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: In this work we use an economic experiment to study the effect of polarization in conflicts between—and within—alliances. The problem of polarized alliances is analyzed using a computer-based game in which subjects participate in sequential between- and within-alliance contests, and polarization is imposed as asymmetric income among alliance members. The experiment consisted of three stages: in the first stage subjects were asked to earn points by performing a task in the computer. In the second stage subjects were paired and asked to contest against another pair—for the rights to a prize—using the points earned. In the third stage subjects had to contest against their partner for the prize. Results from the experiment suggest induced income inequality (polarization) affects conflict between alliances—decreasing contributions to the alliance—and within alliances—increasing spending in internal fights—when sharing agreements do not exist and prizes are exogenous.
Biography: Cristian is a Fulbright Scholar from Chile. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wyoming, USA. His research is concerned with the existence of markets, their relationship with natural systems and the effect of cognitive biases in them. He is interested in the integration of human and natural systems (bio-economic models) and their interaction, using economics to develop mechanisms that increase the efficiency of coupled human-natural systems, incorporating psychological insights into the analysis of economic human behavior, and testing existent—and new—economic models using laboratory and field experiments.
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
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