Professor Anthony Richardson
Professor

Anthony Richardson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 3833 5958

Background

Professor Anthony J. Richardson uses mathematical, statistical, computational and spatial planning tools to investigate human impacts on our oceans - and to find solutions. Particular foci include:

  • Marine spatial planning - Where best to locate marine protected areas to minimise impacts on people, maximise ecosystem benefits, ensure they are climate-smart and connected, and enable multiple-use zoning of the ocean.
  • Developing models of marine ecosystems - How do lower trophic levels (plankton) regulate fisheries productivity and carbon sequestration, and how will these be impacted by climate change.
  • Long-term change in lower trophic levels (plankton) in the ocean. This includes both field work around Australia and global analyses.

Anthony did an undergradulate degree in Mathematics and Biology at the University of Queensland, followed by an Honours degree there. He was awarded a PhD degree from the University of Cape Town in 1998, modelling the dynamics of marine ecosystems. Since 2005, Anthony has held a joint position between UQ (School of the Environment) and CSIRO Environment. He has previously held positions at the University of Cape Town (South Africa), the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), and the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation of Ocean Science (UK).

Anthony runs a dynamic lab at the nexus between conservation science and mathematics. His focus is on using mathematical tools to better conserve biodiversity, predict impacts of climate change, and understand the functioning of marine ecosystems. If you have a background in marine ecology and are interested in applying mathematics/statistics/computational science and want to apply your skills to real-world problems, get in touch.

Availability

Professor Anthony Richardson is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment Biological Sciences Climate change impacts and adaptation Conservation and biodiversity Ecological applications Ecology Environmental Sciences Fisheries sciences Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) Natural resource management

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cape Town

Research interests

  • Marine spatial planning: Biodiversity and conservation

    Using computational tools to better conserve biodiversity. I am particularly interested in designing marine protected areas that are climate-smart, connected, allow multiple use, and benefit people.

  • Ecosystem modelling, fisheries and climate change

    Developing marine ecosystem models that focus on the role of lower trophic levels (plankton) in productive fisheries and carbon sequestration, now and in the future under climate change.

  • Impacts of climate change on marine systems

    Using advanced statistical techniques to analyse large ecological datasets to understand the impacts of climate change and other human stresses such as ocean acidification, fishing, habitat destruction and pollution on marine systems.

Research impacts

His research is recognised internationally for significant contributions in the fields of climate change ecology, plankton ecology and marine conservation. Anthony is the author of >250 peer-reviewed papers. He enjoys teaching biostatistics and modelling. For more informaiton on my research, see my Google Scholar page https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=RLeJq98AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

I was the first to show that the timing of marine events in the ocean - such as blooms - are becoming earlier because of climate change. I have also co-led the global working group that has provided the most comprehensive synthesis of the impacts of climate change on marine systems. My work on climate impacts has been heavily cited in the IPCC 4th, 5th, and 6th Assessment Reports. Much of my work now is in marine conservation planning - how to more effectively design marine protected areas in the ocean to make them climate-smart, connected, and to benefit people. This work is through the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.

Search Professor Anthony Richardson’s works on UQ eSpace

269 works between 1996 and 2025
All (269) Journal Article (243) Book Chapter (17) Conference Publication (4) Other Outputs (5)

21 - 40 of 269 works

2024

Journal Article

Rapid climate change alters the environment and biological production of the Indian Ocean

Dalpadado, Padmini, Roxy, Mathew Koll, Arrigo, Kevin R., van Dijken, Gert L., Chierici, Melissa, Ostrowski, Marek, Skern-Mauritzen, Rasmus, Bakke, Gunnstein, Richardson, Anthony J. and Sperfeld, Erik (2024). Rapid climate change alters the environment and biological production of the Indian Ocean. Science of the Total Environment, 906 167342, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167342

Rapid climate change alters the environment and biological production of the Indian Ocean

2023

Journal Article

A global review of pyrosomes: shedding light on the ocean's elusive gelatinous “fire‐bodies”

Lilly, Laura E., Suthers, Iain M., Everett, Jason D. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). A global review of pyrosomes: shedding light on the ocean's elusive gelatinous “fire‐bodies”. Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 8 (6), 812-829. doi: 10.1002/lol2.10350

