Researchers
Students
Alumni
ManagementJoshua Bonesso
PhD Candidate
• BSc. (Wildlife & Conservation Biology) - Latrobe University • BSc. (Hons) - James Cook University
Reef Ecology & Island Futures Lab (REIFLab)
University of Western Australia
joshua.bonesso@research.uwa.edu.au
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
PhD Candidate
• BSc. (Wildlife & Conservation Biology) - Latrobe University • BSc. (Hons) - James Cook University
Reef Ecology & Island Futures Lab (REIFLab)
University of Western Australia
joshua.bonesso@research.uwa.edu.au
Josh developed a deep passion for coral reefs from a very young age, having spent many vacations exploring the islands of the South Pacific. Having undertook an undergraduate degree at Latrobe University, Melbourne, in Conservation Biology and Ecology, Josh gained valuable real-world experience across terrestrial and marine systems. Following a third year field course to Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Josh was hooked, and relocated to Townsville to complete an Honours degree in coral biology at James Cook University in 2014. His research was aimed at underpinning the molecular mechanisms involved in the regeneration and recovery of injured scleractinian (branching) corals under increase sea surface temperature and storm frequency in the Capricornia Cays, Great Barrier Reef.
Following his Honours degree, Josh was appointed Senior Technician – (Earth Sciences) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, from 2015 – 2019. Throughout his 5 year employment, Josh was instrumental in providing technical, research and teaching support in the School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences. From here, Josh embarked on his PhD journey in WA, beginning July of 2019.
Josh’s PhD is investigating the resilience and stability of carbonate reef-islands under changing metocean states in the Pilbara Archipelago, Western Australia. His research will involve multidisciplinary techniques/methods include/spanning (1) carbonate sedimentology, (2) coral reef ecology (3) reef paleoecology, (3) remote sensing (LiDAR) and (3) radiometric dating (14C and U/Th). His ultimate goal is to provide a novel and transdisciplinary approach for investigating historical island development, contemporary landform stability, and future island resilience under global environmental change, with an application to tropical reef-island systems worldwide. His supervisory team includes Dr Mick O’Leary (UWA), Dr Nicola Browne (Curtin), Dr Michael Cuttler (UWA) and Prof Ryan Lowe (UWA).
Selected Publications:
Bonesso JL, Leggat, W, Ainsworth, TD. (2017) Exposure to elevated sea-surface temperatures below the bleaching threshold impairs coral recovery and regeneration from injury.PeerJ 5: e3719
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: 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
This talk is the first of three on parachute science being organized by the ARC CoE Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. Abstract Parachute science is the practice whereby
ABSTRACT Climate change loss and damage is known as the “third pillar” of international climate governance in addition to mitigation and adaptation. Although there is no agreed upon definition,
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