Introduction
People
Activites
Global warming is transforming the Great Barrier Reef
A new study published online today in Nature shows that corals on the northern Great Barrier Reef experienced a catastrophic die-off following the extended marine heatwave of 2016. “When corals b
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
Program Leaders: Professor Terry Hughes, Dr Tiffany Morrison and Professor Bob Pressey
This program expands the scope of contemporary coral reef research, from a predominantly biological focus to a broader understanding of the links between coral reef ecosystems, the goods and services they provide to people, and the wellbeing of human societies.
The key objective is to improve the governance and management of natural systems and to enhance our capacity to sustain both human and natural capital.
Our research examines the economic, social, historical and cultural aspects of resource use and governance, while recognising that there is no simple, single solution to the wicked problem of preserving reefs while promoting development.
This inter-disciplinary program is being conducted on a global scale with study areas spread over 25 countries across the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.
Social Adaptation, Resilience and Transformation – Examines the resilience and adaptive capacity of coral reef dependent societies across the tropic to inevitable change, particularly climate change and overfishing.
Integrated Land-Sea Planning – A primary goal is developing a new conceptual framework for planning human activities in coastal areas and seascapes, particularly in Australia, the Coral Triangle, Fiji and India.
Fish, Fishers and Fisheries – Aims to develop theory and test new models for understanding the dynamics of coupled ecological and social systems, where one or both components exhibit threshold dynamics.
Terry Hughes
Professor, Centre Director and Program 1 Leader
James Cook University
Bob Pressey
Professor; Chief Investigator and Program 1 Leader
James Cook University
Tiffany Morrison
Associate Professor, Program 1 (People and Ecosystems) Leader and Social Science Research Leader
James Cook University
Michele Barnes
Research Fellow
James Cook University & University of Hawaii
David Bellwood
Professor and Chief Investigator
James Cook University
Joshua Cinner
Professorial Research Fellow and Chief Investigator
James Cook University
Philippa Cohen
Research Fellow and Partner Investigator
James Cook University & WorldFish
Graeme S. Cumming
Professor and Coral Reef Research Leader
James Cook University
Georgina Gurney
Environmental Social Science Research Fellow
James Cook University
Cindy Huchery
Senior Research Scientist
James Cook University
Geoff P. Jones
Professor and Chief Investigator
James Cook University
Laurence McCook
Adjunct Principal Research Fellow; President's International Visiting Professorial Fellow
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies; Chinese Academy of Sciences
John Pandolfi
Professor, Chief Investigator and Program 2 Leader
University of Queensland
Garry Russ
Professor and Chief Investigator
James Cook University
Andrew Song
Research Fellow – Regional Governance of Fisheries
James Cook University, Townsville
Cristian Rojas
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
James Cook University
Members of this program work across a range of themes (see introduction). Some are also part of individual research groups (below).
The Conservation Planning Group, led by Bob Pressey:
We focus on spatial solutions to diverse resource management problems, involving the design of conservation areas and applications of a variety of conservation actions. In designing and conducting our research, we place a high value on engagement with managers and policy makers, from local communities to local, state and federal governments and non-government organizations. Our blog features regular updates about our research and collaborations.
The Bellwood Lab, led by David Bellwood:
Our lab focuses on reef fish ecology, ecosystem function and resilience. Our approach is eclectic, ranging from molecular phylogenetics and global biogeography to functional morphology and behavioural ecology. Yet we are all united by a single focus – to understand the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function and to find novel solutions to the problems faced by coral reefs. Our ultimate goal is to understand how coral reefs work, to identify the critical roles of fishes in coral reef ecosystems, and to develop new approaches to reef management that will include people as part of the solution.
Cinner Research Group, led by Josh Cinner:
Our research group focuses on the interface between social science and ecology to develop solutions for a wide range of issues facing coral reefs and the millions of people who depend on them. We integrate theories and methods from geography, economics, political science, ecology, and modeling to explore issues at the forefront of applied conservation. Our social science research is rigorous, quantitative, comparative in nature, and often conducted at extremely large scales.
Marine Palaeoecology Lab, led by John Pandolfi:
In the marine Palaeoecology Lab we conduct investigations into the effects of natural and anthropogenic climate change, as well as other anthropogenic stressors, on tropical and sub-tropical reefs in a historical context. Coral reefs are experiencing increasing degradations, but systematic studies of these amazing environments are only recent. To really know how these environments looked like before human influence we need to be creative in the use of tools that give us an insight into the recent past (hundreds to thousands of years) as well as the deep past (hundreds of thousands to millions of years). Historical ecology, along with fossil records and genetic studies allow us to establish appropriate baselines for the study and management of marine ecosystems.
Environmental Governance Group, led by Tiffany Morrison:
We focus on understanding and improving complex environmental governance regimes. We draw on the disciplines of political science, public administration, geography, and sociology to explore specific national cases and transnational trends across the US, Australia, Asia, and Europe. This systematic comparative approach is generating important contributions to governance theory and practice, particularly in relation to scale, power, and institutional change. We also work closely with a range of physical, natural, and social scientists and policymakers on inter-disciplinary and applied approaches to environmental governance problems.
A new study published online today in Nature shows that corals on the northern Great Barrier Reef experienced a catastrophic die-off following the extended marine heatwave of 2016. “When corals b
New research reveals that global warming also affects fish who depend on corals. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is revered for its kaleidoscope of colour. New international research led by PhD stude
Coral reefs can naturally protect coasts from tropical cyclones by reducing the impact of large waves before they reach the shore, according to scientists. Tropical cyclones wreak havoc on coastal
Scientists have found that high carbon dioxide levels cause squid to bungle attacks on their prey. PhD candidate Blake Spady from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Coral CoE) at
Abstract: Increased attention to the social dimensions of environmental governance has led to the emergence of ‘social meta-norms’ that promote the best ways of governing for environmental and
Abstract: Market-based instruments, such as ecolabelling, can incentivise sustainable fisheries management through improved market access and price premiums. However, such instruments are rarely us
Abstract: To address the ongoing environmental and climatological crises of climate change, and how it will alter ecosystems across the globe, will require new and innovative environmental governan
Abstract: Thermal stress from the 2015-2016 El Niño triggered the worst global bleaching and mass coral mortality event on record. Dr. Baum’s long-term field site in the central equatorial Pacific
Abstract: The current set of global conservation targets requires methods for monitoring the changing status of ecosystems. Newly developed protocols for ecosystem risk assessment are uniquely suit
Abstract: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs), often referred to as the ‘Twilight zone’, extend from 30 to over 150 meters depth and are among the most unexplored realms on the planet. With techno
Abstract: Problems of scale abound in the science, governance, and conservation planning of complex social-ecological systems. In systematic conservation planning specifically, nearly half of the s
Abstract: Contemporary sustainability science and practice must embrace the complexity of social-ecological systems and capitalize on the lessons learned from the recent theoretical and applied adv
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