Annual Report 2005

A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 0 5

ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland 4811 AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 7 4781 4000 Fax: +61 7 4781 6722 Email: [email protected] Website: www.coralcoe.org.au ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005

Contents

Vision 2 Mission 2 Aims 3 Overview 4 Director’s Report 5 Management Structure 6 Governance 6 Centre Advisory Board 7 Scientific Management Committee 7 Membership 8 Research staff 8 Administrative Staff 8 Students 8 Research Program Leaders 10 Research 13 Overview 13 Program 1 Evolutionary and environmental change 14 Program 2: Understanding and Managing Coral Reef Biodiversity 15 Program 3: Marine Reserves and Reef Connectivity 16 Program 4: Genetic, molecular and physiological processes 17 Program 5: Resilience of linked social-ecological systems 18 Students 20 End-User linkages 27 National and International Linkages 28 Media Coverage 31 National Benefit Case-Study 33 Publications 35 Performance Measures 41 Research findings 43 Research training and professional education 43 International, national and regional links and networks 44 Organisational support 45 Governance 46 National Benefit 47 Financial Status 48 University Partners 48 Vision To provide global leadership in the provision of scientific knowledge necessary for coral reef managers to preserve the world’s coral reefs.

Mission To create a world-best integrated research framework that addresses regional and global issues and knowledge gaps in coral reef science and management.

“ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Aims

1 Research Our research is world-best, innovative, and highly relevant to coral reef science and management.

2 Research Training & Professional Education We attract and train outstanding coral reef scientists at all stages of career, emphasizing practical outcomes and problem solving.

3 End-user linkages Our transfer of knowledge, technologies and research outcomes to end-users, industry and the wider community promotes co-operation and improves the management of coral reefs.

4 National and International linkages The Centre’s networks and activities nationally and internationally represent a global hub for coral reef science collaborations.

5 Management and Governance Centre management is collaborative, co-operative, multi-institutional, communicative and continuously improving.

6 Commercialisation Commercialisation activities extend knowledge transfer, nationally and globally.

Overview

The ARC Centre of Excellence countries worldwide. Australia University-based researchers, for Coral Reef Studies was plays a vital role in the science that collaborating organisations and established in 2005 under the ARC underpins coral reef management. distinguished overseas partners, Centres of Excellence program, in addition to strong linkages with with ARC funding of $12m over The ARC Centre is a partnership industry partners and end-users. five years from 2005 to 2010. of James Cook University (JCU), The multi-institutional research This award, combined with cash the Australian Institute of Marine teams have unprecedented and in-kind contributions from the Science (AIMS), The Australian access to the major tropical Centre’s partners in Australia and National University (ANU), the marine research infrastructure in internationally, creates a $40m Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Australia. Headquartered at James investment in coral reef science Authority (GBRMPA) and The Cook University, at the gateway over the next five years. The University of Queensland (UQ) to the Great Barrier Reef World mission of the Centre is to be with formal collaborative links to Heritage Area, the Centre offers the world leader in providing the twenty-four additional institutions unparalleled opportunities for co- scientific knowledge necessary for in nine countries. ordination of research effort to improving coral reef management provide world-best outcomes for globally. Sustainability of coral reef The Centre of Excellence creates coral reef science and research resources is vital for economies multidisciplinary teams of leading training that no existing program and societies in tropical maritime scientists involving a balance of can replicate.

“ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Directors Report

Welcome to nodes, the Centre will provide the (see page 31). Our new website is the inaugural platform for truly comprehensive already achieving over 12,000 hits report of the programs of research. Our global per month. ARC Centre reach is further strengthened of Excellence by the Centre’s international This report covers only our for Coral Reef graduate training program: At first few months of activity, Studies. In our first few months the end of 2005, the Centre’s as we quickly gear up to full of operation, we have organized 19 Chief Investigators provided strength. In our first half-year existing and new research projects research training to 75 PhD, we have secured almost $8 into five major programs (page Masters and Honours students million dollars in additional cash 11), and we have recruited so far from Australia and overseas. Our support for the Centre, beyond nine new post-doctoral fellows. In cross-institutional projects and ARC’s award of $12 million. 2005, the Centre produced over supervisory arrangements create The State of Queensland and 100 publications, including eight a particularly vibrant and high the collaborating universities papers in Science and Nature. quality training environment. In have contributed a further $8.5 Our publications in 2005 include 2006, we are planning a number of and $10.5 million, respectively, co-authors from 90 institutions in national and international training in in-kind contributions. The 27 countries, a remarkable level and mentoring activities, including administering institution, James of international linkage. According professional courses on climate- Cook University, has provided the to ISI Essential Science Indicators, change biology and taxonomy, Centre with a newly-renovated the Centre’s publication profile in co-funded by our international building, including a state-of-the-art coral reef research in 2005 is of partners. We have also initiated videoconferencing facility which the highest international standard new industry-partnerships and greatly facilitates communications (page 41). a vigorous program of end-user across the Centre’s nodes. engagement, both in Australia and The ARC Centre’s scale and internationally. Finally, I would like to critical mass are already beginning congratulate all of the Centre’s to consolidate innovative research. The Centre has featured widely personnel for a highly successful For example, in the field of in the national and international and productive year. In particular, I genomics, work at the Centre media in 2005, reflecting the am grateful to the Centre’s acting investigating the responses public interest in our work on the Chief Operations Officer, Jennifer of corals to climate change Asian tsunami, global overfishing, Lappin, and our KPI Officer, Louise will use the largest expressed climate change, and in coral reefs Taylor, for their Trojan efforts in sequence tag (EST) library for a generally. We are fortunate to establishing this unique, exciting coral (developed at JCU), with an have secured Julian Cribb as the and challenging enterprise. EST resource for algal symbionts Centre’s media consultant, whose (Symbiodinium; developed at UQ). efforts have further highlighted Terry Hughes By networking such resources the Centre’s work and its broad Director into a national and international implications for policy and facility that transcends multiple management of natural resources

Management Structure

Centre Advisory Board

Scientific Management Centre Director Business Team Committee

Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 Program 4 Program 5 Evolutionary and Understanding Marine Reserves Genetic, Resilience of Environmental and Managing and Connectivity Molecular and Linked Social- Change Coral Reef Physiological ecological Biodiversity Processes Systems

Governance

A key goal of the Centre is to Advisory Board and a Scientific decisions are made by the Centre establish governance structures Management Committee. We Director in consultation with the that engage stakeholders in are privileged to have access to Chief Operations Officer and the planning and management the expertise and experience of Program Leaders. This group processes and that provide easy university, industry and scientific meets regularly to discuss the access to emerging technologies, leaders and we appreciate their Centre’s progress. knowledge and information. The contribution to the Centre. The Centre is governed by a Centre major research and business

“ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Centre Advisory Board

The Centre Advisory Board Members are: contributes to the development “ Professor Norman Palmer “ Dr Ian Poiner of strategies and vision of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Chief Executive Officer Centre and facilitates improved and Innovation) Australian Institute of linkages between the Centre, James Cook University Marine Science industry, government and the wider community to facilitate “ Professor David Siddle “ Hon.Virginia Chadwick uptake of research outcomes. Deputy Vice Chancellor Chair The Board provides advice on (Research) Great Barrier Reef Marine research directions, centre University of Queensland Park Authority structure membership and commercialisation strategies. The Centre “ Professor Lawrence Cram “ Professor Terry Hughes Advisory Board will meet at least Deputy Vice-Chancellor Centre Director annually and is scheduled to have (Research) its inaugural meeting in early 2006. Australian National University

Scientific Management Committee

“ Professor Garry Russ School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture James Cook University

“ Professor David Bellwood School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture James Cook University

“ Professor Ove Hoegh- Guldberg The Scientific Management “ Dr. David Wachenfeld Centre for Marine Science Committee is responsible for the Director, Science Technology University of Queensland high-level operational management and Information Group of the Centre and its scientific Great Barrier Reef Marine Park “ Professor Terry Hughes research program objectives and Authority Centre Director strategies. Members are: “ Professor Malcolm McCulloch “ Professor Yossi Loya (Chair) Environmental Geochemistry Professor of Marine Biology and Geochronology The Raynor Chair for Research School of Environmental Conservation Earth Sciences Research Australian National University Department of Zoology Tel Aviv University Israel

Membership

Research staff “ Dr Mark McCormick “ Professor Ronald Karlson James Cook University University of Delaware Chief Investigators “ Professor Malcolm “ Dr Janice Lough McCulloch Australian Institute of “ Professor Terry Hughes Australian National University Marine Science James Cook University “ Professor David Miller “ Dr Laurence McCook “ Dr Kenneth Anthony James Cook University Great Barrier Reef Marine James Cook University “ Dr Philip Munday Park Authority “ Dr Andrew Baird James Cook University “ Dr Mark Meekan James Cook University “ A/Professor John Pandolfi Australian Institute of “ Professor David Bellwood University of Queensland Marine Science James Cook University “ Dr Morgan Pratchett “ Dr Serge Planes “ Dr Roger Bradbury James Cook University University of Perpignan Australian National University “ Professor Garry Russ “ Professor Robert Steneck “ Dr Sean Connolly James Cook University University of Maine James Cook University “ A/Professor Bette Willis “ Dr Madeleine Van Oppen “ Dr Sophie Dove James Cook University Australian Institute of University of Queensland Marine Science “ Professor David Yellowlees “ Professor Ove Hoegh- James Cook University Administrative Staff Guldberg University of Queensland Partner Investigators “ Jennifer Lappin “ Professor Geoffrey Jones Chief Operations Officer “ Professor Carl Folke James Cook University Stockholm University “ Louise Taylor “ Professor Michael Kingsford Office Manager and KPI Officer James Cook University

Students (see page 20) “ David Feary “ Cathie Page “ Paul Fisher “ Srisakul Piromvaragorn “ David Abrego “ Rebecca Fox “ Dingchuang Qu “ Tracy Ainsworth “ Matthew Fraser “ Charmaine Read “ Shelly Anthony “ Ashley Frisch “ Ruth Reef “ Bridget Ayling “ Chris Fulton “ Alejandro Reyes “ Line Bay “ Monica Gagliano “ Zoe Richards “ Victor Beltranramirez “ Naomi Gardiner “ Maria Rodrigues “ Rose Berdin “ Luis Gonzalez-Reynoso “ Christopher Ryen “ Michael Berumen “ Andrew Halford “ Armagan Sabetian “ Teresa Bobeszko “ Meegan Henderson “ Aleksey Sadekov “ Lynda Boldt “ Jean-Paul Hobbs “ Eugenia Sampayo “ Daniel Breen “ Thomas Holmes “ Alison Sampey “ Kate Bromfield “ Mia Hoogenboom “ Francois Seneca “ Karin Buechler “ Emily Howells “ Chuya Shinzato “ Samantha Burgess “ Akira Iguchi “ Luke Smith “ Neal Cantin “ Jacob Johansen “ Meir Sussman “ Michael Cappo “ Paulina Kaniewska “ Annamieke van den Heuval “ Timothy Cooper “ Ailsa Kerswell “ Ida Vincent “ Melissa Cowlishaw “ Charlotte Kvennefors “ Stefan Walker “ Jo Davy “ Angela Lawton “ Merome White “ Jeffry Deckenback “ Tove Lemberget “ David Williamson “ Martial Depczynski “ Carole Lonergan “ Marian Wong “ Maria Dornelas “ Guy Marion “ Timothy Wyndham “ Janelle Eagle “ Luiz Mendes de Gusmao “ Siti Yaakub “ Richard Evans “ Juan Carlos Ortiz

“ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Research Program Leaders

Professor Malcolm McCulloch is Professor David Bellwood is Professor Garry Russ is Program one of the Centre’s two Deputy Program Leader of Program 2, Leader of Program 3: Marine Directors and Program Leader Understanding and Managing Coral Reserves and Reef Connectivity. of Program 1: Evolutionary and Reef Biodiversity. His research Garry studies the biology of reef Environmental Change. He is the encompasses biogeography, fish of commercial and recreational Professor of Earth Environment, paleoecology, biomechanics fishing significance (mostly Research School of Earth and behavioural ecology. His serranids, lutjanids and lethriids). Sciences, at The Australian primary interests focus on the A major area of research involves National University, Canberra, role of fishes on coral reefs population and community dyna and has held this position since and the relationship between mics of reef fish of commercial/ 1999. His research interests species diversity and ecosystem recreational significance on coral focus on the modern part of the function at global scales. He is reefs opened and closed to fishing. geologic record using isotopic particularly interested in the role In Southeast Asia and Australia, and trace element geochemical of history in shaping the structure he is undertaking long-term (15 methods to determine how and functional characteristics year) monitoring of reef fish climate and anthropogenic of reef fish communities. After populations inside and outside processes have influenced both holding positions in the Ministry marine reserves. Russ received past and present environments. of Agriculture, Fisheries and his PhD from the University of Malcolm has received a number Food (UK) and the Natural History Melbourne in 1981. He was a of awards, including Fellowships Museum (London), he received Queens Fellow at the Australian of the Australian Academy of his doctorate from James Cook Institute of Marine Science from Science (2004) and the American University in 1985. Subsequently, 1982-1986. He subsequently held Geophysical Union (2002). His he held postdoctoral positions at a lectureship at the University of 184 scientific papers have been Silliman University, Philippines Sydney (1986-87). Garry moved to published in leading international (1986) and at JCU (1987-1990). JCU 1988 where he is currently a journals including 18 in Science David joined the staff at JCU Professor in Marine Biology. Garry or Nature. in 1991, where he now holds has published over 45 papers in a Personal Chair in Marine international journals. In 1999, Biology. He has published over he received a prestigious PEW 96 articles in leading international Fellowship in Marine Conservation journals, including 6 in Science or jointly with his long-time colleague Nature. He currently supervises Dr. Angel Alcala. an active research group of six graduate students and conducts collaborative projects with researchers in five countries.

10 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg Professor Terry Hughes is the is the other Deputy Director and Director of the ARC Centre of Program Leader of Program Excellence, the Centre’s Federation 4: Genetic, molecular and Fellow (2002-2007) and Program physiological processes. He is Leader of Program 5: Resilience of the Director of the Centre for linked social-ecological systems. Marine Studies at University of He has broad research interests Queensland, and Director of the in ecology, marine biology and Stanford-Australia Program at UQ. the dynamics of coral reefs. He His research interests span a broad received his doctorate in 1984 range of topics including marine from Johns Hopkins University biology, evolution, physiology, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. biochemistry and molecular biology From 1984-1990, he was a of plant-animal symbioses, co- Postdoctoral and Research Fellow evolution, coral bleaching and at the University of California, climate change. Ove is Chair of Santa Barbara. In 1990, Terry the GEF/World Bank Working was recruited by JCU to develop Group on Coral Bleaching and and lead a program in coral reef Related Ecological disturbances, ecology. He has published over one of six expert groups within 70 influential scientific papers on the IOC and World Bank Coastal the biology and management of Program’s Global Coral Reef coral reefs, including 17 in Science Targeted Research and Capacity or Nature. Professor Hughes was Building Project. In the area of elected a Fellow of the Australian marine symbioses, he leads a large Academy of Sciences in 2001 in research group including 9 post recognition of “a career which has doctoral fellows, 13 postgraduate significantly advanced the world’s and 3 Honours students as Senior store of scientific knowledge”. Investigator with the Marine As Centre Director, Terry provides Animal and Plant Symbioses academic leadership and oversees Laboratory at UQ. Ove has the strategic development of the published over 80 papers, including Centre. He currently supervises 5 in Science or Nature. 6 graduate students and directs a very active field program of biogeographic-scale research in eight countries. In the past year he has worked closely on the socio- ecological resilience of coral reefs.

11 12 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Research

Overview develop novel methods to identify of maritime resources. An potential causes of global change improved understanding of The first six months of the in biodiversity and ecosystem marine connectivity and barriers Centre’s operations has been function. Together with ecological to dispersal is central to this an intensive and exciting period studies, this broad array of work endeavour. of research planning. Following provides a unique perspective on the announcement of the Centre community change that ranges Program 4: Genetic, molecular in June 2005, the inaugural from centuries to millennia. and physiological processes Centre of Excellence planning This diverse program seeks to meeting was held at James Cook Program 2: Understanding understand coral reef processes at University in early July. Chief and Managing Coral Reef a molecular and physiological level and partner investigators from Biodiversity to examine potential mechanisms ANU, JCU, AIMS, GBRMPA and Though widely recognised as a for adaptation and acclimatization UQ presented their research critical factor for the maintenance to environmental change. Specific interests, discussed the Centre’s of robust ecosystems, biodiversity areas of study include biochemical research programs and their role at local and global scales is poorly analysis of coral-zooxanthellae in each program. From July to understood. The Centre aims to interactions, coral bleaching, December researchers in each of understand the mechanisms and physiology, sublethal stress the research programs undertook processes that maintain coral reef indicators, energetic modeling, intensive planning sessions to biodiversity by using a combination coral diseases and genomics. identify the key issues that will be of mathematical modeling, field the focus of the Centre’s research studies and phylogenetic analyses. Program 5: Resilience of linked and operational activities. These This multi-disciplinary approach social-ecological systems planning activities culminated in will improve knowledge-based This novel program will provide the Centre’s Strategic Plan. The management of biodiversity new solutions to managing Centre of Excellence will focus resulting in environmental, social resilience and coping with change, initially on 5 research programs, and economic benefit to tropical uncertainty, risk and surprise each one under the stewardship of maritime nations. in complex social-ecological a Program Leader: systems. The ambitious objective Program 3: Marine Reserves and is to improve the governance and Program 1: Evolutionary and Reef Connectivity management of natural systems environmental change Recent studies have highlighted and enhance their capacity to Knowledge of the past improves the need for networks of marine sustain human and natural capital. our ability to predict future reserves (no-take zones) to Innovative multi-disciplinary influences of natural environmental manage biodiversity and fisheries. research will combine expertise on variability, human impacts, and Consequently, zoning for multiple coral reef biology, management, climate change on coral reefs. levels of usage and protection governance, economics and social Centre researchers will use is fast becoming the principal sciences. fossil and historical records to mechanism in the management

13 Program 1: Evolutionary and environmental change

Researchers morphometric and molecular- ecological phase shifts. On global Malcolm McCulloch (Program based phylogenies of functional scales, extreme climatic events Leader) groups of fishes, corals, coralline caused by increased sea surface Roger Bradbury algae and zooxanthellae and (ii) temperatures together with Sean Connolly the quaternary history of coral reef rising carbon dioxide levels from Ove Hoegh-Guldberg assemblages in the past 400,000 fossil fuel burning is resulting in Terry Hughes years (linked to Program 2). an increased frequency of mass Michael Kingsford coral bleaching and a concomitant Janice Lough (b) Climatic variability, floods decrease in the rates of coral John Pandolfi and terrestrial runoff: This group calcification. Understanding the Robert Steneck applies cutting-edge isotope processes that drive changes technologies to develop banded at both local as well as global Studies of coral reef systems coral skeletons as proxies for scales is thus essential for and their environments prior to paleoclimates and human impacts the development of optimal the impact of human civilisations in Australia and overseas. This strategies to ensure the long-term provides a ‘natural’ baseline innovative approach enables sustainability of coral reefs. against which anthropogenic understanding of global climate changes can be compared and changes, rainfall variability and Research undertaken in this assessed. Program 1 is developing drought, and long-term trajectories program in 2005 includes a focus novel methods for studying past of nutrient and sediment discharge on terrestrial impacts on coral environments and assessing onto the Great Barrier Reef. reefs, particularly the Great Barrier rates of evolutionary changes in Reef (GBR). A new postdoctoral coral reefs. We are identifying the (c) Long-term records of human- position, co-funded by the ARC mechanisms via which local and coral reef interaction: Data is Centre and the Australian Institute global changes in the marine and being assembled from a range of for Marine Science, has been adjacent terrestrial environments sources from before the arrival of established in order to build are causing reductions in coral humans to the present (sources capacity in this research area. In reef biodiversity and ecosystem include Quaternary fossil deposits 2005-2006 we are focusing on function. Together with our (past 2MA), coastal archaeological the most highly impacted part of ecological studies (Programs 2, 3), records (past 6000 years), historical the GBR, where river discharge this broad approach provides the documents, fisheries records from the Russell-Mulgrave and Centre with a unique perspective and modern ecological studies) adjacent rivers directly impacts on environmental change and how to quantify human impacts and the inshore corals of the Frankland it impacts community structure explore management options Islands. Work is underway on coral and longer term evolutionary (linked to Program 5). Locally, land cores from these sites with the dynamics of coral reefs. Following use changes in river catchments, flood record being documented, a series of planning meetings in wetlands and estuaries is leading chronologies established and 2005, Program 1 has identified to increased supplies of sediment geochemical analyses undertaken. three major components: and nutrients to coral reefs, which As part of the ARC Centre’s together with pressures from international role, these new (a) Evolutionary dynamics of activities such as trawling and methodologies have also been coral reefs: Two sub-programs overfishing, can lead to a trajectory applied by Malcolm McCulloch and focus on (i) the fossil record and that may ultimately result in abrupt his team to a coral reef off Kenya.

14 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Program 2: Understanding and Managing Coral Reef Biodiversity

Researchers The three research goals which 3. permit substantial expansion David Bellwood (Program Leader) will be the focus of the Research and development of existing Andrew Baird Program over the next three years databases, and Sean Connolly to four years are: 4. provide strong links between Terry Hughes 1. Understand how coral reef international researchers and Geoffrey Jones biodiversity is generated and leading management agencies. Ronald Karlson maintained. Philip Munday Our field work has been John Pandolfi 2. Quantify the relationship substantially expanded with Morgan Pratchett between biodiversity, planned sampling and censusing Robert Steneck community structure, and trips spanning the entire Indian and ecosystem function in reef Pacific Oceans, and experimental Around the globe, biodiversity systems. Does biodiversity studies stretching from the Great is widely recognized as a critical really matter? Barrier Reef to French Polynesia. factor for the maintenance of 3. Determine how ecosystems In 2006, we plan to expand the robust ecosystems. It underpins and human activities can be analytical framework to incorporate the provision of ecosystem goods managed to ensure biodiversity process-oriented models in and services upon which we all and critical ecosystem biogeography and instigate depend. Biodiversity has come processes are sustained. molecular analyses of the origins to represent one of the central of Indo-Pacific reef biodiversity. measures of the health of coral Program 2 lies at the heart We will explore the ecological reef ecosystems. However, of the Centre of Excellence, and molecular evidence for the the mechanisms and processes directly addressing the primary maintenance of species boundaries that maintain local and global focus of the Centre: “sustainable and will initiate research into biodiversity are poorly understood. management of coral reef the susceptibility of species If societies are to effectively biodiversity”. It provides boundaries to global warming manage coral reef biodiversity and clear links between historical and associated habitat change. the inherent financial and World and physiological evidence in Our research on biodiversity and Heritage values that it represents Program 1 and 4 and with the ecosystem function will document then we must understand the direct management approaches the structure of ecosystems nature of biodiversity, the factors in Program 3 and 5. This cross- and the strength of ecosystem that generate and maintain it, and program multi-institutional processes along biodiversity the implications of biodiversity loss. collaboration will permit several gradients using both direct and exciting initiatives in 2006. It will: experimental approaches. One of In 2005, the formation of 1. provide a stronger integration the main goals will be to identify the Centre presented the of geological and climatological critical processes and functional investigators in Program 2 with information with existing groups for maintaining ecosystem an unprecedented opportunity strengths in macro-ecology. function. In particular, we will focus to expand the scope of our on documenting novel phase 2. facilitate development of new research. Our first goal was to shifts, identifying stable versus advanced analytical approaches identify the critical questions and transitional states, biophysical in biomolecular, paleontological then to establish new large scale thresholds and functional groups and ecological fields. collaborative research programs. involved in reversing phase shifts on coral reefs (linked to Program 5).

