.J. (2009) “Wave-driven circulation patterns in the lee of groynes,” Continental Shelf Research, doi:10.1016/j.csr.2009.04.011

Lowe R.J., Falter J.L., Monismith S.G., Atkinson M.J. (2009) “Wave-driven circulation of a coastal reef-lagoon system,” Journal of Physical Oceanography, 39(4), 869-889.

Falter J.L., Lowe R.J., Atkinson M.J., Monismith S.G. (2008) “Continuous measurements of net production over a shallow reef community using a modified Eulerian approach,” Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, C07035, doi:10.1029/2007JC004663.
Jones N.L., Lowe R.J., Pawlak G., Fong D. & Monismith S.G. (2008) “Plume dispersion on a fringing coral reef,” Limnology and Oceanography, 53(5), 2273-2286

Lowe R.J., Shavit U., Falter J.L., Koseff J.R. & Monismith S.G. (2008) “Modeling flow in coral communities with and without waves: a synthesis of porous media and canopy flow approaches,” Limnology and Oceanography, 53(6), 2668-2680.
Lowe, R.J., Falter, J.L., Koseff, J.R., Monismith, S.G. & Atkinson, M.J. (2007) “Spectral wave flow attenuation within submerged canopies: implications for wave energy dissipation,” Journal of Geophysical Research – Oceans, 112, C05018, DOI: 10.1029/2006JC003605

Falter, J.L., Atkinson, M.J., Lowe, R.J., Monismith, S.G. & Koseff, J.R. (2007) “Effects of nonlocal turbulence on the mass transfer of dissolved species to reef corals,” Limnology and Oceanography. 52(1): 274-285.

Shavit, U., R.J. Lowe and J.V. Steinbuck (2006) Intensity capping: a simple method to improve cross-correlation PIV results. Experiments in Fluids, DOI: 10.1007/s00348-006-0233-7

Falter, J.L., J. Fleming, M.J. Atkinson, M.M. Bos, R.J. Lowe, J.R. Koseff, and S.G. Monismith (2006) A novel flume for simulating the effects of wave-driven water motion on the biogeochemistry of benthic reef communities. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 4: 68:79.

Lowe, R.J., Koseff, J.R., Monismith, S.G. & Falter, J.L. (2005) “Oscillatory flow through submerged canopies. Part 2. Canopy mass transfer,” Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans, 110, C10016, DOI: 10.1029/2004JC002789.

Lowe, R.J., Koseff, J.R. & Monismith, S.G. (2005) “Oscillatory flow through submerged canopies. Part 1. Velocity structure,” Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans, 110, C10016, DOI: 10.1029/2004JC002788.

Lowe, R.J., Falter, J.L, Bandet, M.D., Pawlak, G., Atkinson, M.J., Monismith, S.G., & Koseff, J.R. (2005) “Spectral wave dissipation over a barrier coral reef”, Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 110, C04001, DOI: 10.1029/2004JC002711.

Lowe, R.J., Rottman, J.W. & Linden, P.F. (2005) “The non-Boussinesq lock-exchange problem. Part 1: Theory and experiments,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 537, pp. 101-124.

Crimaldi, J.P., Thompson, J.K, Rosman, J.H., Lowe, R.J. & Koseff, J.R. (2002) “Hydrodynamics of larval settlement: the structure of turbulent stress events at model recruitment sites”, Limnology and Oceanography, 47, pp. 1137-1151.

Lowe, R.J., Linden, P.F. & Rottman, J.W. (2001) “A laboratory study of the velocity structure in an intrusive gravity current”, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 456, pp. 33-48.

Roles, responsibilities and expertise

• Associate Editor for Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans (2011-present)
• Deputy Chair, Geography Discipline
• Honours Coordinator, Geography
• Committee member: Technical services committee, School of Earth and Environment

Future research

I have immediate openings for Ph.D. students to study coastal processes in systems such as coral and temperate reefs, seagrass communities and on beaches along Western Australia. Potential PhD projects may be related to the current projects listed above, however, I can likely accommodate additional projects in other areas. If you are interested in working with me, please send me an email with your C.V. as an attachment.

