Dr Johnathan Kool
Postdoctoral Fellow
 |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, James Cook University (2009-2012) Research Interests
|
Research Interests
In one way or another, most of my research involves investigating formal aspects of complexity on coral reef ecosystems. Complexity is, as might be expected, a complex subject, but a good schematic showing the various subdisciplines and how they relate to one another can be found here. Most of my work tends to follow the agent-based modeling track, although I have been exposed to elements of other the other tracks as well (e.g. systems theory, artificial intelligence, chaos theory).
More specifically, my recent research has been concerned with finding ways of modeling connectivity and genetic structure of regional-scale coral reef systems over time. To address this I have used a combination of individual-based simulation and matrix algebra to examine the population genetic structure of coral reef systems in both the Caribbean and the Indo-West Pacific.
As part of ongoing work with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), I have also been studying biogeographic patterns of species living in coral and benthic communities of the Great Barrier Reef. Specific topics of research include detailed investigations of species-area relationships and using various techniques for estimating aspects of diversity for conservation planning.
Full publications list
Select Publications
- Kool, J.T., Paris, C.B., Andréfouët, S., and Cowen, R.K. (2009). Complex migration and the development of genetic structure in subdivided populations: an example from Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. Ecography 32, 1-10.
- Kool, J.T. (2009). An object-oriented, individual-based approach for simulating the dynamics of genes in subdivided populations. Ecological Informatics 4, 136-146.
- Paris, C.B., Perez-Perez, M., Kool, J., and Aldana-Arnada, D. (2008). Segregation of conch (Strombus gigas) populations in Mexico. In Caribbean Connectivity: Implications for marine protected area management, NMSP-08-07, R. Grober-Dunsmore and B. Keller, eds. (Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Sanctuary Program), pp. 71-88.
