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Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Emeritus Professor

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

Email: 

Overview

Background

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg FAA; ARC Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and School of Biological Sciences.

Research Publications (>440 publications, see list and impact Google Scholar). For full Curriculum vitae, click here.

BIOGRAPHY

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia Over the past 10 years he was Founding Director of the Global Change Institute (details here) and is Deputy Director of the Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies (www.coralcoe.org.au, since 2006) and Affiliated Professor in Tropical Marine Biology at the University of Copenhagen (2016-present). Ove’s research focuses on the impacts of global change on marine ecosystems and is one of the most cited authors on climate change. In addition to pursuing scientific discovery, Ove has had a 20-year history in leading research organisations such as the Centre for Marine Studies (including 3 major research stations over 2000-2009) and the Global Change Institute, both at the University of Queensland. These roles have seen him raise more than $150 million for research and infrastructure. He has also been a dedicated communicator of the threat posed by ocean warming and acidification to marine ecosystems, being one of the first scientists to identify the serious threat posed by climate change for coral reefs in a landmark paper published in 1999 (Mar.Freshwater Res 50:839-866), which predicted the loss of coral reefs by 2050. Since that time, Ove led global discussions and action on the science and solutions to rapid climate change via high profile international roles such as the Coordinating Lead Author for the ‘Oceans’ chapter for the Fifth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Coordinating Lead Author on the Impacts chapter of the IPCC Special report on 1.5oC. In addition to this work, Ove conceived and led the scientific XL-Catlin Seaview Survey (details here) which has surveyed over 1000 km of coral reefs across 25 countries (details here) and which captured and analysed over 1 million survey images of coral reefs. These images and data are available to the scientific community and others via an online database: (details here).

Developing these resources is part of Ove’s current push to understand and support solutions to global change with partners such as WWF International: (details here). As scientific lead, Ove has been steering a global response to the identification of 50 sites globally that are less exposed to climate change (Beyer et al 2018, Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2018), working with WWF International to assemble a global partnership across seven countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Cuba, East Africa, Madagascar and Fiji; Coral Reef Rescue Initiative). Scientific papers published by Ove cover significant contributions to the physiology, ecology, environmental politics, and climate change. Some of Ove’s most significant scientific contributions have been recognised by leading journals such as Science and Nature (Hoegh-Guldberg and Bruno 2010; Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2007; Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2019a,b), scores of invited talks and plenaries over the past 20 years, plus his appointment as significant international roles e.g. Coordinating Lead Author of Chapter 30 (“The Oceans”) for the 5th Assessment Report, as well as Coordinating Lead Author for Chapter 3 (Impacts) on the special report on the implications of 1.5oC (for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC).

Listen to a recent interview of Ove by Jonica Newby for the ABC Science Show.

Availability

Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Research interests

  • Climate change and tropical coastal ecosystems

    The impacts of climate change on tropical coastal ecosystems are rapidly expanding and are seriously affecting natural and human systems. Key changes include rapid increases in sea temperatures, acidification, sea level and intensifying storms, which cause significant and usually negative changes to the distribution and abundance of coastal marine species. These impacts can have significant consequences for the health and food security of the over 500 million people that depend on these coastal ecosystems for food and livelihood. Our group is interested in helping fill these gaps to understand better how the future will unfold for tropical coastal ecosystems.

  • Can remote learning (MOOCs) help build capacity in tropical coastal management?

    Remote learning tools (such as Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs) who great potential to assist in tropical coastal management, mainly as they provide an opportunity to exchange information from experts worldwide at low cost. In addition, MOOCs can be a good way for professionals to stay updated with the latest research and technologies in tropical coastal management, helping improve their skills and knowledge. In this regard, MOOCs can also be a valuable resource for people interested in tropical coastal management but who do not have the opportunity to pursue formal education in the field. By creating MOOCs, individuals can learn about tropical coastal management and gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that are present in this field. Over the next two years, we have funding from the UN GEF and GCF programs to build 3-4 courses in partnership with WWF, NGOs and seven developing countries with considerable stakes in improving the health of coral reefs and related ecosystems. The participating countries include Madagascar, Tanzania, Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Cuba.

