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: The declining condition of many habitats in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area means marine park managers have to take a different approach to management. Managers can no longer rely on limiting human-use impacts to facilitate natural resilience and recovery, but must now complement foundational management with intervention actions to protect and support the resilience of the reef. The Reef Joint Field Management Program has been actively taking an interventionist approach on islands, with species and (embryonically) now in the marine ecosystem to support reef resilience. This presentation will showcase some of these projects, highlight some of the challenges and demonstrate the importance of maintaining close and enduring relationships with researchers and research institutions to collaborate on and inform these projects.
Biography: Mark is a wildlife biologist who spent nearly twelve years working in Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service as a crocodile biologist and wildlife manager before joining the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in December 2007.
Mark works in the joint Field Management Program where he specialises in the conservation, management and sustainable use of species and habitats. This is achieved by working with our partners (in the joint Field Management Program) the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, other State and Commonwealth agencies, Traditional Owners, reef users and other stakeholders to develop practical and pragmatic ways of minimising the impact of natural and human-related activities. A large component of this work is considering and then testing the application of adaptive management actions to island and marine habitats to enhance the resilience of these values and the species that rely on them.
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
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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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