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 ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies commenced operations in 2005 with the award of $23 million from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence program. In 2014, the Australian Research Council awarded the ARC Centre an additional $28 million to continue its world-best integrated research for sustainable use and management of coral reefs. It ceased operations in late 2022.
The mission of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was to provide knowledge that fostered the sustainable use, adaptive governance and effective management of the world’s coral reefs to enhance human wellbeing. We achieved this through innovative, collaborative and transdisciplinary research that achieved a better understanding of the science, both social and natural, of the dynamic changes currently occurring on coral reefs worldwide; and built coalitions to communicate and implement scientific recommendations.
The ARC Centre was headquartered at James Cook University, in Townsville and was a partnership of James Cook University (JCU), The Australian National University (ANU), The University of Queensland (UQ) and The University of Western Australia (UWA). Our national and international partner institutions included the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), WorldFish (Malaysia), Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University (USA), and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, France).
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies cemented Australia’s leading contribution to coral reef sciences, and fostered stronger collaborative links between the major partners and 100s of institutions across the world. Collectively, the ARC Centre created the world’s largest concentration of coral reef scientists. The Centre Directors were Professor Terry Hughes (2005-20, JCU) and Professor Graeme Cumming (2020-22, JCU). Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) and Professor Malcolm McCulloch (UWA) were the Deputy Directors.
The ARC Centre of Excellence focused on 3 research programs, each one under the stewardship of Program Leaders from James Cook University, The University of Western Australia, the Australian National University and The University of Queensland. People and Ecosystems program was led by Joshua Cinner (JCU), Tiffany Morrison (JCU) and Bob Pressey (JCU) Ecosystem Dynamics: Past, Present and Future program was led by Graeme Cumming (JCU), Alana Grech (JCU) and John Pandolfi (UQ) Responding to a Changing World program was led by Maja Adamska (ANU), Mia Hoogenboom (JCU) and Ryan Lowe (UWA).
In 2021, we developed a series of short films to showcase the achievements, impact and legacy of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. Coral Reefs in a Warming World provides insight on our globally significant research on the effects of climate change on global coral reefs. The Transformational Research of Marine Reserves provides insight on the global impact of our research on coral reef fish and fisheries. Creating Impact through Partnerships provides insight on our engagement with partners and communities to generate knowledge and build resilience. Training the Next Generation of Global Leaders
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