  • Strategies for responding to climate change in tropical coastal settings.

    Several major strategies can be used to respond to the impacts of climate change in impoverished coastal areas of the tropics. These strategies can help reduce the risks and negative impacts of climate change and provide opportunities for economic and social development in these areas. Some of the key parts of a strategy include: Adaptation: This involves taking steps to reduce the vulnerability of communities and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change. This can include measures such as building natural barriers and other protective infrastructure, improving early warning systems, and implementing sustainable coastal practices and barriers. Mitigation: This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the rate of climate change. This can be achieved through various measures, such as increasing renewable energy sources, reducing deforestation, and improving energy efficiency. Community-based adaptation: This involves working with local communities to identify and address their specific needs and concerns related to climate change. This can involve providing education and training and supporting community-led initiatives to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Ecosystem-based adaptation: This involves using natural systems, such as coastal forests, mangroves, and coral reefs, to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. For example, mangroves can provide natural protection against storms, sediment runoff and flooding, and forests can absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Green infrastructure: This involves investing in infrastructure designed to be environmentally sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change. This can include measures such as reforestation, MPA design, and sustainable coastal practices.

Research impacts

Ove has produced >440 peer-reviewed research publications (see list and impact, Google Scholar). Ove is one of the most cited Australian science authors (and 3rd internationally of 53,136 authors) on “climate change” by Thomson-Reuter’s ISI Web of Science (details here) in 2009. This represents a group of less than 0.5% of all published scientific researchers worldwide. This has been updated recently with Ove being a member of the top 0.01% most productive scientists globally (Ioannidis et al. 2019) PLoS biology, 17(8), p.e3000384.). Ove received numerous awards from Thomson Reuters (e.g. Citation Award Winner in Ecology Thomson Reuters Citation & Innovation Award in 2012). Ove’s H-index is 124 (Google Scholar, Jan 2023), with a total number of citations of his work being 93,904 He have received several awards from Thomson-Reuters and now Clarivate Analytics (see above). He has been awarded a Eureka Prize for his scientific research, a QLD Premier’s fellowship, and later ARC Laureate Fellow. He was elected to the Australian Academy of Science in 2013 and has been instrumental in ensuring the most accurate science is communicated through appointments as Chief Scientist to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (20 years) and the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (4 years). He received the Prince Albert II 2014 Award for Climate Change, and the 2016 International Award from the Banksia Foundation. He has been recognised as a Highly Cited Researcher in 2001, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021 (top 1% of his field) and was listed among the 100 most influential people in Climate Policy globally (List available at Apolitical: (details here). As a coordinating Lead Author of two major reports (SR 1.5oC, AR5 Oceans report) and as Reviewing editor for AR6 Australian and NZ report, Ove and IPCC leaders received the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity in 2022 (Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity).

Works

Search Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg’s works on UQ eSpace

410 works between 1982 and 2025

1 - 20 of 410 works

2025

Journal Article

BenthicNet: A global compilation of seafloor images for deep learning applications

Lowe, Scott C., Misiuk, Benjamin, Xu, Isaac, Abdulazizov, Shakhboz, Baroi, Amit R., Bastos, Alex C., Best, Merlin, Ferrini, Vicki, Friedman, Ariell, Hart, Deborah, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Ierodiaconou, Daniel, Mackin-McLaughlin, Julia, Markey, Kathryn, Menandro, Pedro S., Monk, Jacquomo, Nemani, Shreya, O’Brien, John, Oh, Elizabeth, Reshitnyk, Luba Y., Robert, Katleen, Roelfsema, Chris M., Sameoto, Jessica A., Schimel, Alexandre C. G., Thomson, Jordan A., Wilson, Brittany R., Wong, Melisa C., Brown, Craig J. and Trappenberg, Thomas (2025). BenthicNet: A global compilation of seafloor images for deep learning applications. Scientific Data, 12 (1) 230, 230-1. doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-04491-1

