Nathan Ning

Nathan Ning is an aquatic ecologist affiliated with the Dr Gulbali Research Institute, Inland Fisheries Research Group at Charles Sturt University. He holds a PhD in Freshwater Ecology from La Trobe University and conducts research on the ecology, management, and restoration of freshwater ecosystems. His work spans river and wetland systems, with a focus on human impacts and ecological resilience.

His research interests include:

• River and wetland ecology
• Relationships between riverine biota and flow
• Zooplankton dynamics
• Food-web interactions (zooplankton–fish predator-prey)
• Aquatic microinvertebrate ecology
• Invertebrate egg and plant seed dormancy and dispersal
• Climate refuges in the Murray–Darling Basin
• Fish passage and migration, particularly in the Mekong Basin

His recent publications span high-impact journals such as Nature Water, Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, and Fisheries Management and Ecology, reflecting a strong trend in river barrier mapping, fish movement telemetry, adaptive management, and ecological responses to disturbances like bushfires and climate change. The research integrates field studies, modeling, and policy-relevant outcomes.

Scientific awards and grants include:

• Developing design guidelines for diversion screens (2018)
• Predicting redfin survival through Snowy 2.0 (2018)
• Maccas on the Mannus: Bushfire Recovery (2020)
• Snowy Hydro Secondary Controls (2021)
• Quantifying redfin transfer risk (2022)

Nathan Ning actively supervises HDR students and examines theses, demonstrating a commitment to academic mentoring. He serves as a peer reviewer for journals including Journal of Fish Biology and Aquatic Sciences. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water, climate action, and life below water. He is involved in international collaborations, particularly in Indonesia and the Lower Mekong Basin, focusing on river connectivity and fish migration.