Research Scientist KMFRI Mombasa Oceanography & Hydrography Benthic Ecology • Phytoplankton Ecology • Ecosystem Health Email: clabatt@kmfri.go.ke Email: Labatt-C@ulster.ac.uk Department Oceanography & Hydrography Specialization Marine Benthic Ecology and Phytoplankton Ecology Core Expertise Ecosystem Health
Biodiversity Assessment
Small-Scale Fisheries
Traditional Ecological Knowledge | Research Focus: Marine benthic and phytoplankton ecology, ecosystem functioning, biodiversity conservation, and the integration of ecological and traditional knowledge for sustainable fisheries management. C. Labatt is a Research Scientist based at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Mombasa, in the Department of Oceanography and Hydrography. The researcher specializes in Marine Benthic Ecology and Phytoplankton Ecology, with broad interests in ecosystem functioning, ecosystem health, and biodiversity. Their work explores ecological processes in marine and freshwater environments, including benthic community dynamics, phytoplankton productivity, and the use of macroinvertebrate indicators to assess ecological integrity. They also integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge and small-scale fisheries perspectives into environmental research and resource management. Through multidisciplinary approaches, C. Labatt contributes to understanding and protecting aquatic ecosystems while supporting evidence-based conservation and sustainable fisheries practices. Research Interests Ecosystem Functioning Ecosystem Health Biodiversity Benthic Ecology Phytoplankton Ecology Small-Scale Fisheries Traditional Ecological Knowledge Qualifications - PhD (Ongoing)
- MSc Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans and Lakes 2016)
- BSc Applied Aquatic Sciences (2006)
- International Post-Graduate Training in Tropical Limnology (IPGL)
Selected Publications Kamau, J. et al. (2020). Employing multivariate analysis to determine the drivers of productivity on the North Kenya Bank and in Kenyan territorial waters. Labatt, C.K., M'Erimba, C.M. & Kitaka, N. (2014). The Ecological Integrity of the Nyangores River, Kenya. Labatt, C.K., M'Erimba, C.M. & Kitaka, N. (2012). Determining ecological integrity of the Nyangores River using macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity. |
