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)
PhD Candidate
MSc University of Saskatchewan • BSc (Hons) University of Manitoba
Ecological Modelling Group (Sean Connolly, STRI, Panama)
Coral Ecophysiology Lab (Mia Hoogenboom, CoE)
CodeR-TSV Coding Club: https://codertsv.github.io/
CoE JEDI Committee: https://www.coralcoe.org.au/jedi
CoE Student Committee
James Cook University
kevin.bairosnovak@my.jcu.edu.au
I am studying how Great Barrier Reef corals are likely to evolve in the future, given future predicted ocean warming. I use demographic models of corals to address likely rates of population evolution. My thesis chapters examine the following three topics: (1) Defining a minimal demographic model (size-dependent Integral Projection Model) of corals that captures realistic population dynamics (2) To what extent are traits such as survival in heat stress heritable? (3) Determining likely coral population outcomes in the long run by combining the coral demographic model (Chapter 1), trait heritability estimates (Chapter 2), and future projections of climate change within an evolutionary Integral Projection model. Future extensions of my work will include meta-population evolutionary dynamics, as well as incorporating a thermotolerance-growth evolutionary trade-off.
My main passion is statistical modelling/causal inference, and am always open and happy to form new collaborations. If you are looking for advice on which analysis to use for your data analysis, help with making advanced plots, or simply would like an extra set of eyes to look over your design – please reach out to me!
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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