Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
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

21 - 40 of 410 works

2021

Journal Article

Identifying management opportunities to combat climate, land, and marine threats across less climate exposed coral reefs

Kuempel, Caitlin D., Tulloch, Vivitskaia J. D., Giffin, Alyssa L., Simmons, B. Alexander, Hagger, Valerie, Phua, Carol and Hoegh‐Guldberg, Ove (2021). Identifying management opportunities to combat climate, land, and marine threats across less climate exposed coral reefs. Conservation Biology, 36 (3) e13856, e13856. doi: 10.1111/cobi.13856

Identifying management opportunities to combat climate, land, and marine threats across less climate exposed coral reefs

2021

Journal Article

Global forest restoration opportunities to foster coral reef conservation

Suárez‐Castro, Andrés F., Beyer, Hawthorne L., Kuempel, Caitlin D., Linke, Simon, Borrelli, Pasquale and Hoegh‐Guldberg, Ove (2021). Global forest restoration opportunities to foster coral reef conservation. Global Change Biology, 27 (20) gcb.15811, 5238-5252. doi: 10.1111/gcb.15811

Global forest restoration opportunities to foster coral reef conservation

2021

Journal Article

Estimating the global risk of anthropogenic climate change

Magnan, Alexandre K., Pörtner, Hans-Otto, Duvat, Virginie K. E., Garschagen, Matthias, Guinder, Valeria A., Zommers, Zinta, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Gattuso, Jean-Pierre (2021). Estimating the global risk of anthropogenic climate change. Nature Climate Change, 11 (10), 879-885. doi: 10.1038/s41558-021-01156-w

Estimating the global risk of anthropogenic climate change

2021

Journal Article

The benefits of heterogeneity in spatial prioritisation within coral reef environments

Nolan, Megan K.B., Kim, Catherine J.S., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Beger, Maria (2021). The benefits of heterogeneity in spatial prioritisation within coral reef environments. Biological Conservation, 258 109155, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109155

The benefits of heterogeneity in spatial prioritisation within coral reef environments

2021

Journal Article

Designing a blueprint for coral reef survival

Kleypas, Joan, Allemand, Denis, Anthony, Ken, Baker, Andrew C., Beck, Michael W., Hale, Lynne Zeitlin, Hilmi, Nathalie, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Hughes, Terry, Kaufman, Les, Kayanne, Hajime, Magnan, Alexandre K., Mcleod, Elizabeth, Mumby, Peter, Palumbi, Stephen, Richmond, Robert H., Rinkevich, Baruch, Steneck, Robert S., Voolstra, Christian R., Wachenfeld, David and Gattuso, Jean-Pierre (2021). Designing a blueprint for coral reef survival. Biological Conservation, 257 109107, 109107. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109107

Designing a blueprint for coral reef survival

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Fine-scale time series surveys reveal new insights into spatio-temporal trends in coral cover (2002–2018), of a coral reef on the Southern Great Barrier Reef

Roelfsema, Chris, Kovacs, Eva M., Vercelloni, Julie, Markey, Kathryn, Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, Lopez-Marcano, Sebastian, Gonzalez-Rivero, Manuel, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Phinn, Stuart R. (2021). Fine-scale time series surveys reveal new insights into spatio-temporal trends in coral cover (2002–2018), of a coral reef on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 40 (4), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s00338-021-02104-y

Fine-scale time series surveys reveal new insights into spatio-temporal trends in coral cover (2002–2018), of a coral reef on the Southern Great Barrier Reef

2021

Journal Article

Morphological stasis masks ecologically divergent coral species on tropical reefs

Bongaerts, Pim, Cooke, Ira R., Ying, Hua, Wels, Dagmar, den Haan, Stijn , Hernandez-Agreda, Alejandra, Brunner, Christopher A., Dove, Sophie, Englebert, Norbert, Eyal, Gal, Forêt, Sylvain, Grinblat, Mila, Hay, Kyra B., Harii, Saki, Hayward, David C., Lin, Yu, Mihaljević, Morana, Moya, Aurelie, Muir, Paul, Sinniger, Frederic, Smallhorn-West, Patrick, Torda, Gergely, Ragan, Mark A., van Oppen, Madeleine J.H. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2021). Morphological stasis masks ecologically divergent coral species on tropical reefs. Current Biology, 31 (11), 1-13+. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.03.028