15 Program 3: Marine Reserves and Reef Connectivity

Researchers for fisheries management. An stable isotopes. This program Garry Russ (Program Leader) improved understanding of marine will expand to include inputs from Andrew Baird connectivity (the flux of organisms, oceanographic and mathematical David Bellwood genes, nutrients, pollutants, modellers, and larval biology Sean Connolly diseases, etc., between locations) specialists both within the Program Terry Hughes and barriers to dispersal is central and outside the Centre. Geoffrey Jones to this endeavour. To date, some Michael Kingsford of the largest and most successful Considerable integration across Laurence McCook applications of marine no-take Centre Programs has also begun. Mark McCormick reserves have been on coral reefs Program 3 has clearly defined Mark Meekan e.g. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and direct links to Program 1 Philip Munday Marine Park, with a no-take area (contemporary and historical Serge Planes over 100,000 km2. fishing levels on the Great Barrier John Pandolfi Research planning meetings Reef), Program 2 (management Morgan Pratchett with Chief and Partner of biodiversity within marine Garry Russ Investigators held in the latter part reserves), Program 4 (prevalence Bette Willis of 2005 identified the following of coral diseases inside and three goals as priorities in the outside marine reserves) and The unifying theme of the Program’s research plan for the Program 5 (community-based Centre is the development next three to four years: management of marine reserves of frontier technologies for and its relationship to social and 1. Assess the importance of management and sustainable governance systems). marine reserves for fisheries use of the worlds’ coral reefs. A management on coral reefs major approach to management In addition to a focus on and sustainable use of renewable 2. Determine the optimal design Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, resources is spatial zoning of reserve networks for the Program has major research for multiple levels of use and management of ecological projects underway in Indonesia, protection. A key aspect of resilience Fiji, Papua New Guinea and this zoning approach is the the Philippines. The pending 3. Identify the levels of larval establishment of marine no-take appointment in May 2006 of a dispersal and connectivity reserves, where all extractive Postdoctoral Fellow to work on within and between coral reef practices by humans are banned larval dispersal and connectivity systems and marine reserve permanently. Our recent studies over the next 3 years will networks have highlighted the need for contribute considerably to further networks of marine reserves for Program 3 has already created integration within the Program. The management of biodiversity and research teams to work on key research will use the latest larval fisheries. Such zoning for multiple goals. In 2006, Geoff Jones and tagging technologies to investigate levels of use and protection is fast Garry Russ will start an innovative levels of potential export of larvae becoming a principal mechanism experiment to test if no-take zones from no-take marine reserves in of management of Australia’s in the Great Barrier Reef Marine both Australia and in neighbouring marine resources. No-take Park export larvae of commercially- Indo-Pacific countries. An reserves are often established to and recreationally-important reef international workshop on aspects conserve species, communities, fish to adjacent fished areas. This of larval dispersal and connectivity habitats, ecosystems and experiment will involve further within and between coral reef bioregions. They are increasingly development of cutting-edge systems and marine reserve also being advocated as a tool larval marking techniques using networks, is planned for mid-2006.

16 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Program 4: Genetic, molecular and physiological processes

Researchers and climatic drivers of coral and probes. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (Program diseases, to develop strategies Leader) for control and reduction of Program 4 will also link Ken Anthony their economic impacts. Australia’s research strengths Sean Connolly in coral reef molecular and 3. Coral and zooxanthellae Sophie Dove physiological sciences into key physiology, sublethal stress David Miller international relationships and indicators and energetic Madeleine van Oppen networks via the coral bleaching modeling. These studies Bette Willis and disease components of the will provide novel tools for David Yellowlees World Bank - GEF Coral Reef monitoring and predicting Targeted Research Project. responses by corals to climate Program 4 draws on researchers Several common initiatives change and other stressors. across multiple nodes to are being planned around understand coral reef organisms 4. Genomics. Comparative collaborative workshops and at a molecular and physiological genomics of corals and field campaigns that will be held level and to examine potential zooxanthellae will be used to during the next five years, thereby mechanisms of adaptation and establish for the first time the creating synergies and further acclimatization to environmental molecular basis for symbiosis collaborations between the ARC change. Genomics and microarray and calcification, of critical Centre of Excellence and leading technologies will be integrated importance for growth of corals overseas institutions. with physiological measurements and healthy reef development. and field experiments. These During 2005, a new postdoctoral Describing the mechanisms studies are providing novel tools fellow was recruited from and processes that underpin for monitoring and predicting Canada to pursue research into corals and their symbiosis with responses by corals to climate the processes underpinning the dinoflagellates(Symbiodinium) change and other stressors. establishment and functioning of is critically important to any Research planning undertaken in the symbiosis between corals and comprehensive understanding the latter half of 2005 identified dinoflagellatesSymbiodinium . A of recent changes to the world’s four key focus areas for the next second fellow, co-funded by the coral reefs. In addition to providing three years: ARC Centre and the Australian insight into why elements of coral Institute of Marine Science, was 1. Biochemical analysis of coral- reef ecosystems may be changing, recruited from the Smithsonian zooxanthellae interactions and an in-depth understanding of coral Institute to explore the heritability coral bleaching. A key aim is distress and disease will open and evolution of stress resistant improved understanding of the the door to frontier technologies characters between generations molecular relationship between for use in the sustainable of reef-building corals, beginning symbiotic partners to predict management of areas such as in mid-2006. Four additional responses to climate change the Great Barrier Reef Marine postdoctoral appointments will be and examine mechanisms for Park. Program 4 will generate made to Program 4 over the next adaptation and acclimatization. technologies that will range from few months. bioinformatic tools to diagnostic 2. Coral diseases. The objective arrays and genetic markers is to understand anthropogenic

17 Program 5: Resilience of linked social-ecological systems

Researchers linkages with the Beijer Institute To date these issues have typically Terry Hughes (Program Leader) for Ecological Economics, in been the subject of anecdotal Andrew Baird Stockholm, the World Bank GEF case studies or comparative David Bellwood Coral Reef Targeted Research, the studies with only a very limited Roger Bradbury Resilience Alliance, and others. geographic, social, and economic Carl Folke There will be two sub-programs: scope. Program 5 participants will Ove Hoegh-Guldberg a) Learning, adaptive develop and measure standardized Laurence McCook management & adaptive socioeconomic indicators for 6 John Pandolfi governance countries across South Asia and Garry Russ A variety of individuals and the Indo-Pacific, and rigorously Robert Steneck organisations play functional relate them to corresponding roles in the adaptive governance ecological data (linking with Conventional perceptions of of natural resources. This sub- Program 2). the interactions between people program aims to investigate the b) Operationalising a resilience and their environment are rapidly social processes and mechanisms approach transforming. Old paradigms behind the 30-year evolution A major outcome of Program that view humans as separate of management and re-zoning 5 will be developing information, from nature, natural resources of the Great Barrier Reef. One guidelines and tools for coral reef as inexhaustible or endlessly component, in collaboration managers and planners on climate substitutable, and the world with CSIRO (Water for a Healthy change risks and adaptation as stable, predictable and in Country Flagship) will address the options. The goal is to provide an balance are no longer tenable. issue of “mental models”, i.e. essential link between theoretical New conceptual frameworks the perception of individuals (and concepts, scientific knowledge are rapidly emerging, based collectively, of institutions and and the practical endeavours and on an adaptive governance societal groups) of the state of their challenges facing natural resource approach that focuses on learning environment and their interactions managers and practitioners. and flexible management in a with it. The project will document Building on Programs 1-4, Program constantly shifting social-ecological how mental models vary among 5 will lead the development landscape. The overarching goal stakeholders (farmers, fishers, of management protocols in of this entirely new program is tourists, scientists, etc.), how collaboration with the Resilience an improved integration of the these perceptions change over Alliance. scientific and social dimensions of time (for example, as documented Program 5 represents a major natural resource management, to in annual reports of management new portfolio of innovative multi- guide the evolution of improved agencies), and the role they play in disciplinary research, which will multi-scale systems of governance adaptive management. A related combine and integrate expertise that confront and cope with project, to be led by Hughes, on coral reef biology, management, uncertainty, risk and change. Folke and colleagues at the Beijer governance systems, and social Institute for Ecological Economics sciences. The objective is to create To date, the artificial separation in Sweden, will develop new and lead a new multidisciplinary between ecology, social sciences theories and practical approaches team with members at JCU, and economics continues to be to adaptive governance, also based ANU and CSIRO that will provide a major impediment to achieving on the recent transformation of the world-best outputs that no existing sustainable management of Great Barrier Reef social-ecological program in Australia or elsewhere natural resources. The award of a system. can replicate. The proposed Centre of Excellence enables us to In the context of the developing research will provide an ideal recruit internationally-competitive world, Program 5 will address how vehicle to cement closer links post-doctoral Fellows to this socioeconomic factors influence between marine biologists, social program to provide value-adding the ways in which human societies scientists, mathematicians and skills across diverse disciplines, collectively manage reefs as resource managers, facilitating the creating a unique world-class common-pool resources - how incorporation of research findings team with a broad, management- resource use and governance into management activities and oriented focus. Beginning in 2006, systems are influenced by levels environmental policy-development Program 5 will interface will all of of economic development, social worldwide. the Centre’s other Programs, and capital, and by local history and will build on existing international culture.

18 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 19 Students

The ARC Centre of Excellence the broad context of ecological and working with the Great Barrier is the world’s largest provider evolutionary theory as well as for Reef Marine Park Authority and of graduate training in coral reef advancing our understanding of other end-users to ensure students science. The Centre’s goal is coral reefs. Students are trained and postdoctoral researchers to attract and train outstanding and encouraged to publish their develop generic skills relevant for coral reef scientists to improve findings in international journals end-users and stakeholders. and sustain expertise in coral prior to submission of their thesis, reef research. The Centre generally as the sole or lead author, An ambitious postdoctoral provides a unique opportunity and to engage throughout with recruitment program commenced for Australian and non-Australian end-users of research. in 2005. Nine positions have been graduate students to receive filled, or will be taken up during research training (at the Honours, The Centre actively involves early 2006, bringing the total Masters and PhD level) in coral students through a Student number of postdoctoral fellows reef science, with opportunities Committee. Some of the in the Centre to seventeen. The for multi-disciplinary and multi- activities planned for 2006 Centre has also committed to institutional supervision. Seventy- include mentoring, a workshop supporting the research cost five students were supervised series aimed at enhancing of 7 Australian Postdoctoral by Centre researchers in 2005. students’ research and research Fellowships and Australian Students have access to leading management skills, open days, Research Fellowship applicants tropical marine scientists, newsletters and cross-nodal in the 2007 round of the ARC providing an exceptional development programs. We will Discovery Program. The Centre’s intellectual environment. Graduate also develop a program of funding aim is to improve expertise and students form an internationally opportunities and awards over build capacity in coral reef research diverse student body with coming months. In 2005, the by recruiting a large body of highly students from twenty-three student pages of the Centre’s web qualified Postdoctoral Researchers countries currently completing site were established to feature particularly in disciplines that are their studies across the three each student and to showcase not well developed in Australia. university nodes of the Centre. their work and achievements Fellows will be mentored through www.coralcoe.org.au/people- the Centre’s programs to produce We emphasise a rigorous, students.html. high-calibre publications and to quantitative approach, with engage in the multidisciplinary well-designed sampling and The Centre will facilitate joint discourse of coral reef science. experimental protocols, addressing training by funding exchanges questions that are important within between Centre nodes and by

