Metapopulation dynamics of coral communities on the Great Barrier Reef. Mathematical models for the dynamics of coral metapopulations on the Great Barrier Reef will be formulated and parameterised. Analysis of the models will focus on how the effects of competition between corals with different growth forms are influenced by other processes that generate spatial and temporal environmental variation. The project aims to understand how these factors influence the maintenance of high diversity in ....Metapopulation dynamics of coral communities on the Great Barrier Reef. Mathematical models for the dynamics of coral metapopulations on the Great Barrier Reef will be formulated and parameterised. Analysis of the models will focus on how the effects of competition between corals with different growth forms are influenced by other processes that generate spatial and temporal environmental variation. The project aims to understand how these factors influence the maintenance of high diversity in coral communities. It will also provide a modelling framework for predicting how that diversity will be affected by long-term environmental changes, making an important contribution to conservation and management of the Great Barrier Reef.Read moreRead less
Biodiversity of coral reefs. An international team will provide the first robust measures of the biodiversity, abundance and functional roles of key coral reef species at a global scale. We will examine the processes underlying biodiversity patterns through a multi-disciplinary program of research, which focusses on ecological and evolutionary mechanisms at multiple scales. A modelling component will provide the mechanistic link between large-scale patterns and multi-scale processes. This resear ....Biodiversity of coral reefs. An international team will provide the first robust measures of the biodiversity, abundance and functional roles of key coral reef species at a global scale. We will examine the processes underlying biodiversity patterns through a multi-disciplinary program of research, which focusses on ecological and evolutionary mechanisms at multiple scales. A modelling component will provide the mechanistic link between large-scale patterns and multi-scale processes. This research is highly relevant for conservation and management of reef resources across international boundaries.Read moreRead less
Understanding coral reef biodiversity: a modelling approach. Australia's coral reefs are international icons, providing enormous economic, ecological, and aesthetic benefits to Australians. Connolly is a key provider of scientific knowledge that underpins the management of these reefs. This fellowship will enhance that contribution, using novel mathematical and statistical modelling to substantially increase our understanding of the factors that generate and maintain coral reef biodiversity, an ....Understanding coral reef biodiversity: a modelling approach. Australia's coral reefs are international icons, providing enormous economic, ecological, and aesthetic benefits to Australians. Connolly is a key provider of scientific knowledge that underpins the management of these reefs. This fellowship will enhance that contribution, using novel mathematical and statistical modelling to substantially increase our understanding of the factors that generate and maintain coral reef biodiversity, and to enhance our ability to anticipate and manage reefs' responses to environmental change. Read moreRead less
Science for Sustainable Management of Coral Reef Biodiversity: a multi-disciplinary approach to global-scale processes and patterns. Hughes will lead an international team to undertake a multi-disciplinary program of research that will quantify the processes underlying biodiversity patterns on coral reefs, focussing on ecological and evolutionary mechanisms of these complex systems at multiple scales in space and time. A novel modelling component will provide the mechanistic link between multi-s ....Science for Sustainable Management of Coral Reef Biodiversity: a multi-disciplinary approach to global-scale processes and patterns. Hughes will lead an international team to undertake a multi-disciplinary program of research that will quantify the processes underlying biodiversity patterns on coral reefs, focussing on ecological and evolutionary mechanisms of these complex systems at multiple scales in space and time. A novel modelling component will provide the mechanistic link between multi-scale processes and regional-scale patterns. This research will cement Australia's leading contribution to coral reef science, and will guide the management, sustainable use and conservation of coral reef biodiversity across international boundaries.Read moreRead less
Testing indicators of genetic exchange and adaptation of populations, essential for biodiversity assessment and management. There will be diverse benefits from our testing and improvement of genetic indicators for exchange between populations and adaptive differentiation of populations. Managers and population biologists will have confidence in choice and use of these vital tools in sustainable use of our terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, as recommended by the federal State of Environment s ....Testing indicators of genetic exchange and adaptation of populations, essential for biodiversity assessment and management. There will be diverse benefits from our testing and improvement of genetic indicators for exchange between populations and adaptive differentiation of populations. Managers and population biologists will have confidence in choice and use of these vital tools in sustainable use of our terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, as recommended by the federal State of Environment system. Also, the use of these tools to identify differential genetic adaptations is the first step in bioprospecting, as well as revealing the raw material for natural and artificial populations to adapt to changes: soil loss, salinity, acidity, climate change. Forensic genetics will benefit from the improved tools for defining subpopulations.Read moreRead less