BenthicNet: A global compilation of seafloor images for deep learning applications

2024

Journal Article

Highest ocean heat in four centuries places Great Barrier Reef in danger

Henley, Benjamin J., McGregor, Helen V., King, Andrew D., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Arzey, Ariella K., Karoly, David J., Lough, Janice M., DeCarlo, Thomas M. and Linsley, Braddock K. (2024). Highest ocean heat in four centuries places Great Barrier Reef in danger. Nature, 632 (8024), 320-326. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07672-x

Highest ocean heat in four centuries places Great Barrier Reef in danger

2024

Journal Article

A spatial framework for improved sanitation to support coral reef conservation

Kuempel, Caitlin D., Thomas, Jacqueline, Wenger, Amelia, Jupiter, Stacy D., Suárez-Castro, Andrés F., Nasim, Nabeela, Klein, Carissa and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2024). A spatial framework for improved sanitation to support coral reef conservation. Environmental Pollution, 342 123003, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123003

A spatial framework for improved sanitation to support coral reef conservation

2024

Journal Article

Significantly wetter or drier future conditions for one to two thirds of the world’s population

Trancoso, Ralph, Syktus, Jozef, Allan, Richard P., Croke, Jacky, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Chadwick, Robin (2024). Significantly wetter or drier future conditions for one to two thirds of the world’s population. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 483, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-44513-3

Significantly wetter or drier future conditions for one to two thirds of the world’s population

2023

Journal Article

Coral reefs in peril in a record-breaking year

Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Skirving, William, Dove, Sophie G., Spady, Blake L., Norrie, Andrew, Geiger, Erick F., Liu, Gang, De La Cour, Jacqueline L. and Manzello, Derek P. (2023). Coral reefs in peril in a record-breaking year. Science, 382 (6676), 1238-1240. doi: 10.1126/science.adk4532

Coral reefs in peril in a record-breaking year

2023

Journal Article

Formal recognition of host‐generalist species of dinoflagellate (Cladocopium, Symbiodiniaceae) mutualistic with Indo‐Pacific reef corals

Butler, Caleb C., Turnham, Kira E., Lewis, Allison M., Nitschke, Matthew R., Warner, Mark E., Kemp, Dustin W., Hoegh‐Guldberg, Ove, Fitt, William K., van Oppen, Madeleine J. H. and LaJeunesse, Todd C. (2023). Formal recognition of host‐generalist species of dinoflagellate (Cladocopium, Symbiodiniaceae) mutualistic with Indo‐Pacific reef corals. Journal of Phycology, 59 (4), 698-711. doi: 10.1111/jpy.13340

Formal recognition of host‐generalist species of dinoflagellate (Cladocopium, Symbiodiniaceae) mutualistic with Indo‐Pacific reef corals

2023

Journal Article

Global phylogenomic assessment of Leptoseris and Agaricia reveals substantial undescribed diversity at mesophotic depths

Gijsbers, J. C., Englebert, N., Prata, K. E., Pichon, M., Dinesen, Z., Brunner, R., Eyal, G., González-Zapata, F. L., Kahng, S. E., Latijnhouwers, K. R. W., Muir, P., Radice, V. Z., Sánchez, J. A., Vermeij, M. J. A., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Jacobs, S. J. and Bongaerts, P. (2023). Global phylogenomic assessment of Leptoseris and Agaricia reveals substantial undescribed diversity at mesophotic depths. BMC Biology, 21 (1) 147, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12915-023-01630-1

Global phylogenomic assessment of Leptoseris and Agaricia reveals substantial undescribed diversity at mesophotic depths

2023

Journal Article

Research priorities for the sustainability of coral-rich western Pacific seascapes