A global review of pyrosomes: shedding light on the ocean's elusive gelatinous “fire‐bodies”

2023

Journal Article

Monitoring and modelling marine zooplankton in a changing climate

Ratnarajah, Lavenia, Abu-Alhaija, Rana, Atkinson, Angus, Batten, Sonia, Bax, Nicholas J., Bernard, Kim S., Canonico, Gabrielle, Cornils, Astrid, Everett, Jason D., Grigoratou, Maria, Ishak, Nurul Huda Ahmad, Johns, David, Lombard, Fabien, Muxagata, Erik, Ostle, Clare, Pitois, Sophie, Richardson, Anthony J., Schmidt, Katrin, Stemmann, Lars, Swadling, Kerrie M., Yang, Guang and Yebra, Lidia (2023). Monitoring and modelling marine zooplankton in a changing climate. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 564, 1-17. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36241-5

Monitoring and modelling marine zooplankton in a changing climate

2023

Journal Article

Improving the biological realism of predator–prey size relationships in food web models alters ecosystem dynamics

Murphy, Kieran J., Pecl, Gretta T., Everett, Jason D., Heneghan, Ryan F., Richards, Shane A., Richardson, Anthony J., Semmens, Jayson M. and Blanchard, Julia L. (2023). Improving the biological realism of predator–prey size relationships in food web models alters ecosystem dynamics. Biology Letters, 19 (10) 20230142, 1-6. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0142

Improving the biological realism of predator–prey size relationships in food web models alters ecosystem dynamics

2023

Journal Article

Gelatinous larvacean zooplankton can enhance trophic transfer and carbon sequestration

Jaspers, Cornelia, Hopcroft, Russell R., Kiørboe, Thomas, Lombard, Fabien, López-Urrutia, Ángel, Everett, Jason D. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Gelatinous larvacean zooplankton can enhance trophic transfer and carbon sequestration. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 38 (10), 980-993. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.005

Gelatinous larvacean zooplankton can enhance trophic transfer and carbon sequestration

2023

Journal Article

Evaluating ecological benefits of oceanic protected areas

Blanluet, Arthur, Game, Edward T., Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Lombard, Amanda T. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Evaluating ecological benefits of oceanic protected areas. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 39 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.09.003

Evaluating ecological benefits of oceanic protected areas

2023

Journal Article

Priority areas to protect mangroves and maximise ecosystem services

Dabalà, Alvise, Dahdouh-Guebas, Farid, Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Lovelock, Catherine E., Hanson, Jeffrey O., Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Neubert, Sandra and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Priority areas to protect mangroves and maximise ecosystem services. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 5863, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41333-3

Priority areas to protect mangroves and maximise ecosystem services

2023

Journal Article

Demystifying global climate models for use in the life sciences

Schoeman, David S., Sen Gupta, Alex, Harrison, Cheryl S., Everett, Jason D., Brito-Morales, Isaac, Hannah, Lee, Bopp, Laurent, Roehrdanz, Patrick R. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Demystifying global climate models for use in the life sciences. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 38 (9), 843-858. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.04.005

Demystifying global climate models for use in the life sciences

2023

Journal Article

Corrigendum: Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton

Grutter, Alexandra S., Nishikawa, Natsumi, Uribe-Palomino, Julian and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Corrigendum: Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10 1227211, 1-2. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1227211

Corrigendum: Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton

2023

Journal Article

A 3‐year plankton DNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biodiversity patterns in Australian coastal waters

Berry, Tina E., Coghlan, Megan L., Saunders, Benjamin J., Richardson, Anthony J., Power, Matthew, Harvey, Euan, Jarman, Simon, Berry, Oliver, Davies, Claire H. and Bunce, Michael (2023). A 3‐year plankton DNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biodiversity patterns in Australian coastal waters. Diversity and Distributions, 29 (7), 862-878. doi: 10.1111/ddi.13699

A 3‐year plankton DNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biodiversity patterns in Australian coastal waters

2023

Journal Article

Zooplankton grazing is the largest source of uncertainty for marine carbon cycling in CMIP6 models