20 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 20 2005 Student members of the ARC Centre of Excellence

Student Country Thesis Title Centre Supervisor David Abrego Mexico Flexibility in coral algal symbioses: symbiont A.Prof B Willis (JCU) succession and physiological contributions of Dr K Anthony different algal partners. (PhD) Dr M van Oppen

Tracy Ainsworth Australia Microbial communities associated with the coral Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) holobiont during disease and stress. (PhD)

Shelley Anthony Australia Coral disease in closed systems. (PhD) A.Prof B Willis (JCU)

Bridget Ayling New Zealand Reconstruction of past interglacial climates using Prof M McCulloch (ANU) geochemical proxies in fossil Porites corals and giant Tridacna clams. (PhD)

Line Bay Denmark The evolution of colour polymorphism in tropical Dr G Jones (JCU) reef fishes. (PhD)

Victor Mexico Molecular aspects of the coral-algal symbiosis. Prof. D. Miller Beltranramirez (PhD) (JCU)

Rose Berdin Philippines Late quaternary palaeoclimate history of the Prof M McCulloch (ANU) Northern Indo-Pacific warm pool from raised coral reefs in the Philippines. (PhD)

Michael Berumen USA Demographic consequences of environmental Dr G Jones (JCU) gradients in chaetodontids. (PhD) Dr M Pratchett

Teresa Bobeszko Australia The effects of different Ci concentrations on the Dr S Dove (UQ) photosynthesis of endosymbionts in scleractenian corals. (Hons)

Lynda Boldt Australia Isolating photosynthetic genes in Symbiodinium Dr S Dove (UQ) sp. and determining how and through what mechanisms changing environmental factors affect symbiotic dinoflagellate photosynthetic processes. (Hons)

Daniel Breen Australia Field and simulation studies in the design of Dr G Jones (JCU) programs monitoring tourist impacts on coral reefs. (PhD)

Kate Bromfield Australia Faunal turnover in reef corals over the Miocene A.Prof J Pandolfi (UQ) Pliocene boundary in the Indo-West Pacific. (PhD)

Karin Buechler Switzerland An evaluation of geographic variation in the life Dr G Jones (JCU) history and behaviour of anemone fishes: a common-garden approach. (PhD)

Samantha Burgess Australia Geochemistry of high latitude environments using Prof M McCulloch (ANU) coral climate proxies.(PhD)

Neal Cantin Canada the impact of photoinhibition on coral reproduction A.Prof B Willis (JCU) and the influence of genetically distinct Symbiodinium spp. on the physiology of the coral host. (PhD)

21 Student Country Thesis Title Centre Supervisor

Michael Cappo Australia Influences of habitat and ontogeny on composition Prof. M Kingsford (JCU) and size structures of demersal fish communities Prof. G Russ on tropical shelves. (PhD)

Timothy Cooper Australia Physiological and ecological health/stress Dr K Anthony (JCU) indicators of corals on nearshore reefs.(PhD) Prof. M Kingsford

Melissa Cowlishaw Australia Determinants of homerange and territory size in Dr G Jones (JCU) coral reef fishes. (PhD) Dr M McCormick

Jo Davy United Putative disease affecting the poritid corals. (PhD) Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) Kingdom

Jeffry Deckenback USA Maturation, turn-over, oligomerization, and Dr S Dove (UQ) transport of Pocilloporins. (PhD)

Martial Depczynski Australia The role of cryptobenthic fishes in coral reef Prof D Bellwood (JCU) ecosystem function. (PhD)

Maria Dornelas Portugal Neutral coral community dynamics. (PhD) Prof T Hughes (JCU) Dr S Connolly

Janelle Eagle Australia The influence of local scale hydrodynamics on food Prof M Kingsford (JCU) and larval supply to coral reef assemblages. (PhD) Dr G Jones

Richard Evans Australia Effects of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning Prof. G Russ (JCU) on the reproductive potential of reef fishes. (MSc) Dr G Jones

David Feary Australia Response of tropical reef fish communities to live Dr G Jones (JCU) coral degradation. (PhD) Dr M McCormick

Paul Fisher United Investigating the photo-physiology of Dr S Dove (UQ) Kingdom Symbiodinium and its relationship to coral Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg bleaching. (PhD)

Rebecca Fox United Quantifying the impact of herbivorous fishes on Prof D Bellwood (JCU) Kingdom one of the inner shelf reefs of the GBR. (Hons)

Matthew Fraser Australia Egg predation at spawning aggregation sites: Dr M McCormick (JCU) trade-offs for fitness. (PhD)

Ashley Frisch Australia The regulation of sex-change in hermaphroditic Dr M McCormick (JCU) fish. (PhD)

Chris Fulton Australia Wave energy and the role of swimming in reef fish Prof D Bellwood (JCU) ecology. (PhD)

Monica Gagliano Italy The role of selective mortality in the early life Prof M Kingsford (JCU) history of coral reef fishes.( PhD) Dr M McCormick

Naomi Gardiner Australia Influence of habitat structure on cardinal fish Dr G Jones (JCU) communities on coral reefs. (MSc)

Luis Gonzalez- Mexico The hormonal mechanisms of stress inhibition of Dr M McCormick Reynoso reproduction in fish. (PhD) (JCU)

Andrew Halford Australia The roles of recruitment and disturbance in Dr G Jones (JCU) assemblages of reef fishes in NW Australia. (MSc)

22 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Student Country Thesis Title Centre Supervisor

Meegan Henderson Australia Microbial ecology of coral disease: the use of Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) molecular techniques in understanding bacterial community shifts. (PhD)

Jean-Paul Hobbs Australia Isolation, endemism and the structure of coral reef Dr G Jones (JCU) fish populations and communities (PhD) Dr P Munday

Thomas Holmes Australia The selectivity of predation on newly-settled Dr M McCormick (JCU) tropical reef fish. (PhD)

Mia Hoogenboom Australia Environmental stress, energy budgets, and Dr S Connolly (JCU) demography of reef corals. (PhD) Dr K Anthony

Emily Howells Australia Fine-scale diversity of Zooxanthella populations A.Prof B Willis (JCU) in soft corals through space, time and early host Dr M van Oppen development. (Hons)

Akira Iguchi Japan Fertilisation mechanism of Genus Acropora to Prof D Miller (JCU) clarify the relationship between fertilisation related genes and the speciation of Genus Acropora. (PhD)

Jacob Johansen Denmark Swimming ability, refuging behaviour and habitat Prof D Bellwood (JCU) use of coral reef fishes. (MSc)

Paulina Kaniewska Sweden The effect of light climate on Scleractinian coral Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) morphology. (PhD) Dr K Anthony

Ailsa Kerswell Australia Biogeography of benthic marine algae. (PhD) Prof T Hughes (JCU) Dr A Baird Dr S Connolly

Charlotte Sweden Host-pathogen interactions and immunity in reef- Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg Kvennefors building corals. (PhD) (UQ)

Angela Lawton United States Using oxygen microsensors to examine changes Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) in the gross and net photosynthetic rates of corals under varying environmental conditions. (PhD)

Tove Lemberget Australia Growth and body condition in a tropical larval fish Dr M McCormick (JCU) and its importance to replenishment. (PhD) Dr G Jones

Carole Lonergan Australia The role of temperature in the disease of A.Prof B Willis (JCU) Montipora corals by Vibrio coralliilyticus. (Hons)

Guy Marion United States The extraction and analysis of nitrogen isotopes Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) (15N) preserved in long coral cores to trace river- Prof M McCulloch born signals of fertilizers and urban pollutants A.Prof J Pandolfi entering the GBR lagoon since European-arrival (1860). (PhD)

Luiz (Felipe) Brazil The use of biochemical methods for the evaluation Prof M Kingsford Mendes De of zooplankton secondary production. (PhD) Gusmao (JCU)

Juan Carlos Ortiz Australia Ecological-dynamics of Heron Island coral Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) (Venezuela) communities: The roll of population size frequency distributions. (PhD)

23 Student Country Thesis Title Centre Supervisor

Cathie Page Australia Prevalence and biological impacts of coral disease A.Prof B Willis (JCU) on the Great Barrier Reef. (PhD) Prof T Hughes

Srisakul Thailand Spatial patterns in coral communities and Prof T Hughes Piromvaragorn recruitment in the Gulf of Thailand. (PhD) Dr S Connolly (JCU) Dr A Baird

Dingchuang Qu China Late Quaternary climate in the Indo-Pacific Warm Prof M McCulloch (ANU) Pool reconstructed from the raised coral reefs of Sumba, Indonesia. (PhD)

Charmaine Read Australia Evolution of coral reef fishes and the origin of the Prof D Bellwood (JCU) Indo-West Pacific hotspot. (PhD)

Ruth Reef Israel The effect of temperature on the accumulation and Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg (UQ) repair of UV damage in corals. (PhD)

Alejandro Reyes Colombia The cellular mechanisms of coral calcification. Prof D Miller (JCU) (PhD)

Zoe Richards Australia Age, genetic diversity and fitness of rare Acropora Prof D Miller (JCU) corals.(PhD) A.Prof B Willis Dr M van Oppen

Maria Rodrigues Mozambique Effects of reduced herbivory on coexistence of Prof T Hughes (JCU) corals and algae – an experimental approach. (PhD) Dr A Baird

Christopher Ryen USA Growth related sex change in reef fishes. (MSc) Dr M McCormick (JCU) Dr P Munday

Armagan Sabetian New Zealand Parrotfish fisheries in tropical oceans; an Dr G Jones (JCU) ethnographic and demographic approach. (PhD)

Aleksey Sadekov Russia Distribution of trace elements within foraminiferal Prof M McCulloch (ANU) tests as the proxy for paleoclimatology and foraminiferal biology. (PhD)

Eugenia Sampayo Netherlands Genetic diversity of coral symbionts and whether Dr S Dove (UQ) this diversity is reflected in host-symbiont ecology. (PhD)

Alison Sampey Australia Influence of environmental conditions on the Dr M McCormick (JCU) growth and survival of tropical fish larvae from the Prof M Kingsford North West Shelf of Australia. (MSc)

Francois Seneca Monaco A study of cellular stress response in the Prof D Miller (JCU) scleractinian coral, Acropora millepora. (PhD) Dr M van Oppen

Chuya Shinzato Japan The Sox genes functions in early coral Prof D Miller (JCU) development. (PhD)

Luke Smith Australia Large-scale spatial and temporal variability in coral Prof T Hughes (JCU) recruitment and factoring affecting subsequent survival. (PhD)

Meir Sussman Israel Pathogens, reservoirs and vectors for coral disease A.Prof B Willis (JCU) on the GBR: a microbial molecular approach. (PhD) Prof M Kingsford

24 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Student Country Thesis Title Centre Supervisor

Annamieke Van Australia The interaction of coral with their symbiotic Prof O Hoegh-Guldberg den Heuval dinoflagellates. (Hons) Dr S Dove (UQ)

Ida Vincent Sweden Historical ecology of Fiji. (Hons) A.Prof J Pandolfi (UQ)

Stefan Walker Australia Experimentally isolating the interrelationships Dr M McCormick (JCU) between population dynamics, social system and Dr P Munday life history plasticity in reef fish. (PhD)

David Williamson Australia Fishery effects and benefits of marine protected Prof G Russ (JCU) areas within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Dr G Jones (PhD)

Merome Wright Australia Effects of no-take marine reserves on the Prof G Russ (JCU) abundance and demography of an exploited reef fish

Marian Wong United The evolution of monogamy in coral reef fish. Dr G Jones (JCU) Kingdom (PhD) Dr P Munday

Timothy Wyndham Australia Geochemical tracers of environmental change in Prof M McCulloch (ANU) the nearshore Great Barrier Reef. (PhD)