Cumming, Graeme S., Adamska, Maja, Barnes, Michele L., Barnett, Jon, Bellwood, David R., Cinner, Joshua E., Cohen, Philippa J., Donelson, Jennifer M., Fabricius, Katharina, Grafton, R. Quentin, Grech, Alana, Gurney, Georgina G., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Hoey, Andrew S., Hoogenboom, Mia O., Lau, Jacqueline, Lovelock, Catherine E., Lowe, Ryan, Miller, David J., Morrison, Tiffany H., Mumby, Peter J., Nakata, Martin, Pandolfi, John M., Peterson, Garry D., Pratchett, Morgan S., Ravasi, Timothy, Riginos, Cynthia, Rummer, Jodie L., Schaffelke, Britta ... Wilson, Shaun K. (2023). Research priorities for the sustainability of coral-rich western Pacific seascapes. Regional Environmental Change, 23 (2) 66, 66. doi: 10.1007/s10113-023-02051-0

Research priorities for the sustainability of coral-rich western Pacific seascapes

2023

Journal Article

Are we ready for ocean acidification? A framework for assessing and advancing policy readiness

Albright, Rebecca, Hanson, Lina, Cooley, Sarah R, Gattuso, Jean-Pierre, Marshall, Paul, Marshall, Nadine, Fletcher, Stephen, Haraldsson, Gunnar and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2023). Are we ready for ocean acidification? A framework for assessing and advancing policy readiness. Environmental Research Letters, 18 (4) 041001, 1-8. doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/acc085

Are we ready for ocean acidification? A framework for assessing and advancing policy readiness

2023

Book

The ocean as a solution to climate change: updated opportunities for action

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Eliza Northrop, Oliver S. Ashford, Thierry Chopin, Jessica Cross, Carlos Duarte, Steve Gaines, Tess Geers, Stefan Gössling, Peter Haugan, Mark Hemer, Jennifer Howard, Claire Huang, Andreas Humpe, Gabriella Kitch, David Koweek, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Catherine E. Lovelock, Kathryn Matthews, Patrick Mustain, Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Robert Parker, Joyashree Roy, Tristan Smith, Shreya Some, Ya-Yen Sun, Torsten Thiele and Peter Tyedmers eds. (2023). The ocean as a solution to climate change: updated opportunities for action. Washington, DC USA: World Resources Institute.

The ocean as a solution to climate change: updated opportunities for action

2022

Journal Article

Biogeochemical niches and trophic plasticity of shallow and mesophotic corals recovering from mass bleaching

Radice, Veronica Z., Fry, Brian, Brown, Kristen T., Dove, Sophie and Hoegh‐Guldberg, Ove (2022). Biogeochemical niches and trophic plasticity of shallow and mesophotic corals recovering from mass bleaching. Limnology and Oceanography, 67 (7), 1617-1630. doi: 10.1002/lno.12157

Biogeochemical niches and trophic plasticity of shallow and mesophotic corals recovering from mass bleaching

2022

Journal Article

Actions to halt biodiversity loss generally benefit the climate

Shin, Yunne-Jai, Midgley, Guy F., Archer, Emma R. M., Arneth, Almut, Barnes, David K. A., Chan, Lena, Hashimoto, Shizuka, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Insarov, Gregory, Leadley, Paul, Levin, Lisa A., Ngo, Hien T., Pandit, Ram, Pires, Aliny P. F., Pörtner, Hans-Otto, Rogers, Alex D., Scholes, Robert J., Settele, Josef and Smith, Pete (2022). Actions to halt biodiversity loss generally benefit the climate. Global Change Biology, 28 (9), 2846-2874. doi: 10.1111/gcb.16109

Actions to halt biodiversity loss generally benefit the climate

2022

Journal Article

The condition of four coral reefs in Timor-Leste before and after the 2016–2017 marine heatwave

Kim, Catherine J. S., Roelfsema, Chris, Dove, Sophie and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2022). The condition of four coral reefs in Timor-Leste before and after the 2016–2017 marine heatwave. Oceans, 3 (2), 147-173. doi: 10.3390/oceans3020012

The condition of four coral reefs in Timor-Leste before and after the 2016–2017 marine heatwave

