Dr. Melissa Wartman
Details
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Department: School of Science
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Campus: City Campus Australia
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melissa.wartman@rmit.edu.au
Open to
- Collaborative projects
- Industry Projects
- Masters Research or PhD student supervision
About
I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Nature Positive Solutions, where I lead interdisciplinary research advancing nature-based climate solutions for people and nature. My work focuses on restoring coastal wetland ecosystems by developing and applying innovative techniques that enhance biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem services, and improve resilience to climate change. I also explore the economics of restoration, design prioritisation strategies, and generate insights to support better restoration policy and decision-making. By integrating robust field data, innovative monitoring techniques, and multi-sector partnerships, I aim to deliver science that supports biodiversity, boosts coastal resilience, and empowers communities in the transition to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.
UN sustainable development goals
- 14 Life Below Water
- 13 Climate Action
- 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 15 Life on Land
Research interests
My research spans a range of interdisciplinary topics at the intersection of ecology, economics, and policy, with a focus on advancing nature-based climate solutions and evidence-based restoration. Key areas of interest include:
Nature-based climate solutions and ecosystem restoration: Designing and implementing restoration strategies that deliver climate, biodiversity, and community benefits, with a focus on coastal and freshwater wetlands.
Blue carbon science, policy, and markets: Advancing the science, accounting frameworks, and investment mechanisms that support blue carbon ecosystem protection and restoration.
Valuing ecosystem services and natural capital: Quantifying the ecological and economic benefits of restoration.
Science-policy integration and decision support: Bridging research and practice through spatial prioritisation, stakeholder engagement, and policy-relevant tools that guide effective restoration investment and management.