Siti Yaakub Singapore Hybridization in coral reef fishes: An example from Prof D Bellwood (JCU) Thalassoma (Family: Labridae) (Hons)

25 26 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 26 End-User linkages

Our primary goal in the provision with GBRMPA in July and August Conference in September. In of end-user links is to promote to assess information needs, December, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg cooperation between international gaps and priorities to direct future presented a reef training program governments, scientific experts, research. GBRMPA has already for Great Barrier Reef Research technological specialists, committed $195,000 in cash to Foundation (GBRRF) and Comalco environmental managers, social Centre research projects over representatives. planners and regional stakeholders, the 3 years 2006-2008 and over In late 2005, the Centre universities and research $578,000 in in-kind contributions. lodged an Expression of Interest institutions. A key objective is the James Innes, Manager Social with the Marine and Tropical provision of data and information of Science, Research and Monitoring Sciences Research Facility of the relevance to managing the goods Coordination, GBRMPA had Commonwealth Department of and services provided by coral reef an active role in the Centre’s Environment and Heritage, for biodiversity. We will achieve this successful bid for funding under additional projects which will have through the Centre’s governance JCU’s Research Advancement a strong end-user and public-good structure, international and national Program and will continue to be focus. We plan to develop for the networks, workshops for end- involved in the development of first time a program of reciprocal users and industry partners, via the this important research cluster. staff secondments and student media, and through the Centre’s This project, Adaptive Resource placement, involving our university website. The Centre’s website Management: Linking Ecology partners, AIMS, CSIRO, GBRMPA www.coralcoe.org.au was and Social Sciences to be funded and other end-users. We will launched on 23 November 2005. from 2006 to 2008 will extend the build also on a range of less formal GBRMPA (the major federal research cluster being developed channels for communication that agency responsible for reef under Program 5 and will represent already exist between Centre management in Australia) is a new portfolio of innovative multi- members and six Industry represented on the Centre disciplinary research combining Partners. Advisory Board by their Chair, Hon. and integrating expertise on The Centre will provide an Virginia Chadwick who provides coral reef biology, management, ideal vehicle to cement closer direct linkage to a diversity of reef governance systems and social links between scientists and stakeholders (the tourist industry, sciences. resource managers, facilitating the fishing organisations, conservation In 2005, additional outreach incorporation of research findings groups, indigenous Australians) and community awareness into management activities and via the GBRMPA Consultative activities were undertaken by environmental policy development Committee. In addition, Dr Centre of Excellence researchers worldwide. Resilience Alliance David Wachenfeld, Director of by presenting a number of meetings and workshops hosted GBRMPA’s Science, Technology public lectures and workshops. by the ARC Centre in August and Information Group is a For example, Terry Hughes 2005 led to the publication of a member of the Centre’s Scientific presented a public lecture on Policy Forum in Science, entitled Management Committee. “A Resilience Framework for “Globalisation, Roving Bandits and Following the announcement Managing Coral Reefs” to a Marine Resources” which has of funding for the Centre of variety of conservation groups generated enormous interest from Excellence, briefings were held at the Queensland Conservation international regulatory agencies.

27 National and International Linkages

Nationally, the Centre’s Chief social and ecological systems in internationally, funded by Swedish Investigators are a key component order to discover foundations for and international research councils. of five ARC Networks, reflecting sustainability. It is an extensively We are rapidly expanding a wide their broad range of expertise. networked organization, with range of joint activities for 2006 The Centre is represented at the 17 member organizations in onwards, including several shared Australian Academy of Sciences Australia, Canada, France, the research positions, following by Hughes (JCU) and McCulloch Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, a successful trial-exchange of (ANU). The three main University the USA and Zimbabwe. RA personnel between Townsville nodes (at JCU, ANU and UQ) are members are world-leaders in and Stockholm in 2005. We have linked to research and industry the ecological, mathematical, and also scheduled joint workshops partners throughout Australia social sciences, covering a broad in Australia, Sweden and (e.g. GBRMPA, CSIRO and AIMS range of disciplinary expertise. elsewhere, with a key focus on research clusters in Townsville, The ARC Centre is represented graduate training and early-career Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, by Hughes on the RA’s Board of researchers. A major outcome Hobart and Perth). Co-funding Directors, and on the editorial will be the development and agreements for postdoctoral board of their journal, Ecology & application of policy guidelines fellows shared with the Centre Society. In 2005, the ARC Centre and processes that further the are in place for initiation in 2005- sponsored two working groups in global development of adaptive 2006 with both AIMS and CSIRO. Stockholm and in Cairns to fast- governance systems. The Internationally, major developing track the development of closer Australian Academy of Science linkages include The Resilience linkages between the RA and the has formally endorsed the ARC Alliance, The Beijer Institute, Centre. The Centre will host a Centre’s growing engagement and The World Bank Coral Reef third meeting in Australia in March with Royal Swedish Academy. Targetted Research Program, 2006. The Resilience Alliance which are described briefly below. has also agreed to co-fund a Global Coral Reef In 2005, 60% of the Centre’s postdoctoral position based at the Targeted Research publications included one or more Centre’s Townsville node in 2006- Program overseas collaborators from 87 2007. A series of joint research www.gefcoral.org institutions in Austria, Brazil, funding initiatives are also planned The ARC Centre of Excellence Canada, China, Finland, France, for 2006. is one of the largest contributors French Polynesia, Germany, of expertise to this global Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, The Beijer International research partnership, which Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, New Institute for Ecological includes the World Bank, The Zealand, Norway, Panama, Economics Intergovernmental Oceanographic Philippines, Russia, Singapore, www.beijer.kva.se Commission, US National Oceanic Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United The ARC Centre of Excellence’s and Atmospheric Administration Kingdom and United States of international profile in coral reef (NOAA), the University of America, (see page 31). sustainability and management Queensland, and 60 other was recognized in 2005 by the research groups. The consortium The Resilience Alliance appointment of the Centre’s of researchers aims to conduct www.resalliance.org Director to the Board of Directors specific, targeted research to fill The ARC Centre of Excellence of the Beijer Institute (for 2006- critically important information was formally recruited as a 2008). The Beijer Institute gaps in the fundamental Member Organization of the operates under the auspices of understanding of coral reef Resilience Alliance (RA) in the Royal Swedish Academy, ecosystems so that management August 2005. The RA is a multi- working at the interface of and policy interventions can disciplinary research group that ecology and economics. It be strengthened globally. Five explores the dynamics of linked conducts research and training International Working Groups, each

28 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 with approximately a dozen From July to December 2005, “ Dr Per Olsson leading researchers, form the the Centre of Excellence hosted 25 Stockholm University, Sweden scientific basis for the program. international visitors. “ Dr Fikret Berkes In 2005, the Centre is represented Natural Resources Institute, on four groups which dove-tail “ Dr Tarik Meziane University of Manitoba, well with Programs 3 and 4 Museum National d’Histoire Winnipeg, Canada of this proposal: (a) Diseases Naturelle, Paris France Working Group: Willis (Co-chair), “ Dr Robert Steneck “ Dr Rod Dunbar (b) Connectivity Working Group: School of Marine Sciences, Stanford University, USA Jones, Planes and Steneck, (c) University of Maine, Bleaching Working Group: Hoegh- “ Dr Adina Payton Orono, USA Guldberg, (Co-Chair), (d) Modelling Stanford University, USA “ Dr Jim Wilson Working Group: Bradbury (Chair). “ Dr Ken Calderia School of Marine Sciences, The distinguished Chair of the Stanford University, USA University of Maine, Centre’s Scientific Management Orono, USA Committee, Professor Yossi Loya “ Dr Yossi Loya from Tel Aviv University, is also a University of Tel Aviv, Israel “ Professor Carl Folke Centre for Transdisciplinary Co-Chair of the Bleaching Working “ Dr Maxime Aubert Environmental Research Group. In 2005, the Centre hosted Eau, Terre et Environnement, and Department of Systems two working group meetings in Institut National de la Ecology, Stockholm University, Brisbane and Townsville. Several Recherche Scientifique, Sweden further meetings and joint activities Québec University, Canada are planned for 2006. “ A/Professor Lance Gunderson “ Professor Gifford Miller Emory University, Atlanta, USA Developing these and further University of Colorado, international linkages is a key Boulder, USA “ Dr Boris Worm Biology Department, Dalhousie strategy for diversifying and “ Dr Ben Halpern University, Halifax, Canada augmenting the funding base of National Centre for Ecological the Centre (e.g. through Packard, Analysis and Synthesis, “ Mr Robert Farhi World Bank, etc.). University of California, Science and Technology Santa Barbara, USA Attaché, Ambassade de France “ Dr Rampal Etienne “ Mr Frédéric Vanhove University of Groningen Assistant to Science The Netherlands and Technology Attaché, Ambassade de France “ Dr Willem Renema National Museum of Natural “ Mr John Warner History, Leiden, Economic Officer, The Netherlands U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy “ Dr Maoz Fine University of Haifa, Israel “ Dr von Nordheim and Dr Davey Kline, Smithsonian colleagues, Federal Agency for Tropical Research Institute, Nature Conservation, Germany Panama “ Even Moland, Alf Pettersen and colleagues, Government representatives, Norway

29 30 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Media Coverage

The ARC Centre of Excellence With his story on the Acehnese Sydney Morning Herald, Acehnese is committed to utilizing the media reefs, Dr Baird was cited or quoted reefs in the wake of the Asian to increase public awareness of in almost 20 different media tsunami, Andrew Baird, Australia’s investment in coral sources in November. 8 November 2005. reef science and management. We regard media uptake of the Some highlights of the diversity The Australian, Humans Worse Centre’s research outputs as an and breadth of the Centre’s media than Tsunami on Reefs, important performance indicator. presence in 2005 include: Andrew Baird, 8 November 2005.

Research produced by the Chief Magazines Gladstone Observer, Reef research and Partner Investigators of the Der Spiegel, Genetik- Komplexe gets a $1m bonus, Ove Hoegh- Centre has been highlighted in Koralle, David Miller, Guldberg, 9 November 2005. local, national and international 15 December 2005. media such as the BBC The Age, Humans Cause more Worldwide, Der Spiegel, The New Scientist, Lowly Sea Animals Reef Damage than Tsunamis, Australian and The ABC. In the Boast World-class Genetic Andrew Baird, latter half of 2005, in addition to Armoury, David Miller, 9 November 2005. the commentaries surrounding 3 December 2005. the announcement of the The Adelaide Advertiser, Coral Centre, research outcomes were SuperScience, Coral Reef Destroyed, Andrew Baird, presented in over 100 newspaper Devastation, John Pandolfi, 9 November 2005. and magazine articles, web online 15 December 2005. articles and in television and radio Herald Sun, Human Wave Wrecks interviews. We expect to increase Newspapers Reefs, Andrew Baird, significantly the Centre’s media Press Release, Dr Brendan 9 November 2005. presence during 2006 following Nelson, Australian Government the appointment of Julian Cribb Minister for Education, Science Daily Advertiser, Human Most and Associates as the Centre’s and Training, $122 million for Destructive, Andrew Baird, media adviser. We plan to issue New Leading-Edge Research 9 November 2005. a minimum of 26 press releases Centres, 15 June 2005 in 2006 to promulgate our Australian Financial Review, Global scientific outcomes and activities Malaysian Star, Global Warming Effort to save our Coral, Ove to the community. Additionally, Damages Reefs, Terry Hughes, Hoegh-Guldberg, the Centre’s website will be 24 June 2005. 14 November 2005. further developed during 2006 to enhance public education and West Australian, Dampier in Real Courier Mail, Reef Damage, to disseminate the activities and Deal in Reefs, Terry Hughes, Andrew Baird, outputs of the ARC Centre to a 2 July 2005. 16 November 2005. very general audience. Courier Mail, Townsville the Big The Age, Great Barrier Reef, Ove The largest single media event Fish of Reef Research, Terry Hoegh-Guldberg and Terry for the Centre in 2005 was the Hughes, 13 July 2005. Hughes, 17 November 2005. response to Dr Andrew Baird’s paper Acehnese reefs in the wake Cairns Post, Call to Cushion Daily Mercury, Barrier Reef under of the Asian tsunami (Baird and Tsunami Effect, Terry Hughes, the Threat of Wipeout Because Campbell et al), in Current Biology. 17 August 2005. of Climate Change, Ove