Morphological stasis masks ecologically divergent coral species on tropical reefs

2021

Journal Article

Benthic and coral reef community field data for Heron Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2002–2018

Roelfsema, Chris, Kovacs, Eva M., Markey, Kathryn, Vercelloni, Julie, Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, Lopez-Marcano, Sebastian, Gonzalez-Rivero, Manuel, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Phinn, Stuart R. (2021). Benthic and coral reef community field data for Heron Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2002–2018. Scientific Data, 8 (1) 84, 84. doi: 10.1038/s41597-021-00871-5

Benthic and coral reef community field data for Heron Reef, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2002–2018

2021

Journal Article

Coral-macroalgal competition under ocean warming and acidification

Rölfer, Lena, Reuter, Hauke, Ferse, Sebastian C.A., Kubicek, Andreas, Dove, Sophie, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Bender-Champ, Dorothea (2021). Coral-macroalgal competition under ocean warming and acidification. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 534 151477. doi: 10.1016/j.jembe.2020.151477

Coral-macroalgal competition under ocean warming and acidification

2020

Journal Article

A letter from 25 scientists to the Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel

Abram, Nerilie, Bindoff, Nathan, Church, John, England, Matthew, Evans, Jason, Finnigan, John, Gergis, Joelle, Griggs, Dave, Hamilton, Clive, Henderson-Sellers, Ann, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Howden, Mark, Hughes, Lesley, Hughes, Terry, Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Sarah, McDougall, Trevor, Palutikof, Jean and Pearman, Graeme (2020). A letter from 25 scientists to the Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel. Journal and proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, 153 (2), 181-183. doi: 10.5962/p.361920

A letter from 25 scientists to the Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel

2020

Journal Article

Seasonal shifts in the competitive ability of macroalgae influence the outcomes of coral–algal competition

Brown, Kristen T., Bender-Champ, Dorothea, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Dove, Sophie (2020). Seasonal shifts in the competitive ability of macroalgae influence the outcomes of coral–algal competition. Royal Society Open Science, 7 (12) 201797, 1-8. doi: 10.1098/rsos.201797

Seasonal shifts in the competitive ability of macroalgae influence the outcomes of coral–algal competition

2020

Journal Article

Ocean warming and acidification uncouple calcification from calcifier biomass which accelerates coral reef decline

Dove, Sophie Gwendoline, Brown, Kristen Taylor, Van Den Heuvel, Annamieke, Chai, Aaron and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2020). Ocean warming and acidification uncouple calcification from calcifier biomass which accelerates coral reef decline. Communications Earth and Environment, 1 (1) 55. doi: 10.1038/s43247-020-00054-x

Ocean warming and acidification uncouple calcification from calcifier biomass which accelerates coral reef decline

2020

Journal Article

Biogeochemical variability and trophic status of reef water column following a coral bleaching event

Radice, Veronica Z., Fry, Brian, Dove, Sophie G. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2020). Biogeochemical variability and trophic status of reef water column following a coral bleaching event. Coral Reefs, 40 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1007/s00338-020-02021-6

Biogeochemical variability and trophic status of reef water column following a coral bleaching event

2020

Journal Article

A contemporary baseline record of the world’s coral reefs

Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, González-Rivero, Manuel, Beijbom, Oscar, Bailhache, Christophe, Bongaerts, Pim, Brown, Kristen T., Bryant, Dominic E. P., Dalton, Peter, Dove, Sophie, Ganase, Anjani, Kennedy, Emma V., Kim, Catherine J. S., Lopez-Marcano, Sebastian, Neal, Benjamin P., Radice, Veronica Z., Vercelloni, Julie, Beyer, Hawthorne L. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2020). A contemporary baseline record of the world’s coral reefs. Scientific Data, 7 (1) 355, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41597-020-00698-6

