Overview
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cape Town
Research interests
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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.
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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.
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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.
Works
Search Professor Anthony Richardson’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Assessment and constraint of mesozooplankton in CMIP6 Earth system models
Petrik, C.M., Luo, J.Y., Heneghan, R.F., Everett, J.D., Harrison, C.S. and Richardson, A.J. (2022). Assessment and constraint of mesozooplankton in CMIP6 Earth system models. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 36 (11) e2022GB007367, 1-25. doi: 10.1029/2022gb007367
2022
Journal Article
Recommendations for the formulation of grazing in marine biogeochemical and ecosystem models
Rohr, Tyler, Richardson, Anthony J., Lenton, Andrew and Shadwick, Elizabeth (2022). Recommendations for the formulation of grazing in marine biogeochemical and ecosystem models. Progress in Oceanography, 208 102878, 1-27. doi: 10.1016/j.pocean.2022.102878
2022
Journal Article
Diving into the vertical dimension of elasmobranch movement ecology
Andrzejaczek, Samantha, Lucas, Tim C.D., Goodman, Maurice C., Hussey, Nigel E., Armstrong, Amelia J., Carlisle, Aaron, Coffey, Daniel M., Gleiss, Adrian C., Huveneers, Charlie, Jacoby, David M. P., Meekan, Mark G., Mourier, Johann, Peel, Lauren R., Abrantes, Kátya, Afonso, André S., Ajemian, Matthew J., Anderson, Brooke N., Anderson, Scot D., Araujo, Gonzalo, Armstrong, Asia O., Bach, Pascal, Barnett, Adam, Bennett, Mike B., Bezerra, Natalia A., Bonfil, Ramon, Boustany, Andre M., Bowlby, Heather D., Branco, Ilka, Braun, Camrin D. ... Curnick, David J. (2022). Diving into the vertical dimension of elasmobranch movement ecology. Science Advances, 8 (33) eabo1754, 1-19. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abo1754
2022
Journal Article
Copepods and mixotrophic Rhizaria dominate zooplankton abundances in the oligotrophic Indian Ocean
Davies, Claire H., Beckley, Lynnath E. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2022). Copepods and mixotrophic Rhizaria dominate zooplankton abundances in the oligotrophic Indian Ocean. Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 202 105136, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2022.105136
2022
Journal Article
Recommendations for plankton measurements on OceanSITES moorings with relevance to other observing sites
Boss, Emmanuel, Waite, Anya M., Karstensen, Johannes, Trull, Tom, Muller-Karger, Frank, Sosik, Heidi M., Uitz, Julia, Acinas, Silvia G., Fennel, Katja, Berman-Frank, Ilana, Thomalla, Sandy, Yamazaki, Hidekatsu, Batten, Sonia, Gregori, Gerald, Richardson, Anthony J. and Wanninkhof, Rik (2022). Recommendations for plankton measurements on OceanSITES moorings with relevance to other observing sites. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9 929436, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.929436
2022
Journal Article
A global, historical database of tuna, billfish, and saury larval distributions
Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Everett, Jason D., Dunn, Daniel C., Mercer, James, Suthers, Iain M., Schilling, Hayden T., Hinchliffe, Charles, Dabalà, Alvise and Richardson, Anthony J. (2022). A global, historical database of tuna, billfish, and saury larval distributions. Scientific Data, 9 (1) 423, 423. doi: 10.1038/s41597-022-01528-7
2022
Journal Article
A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation
Herbert-Read, James E., Thornton, Ann, Amon, Diva J., Birchenough, Silvana N. R., Côté, Isabelle M., Dias, Maria P., Godley, Brendan J., Keith, Sally A., McKinley, Emma, Peck, Lloyd S., Calado, Ricardo, Defeo, Omar, Degraer, Steven, Johnston, Emma L., Kaartokallio, Hermanni, Macreadie, Peter I., Metaxas, Anna, Muthumbi, Agnes W. N., Obura, David O., Paterson, David M., Piola, Alberto R., Richardson, Anthony J., Schloss, Irene R., Snelgrove, Paul V. R., Stewart, Bryce D., Thompson, Paul M., Watson, Gordon J., Worthington, Thomas A., Yasuhara, Moriaki and Sutherland, William J. (2022). A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 6 (9), 1262-1270. doi: 10.1038/s41559-022-01812-0
2022
Book Chapter
Databases for the study of harmful algae, their global distribution and their trends
Zingone, Adriana, Escalera, Laura, Bresnan, Eileen, Enevoldsen, Henrik, Provoost, Pieter, Richardson, Anthony J. and Hallegraeff, Gustaaf (2022). Databases for the study of harmful algae, their global distribution and their trends. Guidelines for the study of climate change effects on HABs. (pp. 79-103) edited by M.L. Wells, M. Burford, A. Kremp, M. Montresor and G.C. Pitcher. Paris, France: UNESCO-IOC/SCOR.