31 Hoegh-Guldberg, Earthwatch Radio interview- “Rich Sunday Business Television, 30 November 2005. Hoops” Acehnese Reefs in the Saving Paradise, Ove Hoegh- Wake of the Asian Tsunami, Guldberg, 30 November 2005. The Canberra Times, Reef May be Andrew Baird, History by 2050 Expert Says, 8 November 2005. Cairns WIN TV, Support for the Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Great Barrier Reef, Ove Hoegh- 30 November 2005. ABC Central Queensland Radio, Guldberg, 8 December 2005. Great Barrier Reef Funding, Herald Sun, Reef Set for Grief, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, News Online Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, 8 November 2005. MPA News Interview, The role 30 November 2005. of MPAs in protecting against 2CC Mike Welsh live interview, Coastal Disasters, Terry The Age, Barrier Reef given a Acehnese Reefs in the Wake Hughes, 17 September 2005. 2050 Death Sentence, Ove of the Asian Tsunami, http://depts.washington. Hoegh-Guldberg, Andrew Baird, edu/mpanews/MPA67. 30 November 2005. 9 November 2005. htm#Hughes

Gladstone Observer, Reef Tourism Television Eurekalert, Acehnese Reefs in the Under Threat, Ove Hoegh- 7.30pm Report, Scientists Divided Wake of the Asian Tsunami, Guldberg, 4 December 2005. Over Coral Reef Protection, Andrew Baird, 9 November Terry Hughes, 28 June 2005. 2005. Sunday Telegraph, Threat to Reef, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Seven local television news, ABC Science Online- News 4 December 2005. Townsville, Climate Change in Science, People, not and Coastal Development Tsunami, Damaged Reef Radio Major Threats to GBR, Terry the most, Andrew Baird, 8 Townsville, 4TO FM Talkback, Hughes, 15 September 2005. November 2005. www.abc. Centre of Excellence Also Bundaberg, Cairns and net.au/science/news/stories/ Announcement, 15 June 2005. Mackay. s1499488.htm

ABC Radio, Role of Climate Seven News, Role of Fishes on Marine and Coastal Conservation Change on Western Australian the Great Barrier Reef, David Network, People, not Tsunami, Coral Reefs, John Pandolfi, Bellwood, 29 August 2005. Damaged Reef the Most, 15 July 2005. Andrew Baird, 8 November Seven Sunshine News Mackay, 2005. www.mccn.org.au/ The World Today BBC World $1m Comalco Funded article.php/id/840/#a1 Service, Acehnese Reefs in the Research Program on Global Wake of the Asian Tsunami, Warming, Ove Hoegh- Seaspan Marine Newsletter, Andrew Baird, Guldberg, 8 November 2005. New Coral Reef Research 8 November 2005. Confirms Need for Regional Seven Cairns TV, Research on MPA Networks, Terry Hughes, Radio National News, Acehnese Box Jelly Fish, Ove Hoegh- 17 September 2005. http:// Reefs in the Wake of the Asian Guldberg, 30 November 2005. listserv.miami.edu/scripts/ Tsunami, Andrew Baird, Also Mackay Sunshine TV. wa.exe?A2=ind0509&L=seasp 8 November 2005. an&O=A&P=186

32 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 National Benefit Case-Study

Human populations are outbreaks, hurricanes, global The studies involved two Chief concentrated along coasts, and market demands, and other large- Investigators at the Centre of consequently coastal ecosystems scale perturbations. The societal Excellence, as well as a dozen are some of the most utilized and challenge is to enhance adaptive well-respected co-authors in altered worldwide. These areas capacity to deal with disturbance Indonesia, Sweden, the UK are also sensitive to many hazards and to build preparedness for and the USA. Both publications and risks, from floods to disease living with change and uncertainty. received extensive media attention epidemics. In August 2005, The Science article states that in Australia and internationally. the ARC Centre of Excellence “social resilience, including The Centre of Excellence authors published two high profile studies institutions for collective action, provided over 25 media interviews in Science (Adger et al. 2005) and robust governance systems, and a over a two week period. in Current Biology (Baird et al., diversity of livelihood choices are 2005), which address how a better important for buffering the effects References understanding of the linkages of extreme natural hazards.” We Adger, WN; Hughes, TP; Folke, between ecosystems and human concluded that the hidden success C; Carpenter, S; Rockström, societies can reduce vulnerability story of the Asia tsunami was J. (2005) Social-ecological and enhance resilience of coastal the prevention of widespread resilience to coastal disasters. settlements and economies. secondary mortality of injured Science. Vol:309(5737). The articles focus specifically on and traumatized victims from 1036-1039 disaster management, following infection and disease, due in large an Australian Academy of Science part to the unprecedented scale Baird, AH; Campbell, S; Anggoro, forum on the Asian tsunami of international responses. Both A; Ardiwijaya, R; Fadli, N; (and the response of Australia’s publications have been widely Herdiana, Y; Kartawijaya, T; scientific community to it) held cited by NGO and government Mahyiddin, D; Mukminin, A; earlier in March 2005 in Canberra. personnel and agencies, Pardede, S; Pratchett, M; particularly in Indonesia, providing Rudi, E; Siregar, AM. (2005) Both articles argue that effective an excellent example of how Acehnese reefs in the wake multilevel governance systems Australian science and National of the Asian tsunami. Current are critical for building capacity to Priority Areas also resonate Biology. Vol:15(21). 1926-1930 cope with climate change, disease regionally.

Aceh, Indonesia – Lhoknga road to beach

November 1989 April 2005 December 2005

33 34 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Publications

Journal Articles Biology. Vol:15(21). [12] Bernal, JP, et al. (2005) 1926-1930 Accurate in situ U-238-U- [1] Abesamis, RA and Russ, GR. 234-Th-232-Th-230 analysis (2005) Density-dependent [7] Barber, PH and Bellwood, of silicate glasses and iron spillover from a marine DR. (2005) Biodiversity oxides by laser-ablation MC- reserve: Long-term evidence. hotspots: evolutionary origins ICP-MS. Journal of Analytical Ecological Applications. of biodiversity in wrasses Atomic Spectrometry. Vol:15(5). 1798-1812 (Halichoeres : Labridae) in Vol:20(11). 1240-1249 the Indo-Pacific and new world tropics. Molecular [13] Berumen, ML, et al. (2005) Phylogenetics and Evolution. Within-reef differences in Vol:35(1). 235-253 diet and body condition of coral-feeding butterflyfishes [8] Barnett, A and Bellwood, DR. (Chaetodontidae). Marine (2005) Sexual dimorphism in Ecology-Progress Series. the buccal cavity of paternal Vol:287(217-227 mouthbrooding cardinalfishes (Pisces : Apogonidae). Marine [14] Birrell, CL, et al. (2005) Effects Biology. Vol:148(1). 205-212 of algal turfs and sediment [2] Adger, WN, et al. (2005) on coral settlement. Marine Social-ecological resilience [9] Barthel, S, et al. (2005) Pollution Bulletin. Vol:51(1-4). to coastal disasters. Science. History and local 408-414 Vol:309(5737). 1036-1039 management of a biodiversity-rich, urban [15] Browne, JG and Kingsford, [3] Alcala, AC, et al. (2005) A cultural landscape. Ecology MJ. (2005) A commensal long-term, spatially replicated and Society. Vol:10(2). relationship between the experimental test of the scyphozoan medusae effect of marine reserves on Catostylus mosaicus and the local fish yields.Canadian copepod Paramacrochiron Journal of Fisheries and maximum. Marine Biology. Aquatic Sciences. Vol:146(6). 1157-1168 Vol:62(1). 98-108 [16] Ceccarelli, DM, et al. [4] Annese, DM and Kingsford, (2005) Effects of territorial MJ. (2005) Distribution, damselfish on an algal- movements and diet of dominated coastal coral reef. nocturnal fishes on temperate Coral Reefs. Vol:24(4). reefs. Environmental Biology [10] Bellwood, DR, et al. (2005) 606-620 of Fishes. Vol:72(2). 161-174 Environmental and geometric constraints on Indo-Pacific [17] Ceccarelli, DM, et al. (2005) [5] Anthony, KRN, et al. coral reef biodiversity. Foragers versus farmers: (2005) Adaptive variation Ecology Letters. Vol:8(6). contrasting effects of two in coral geometry and the 643-651 behavioural groups of optimization of internal colony herbivores on coral reefs. light climates. Functional [11] Bergenius, MAJ, et al. (2005) Oecologia. Vol:145(3). Ecology. Vol:19(1). 17-26 Environmental influences on 445-453 larval duration, growth and [6] Baird, AH, et al. (2005) magnitude of settlement [18] Connolly, SR. (2005) Process- Acehnese reefs in the wake of a coral reef fish.Marine based models of species of the Asian tsunami. Current Biology. Vol:147(2). 291-300 distributions and the mid-

35 domain effect. American the fecundity of a coral [31] Fine, M, et al. (2005) Naturalist. Vol:166(1). 1-11 reef macroalga. Journal of Tolerance of endolithic algae Experimental Marine Biology to elevated temperature and [19] Connolly, SR, et al. (2005) and Ecology. Vol:317(1). 13-24 light in the coral Montipora Community structure of monasteriata from the corals and reef fishes at [25] Donner, SD, et al. (2005) southern Great Barrier Reef. multiple scales. Science. Global assessment of coral Journal of Experimental Vol:309(5739). 1363-1365 bleaching and required rates Biology. Vol:208(1). 75-81 of adaptation under climate [20] de Caritat, P, et al. (2005) change. Global Change [32] Folke, C, et al. (2005) Adaptive Groundwater in the Broken Biology. Vol:11(12). governance of social- Hill region, Australia: 2251-2265 ecological systems. Annual recognising interaction with Review of Environment and bedrock and mineralisation [26] Edmunds, PJ, et al. (2005) Resources. Vol:30(441-473 using S, Sr and Pb isotopes. The effect of temperature Applied Geochemistry. on the size and population [33] Fulton, CJ and Bellwood, DR. Vol:20(4). 767-787 density of dinoflagellates in (2005) Wave-induced water larvae of the reef coral Porites motion and the functional astreoides. Invertebrate implications for coral reef Biology. Vol:124(3). 185-193 fish assemblages.Limnology and Oceanography. Vol:50(1). [27] Eggins, S, et al. (2005) In 255-264 situ U-series dating by laser-ablation MC-ICPMS. [34] Fulton, CJ, et al. (2005) Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Wave energy and swimming Acta. Vol:69(10). A377-A377 performance shape coral reef fish assemblages. [28] Eggins, SM, et al. (2005) Proceedings of the Royal [21] Depczynski, M and Bellwood, In situ U-series dating by Society B-Biological Sciences. DR. (2005) Shortest recorded laser-ablation multi-collector Vol:272(1565). 827-832 vertebrate lifespan found ICPMS: new prospects for in a coral reef fish.Current Quaternary geochronology. [35] Gardiner, NM and Jones, GP. Biology. Vol:15(8). R288-R289 Quaternary Science Reviews. (2005) Habitat specialisation Vol:24(23-24). 2523-2538 and overlap in a guild of [22] Depczynski, M and Bellwood, coral reef cardinalfishes DR. (2005) Wave energy [29] Fabricius, K, et al. (2005) (Apogonidae). Marine and spatial variability in Changes in algal, coral and Ecology-Progress Series. community structure of small fish assemblages along Vol:305(163-175 cryptic coral reef fishes. water quality gradients on the Marine Ecology-Progress inshore Great Barrier Reef. [36] Green, BS and McCormick, Series. Vol:303(283-293 Marine Pollution Bulletin. MI. (2005) Maternal and Vol:51(1-4). 384-398 paternal effects determine [23] Deutsch, L and Folke, size, growth and performance C. (2005) Ecosystem [30] Fallon, SJ, et al. (2005) in larvae of a tropical reef fish. subsidies to Swedish food Interpreting environmental Marine Ecology-Progress consumption from 1962 to signals from the coralline Series. Vol:289(263-272 1994. Ecosystems. sponge Astrosclera Vol:8(5). 512-528 willeyana. Palaeogeography [37] Green, BS and McCormick, Palaeoclimatology MI. (2005) O-2 replenishment [24] Diaz-Pulido, G and McCook, Palaeoecology. to fish nests: males adjust LJ. (2005) Effects of Vol:228(1-2). 58-69 brood care to ambient nutrient enhancement on conditions and brood