Rohr, Tyler, Richardson, Anthony J., Lenton, Andrew, Chamberlain, Matthew A. and Shadwick, Elizabeth H. (2023). Zooplankton grazing is the largest source of uncertainty for marine carbon cycling in CMIP6 models. Communications Earth and Environment, 4 (1) 212, 1-22. doi: 10.1038/s43247-023-00871-w

Zooplankton grazing is the largest source of uncertainty for marine carbon cycling in CMIP6 models

2023

Journal Article

Corrigendum to “A functional size-spectrum model of the global marine ecosystem that resolves zooplankton composition”, Ecological Modelling, 2020, 435: 109265

Heneghan, Ryan F., Everett, Jason D., Sykes, Patrick, Batten, Sonia D., Edwards, Martin, Takahashi, Kunio, Suthers, Iain M., Blanchard, Julia L. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Corrigendum to “A functional size-spectrum model of the global marine ecosystem that resolves zooplankton composition”, Ecological Modelling, 2020, 435: 109265. Ecological Modelling, 480 110309, 110309. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110309

Corrigendum to “A functional size-spectrum model of the global marine ecosystem that resolves zooplankton composition”, Ecological Modelling, 2020, 435: 109265

2023

Journal Article

Climate-driven zooplankton shifts cause large-scale declines in food quality for fish

Heneghan, Ryan F., Everett, Jason D., Blanchard, Julia L., Sykes, Patrick and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Climate-driven zooplankton shifts cause large-scale declines in food quality for fish. Nature Climate Change, 13 (5) s41558-023-01630-7, 470-477. doi: 10.1038/s41558-023-01630-7

Climate-driven zooplankton shifts cause large-scale declines in food quality for fish

2023

Journal Article

A metric‐based framework for climate‐smart conservation planning

Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Brito‐Morales, Isaac, Schoeman, David S., Hanson, Jeffrey O., Dabalà, Alvise, Neubert, Sandra, Cannicci, Stefano, Kaschner, Kristin and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). A metric‐based framework for climate‐smart conservation planning. Ecological Applications, 33 (4) e2852, 1-29. doi: 10.1002/eap.2852

A metric‐based framework for climate‐smart conservation planning

2023

Journal Article

Large-scale impact of the 2016 Marine Heatwave on the plankton-associated microbial communities of the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Doni, Lapo, Oliveri, Caterina, Lasa, Aide, Di Cesare, Andrea, Petrin, Sara, Martinez-Urtaza, Jaime, Coman, Frank, Richardson, Anthony and Vezzulli, Luigi (2023). Large-scale impact of the 2016 Marine Heatwave on the plankton-associated microbial communities of the Great Barrier Reef (Australia). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 188 114685, 114685. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114685

Large-scale impact of the 2016 Marine Heatwave on the plankton-associated microbial communities of the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

2023

Journal Article

Agricultural diversification for crop yield stability: a smallholder adaptation strategy to climate variability in Ethiopia

Menesch, Joseph, Godde, Cecile, Venables, William, Renard, Delphine, Richardson, Anthony, Cobelli, Oceane and Waha, Katharina (2023). Agricultural diversification for crop yield stability: a smallholder adaptation strategy to climate variability in Ethiopia. Regional Environmental Change, 23 (1) 34, 1-34. doi: 10.1007/s10113-022-02021-y

Agricultural diversification for crop yield stability: a smallholder adaptation strategy to climate variability in Ethiopia

2023

Journal Article

Marked shifts of harmful algal blooms in the Bohai Sea linked with combined impacts of environmental changes

Li, Xiao-Yu, Yu, Ren-Cheng, Richardson, Anthony J., Sun, Chaojiao, Eriksen, Ruth, Kong, Fan-Zhou, Zhou, Zheng-Xi, Geng, Hui-Xia, Zhang, Qing-Chun and Zhou, Ming-Jiang (2023). Marked shifts of harmful algal blooms in the Bohai Sea linked with combined impacts of environmental changes. Harmful Algae, 121 102370, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.hal.2022.102370

Marked shifts of harmful algal blooms in the Bohai Sea linked with combined impacts of environmental changes

