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
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Abstract: The fate of fish larvae during the pelagic phase has profound effects on replenishment of marine populations that are critical for human and ecosystem health. The survival and transport of l
Abstract: Neonate sharks experience high predation during early ontogeny. For this reason, predator avoidance is the major driver of shallow-water habitat use in neonate sharks. When a predator encoun
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Abstract: Current conservation goals for reef-building corals under climate change involve boosting desirable traits like heat tolerance and fast growth in natural and restored coral populations. This
Abstract: Coral reefs are threatened by local and global stressors, and critical to managing corals for persistence is understanding the components of how coral populations resist and recover from st
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