I welcome applications from Australian or international students with a strong background in either science or engineering, together with an enthusiasm for the coastal ocean. Funding opportunities for qualified Ph.D. students are available.

Funding received

• Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2011-15) - $681,598 “Physical processes in complex coastal reef environments: the dynamics of wave- and tide- dominated systems” (sole-CI)
• Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2012-14) - $520,000 “Coupled physical and biogeochemical dynamics on the Australian North West Shelf” (co-CI with G. Ivey, P. Strutton, N.Jones, M. Furnas and R. Brinkman)
• CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund (2011) - $84,000 “Dynamics of time-dependent hydrodynamic processes in complex nearshore reef systems” (co-CI with G. Symonds)
• Australian Research Council Linkage Project (2010-12) - $559,000 “Ocean Response to Tropical Cyclone Forcing on the Australian North West Shelf” (co-CI with G. Ivey and N. Jones, Partner: Woodside Energy)
• Australian National Network in Marine Science ANNiMS Grant (2011) – $29,930 “The Importance of Internal Waves in the Stimulation of Primary Productivity at Ningaloo Reef” (co-CI with N. Jones and others)
• CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund (2010-13) - $199,999 “Ocean Acidification and Environmental Change Across a Widening Tropical-Subtropical Gradient” (co-CI with M. McCulloch, J. Falter and J. Trotter)
• University of Western Australia Research Grant Scheme (20011) - $20,820 “The Role of Ocean Dynamics on Seagrass Seed Dispersal along Western Australia”
• Australian Research Super Science grant (2011-14) - $556,800 “Indian Ocean Climate Change: Ningaloo Reef, a litmus test for the survival of coral reefs” (co-CI with M. McCulloch, G. Ivey and J. Falter)
• Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2010-12) - $430,000 “Extreme Tidal Forcing of a Topographically Complex Coastal Region - the Kimberley Western Australia” (co-CI with G. Ivey and others)
• Australian Research Council Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (2010) - $4.7 million, “Advanced Geochemical Facility for Climate and Environmental Change Research: a west Australian−Indian Ocean focus” (co-CI with M. McCulloch and others)
• Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2009-11) - $360,000 “Transient upwelling along Western Australia: the dynamics of the Ningaloo Current system” (co-CI with G. Ivey and C. Pattiaratchi)
• CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund (2008-9) - $200,000 “Ocean-reef fluxes at Ningaloo” (co-CI with A. Waite).
• Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2007-9) - $251,090 “Hydrodynamics of Fringing Reef Systems” (Sole CI)
• University of Western Australia Research Grant Scheme (2008) - $21,100 “Transient coastal upwelling along Ningaloo Reef” (Sole CI)
• US National Science Foundation International Research Fellowship (2007-8) $68,000 “Hydrodynamics of Ningaloo Reef” (Research grant only, salary declined)
• UWA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2007-2010) - $18,000 “Hydrodynamics of Fringing Reef Systems” (Research stipend only, salary declined)
• Western Australian Marine Science Institution (Node 3) (2007-10) - $191,161 “Characterisation and modelling of oceanographic processes in Ningaloo and adjacent waters” (co-CI with C. Pattiaratchi, G. Ivey, G. Symonds and R. Brinkman)

Honours and awards

• Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (2011-2015)
• 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award for Research for Coursework - Individual Teacher (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences)
• 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award for Research for Research Supervision - Postgraduate Student Supervision (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences)
• Australian Research Council Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship 2007-2009
• NSF International Research Fellowship (2007)
• US National Defence Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (2000-2003)
• First prize, Young Engineers Paper Contest (2000), American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Teaching

Units coordinating and lecturing (2012)

EART3337 Coastal Environments.

