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)
Abstract: Ensuring protected areas (PAs) maintain the biodiversity within their boundaries is fundamental to achieving global conservation goals. Despite this, wildlife abundance changes in PAs are patchily documented and poorly understood. In this study we used linear mixed effect models to explore correlates of population change in 1902 populations of birds and mammals from 447 PAs globally. In contrast to global declines of wildlife populations, on average we find PAs are maintaining populations of monitored birds and mammals within their boundaries. PAs were more successful in maintaining wildlife populations in countries with higher development scores, and for larger bodied species. This suggests active management consistently overcomes disadvantages of lower reproductive rates and more severe threats experienced by larger species in these two distinct vertebrate classes.
Biography: Ian works on quantifying the performance and management costs of marine and terrestrial protected areas. He completed his PhD in 2010 which was carried out jointly with the University of Cambridge, ZSL London and the UNEP – World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Ian is currently a post-doc at the ARC CoE in Townsville and is working with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to understand the costs of effective protected area management. Additionally he is working with IUCN and the Global Environment Facility to assess the impact of international funding on protected area biodiversity outcomes.
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
