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
Chris Fulton (christopher.fulton@anu.edu.au) is a functional ecologist who explores causal linkages between the physical environment and the phenotype of organisms to understand why variations in coral reef diversity occur over space and time. Chris completed his PhD at James Cook University in 2005 and took up his lectureship at the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University in 2006. For more information see: Chris’s webpage
We know that coral reefs are capable of switching from seemingly stable coral-dominated communities to less desirable algal-dominated reefs with alarming speed. However, we are yet to fully understand how physical forcing may prevent or exacerbate such coral reef ‘phase shifts’. In this talk I describe how wave energy can limit the distribution of coral reef macroalgae and shape the likelihood, nature and intensity of a coral-algal phase shift. Using measurements of wave-driven hydrodynamic force and algal biomechanics, I will present preliminary models indicating how algal shape, flexibility and strength could set distinct limits on the occurrence and size of macroalgae on the Great Barrier Reef in the absence of herbivorous grazing pressure. I will discuss the implications of such biophysical coupling for assessing coral reef resilience across environmental gradients.
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
A new study has delivered a stark warning about the impacts of urban growth on the world’s coral reefs. As coastal developments expand at pace around the world, a year-long study of coral on a reef
Alarming new research shows global warming of 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels will be catastrophic for almost all coral reefs – including those once thought of as refuges. Associate Profes
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
Abstract: Molecular approaches have revolutionised our understanding of the systematics and evolution of most branches on the tree of life, including corals. Over the last twenty-five years molecula
Abstract: Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) are a major driver of coral decline across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and compound upon the impacts of increasingly frequent and severe coral
Abstract: Being a new staff member at JCU, I will start with a short overview of my research. Next I will zoom in on a specific topic that I have been interested in for a long time: the impact of e
Abstract: The harsh truth is that, despite exciting innovations and increases in activity, ocean conservation is not succeeding, at least not fast enough. This is my conclusion from the last decad
This talk is the last of the parachute science seminar series organized by the ARC CoE Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. Abstract Universities and institutions across th
This talk is the second of three on parachute science being organized by the ARC CoE Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. Abstract For millenia, Traditional Owners have hel
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