2022

Journal Article

Hidden in the deep: Distinct benthic trajectories call for monitoring of mesophotic reefs

Hernandez‐Agreda, Alejandra, Marina Sahit, Francesca, Englebert, Norbert, Hoegh‐Guldberg, Ove and Bongaerts, Pim (2022). Hidden in the deep: Distinct benthic trajectories call for monitoring of mesophotic reefs. Conservation Letters, 15 (2) e12875. doi: 10.1111/conl.12875

Hidden in the deep: Distinct benthic trajectories call for monitoring of mesophotic reefs

2022

Journal Article

Coral composition and bottom-wave metrics improve understanding of the patchiness of cyclone damage on reefs

Castro-Sanguino, C., Bozec, Y. M., Callaghan, D., Vercelloni, J., Rodriguez-Ramirez, A., Lopez-Marcano, S., Gonzalez-Marrero, Y., Puotinen, M., Hoegh-Guldberg, O. and Gonzalez-Rivero, M. (2022). Coral composition and bottom-wave metrics improve understanding of the patchiness of cyclone damage on reefs. Science of the Total Environment, 804 150178, 150178. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150178

Coral composition and bottom-wave metrics improve understanding of the patchiness of cyclone damage on reefs

2022

Book

Coral reefs of Australia: perspectives from beyond the water's edge

Sarah M. Hamylton, Pat Hutchings and Ove Hoegh-Guldberg eds. (2022). Coral reefs of Australia: perspectives from beyond the water's edge. Melbourne, VIC Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/9781486315499

Coral reefs of Australia: perspectives from beyond the water's edge

2022

Other Outputs

Coral reef benthic composition, health, and temperature data

Kim, Catherine, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Dove, Sophie (2022). Coral reef benthic composition, health, and temperature data. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/7278446

Coral reef benthic composition, health, and temperature data

2022

Journal Article

Thylakoid fatty acid composition and response to short-term cold and heat stress in high-latitude Symbiodiniaceae

Oakley, Clinton A., Pontasch, Stefanie, Fisher, Paul L., Wilkinson, Shaun P., Keyzers, Robert A., Krueger, Thomas, Dove, Sophie, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Leggat, William and Davy, Simon K. (2022). Thylakoid fatty acid composition and response to short-term cold and heat stress in high-latitude Symbiodiniaceae. Coral Reefs, 41 (2), 343-353. doi: 10.1007/s00338-022-02221-2

Thylakoid fatty acid composition and response to short-term cold and heat stress in high-latitude Symbiodiniaceae

2021

Journal Article

Linking isotopic signatures of nitrogen in nearshore coral skeletons with sources in catchment runoff

Marion, Guy S., Jupiter, Stacy D., Radice, Veronica Z., Albert, Simon and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2021). Linking isotopic signatures of nitrogen in nearshore coral skeletons with sources in catchment runoff. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 173 (Pt B) 113054, 113054. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113054

Linking isotopic signatures of nitrogen in nearshore coral skeletons with sources in catchment runoff

2021

Journal Article

Asymmetric physiological response of a reef-building coral to pulsed versus continuous addition of inorganic nutrients

van der Zande, Rene M., Mulders, Yannick R., Bender-Champ, Dorothea, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Dove, Sophie (2021). Asymmetric physiological response of a reef-building coral to pulsed versus continuous addition of inorganic nutrients. Scientific Reports, 11 (1) 13165, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92276-y

Asymmetric physiological response of a reef-building coral to pulsed versus continuous addition of inorganic nutrients

Supervision

Availability

Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biodiversity studies
  • Biology and stress
  • Climate change and coral
  • Climate impacts on coral reef ecosystems
  • Climate projections
  • Coral - physiology
  • Coral bleaching
  • Coral ecology
  • Coral reefs
  • Ecological assessments
  • Ecology - corals
  • Global warming and marine life
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Marine botany
  • Molecular biology
  • Physiology of corals
  • Population genetics
  • Reproductive biology
  • Stress biology

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