2022
Book Chapter
Observing changes in harmful algal blooms over time: long-term observations for studying impacts from climate change
Richardson, Anthony J., Eriksen, Ruth, Hallegraeff, Gustaaf M., Rochester, Wayne, Pitcher, Grant C. and Burford, Michele (2022). Observing changes in harmful algal blooms over time: long-term observations for studying impacts from climate change. Guidelines for the study of climate change effects on HABs. (pp. 13-35) edited by M.L. Wells, M. Burford, A. Kremp, M. Montresor and G.C. Pitcher. Paris, France: UNESCO-IOC/SCOR.
2022
Journal Article
Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton
Grutter, Alexandra S., Nishikawa, Natsumi, Uribe-Palomino, Julian and Richardson, Anthony J. (2022). Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9 812989, 1-17. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.812989
2022
Journal Article
Global collision-risk hotspots of marine traffic and the world’s largest fish, the whale shark
Womersley, Freya C., Humphries, Nicolas E., Queiroz, Nuno, Vedor, Marisa, da Costa, Ivo, Furtado, Miguel, Tyminski, John P., Abrantes, Katya, Araujo, Gonzalo, Bach, Steffen S., Barnett, Adam, Berumen, Michael L., Bessudo Lion, Sandra, Braun, Camrin D., Clingham, Elizabeth, Cochran, Jesse E. M., de la Parra, Rafael, Diamant, Stella, Dove, Alistair D. M., Dudgeon, Christine L., Erdmann, Mark V., Espinoza, Eduardo, Fitzpatrick, Richard, Cano, Jaime González, Green, Jonathan R., Guzman, Hector M., Hardenstine, Royale, Hasan, Abdi, Hazin, Fábio H. V. ... Sims, David W. (2022). Global collision-risk hotspots of marine traffic and the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (20) e2117440119, 1-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2117440119
2022
Journal Article
The mortality/growth ratio of larval fish and the slope of the zooplankton size‐spectrum
Suthers, Iain M., White, Zoe, Hinchliffe, Charles, Falster, Daniel S., Richardson, Anthony J. and Everett, Jason D. (2022). The mortality/growth ratio of larval fish and the slope of the zooplankton size‐spectrum. Fish and Fisheries, 23 (3), 750-757. doi: 10.1111/faf.12633
2022
Journal Article
Towards climate-smart, three-dimensional protected areas for biodiversity conservation in the high seas
Brito-Morales, Isaac, Schoeman, David S., Everett, Jason D., Klein, Carissa J., Dunn, Daniel C., García Molinos, Jorge, Burrows, Michael T., Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Dominguez, Rosa Mar, Possingham, Hugh P. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2022). Towards climate-smart, three-dimensional protected areas for biodiversity conservation in the high seas. Nature Climate Change, 12 (4), 402-407. doi: 10.1038/s41558-022-01323-7
2022
Journal Article
Flexibility for fuelling reproduction in a pelagic ray (Mobula eregoodoo) suggested by bioenergetic modelling
Lawson, Christopher L., Dudgeon, Christine L., Richardson, Anthony J., Broadhurst, Matt K. and Bennett, Michael B. (2022). Flexibility for fuelling reproduction in a pelagic ray (Mobula eregoodoo) suggested by bioenergetic modelling. Journal of Fish Biology, 100 (3), 783-792. doi: 10.1111/jfb.14995
2022
Journal Article
The marine biodiversity observation network plankton workshops: plankton ecosystem function, biodiversity, and forecasting—research requirements and applications
Grigoratou, Maria, Montes, Enrique, Richardson, Anthony J., Everett, Jason D., Acevedo‐Trejos, Esteban, Anderson, Clarissa, Chen, Bingzhang, Guy‐Haim, Tamar, Hinners, Jana, Lindemann, Christian, Garcia, Tatiane Martins, Möller, Klas O., Monteiro, Fanny M., Neeley, Aimee R., O'Brien, Todd D., Palacz, Artur P., Poulton, Alex J., Prowe, A. E. Friederike, Rodríguez‐Santiago, Áurea E., Rousseaux, Cécile S., Runge, Jeffrey, Saad, Juan F., Santi, Ioulia, Stern, Rowena, Soccodato, Alice, Våge, Selina, Vogt, Meike, Zervoudaki, Soultana and Muller‐Karger, Frank E. (2022). The marine biodiversity observation network plankton workshops: plankton ecosystem function, biodiversity, and forecasting—research requirements and applications. Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin, 31 (1), 22-26. doi: 10.1002/lob.10479
2022
Book Chapter
Uses of molecular taxonomy in identifying phytoplankton communities from the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey
Stern, Rowena, Schroeder, Declan, Highfield, Andrea, Al-Kandari, Manal, Vezzulli, Luigi and Richardson, Anthony (2022). Uses of molecular taxonomy in identifying phytoplankton communities from the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey. Advances in phytoplankton ecology: applications of emerging technologies. (pp. 47-79) edited by Lesley A. Clementson, Ruth S. Eriksen and Anusuya Willis. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822861-6.00009-1
2022
Journal Article
Regional variation in anthropogenic threats to Indian Ocean whale sharks
Reynolds, Samantha D., Norman, Bradley M., Franklin, Craig E., Bach, Steffen S., Comezzi, Francesco G., Diamant, Stella, Jaidah, Mohammed Y., Pierce, Simon J., Richardson, Anthony J., Robinson, David P., Rohner, Christoph A. and Dwyer, Ross G. (2022). Regional variation in anthropogenic threats to Indian Ocean whale sharks. Global Ecology and Conservation, 33 e01961, e01961. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01961
2022
Other Outputs
Oceans and coastal ecosystems and their services
Cooley, Sarah R., Schoeman, David S., Bopp, Laurent, Boyd, Philip, Donner, Simon, Ito, Shin-Ichi, Kiessling, Wolfgang, Martinetto, Paulina, Ojea, Elena, Racault, Marie-Fanny, Rost, Björn, Skern-Mauritzen, Mette, Ghebrehiwet, Dawit Yemane and Richardson, Anthony J. (2022). Oceans and coastal ecosystems and their services. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781009325844
2021
Journal Article
Disentangling diverse responses to climate change among global marine ecosystem models