The Australian coastline is a dynamic environment, dominated by ocean processes, the movement of sediments, and presence of marine ecosystems. A detailed understanding of coastal processes is ultimately required to successfully manage the ever increasing demands humans place on coasts. This unit examines the processes that shape the coastal environment including coastal weather systems; nearshore ocean processes (e.g. tides, waves, nearshore currents); sediment types and transport; coastal erosion; coastal water quality; and an introduction to integrated coastal zone management.

EART4403 Coastal and Estuarine Processes

In this unit students examine natural processes occurring in estuarine and exposed coastal environments. Topics investigated and studied include linear wave theory, short- and long-term wave statistics, wave spectra, shoaling, refraction, reflection and diffraction of water waves, wave set up and runup, coastal sediment transport mechanisms, beach morphology and morphodynamics, sand budgets, beach erosion problems and their mitigation, rip currents, longshore currents, surf beat; and tsunami and storm surges, tides and estuarine mixing, coastal groundwater dynamics.

Current projects

Physical oceanographic processes in reef systems

This research investigates the dominant hydrodynamic processes occurring in both tropical coral and temperature reef systems, and includes studies of surface wave transformations over coral reef flats (from swell to infragravity frequencies) as well the circulation driven by waves, winds, tides and buoyancy effects. Key study sites include Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (funded by US NSF) and Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia (funded by the ARC) as well as Perth temperate reefs, with these studies having both field work and numerical modelling components.

Regional circulation and upwelling along Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

The regional circulation around the NW Cape region of Ningaloo Reef is thought to play a key role in driving high rates of benthic and pelagic production within this system. While much of the WA coast experiences persistent downwelling (especially during winter when the Leeuwin Current is strongest), strong southerly winds can establish a coastal current system along Ningaloo (termed the Ningaloo Current) that can generate transient upwelling. This project (funded by the ARC) utilizes both field work and numerical modelling, to quantify the physical factors driving coastal currents and upwelling along this important stretch coastline.

Ocean Response to Tropical Cyclone Forcing on the Australian North West Shelf

This research uses both field work and numerical modelling to investigate the surface (wave) and coupled inner ocean response (mean currents, turbulent mixing, etc.) on Australia's North West Shelf, one of the most active cyclone regions globally.

Physical-biogeochemical interactions in coastal environments

This multidisciplinary research projects with marine biologists and biogeochemists examine how hydrodynamic processes (currents and waves) occurring in shallow coastal environments (e.g., coral reefs, seagrass systems, etc), can control fundamental ecological processes and biogeochemical cycles operating in these systems, including nutrient dynamics, rates of production, and coral calcification(funded by the ARC and US NSF).

Tidal currents and mixing along the Kimberley Coast of Western Australia

This project focuses on both the Camden Sound-Montgomery Reef region and the King Sound region of the Kimberley coast, which experiences some of the largest tides in the world. Through field work, numerical modeling and remote sensing, this project investigates how the interaction of tidal forcing with the numerous islands in the region, mediates the cross-shelf exchange of key material on the shelf (e.g., nutrients and sediment). This project involves collaboration with UWA researchers and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, with funding provided by a 2010 ARC Discovery Grant.

The role of ocean dynamics on seagrass seed dispersal and recruitment in Western Australia

This project investigates the role of hydrodynamics in influencing seagrass seed dispersal in the Perth coastal waters, by coupling the different seed dispersal strategies of seagrasses with a numerical ocean model to predict the dispersal shadows for three selected seagrass genera (Posidonia, Halophila and Zostera).

Flow and mass transfer in submerged aquatic canopies

This research is motivated by the need to understand how hydrodynamic processes on coral reef and seagrass systems controls biogeochemical processes on small-scales [O(cm-m)]. In particular, this work examines how flow driven within ‘canopies’ formed by reef and seagrass communities, controls mixing and nutrient exchange in these shallow water environments. This multidisciplinary research utilizes both field and laboratory experimentation, and is a collaboration with a team of biogeochemists and ecologists.

Research profile

Research profile and publications