2023

Journal Article

Priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science

Halpern, Benjamin S., Boettiger, Carl, Dietze, Michael C., Gephart, Jessica A., Gonzalez, Patrick, Grimm, Nancy B., Groffman, Peter M., Gurevitch, Jessica, Hobbie, Sarah E., Komatsu, Kimberly J., Kroeker, Kristy J., Lahr, Heather J., Lodge, David M., Lortie, Christopher J., Lowndes, Julie S. S., Micheli, Fiorenza, Possingham, Hugh P., Ruckelshaus, Mary H., Scarborough, Courtney, Wood, Chelsea L., Wu, Grace C., Aoyama, Lina, Arroyo, Eva E., Bahlai, Christie A., Beller, Erin E., Blake, Rachael E., Bork, Karrigan S., Branch, Trevor A., Brown, Norah E. M. ... Youngflesh, Casey (2023). Priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science. Ecosphere, 14 (1) e4342, 1-13. doi: 10.1002/ecs2.4342

Priorities for synthesis research in ecology and environmental science

2022

Journal Article

Ecological forecasting and operational information systems support sustainable ocean management

Sun, Chaojiao, Hobday, Alistair J., Condie, Scott A., Baird, Mark E., Eveson, J. Paige, Hartog, Jason R., Richardson, Anthony J., Steven, Andrew D. L., Wild-Allen, Karen, Babcock, Russell C., Yang, Dezhou, Yu, Rencheng and Mongin, Mathieu (2022). Ecological forecasting and operational information systems support sustainable ocean management. Forecasting, 4 (4), 1051-1079. doi: 10.3390/forecast4040057

Ecological forecasting and operational information systems support sustainable ocean management

2022

Journal Article

Detailed description and morphological assessment of Sepia typica (Steenstrup, 1875) (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae)

Leslie, Robin W., Richardson, Anthony J. and Lipiński, Marek R. (2022). Detailed description and morphological assessment of Sepia typica (Steenstrup, 1875) (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae). Diversity, 14 (12) 1073, 1-31. doi: 10.3390/d14121073

Detailed description and morphological assessment of Sepia typica (Steenstrup, 1875) (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae)

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Zooplankton: the missing link in modelling the ocean carbon cycle
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Efficient, scalable, climate-smart marine conservation planning support
    The University of Queensland in America, Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Spatial management reserve solutions for a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Kong Hakons VII Hav (WSMPA Phase 2)
    Norwegian Polar Institute
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Identification of the range of priority areas for a future Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Kong Hakons VII Hav (WSMPA Phase 2)
    Norwegian Polar Institute
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Dispersal Modelling supporting WSMPA Phase 2
    Norwegian Polar Institute
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    The effect of blue water marine protected areas on pelagic ecosystems
    The Nature Conservancy Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Future fisheries under climate change: the missing role of zooplankton
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    4.2.6 Recommendations to maintain functioning of the Great Barrier Reef (NESP - Tropical Water Quality Hub project administered by Reef and Rainforest Research Centre)
    Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Connectivity and movements of large pelagic species of ecotourism value
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Linking phytoplankton to fisheries using zooplankton size spectra (ARC Discovery Project administered by University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Project Manta WA - biology and ecology of manta rays in Australian waters
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Climate-driven windblown dust and flood runoff can increase marine diseases by fungal pathogens (ARC Discovery Project led by University of Tasmania)
    University of Tasmania
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Climate-driven windblown dust and flood runoff can increase marine diseases by fungal pathogens (ARC Discovery Project led by UTAS)
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2018
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED)
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    An integrated examination of the drivers of movements of large filter feeding organisms of high ecotourism value: a case study
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    A laser optical plankton counter for laboratory and in-situ size distributions of zooplankton, to assess the basis and outcomes of changing ecosystems (ARC LIEF administered by UNSW)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    The resilience of marine ecosystems and fisheries to climate change: exploring adaptation strategies
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Resilience of Moreton Bay to climate change: Links between nutrient inputs and plankton dynamics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Biodiversity impacts and adaptation (Part of the CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Cluster - Regional adaptation to climate change - administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Integrating climate and ecosystem models to predict climate change impacts on Australian marine systems
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Anthony Richardson is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Anthony Richardson directly for media enquiries about:

  • Jellyfish
  • Manta rays
  • Marine life and climate change
  • Mathematics and climate change
  • Mathematics and marine science
  • Plankton

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