
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
Fields of research
Research interests
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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.
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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.
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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
2004
Journal Article
Dynamics of a temperature-related coral disease outbreak
Jones, R. J., Bowyer, J. C., Hoegh-Guldberg, I.O. and Blackall, L. L. (2004). Dynamics of a temperature-related coral disease outbreak. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 281, 63-77. doi: 10.3354/meps281063
2004
Journal Article
Cell death and degeneration in the symbiotic dinoflagellates of the coral Stylophora pistillata during bleaching
Franklin, D. J., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Jones, R. J. and Berges, J. A. (2004). Cell death and degeneration in the symbiotic dinoflagellates of the coral Stylophora pistillata during bleaching. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 272, 117-130. doi: 10.3354/meps272117
2004
Conference Publication
Coral reefs in a century of rapid environmental change
Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2004). Coral reefs in a century of rapid environmental change. Philadelphia: Inter-Science.
2004
Journal Article
Nutrient-induced perturbations to delta C-13 and delta N-15 in symbiotic dinoilagellates and their coral hosts
Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Muscatine, Leonard, Goiran, Claire, Siggaard, Dorthe and Marion, Guy (2004). Nutrient-induced perturbations to delta C-13 and delta N-15 in symbiotic dinoilagellates and their coral hosts. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 280, 105-114. doi: 10.3354/meps280105
2004
Conference Publication
Coral reefs and projections of future change
Hoegh-Guldberg, O (2004). Coral reefs and projections of future change. International Meeting on Coral Health and Disease, Elat Israel, Apr, 2003. BERLIN: SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN.
2004
Journal Article
Low temperatures cause coral bleaching
Hoegh-Guldberg, I.O. and Fine, M. (2004). Low temperatures cause coral bleaching. Coral Reefs, 23 (3), 444-444. doi: 10.1007/s00338-004-0401-2
2004
Journal Article
Closely related Symbiodinium spp. differ in relative dominance in coral reef host communities across environmental, latitudinal and biogeographic gradients
LaJeunesse, T. C., Bhagooli, R., Hidaka, M., DeVantier, L., Done, T., Schmidt, G. W., Fitt, W. K. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O (2004). Closely related Symbiodinium spp. differ in relative dominance in coral reef host communities across environmental, latitudinal and biogeographic gradients. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 284, 147-161. doi: 10.3354/meps284147
2003
Journal Article
Causes of coral reef degradation
Pandolfi, J. M., Bradbury, R. H., Sala, E., Hughes, T. P., Bjorndal, K. A., Cooke, R. G., McArdle, D., McClenachan, L., Newman, M. J. H., Paredes, G., Warner, R. R., Jackson, J. B. C., Hughes, T. P., Baird, A. H., Bellwood, D. R., Connolly, S. R., Folke, C., Grosberg, R., Hoegh-Guldberg, O. and et al. (2003). Causes of coral reef degradation. Science, 302 (5650), 1502-1504. doi: 10.1126/science.302.5650.1502b
2003
Journal Article
Causes of coral reef degradation - Response
Hughes, TP, Baird, AH, Bellwood, DR, Connolly, SR, Folke, C, Grosberg, R, Hoegh-Guldberg, O, Jackson, JBC, Kleypas, J, Lough, JM, Marshall, P, Nystrom, M, Palumbi, SR, Pandolfi, JM, Rosen, B and Roughgarden, J (2003). Causes of coral reef degradation - Response. Science, 302 (5650), 1503-1504.