36 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 development. Behavioral life-span. Marine Ecology- International Coral Reef Ecology. Vol:16(2). 389-397 Progress Series. Symposium. 2005. Okinawa, Vol:290(207-221 Japan: ICRS. [38] Greenstein, BJ, et al. (2005) A fossil reef from the [46] Hernaman, V and Munday, [52] Hughes, TP, et al. (2005) New last interglacial, Western PL. (2005) Life-history paradigms for supporting Australia. Coral Reefs. characteristics of coral reef the resilience of marine Vol:24(4). 593-593 gobies. II. Mortality rate, ecosystems. Trends in mating system and timing of Ecology & Evolution. [39] Grun, R, et al. (2005) U-series maturation. Marine Ecology- Vol:20(7). 380-386 and ESR analyses of bones Progress Series. and teeth relating to the Vol:290(223-237 human burials from Skhul. Journal of Human Evolution. [47] Hislop, NR, et al. (2005) Vol:49(3). 316-334 Tandem organization of independently duplicated [40] Guest, JR, et al. (2005) homeobox genes in the basal Reproductive seasonality in cnidarian Acropora millepora. an equatorial assemblage Development Genes and of scleractinian corals. Coral Evolution. Vol:215(5). 268-273 Reefs. Vol:24(1). 112-116 [48] Hixon, MA and Jones, [53] Hutchings, P, et al. (2005) [41] Guest, JR, et al. (2005) GP. (2005) Competition, Catchment to Reef: Water Seasonal reproduction predation, and density- quality issues in the Great in equatorial reef corals. dependent mortality in Barrier Reef Region - An Invert. Reprod. & Develop. demersal marine fishes. overview of papers. Marine Vol:48(207-218 Ecology. Vol:86(11). Pollution Bulletin. 2847-2859 Vol:51(1-4). 3-8 [42] Gunderson, L and Folke, C. (2005) Resilience - Now [49] Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2005) [54] Jackson, JBC, et al. (2005) more than ever. Ecology and Low coral cover in a high-CO2 Reassessing US coral Society. Vol:10(2). world. Journal of Geophysical reefs - Response. Science. Research-Oceans. Vol:308(5729). 1741-1742 [43] Gunderson, L, et al. Vol:110(C9). (2005) Integrating ecology and society to navigate [50] Hoegh-Guldberg, O, turbulence. Ecology and et al. (2005) Coral Society. Vol:10(1). bleaching following wintry weather. Limnology and [44] Harrison, TM, et al. (2005) Oceanography. Vol:50(1). Heterogeneous Hadean 265-271 hafnium: Evidence of continental crust by 4.5 Ga? [51] Hoey, AS and McCormick, Geochimica Et Cosmochimica MI. Effects of subcataneous Acta. Vol:69(10). A390-A390 fluorescent tags on the growth and survival of [55] Jones, GP, et al. (2005) Coral [45] Hernaman, V and Munday, a newly settled coral reef fish larvae settle close PL. (2005) Life-history reef fish, Pomacentrus to home. Current Biology. characteristics of coral amboinensis (Pomacentridae) Vol:15(14). 1314-1318 reef gobies. I. Growth and in Proceedings of the 10th

37 [56] Kingsford, MJ and Hughes, [62] Leggat, W, et al. (2005) A correlates of settlement and JM. (2005) Patterns of novel carbonic anhydrase survival for a coral reef fish, growth, mortality, and size from the giant clam Tridacna Pomacentrus amboinensis of the tropical damselfish gigas contains two carbonic (Pomacentridae). in Acanthochromis polyacanthus anhydrase domains. Febs Proceedings of the 10th across the continental shelf Journal. Vol:272(13). International Coral Reef of the Great Barrier Reef. 3297-3305 Symposium. 2005. Okinawa, Fishery Bulletin. Vol:103(4). Japan: ICRS. 561-573 [63] Lo-Yat, A, et al. (2005) Small- scale spatial variation in the [69] McCulloch, M, et al. (2005) [57] Kleypas, JA, et al. (2005) elemental composition of Tracing the life history of Comment on “Coral reef otoliths of Stegastes nigricans individual barramundi using calcification and climate (Pomacentridae) in French laser ablation MC-ICP- change: The effect of ocean Polynesia. Coral Reefs. MS Sr-isotopic and Sr/Ba warming’’. Geophysical Vol:24(4). 646-653 ratios in otoliths. Marine Research Letters. Vol:32(8). and Freshwater Research. [64] Lou, DC, et al. (2005) Vol:56(5). 637-644 [58] Konow, N and Bellwood, Using otolith weight-age DR. (2005) Prey-capture in relationships to predict age- [70] Messmer, V, et al. (2005) Pomacanthus semicirculatus based metrics of coral reef Genetic and ecological (Teleostei, Pomacanthidae): fish populations at different characterisation of colour functional implications of spatial scales. Fisheries dimorphism in a coral reef intramandibular joints in Research. Vol:71(3). 279-294 fish.Environmental Biology of marine angelfishes.Journal Fishes. Vol:74(2). 175-183 of Experimental Biology. [65] Marinaro, JY, et al. (2005) Vol:208(8). 1421-1433 First record of effective [71] Messmer, V, et al. (2005) reproduction of the dusky Phylogeography of colour [59] Kroon, FJ, et al. (2005) grouper, Epinephelus polymorphism in the coral Aromatase pathway mediates marginatus (Lowe, 1834), in reef fish Pseudochromis sex change in each direction. the Cerbere-Banyuls (France) fuscus, from Papua New Proceedings of the Royal marine protected area. Guinea and the Great Barrier Society B-Biological Sciences. Cybium. Vol:29(2). 198-200 Reef. Coral Reefs. Vol:24(3). Vol:272(1570). 1399-1405 392-402 [66] Marquis, CP, et al. (2005) An [60] Larson, JK and McCormick, evaluation of the antimicrobial [72] Miller-Sims, V, et al. (2005) MI. (2005) The role of properties of the eggs of DNA microsatellites chemical alarm signals in 11 species of scleractinian in Acanthochromis facilitating learned recognition corals. Coral Reefs. Vol:24(2). polyacanthus. Molecular of novel chemical cues in 248-253 Ecology Notes. Vol:5(4). a coral reef fish.Animal 841-843 Behaviour. Vol:69(51-57 [67] McClanahan, TR, et al. (2005) Interaction between inorganic [73] Miller-Sims, V, et al. (2005) [61] Lecchini, D, et al. (2005) nutrients and organic matter DNA microsatellites in Experimental assessment in controlling coral reef the neon damselfish of sensory modalities of communities in Glovers (Pomacentrus coelestis). coral-reef fish larvae in Reef Belize. Marine Pollution Molecular Ecology Notes. the recognition of their Bulletin. Vol:50(5). 566-575 Vol:5(2). 424-426 settlement habitat. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. [68] McCormick, MI and Hoey, [74] Miller, DJ and Ball, EE. Vol:58(1). 18-26 AS. Biological and physical (2005) Animal evolution: The

38 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 enigmatic phylum placozoa [81] Patterson, HM and Kingsford, [87] Pratchett, MS. (2005) revisited. Current Biology. MJ. (2005) Elemental Dietary overlap among Vol:15(1). R26-R28 signatures of Acanthochromis coral-feeding butterflyfishes polyacanthus otoliths from (Chaetodontidae) at Lizard [75] Miller, DJ, et al. (2005) the Great Barrier Reef have Island, northern Great Cnidarians and ancestral significant temporal, spatial, Barrier Reef. Marine Biology. genetic complexity in the and between-brood variation. Vol:148(2). 373-382 animal kingdom. Trends in Coral Reefs. Vol:24(3). Genetics. Vol:21(10). 536-539 360-369 [88] Pratchett, MS. (2005) Dynamics of an outbreak [76] Miller, DJ, et al. (2005) [82] Patterson, HM, et al. (2005) population of Acanthaster Reconstitution of the Resolution of the early life planci at Lizard Island, peridinin-chlorophyll a protein history of a reef fish using northern Great Barrier Reef (PCP): Evidence for functional otolith chemistry. Coral Reefs. (1995-1999). Coral Reefs. flexibility in chlorophyll Vol:24(2). 222-229 Vol:24(3). 453-462 binding. Photosynthesis Research. Vol:86(1-2). [83] Pelejero, C, et al. (2005) [89] Raven, J, et al. (2005) Ocean 229-240 Preindustrial to modern Acidification due to increasing interdecadal variability in atmospheric carbon dioxide. [77] Moland, E, et al. (2005) coral reef pH. Science. Royal Society Special Report. 68 Ecology and evolution of Vol:309(5744). 2204-2207 mimicry in coral reef fishes. In [90] Roark, EB, et al. (2005) - Oceanography and Marine [84] Pierre, LS, et al. (2005) Radiocarbon-based ages Biology - an Annual Review, Comparative analysis of and growth rates of bamboo Vol. 43. Vol:43.CRC PRESS- prothrombin activators from corals from the Gulf of TAYLOR & FRANCIS GROUP the venom of Australian Alaska. Geophysical Research Boca Raton. 455-482 elapids. Molecular Biology Letters. Vol:32(4). and Evolution. Vol:22(9). [78] Montagno, P, et al. (2005) 1853-1864 [91] Russ, GR, et al. (2005) High- resolution trace and Inferring versus measuring minor element compositions [85] Pillay, RM, et al. (2005) rates of recovery in no-take in deep-water scleractinian Trends in the density of marine reserves. Marine corals (Desmophyllum zooxanthellae in Acropora Ecology-Progress Series. dianthus) from the millepora (Ehrenberg, 1834) Vol:292(1-12 Mediterranean Sea and at the Palm Island Group, the Great Australian Bight. Great Barrier Reef, Australia. [92] Sale, PF, et al. (2005) Critical In - Cold-water Corals and Symbiosis. Vol:38(3). 209-226 science gaps impede use Ecosystems. A. Freiwald and of no-take fishery reserves. J. M. Roberts. Springer-Verlag Trends in Ecology & Berlin Heidelberg. 1109-1126 Evolution. Vol:20(2). 74-80

[79] Pandolfi, JM. (2005) Are U.S. [93] Simpson, SD, et al. (2005) coral reefs on the slippery Homeward sound. Science. slope to slime? (vol 307, Vol:308(5719). 221-221 pg 1725, 2005). Science. Vol:308(5729). 1742-1743 [94] Simpson, SD, et al. (2005) Response of embryonic coral [80] Pandolfi, JM,et al. (2005) reef fishes (Pomacentridae Ecology - Are US coral [86] Planes, S, et al. (2005) : Amphiprion spp.) to noise. reefs on the slippery Stability of coral reef fish Marine Ecology-Progress slope to slime? Science. assemblages impacted Series. Vol:287(201-208 Vol:307(5716). 1725-1726 by nuclear tests. Ecology. Vol:86(10). 2578-2585