Capture stress and post-capture survival of sharks and other chondrichthyans in fisheries bycatch. Australia is adopting ecosystem approaches to fisheries management. However, to embrace such an approach there is an urgent need for better information on the biology, ecology and population dynamics of sharks, rays and chimaeras (class Chondrichthyes). Chondrichthyan species are among the most sensitive in their response to the effects of fishing. Results from the present proposal will contribute ....Capture stress and post-capture survival of sharks and other chondrichthyans in fisheries bycatch. Australia is adopting ecosystem approaches to fisheries management. However, to embrace such an approach there is an urgent need for better information on the biology, ecology and population dynamics of sharks, rays and chimaeras (class Chondrichthyes). Chondrichthyan species are among the most sensitive in their response to the effects of fishing. Results from the present proposal will contribute to determining mortality of chondrichthyan bycatch species in response to the effects of capture in fishing gear, handling by fishers and discarding at sea. The work will contribute to biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecosystem structure and function for present and future generations.Read moreRead less
Testing the adaptive capacity of reef corals to rising sea surface temperatures. Australia's reefs are highly profitable resources. Tourism on the Great Barrier Reef contributes over $6 billion annually to the nation's economy and employs over 65,000 people. This proposal will produce world class research to quantify the extent to which corals can respond to climate change; a question central to managing these important resources. The research will also consolidate Australia's position as the le ....Testing the adaptive capacity of reef corals to rising sea surface temperatures. Australia's reefs are highly profitable resources. Tourism on the Great Barrier Reef contributes over $6 billion annually to the nation's economy and employs over 65,000 people. This proposal will produce world class research to quantify the extent to which corals can respond to climate change; a question central to managing these important resources. The research will also consolidate Australia's position as the leading nation in coral reef studies. Priority Goals addressed include Responding to Climate Change and Sustainable use of Australia Biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Global climate change and the future for coral reef fishes. Australia's coral reefs are icons of immense biological, economic and cultural importance. They are also threatened by climate change. This research will address the serious lack of knowledge about the impact of climate change on coral reef fishes and integrate with other research at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies to help find innovative solutions to the problem of climate change and promote the sustainable manageme ....Global climate change and the future for coral reef fishes. Australia's coral reefs are icons of immense biological, economic and cultural importance. They are also threatened by climate change. This research will address the serious lack of knowledge about the impact of climate change on coral reef fishes and integrate with other research at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies to help find innovative solutions to the problem of climate change and promote the sustainable management of Australia's extensive coral reef ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Aquatic eye design: sharks and rays as models of underwater colour and luminance vision. Sharks are usually assumed to be colour blind. We have discovered that they may in fact see colour very well and that the eyes of different species are adapted to their particular lifestyles. Our research will help to raise the profile of sharks and portray them as animals with advanced sensory systems and complex visual behaviours rather than just dangerous killing machines. Studying the vision of sharks m ....Aquatic eye design: sharks and rays as models of underwater colour and luminance vision. Sharks are usually assumed to be colour blind. We have discovered that they may in fact see colour very well and that the eyes of different species are adapted to their particular lifestyles. Our research will help to raise the profile of sharks and portray them as animals with advanced sensory systems and complex visual behaviours rather than just dangerous killing machines. Studying the vision of sharks may also help to reduce the number (currently >50,000) that are killed each year as bycatch by Australian long-line fisheries and make a valuable contribution to one of Australia's National Research Priorities (an Environmentally Sustainable Australia) for managing and conserving our biodiversity.Read moreRead less
MICROENDOLITHS, CORAL BLEACHING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. Planning for sustainable use of ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) can only be done with an accurate understanding of how ecosystems are likely to change, and at what rate, under persistent climate change. This project, aligned with National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia', will be performed over 3 oceans and focusing on the GBR, will contribute to the national benefit by rapidly improving our unders ....MICROENDOLITHS, CORAL BLEACHING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. Planning for sustainable use of ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) can only be done with an accurate understanding of how ecosystems are likely to change, and at what rate, under persistent climate change. This project, aligned with National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia', will be performed over 3 oceans and focusing on the GBR, will contribute to the national benefit by rapidly improving our understanding on one such major factor-the endolithic community in coral skeletons. It will allow better predictions of short and long-term consequences to reefs, and will also continue to show Australia's leadership in understanding the rate and direction of changes within coral reef ecosystems.Read moreRead less