Marcus has a BSc majoring in botany and completed a BSc (Hons) in hydrology at James Cook University. Currently, he is undertaking a PhD with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. His research interests encompass the sustainable management of tropical ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine. “At present, there is a range of land management practices that inadvertently support a cycle of degradation, vulnerability and subsequent alterations to succession pathways in tropical ecosystems”. Marcus believes that Australia, as a wealthy developed country, can and should be leading the world in the management and protection of tropical ecosystems. Particularly with regard to facilitating recovery such as natural regeneration after disturbance. To facilitate this outcome an understanding of ‘novel ecosystems’ is crucial.