39 [98] Van Oppen, MJH, et al. [101] Wittenrich, ML and (2005) Diversity of Munday, PL. (2005) Labile algal endosymbionts sex allocation in three (zooxanthellae) in octocorals: species of Pseudochromis the roles of geography and (Pseudochromidae): an host relationships. Molecular experimental evaluation. Ecology. Vol:14(8). 2403-2417 Zoological Science. Vol:22(797-803 [99] Van Oppen, MJH, et al. Nuclear markers in [102] Wong, MYL, et al. (2005) [95] Technau, U, et al. (2005) evolutionary and population Habitat patch size, Maintenance of ancestral genetic studies of facultative monogamy complexity and non-metazoan scleractinian corals and and sex change in a coral- genes in two basal cnidarians. sponges. in Proceedings of dwelling fish, Caracanthus Trends in Genetics. the 10th International Coral unipinna. Environmental Vol:21(12). 633-639 Reef Symposium. 2005. Biology of Fishes. Vol:74(2). Okinawa, Japan: ICRS. 141-150 [96] Teles, HL, et al. (2005) Cytotoxic lignans from the [100] Westneat, MW, et al. [103] Yakovleva, IM and Baird, stems of Styrax camporum (2005) Local phylogenetic AH. (2005) Ontogenetic (Styracaceae). Natural Product divergence and global change in the abundance Research. Vol:19(4). 319-323 evolutionary convergence of of mycosporine-like amino skull function in reef fishes acids in non-zooxanthellate [97] Van Oppen, MJH, et al. (2005) of the family Labridae. coral larvae. Coral Reefs. Geographic distribution of Proceedings of the Royal Vol:24(3). 443-452 zooxanthella types in three Society B-Biological coral species on the Great Sciences. Vol:272(1567). Barrier Reef sampled after 993-1000 the 2002 bleaching event. Coral Reefs. Vol:24(3). 482-487

40 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Performance Measures

The Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies is a world leader in Coral reef science, with more publications in this discipline than other internationally renowned research institutes, such as the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

550 110

500 100

450 90

400 80

350 70

300 60

250 50

Cumulative Impact Factor Impact Cumulative 200 40 papers of Number

150 30

100 20

50 10

0 0 -

NOAA ARC CoE upon Tyne

University of Hawaii graphic InstituteUniversity of Miami Smithsonian Institute Woods Hole Oceano University of Perpignan University of Newcastle Scripps Research Institute

Comparison of 2005 journal publications in coral reef disciplines with Benchmark Institutions. Graph compares the total number of publications in Coral Reef Science and the total Impact Factor of those publications. Output was determined by searching ISI Web of Science for Coral* and the Institution’s name. Note the high Impact Factor relative to the number of publications for the ARC Centre of Excellence, Scripps Research Institute and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

41 Centre researchers are the first, (ISI impact factor >4). Centre and “league table” success. third and fifth most published researchers were cited over 3600 Madeleine van Oppen received Australian authors in Nature and times in 2005. Cross institutional the Australian Academy of Science in any field over the collaborations resulted in 62 joint Science Dorothy Hill award which last five years, with 7 Centre publications representing 90 recognizes research excellence in researchers in the top 20. In institutions from 27 countries. reef science by female researchers 2005, ARC Centre of Excellence under 40 years. Sean Connolly researchers produced 103 Members of the Centre received was awarded the JCU Early Career publications. Of these, 28 were recognition in 2005 for the quality Research Excellence award. published in high impact journals of their research through awards

League table achievements Hughes, T.P., A.H. Baird, Jackson, J.B.C., M.X. Kirby, include: D.R. Bellwood, M. Card, W.H. Berger, K. Bjorndal, Connolly, S.R., T.P. Hughes, S.R. Connolly, C. Folke, L.W. Botsford, B.J. Bourque, D.R. Bellwood, R.H. Karlson. R. Grosberg, O. Hoegh- R.H. Bradbury, R. Cooke, (2005). Community structure Guldberg, J.B.C. Jackson, J. Erlandson, J.A. Estes, of corals and reef fishes at J. Kleypas, J.M. Lough, T.P., Hughes, S. Kidwell, multiple scales. Science P. Marshall, M. Nyström, C.B. Lange, H.S. Lenihan, 309, 1363-1365. (ranked by S.R. Palumbi, J.M. Pandolfi, J.M. Pandolfi, C.H. Peterson, the Faculty of 1000 (www. B. Rosen, J. Roughgarden. R.S. Steneck, M.J. Tegner, f1000biology.com) as an (2003). Climate Change, R.R. Warner. (2001). Outstanding Publication). Human Impacts, and the Historical overfishing and the Resilience of Coral Reefs. recent collapse of coastal Bellwood, D.R., T.P. Hughes, Science 301, 929-933. (Major ecosystems. Science 293: C. Folke, and M. Nyström. review and cover article, 629-638. (Major review and (2004). Confronting the coral identified by Thompson ISI as cover article for Special Issue reef crisis. Nature 429: 827- one of the Top 3 Hot Papers on Ecology through Time. 833. (Invited major review in Environment/Ecology Identified by ISI Essential and cover article, identified by published globally in the past Science Indicators as a Current Thompson ISI as a Hot Paper 2 years, www.in-cites.com/ Classic (www.in-cites.com/ in the top 0.01% of citations hotpapers/2005/september05- currentclassics/july2005.html). among papers published env.html) in the past 2 years, (www. in-cites.com/hotpapers/2005/ september05-env.html).

42 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Research findings

Target for Measure Outcome in 20052 July-December 20051

51 1 Book chapter, 46 articles in scholarly refereed Number of publications journals, 1 journal article- 25 letter, 2 Major Reviews, 1 Conference paper- fully refereed

Publications in Journals with an Impact Factor > 4 2 14

Number of citations 125 1823

Invitations to address and participate in 2 6 international conferences

Invitations to provide review articles 2 7

109 (see page 31) 39 newspaper articles Number and nature of commentaries about the 40 web online articles 25 Centre’s achievements 3 magazine articles 18 television interviews 9 radio interviews

Level of recognition 1 6 (see page 41)

Research training and professional education

Target for Measure Outcome in 2005 July-December 2005

Number of postgraduates enrolled 50 over 5 years 66 (see page 20)

Number of postgraduate completions 50 over 5 years 4

Number of Honours students 50 over 5 years 9 (see page 20)

Number of professional workshops 1 3

Participation in professional workshops 1 5

Number and level of graduate student courses and 3 6 workshops in the priority area(s)

1 Targets for 2005 have been halved to represent the 6 months from 1 July. 2 Estimated by halving the total for 2005.

43 International, national and regional links and networks

Target for Measure Outcome in 2005 July-December 2005

Number of international visitors 5 25 (see page 28)

13 Centre investigators Number of national and international 1 participated in 3 international Working Groups and 5 national working groups.

Number of visits to overseas laboratories 6 12 and research facilities

21 Invitations to membership of national and international Nature and extent of international engagements 3 boards and advisory committees

Number of cross-institutional authorship 5 62 of publications

Number of multi-institutional supervisory 2 29 arrangements of graduate students

Number & nature of contractual arrangements (commercialisation and consultancies). Aims to: n increase the level of internationally funded 10 over 5 years 16 students n increase level of consultancies and contract 1 8 Contract research contracts research with industry

Number of government, industry and 9 industry briefings 2 business briefings 8 government briefing

Number of Centre trained/ing personnel in knowledge / technology transfer and 1 0 commercialization

Number and nature of Public Awareness programs n Website 2000 hits/ month Website established 11361 hits in December n Public awareness presentations 1 3 public awareness events (Details on page 27)

44 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 Organisational support

Target for Measure Outcome in 2005 July-December 2005

Collaborating organisations have met their 2005 cash contribution Annual cash contributions from $1,115,000 in year 1 commitments. Other cash Collaborating Organisations contributions for year 1 will be provided in 2006

Collaborating organisations have met their 2005 in-kind contribution Annual in-kind contributions from $1,873,122 in year 1 commitments. Other in-kind Collaborating Organisations contributions for year 1 will be provided in 2006

8 New collaborations established with the Beijer Institute, University 4 in year one, of Adelaide, CSIRO Sustainable Number of new Organisations recruited Ecosystems, University of Maine increasing by 2 per to or involved in the Centre Orono, University of Dalhousie, annum Emory University, Wageningen University, and the Centre for Transdisciplinary Environmental Studies

For year 1, the value of Collaborating institutions have infrastructure provided Level and quality of infrastructure provided access to infrastructure to the Centre from provided to the Centre for the Centre exceeding their collaborating institutions commitments. totals $878,843.

Additional funding of $100,000 Annual cash contributions from other Additional funding of received from CSIRO Sustainable new organisations $100,000 in year 1 Eco-systems

45 Governance

Target for Measure Outcome in 2005 July-December 2005

Senior representation from all nodes. Representation of eminent international Centre Advisory Board and researchers. Members with Scientific Management Breadth and experience of the members commercial and business links. Committee established. of the Advisory Board Representation of a broad Membership details spectrum of interests with on page 6 strong participation from end users

Inaugural Scientific Annual face-to face meeting Management Committee attended by entire Centre meeting in February 2006. Frequency and effectiveness of Advisory Board. Inaugural Centre Advisory Advisory Board meetings Face-to-face meeting of Board meeting scheduled for entire Scientific Management early 2006. 2 Program leader Committee twice per year. meetings held in 2005.

Draft Strategic Plan developed The Centre’s progress against and presented to Scientific the plan will be formally Management Committee. To be Quality of the Centre strategic plan reported to the Advisory Board reviewed by business, science and be renewed in light of and university leaders and outcomes. presented to inaugural Centre Advisory Board.

The nodes will communicate through: 1) Meetings of the Scientific 1) All nodes and research Management Committee programs represented at where each node and Scientific Management program is represented Committee meetings. 2) monthly nodal leader phone 2) Monthly nodal and program Effectiveness of arrangements to manage or video conferences leader meetings held Centre nodes 3) Annual rotational visits to 3) In 2005 management the nodes meetings held at each of the 4) Annual research retreats for 3 nodes all Centre participants 4) In 2005 research planning 5) Annual research planning meetings held for Centre and meetings of Programs with each research program cross-nodal attendance 5) Cross nodal attendance at all research planning meetings

1) International benchmarking The Centre has outperformed The adequacy of the Centre’s Key to research in top benchmarked institutions. Performance Measures international marine (See page 41) research centres.

46 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 National Benefit

Measure Target for July-December 2005 Outcome in 2005

1) A growth trajectory of 10% in citations and 16% Publications from 2000-2004 as the benchmark. 2) 5 briefings to government, business and industry 17 briefings groups per annum in year 1 increasing to 10 by Measures of expansion of year 5. Australia’s capability in the 3) 10 cross institutional co-authored publications in 14 Publications priority area(s) year 1 increasing to 30 by year 5. co authored by researchers in different nodes of the Centre

Case studies of economic, 1 to be highlighted in the annual report and social, cultural or distributed to media agencies (See page 33) environmental benefits Target of 1 for July-Dec 2005

47 Financial Status

The operating cash and in-kind operating budget for the Centre of Excellence for 2005-2010 currently totals $31.6m. The chart below indicates the budgeted level of funding from the various funding sources.

Cash & Inkind Operating Budget 2005–2010

Industry / Other $2.5m ANU $1.3m

UQ $2.4m ARC $12.9m

JCU $9.7m

ARC Fellowships $1.6m

Commonwealth Government / Other $1.2m

University Partners

48 “ Coral Reef Studies Annual Report 2005 A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 0 5

ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland 4811 AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 7 4781 4000 Fax: +61 7 4781 6722 Email: [email protected] Website: www.coralcoe.org.au