Heneghan, Ryan F., Galbraith, Eric, Blanchard, Julia L., Harrison, Cheryl, Barrier, Nicolas, Bulman, Catherine, Cheung, William, Coll, Marta, Eddy, Tyler D., Erauskin-Extramiana, Maite, Everett, Jason D., Fernandes-Salvador, Jose A., Gascuel, Didier, Guiet, Jerome, Maury, Olivier, Palacios-Abrantes, Juliano, Petrik, Colleen M., du Pontavice, Hubert, Richardson, Anthony J., Steenbeek, Jeroen, Tai, Travis C., Volkholz, Jan, Woodworth-Jefcoats, Phoebe A. and Tittensor, Derek P. (2021). Disentangling diverse responses to climate change among global marine ecosystem models. Progress in Oceanography, 198 102659, 102659. doi: 10.1016/j.pocean.2021.102659
2021
Journal Article
Next-generation ensemble projections reveal higher climate risks for marine ecosystems
Tittensor, Derek P., Novaglio, Camilla, Harrison, Cheryl S., Heneghan, Ryan F., Barrier, Nicolas, Bianchi, Daniele, Bopp, Laurent, Bryndum-Buchholz, Andrea, Britten, Gregory L., Büchner, Matthias, Cheung, William W. L., Christensen, Villy, Coll, Marta, Dunne, John P., Eddy, Tyler D., Everett, Jason D., Fernandes-Salvador, Jose A., Fulton, Elizabeth A., Galbraith, Eric D., Gascuel, Didier, Guiet, Jerome, John, Jasmin G., Link, Jason S., Lotze, Heike K., Maury, Olivier, Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly, Palacios-Abrantes, Juliano, Petrik, Colleen M., du Pontavice, Hubert ... Blanchard, Julia L. (2021). Next-generation ensemble projections reveal higher climate risks for marine ecosystems. Nature Climate Change, 11 (11), 973-981. doi: 10.1038/s41558-021-01173-9
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Anthony Richardson is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Connected climate-smart marine conservation planning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jason Everett, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn
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Doctor Philosophy
Coastal connectivity for conservation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn
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Doctor Philosophy
Multiple-use spatial planning in the Global South
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jason Everett, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn
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Doctor Philosophy
Portfolio projection of biodiversity responses under climate change
Associate Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Post Nesting Migration Evaluation and Foraging Areas Identification Based on Stable Isotopes Analysis of Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Nesting at Tortuguero Rookery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Dunn, Dr Lily Bentley
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Doctor Philosophy
Migratory movements of sharks in the Great Barrier Reef: strengthening connectivity within and beyond national jurisdictions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Dunn
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating transboundary environmental impacts on endangered marine migratory species using an agent-based framework
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein, Dr Jason Everett, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn
Completed supervision
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2025
Master Philosophy
Novel methods for developing large-scale, data-driven, biologically informed bioregionalisations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Wood
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Developing a Model of Intermediate Complexity for an Australian Marine Ecosystem: Managing the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster cf. solaris
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Climate velocity in the ocean and its implications for conservation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Resolving the role of zooplankton in the marine ecosystem with functional size spectra
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The molecular and spatial ecology of manta rays in Australia
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The Spatial Ecology of Manta Rays: Movement, Habitat Use and Connectivity
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The energetics of elasmobranchs: applications of bioenergetic models, physiology, and biomechanics
Associate Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Feeding ecology and habitat use of the giant manta ray Manta birostris at a key aggregation site off mainland Ecuador
Associate Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Managing direct and indirect threats to marine ecosystems to balance multiple objectives
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Carissa Klein, Professor Hugh Possingham
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Advancing systematic conservation planning in the Mediterranean Sea
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham, Professor Salit Kark
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
A global whale shark hotspot in southern Mozambique: population structure, feeding ecology, movements and environmental drivers
Joint Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The movement ecology of the reef manta ray Manta alfredi in eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Population ecology and biology of the reef manta ray Manta alfredi in eastern Australia
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of pelagic fish and fisheries off the east coast of Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Methods for Decision Theory in Conservation Biology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and potential management responses
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
The Ecology of Dispersal: Causes and Consequences of Phenotype-Dependent Dispersal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2010
Master Philosophy
Relationships between polychaete community composition and environmental factors in the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts
Media
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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