ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
Abstract: Outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, represent one of the most significant biological disturbances on coral reefs and remain one of the principal causes of widespread decline in live coral cover in Indo-Pacific reefs. In the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) for example, predation by A. planci accounted for 42% of substantial declines in coral cover in the past 27 years. Increasing frequency and intensity of outbreak episodes have resulted in progressively slower recovery, which consequently degrades the integrity of reef ecosystems. Despite previous and ongoing efforts to control A. planci populations, outbreaks continue to occur throughout the Indo-Pacific and at many locations. In some of these locations, the effects of severe outbreaks have been far greater than combined effects of all other major disturbances, including climate-induced coral bleaching. Longterm or permanent solutions depend on filling crucial gaps in our knowledge of the biology of A. planci, particularly reproduction and early life history. The main objective of my research is to explore variations in tolerances and vulnerabilities of the early life history stages of A. planci to variable environmental conditions. This seminar will discuss the environmental constraints that could limit fertilization rates in A. planci and the interactive effects of high nutrient levels and low salinity on larval survival, growth, and development.
Bio: Ciemon completed his BSc in Biology at Silliman University in the Philippines. He proceeded to work with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation after his undergraduate studies and was involved in several coral reef management projects throughout the Philippines. He decided to pursue his MSc in Biology degree at the University of Guam in 2006, where he studied the role of chemical cues on the feeding ecology and distribution of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) populations around Guam. After finishing his MSc, he continued to study and monitor chronic COTS outbreaks on Guam’s reefs and collaborated with JCU on developing novel techniques to control COTS populations. He is currently doing his PhD under the supervision of Prof. Morgan Pratchett, Dr. Jairo Rivera-Posada, and Dr. Alexander Kerr. His research explores environmental influences on the reproductive, larval, and postsettlement biology of COTS.
A flotilla of Vietnamese fishing boats with crews suffering in harsh conditions is stripping Pacific coral reefs of seafood as the poaching escalates to become an international human rights and securi
In a study published today, scientists report that the long-term success of clownfish depends more on living in a good neighbourhood than it does on good genes. The natural home of the clownfish is
A new study highlights how healthy mangroves can help some coral reef fish navigate the impacts of climate change. Co-author Professor Peter Mumby, from the ARC Centre of Excellence at the Universi
Scientists say a failure of national management means excessive amounts of harmful chemicals—many now banned in other countries such as the EU, USA and Canada—are damaging the nation’s waterways
Abstract: I will talk about what we have learned from studying symbioses in algae and corals. Origin of the photosynthetic organelle in algae led to the major rewiring of host metabolic pathw
Abstract: Because coastal fisheries have been a major provider of food and economic growth in modern human history, the inherent characteristics of fish populations have been studied by researchers f
Abstract Climate change is the fastest-growing global threat to the world's natural and cultural heritage. No systematic approach to assess climate vulnerability of protected areas and their communit
Abstract: This presentation will provide an updated prognosis of the overgrazing collapse of kelp beds driven by the range-extending sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) and outline antidotes cur
Abstract: Disturbances are fundamental to structuring many ecosystems, yet climate-driven alterations to disturbance regimes may prevent recovery in many biomes. Coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef
Abstract: Outbreaks of the corallivorous Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS; Acanthaster cf. solaris) have been responsible for 40% of the decline in coral cover on the GBR over the last 35 years. With
Abstract: Complex interdependencies between social and ecological dynamics underpin many important environmental problems. To account for these complex dynamics, over the past several years my collea
Abstract: Coral reef restoration is gaining momentum globally in response to the threat of climate change and associated coral bleaching. In Australia, as part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptatio
Partner Research Institutions
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
