DNA reveals the past and future of coral reefs
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
From 2005 to 2022, the main node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was headquartered at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland (Australia)
The ‘double trouble’ scenario of elevated ocean temperature and acidity is becoming of increasing interest in the field of climate change research. Interestingly, events early in the life history of corals, prior to the initiation of calcification, such as fertilization, embryogenesis, larval survival and settlement are not overly affected by high acidity. However the possible synergistic effects of temperature and acidity have not been widely explored. Here, we tested the effects ocean acidification in combination with elevated temperature on early life history stages of several spawning acroporids from the Great Barrier Reef. I have structured my thesis into 3 hypotheses: 1) the effects of ocean acidification on the early life history stages of spawning Acropora sp. 2) The effects of ocean acidification and warming on the early life history stages of spawning acroporids and 3) The early skeletogenesis of acroporid recruits under near future acidification and warming regimes. We found no consistent effects of acid on fertilization, development, survivorship, metamorphosis and post-settlement growth rates, either alone, or acting synergistically with corals. And elevated acidity and temperature has no significant effect on the growth of new spat. In addition, a careful appraisal of the literature indicates that effects of acid are only apparent on unhealthy individuals or at unrealistically high levels. We conclude that near future ocean acidification levels is not an immediate threat to the early life history stages of Great Barrier Reef corals in the foreseeable future.
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
A new study on the effects of climate change in five tropical countries has found fisheries are in more trouble than agriculture, and poor people are in the most danger. Distinguished Profess
James Cook University researchers have found brightly coloured fish are becoming increasingly rare as coral declines, with the phenomenon likely to get worse in the future. Christopher Hemingson, a
Researchers working with stakeholders in the Great Barrier Reef region have come up with ideas on how groups responsible for looking after the reef can operate more effectively when the next bleaching
Abstract: As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will likely be under strong selection. Individual variation in heat tolerance and its heritability underpin the potential fo
Abstract: The Reef Ecology Lab in KAUST’s Red Sea Research Center explores many aspects of movement ecology of marine organisms, ranging from adult migrations to intergenerational larval dispersal
Abstract: Macroalgal meadows are a prominent, yet often maligned component of the tropical seascape. Our work at Ningaloo reef in WA demonstrate that canopy forming macroalgae provide habitat for ad
Abstract: Sharks are generally perceived as strong and fearsome animals. With fossils dating back at least 420 million years, sharks are not only majestic top predators but they also outlived dinosa
Abstract: Connectivity plays a vital role in many ecosystems through its effects on fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes. Its consequences for populations and metapopulations have been
Abstract: Evolution of many eukaryotic organisms is affected by interactions with microbes. Microbial symbioses can ultimately reflect host’s diet, habitat range, and even body shape. However, how
Abstract: The past few years have seen unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) but the consequences of this on biodiversity are not yet known. This talk will expl
Partner Research Institutions