A contemporary baseline record of the world’s coral reefs

2020

Journal Article

Southernmost observation of a juvenile bumphead parrotfish, Bolbometopon muricatum (Valenciennes, 1840)

Martin, Storm B., Brown, Kristen T. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2020). Southernmost observation of a juvenile bumphead parrotfish, Bolbometopon muricatum (Valenciennes, 1840). Australian Journal of Zoology, 67 (4), 199-202. doi: 10.1071/zo20029

Southernmost observation of a juvenile bumphead parrotfish, Bolbometopon muricatum (Valenciennes, 1840)

2020

Journal Article

Coral reef community changes in Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia: assessing the efficacy of management in the face of local and global stressors

Kennedy, Emma V., Vercelloni, Julie, Neal, Benjamin P., Ambariyanto, Bryant, Dominic E. P., Ganase, Anjani, Gartrell, Patrick, Brown, Kristen, Kim, Catherine J. S., Hudatwi, Mu’alimah, Hadi, Abdul, Prabowo, Agus, Prihatinningsih, Puji, Haryanta, Sutris, Markey, Kathryn, Green, Susannah, Dalton, Peter, Lopez-Marcano, Sebastian, Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, Gonzalez-Rivero, Manuel and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2020). Coral reef community changes in Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia: assessing the efficacy of management in the face of local and global stressors. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8 (10) 760, 760-27. doi: 10.3390/jmse8100760

Coral reef community changes in Karimunjawa National Park, Indonesia: assessing the efficacy of management in the face of local and global stressors

2020

Journal Article

Habitat‐specific biogenic production and erosion influences net framework and sediment coral reef carbonate budgets

Brown, Kristen T., Bender‐Champ, Dorothea, Achlatis, Michelle, Zande, Rene M., Kubicek, Andreas, Martin, Storm B., Castro‐Sanguino, Carolina, Dove, Sophie G. and Hoegh‐Guldberg, Ove (2020). Habitat‐specific biogenic production and erosion influences net framework and sediment coral reef carbonate budgets. Limnology and Oceanography, 66 (2) lno.11609, 349-365. doi: 10.1002/lno.11609

Habitat‐specific biogenic production and erosion influences net framework and sediment coral reef carbonate budgets

2020

Journal Article

The world coral conservatory: A Noah's ark for corals to support survival of reef ecosystems

Zoccola, Didier, Ounais, Nadia, Barthelemy, Dominique, Calcagno, Robert, Gaill, Françoise, Henard, Stephane, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Janse, Max, Jaubert, Jean, Putnam, Hollie, Salvat, Bernard, Voolstra, Christian R. and Allemand, Denis (2020). The world coral conservatory: A Noah's ark for corals to support survival of reef ecosystems. PLoS Biology, 18 (9) e3000823, 1-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000823

The world coral conservatory: A Noah's ark for corals to support survival of reef ecosystems

2020

Journal Article

Paradise lost: End-of-century warming and acidification under business-as-usual emissions have severe consequences for symbiotic corals

Van der Zande, Rene M., Achlatis, Michelle, Bender-Champ, Dorothea, Kubicek, Andreas, Dove, Sophie and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2020). Paradise lost: End-of-century warming and acidification under business-as-usual emissions have severe consequences for symbiotic corals. Global Change Biology, 26 (4) gcb.14998, 2203-2219. doi: 10.1111/gcb.14998

Paradise lost: End-of-century warming and acidification under business-as-usual emissions have severe consequences for symbiotic corals

2020

Journal Article

Forecasting intensifying disturbance effects on coral reefs

Vercelloni, Julie, Liquet, Benoit, Kennedy, Emma V., González-Rivero, Manuel, Caley, M. Julian, Peterson, Erin E., Puotinen, Marji, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Mengersen, Kerrie (2020). Forecasting intensifying disturbance effects on coral reefs. Global Change Biology, 26 (5) gcb.15059, 2785-2797. doi: 10.1111/gcb.15059

Forecasting intensifying disturbance effects on coral reefs

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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au