Super Science Fellowship project: Resilience of Coral Reef Ecosystems to Climate Change
Project team:
Chief Investigators
Professor Terry Hughes. Email: Terry.Hughes@jcu.edu.au
Professor Helene Marsh. Email: Helene.Marsh@jcu.edu.au
Professor Bob Pressey. Email: Bob.Pressey@jcu.edu.au
Professor Geoff Jones. Email: Geoffrey.Jones@jcu.edu.au
Professor Philip Munday. Email: Philip.Munday@jcu.edu.au
Professor Bette Willis. Email: Bette.Willis@jcu.edu.au
Professor David Miller. Email: David.Miller@jcu.edu.au
Other team members
It is expected that successful applicants will collaborate with members of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. Information regarding the Chief Investigators and research fellows is available from the Centre's website
Expected project outcomes:
The theme of this project is the development of technologies and new knowledge for management and sustainable use of the world’s coral reefs. The capacity of marine organisms and ecosystems to cope with accelerating climate change will depend on their potential for rapid acclimatisation, and ultimately adaptation, to changing climate. The goal is to provide an essential link between theoretical concepts, scientific knowledge and practical endeavours and challenges facing natural resource managers and practitioners in an era of rapid climate change. Research will:
1. examine the regional-scale responses of coral reefs to climate-related changes in ocean temperature, pH,
and ocean circulation. The consequences of climate change for megafauna, corals and commercially important
fishes will be a major focus. A key outcome will be developing information, guidelines and tools for
coral reef managers and planners on climate change risks and adaptation options.
2. use experiments, genomics and modeling to reveal the molecular and physiological mechanisms for acclimation and adaptation to climate change by corals and reef fishes, leading to an enhanced capacity for predicting and managing changes to these critical natural assets.
