ASTRAL
Tell us a bit about yourself, Liv.
LIV
I’ve always been drawn to animals and the ocean—it’s been a constant thread throughout my life. That passion naturally led me to work as a zookeeper, then a teacher, and now as a marine biologist. These roles have given me a diverse perspective on animals, education, and conservation, and they’ve all deepened my commitment to protecting the blue planet we live on.
My current focus is on marine megafauna conservation, blue carbon ecosystems, and marine protected areas. I have specialised in species tracking and fieldwork, and I’m especially interested in how the movement of large marine megafauna, specifically sharks, connect to blue carbon ecosystems such as seagrasses.
I’m also passionate about education and sharing knowledge—my background in teaching really helps me to engage and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. Outside of work, I spend as much time as I can in the water. I’m a certified Divemaster and freediver, and I enjoy sustainably sourcing my own food through spearfishing when I can. Altogether, my life and work are centered around a deep respect for the ocean and a drive to protect its ecosystems.
ASTRAL
Where are you currently based out of? Where are you originally from?
LIV
I was actually born in North Carolina, but moved to England when I was 1, so England is home; but I have now been based in Boston for the last 2.5 years.
ASTRAL
How did you end up in the United States working in science?
LIV
I moved to Boston in October 2022, after accepting a job as the research coordinator and staff marine biologist for the non-profit organisation Beneath The Waves.
ASTRAL
What are your current credentials?
LIV
MSc Master of Science in Marine Vertebrate Ecology & Conservation
PADI DiveMaster
PGCE in Secondary Science (Qualified high-school Science teacher)
ASTRAL
What is your particular field of study?
LIV
Blue carbon ecosystems—seagrasses, mangroves, salt marshes, and kelp forests—and their ecological connections to marine megafauna, particularly sharks.
ASTRAL
Can you tell me more about how the seagrasses are beneficial to the ocean and greater environment?
LIV
Seagrass meadows play a crucial role in supporting both ocean health and the broader environment. Through photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making them powerful natural allies in the fight against climate change. In fact, they act as vital blue carbon sinks, storing carbon in both their biomass and the sediment below.
Seagrasses also help stabilize coastlines by trapping sediments and dissipating wave energy, offering a natural defense for low-lying areas and island nations that are especially vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges.
On top of that, seagrass meadows are biodiversity hotspots—providing food, shelter, and nursery grounds for countless marine species, from tiny invertebrates to commercially important fish and even large predators like sharks and turtles.
ASTRAL
You talk about sharks as an indicator of seagrass health, how is this the case and where have you studied this?
LIV
As top predators, sharks exert strong top-down control on entire ecosystems and are often indicators of ecological health. Their presence in seagrass meadows is typically linked to foraging activity. For instance, tiger sharks are known to spend significant time in dense seagrass habitats and have jaws specifically adapted to crush and consume sea turtles. Since sea turtles feed on seagrass, the presence of tiger sharks can influence turtle grazing behavior in important ways. Under the risk of predation, turtles tend to move more frequently and graze less intensively in any one area. This reduces the likelihood of overgrazing, allowing seagrass to recover and thrive. This phenomenon—known as the “landscape of fear”—has been well-documented in places like Shark Bay, Western Australia, where shark presence has been shown to indirectly maintain seagrass structure and biodiversity by shaping the behavior of key herbivores like turtles and dugongs.
My research on seagrass habitats and shark movement has focused on the world’s largest seagrass ecosystem in The Bahamas, a designated shark sanctuary that provides an ideal natural laboratory for studying the ecological relationships between sharks and seagrass ecosystems.
ASTRAL
What have you found most surprising about seagrass?
LIV
How much carbon they can store! Despite covering less than 0.2% of the ocean floor, seagrasses are responsible for about 10% of the ocean’s carbon storage. That efficiency really surprised me, especially considering how overlooked and underprotected these habitats often are.
ASTRAL
What have you found most exciting about them?
LIV
What’s truly remarkable is how seagrasses don’t exist in isolation; they’re part of a broader coastal mosaic that includes mangroves, coral reefs, and even salt marshes. These habitats are ecologically linked and often function as one interconnected system. For example, juvenile fish might hatch and grow in the safety of a mangrove forest, move into seagrass meadows as they grow, and eventually migrate to coral reefs as adults. Nutrients, species, and even carbon flow between these habitats, meaning the health of one directly impacts the others. Understanding and protecting these connections is crucial for maintaining overall ecosystem resilience, especially in the face of climate change.
ASTRAL
You’ve written a couple papers on this, correct? When were those published and what did they encompass?
LIV
Yes, I co-authored a literature review titled “Blue Carbon Ecosystems and Shark Behaviour: an overview of key relationships, network interactions, climate impacts, and future research needs,” published in Frontiers in Marine Science in September 2023.
The paper explores the underexamined links between shark behavior and blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) such as seagrass meadows, mangroves, and salt marshes. It highlights how sharks may influence the structure and function of these ecosystems primarily through two key behavioral pathways: foraging and reproductive activities.
And I have a couple others, currently being written…
ASTRAL
You’ve mentioned that the seagrass produces oxygen…They seem to embody breathability underwater. Why is this important?
LIV
Seagrasses do produce oxygen through photosynthesis, just like plants on land. This oxygen is released not only into the water column but also into the sediment, which is incredibly important for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Oxygenated sediments support diverse microbial communities that help break down organic material and recycle nutrients, keeping the ecosystem in balance. In the water itself, oxygen is vital for the survival of countless marine species, from invertebrates to large fish. So in a way, seagrasses really are the lungs of the sea—helping marine life breathe, thrive, and sustain healthy food webs.
ASTRAL
Do you like the Crewers?
LIV
YES!
ASTRAL
How do they feel on your feet?
LIV
First of all, they fit like a glove—I don’t even need to wear socks, which keeps my feet feeling fresh and breezy, especially in the heat. They dry incredibly fast, so they’re perfect for when I’m scouting a site or out on the boat, where my feet inevitably get a little wet.
ASTRAL
How have the Crewers performed in the heat? On boat decks?
LIV
Great, so breathable! The non-slip grip on the sole is incredible for boat decks.
ASTRAL
What might “Trust Nature” mean in your field of study?
LIV
Blue Carbon Ecosystems are what we call “Nature Based Solutions to Climate Change”. So, literally if we trust in these systems, protect them and Trust Nature, through the most basic and fundamental living process of photosynthesis, they begin to slow the effects of climate change.
ASTRAL
Finally, I’m curious what “Trust Nature” might mean to you personally?
LIV
“Trust Nature” also applies to life by believing that things will work out as they’re meant to, even if we don’t have all the answers right away. Just like ecosystems can recover when given the right support, we can find balance in our own lives by trusting the process, staying patient, and allowing things to unfold naturally without forcing them.