2003
Journal Article
Low symbiont diversity in southern Great Barrier Reef corals, relative to those of the Caribbean
LaJeunesse, Todd C., Loh, William K. W., van Woesik, Robert, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, Schmidt, Gregory W. and Fitt, William K. (2003). Low symbiont diversity in southern Great Barrier Reef corals, relative to those of the Caribbean. Limnology And Oceanography, 48 (5), 2046-2054. doi: 10.4319/lo.2003.48.5.2046
2003
Journal Article
Symbiont diversity within the widespread Scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipore across the northwestern Pacific
Rodriguez-Lannetty, M. and Hoegh-Guldberg, I. O. (2003). Symbiont diversity within the widespread Scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipore across the northwestern Pacific. Marine Biology, 143 (3), 501-509. doi: 10.1007/s00227-003-1105-9
2003
Journal Article
Deconvolving the delta O-18 seawater component from subseasonal coral delta O-18 and Sr/Ca at Rarotonga in the southwestern subtropical Pacific for the period 1726 to 1997
Ren, Lei, Linsley, Braddock K., Wellington, Gerard M., Schrag, Daniel P. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2003). Deconvolving the delta O-18 seawater component from subseasonal coral delta O-18 and Sr/Ca at Rarotonga in the southwestern subtropical Pacific for the period 1726 to 1997. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 67 (9), 1609-1621. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(02)00917-1
2003
Journal Article
The 2.2 A crystal structure of a pocilloporin pigment reveals a nonplanar chromophore conformation
Prescott, M., Ling, M., Beddoe, T., Oakley, A. J., Dove, S., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Devenish, R. J. and Rossjohn, J. (2003). The 2.2 A crystal structure of a pocilloporin pigment reveals a nonplanar chromophore conformation. Structure, 11 (3), 275-284. doi: 10.1016/S0969-2126(03)00028-5
2003
Journal Article
The production, purification and crystallization of a pocilloporin pigment from a reef-forming coral
Beddoe, T., Ling, M., Dove, S., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Devenish, R. J., Prescott, M. and Rossjohn, J. (2003). The production, purification and crystallization of a pocilloporin pigment from a reef-forming coral. Acta Crystallographica Section D: Biological Crystallography, 59 (3), 597-599. doi: 10.1107/S0907444902023466
2003
Journal Article
Variation in Coral Photosynthesis, Respiration and Growth Characteristics in Contrasting Light Microhabitats: An Analogue to Plants in Forest Gaps and Understoreys?
Anthony, K. R. N. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2003). Variation in Coral Photosynthesis, Respiration and Growth Characteristics in Contrasting Light Microhabitats: An Analogue to Plants in Forest Gaps and Understoreys?. Functional Ecology, 17 (2), 246-259. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2435.2003.00731.x
2003
Journal Article
Highly organized structure in the non-coding region of the psbA minicircle from clade C Symbiodinium
Moore, Robert, Ferguson, Katherine, Loh, William, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Carter, Dee (2003). Highly organized structure in the non-coding region of the psbA minicircle from clade C Symbiodinium. International Journal of Systematic And Evolutionary Microbiology, 53 (6), 1725-1734. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.02594-0
2003
Journal Article
Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs
Hughes, T. E., Baird, A. H., Bellwood, D. R., Card, M., Connolly, S. R., Folke, C., Grosberg, R., Hoegh-Guldberg, I. O., Jackson, J.R., Kleypas, J, Lough, J. M., Marshall, P., Nystrom, M., Palumbi, S. R., Pandolfi, J. M., Rosen, B. and Roughgarden, J. (2003). Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs. Science, 301 (5635), 929-933. doi: 10.1126/science.1085046
2003
Journal Article
Kinetics of photoacclimation in corals
Anthony, KRN and Hoegh-Guldberg, O (2003). Kinetics of photoacclimation in corals. Oecologia, 134 (1), 23-31. doi: 10.1007/s00442-002-1095-1
2003
Journal Article
Genetic variation of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata, from western Pacific reefs
Takabayashi, M., Carter, D., Lopez, J. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2003). Genetic variation of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata, from western Pacific reefs. Coral Reefs, 22 (1), 17-22. doi: 10.1007/s00338-002-0272-3
2003
Journal Article
Photosynthetic responses of the coral Montipora digitata to cold temperature stress
Saxby, T., Dennison, W. C. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2003). Photosynthetic responses of the coral Montipora digitata to cold temperature stress. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 248, 85-97. doi: 10.3354/meps248085
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of the sustainability and resilience of livelihoods within an Indonesian marine social-ecological system
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The distribution and abundance of coral at kilometre scales in response to local versus global disturbances in the Central Indian Ocean
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Patterns and drivers that determine the structure and composition of Caribbean seascapes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Community-level ecological responses of coral reef biota to mass coral bleaching events.
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The role of the Eastern Australian Current in the recruitment of tropical fish species on temperate reefs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Bathymetric patterns of genetic variation in the coral-algal symbiosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cynthia Riginos
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Meso and Micro-scale light fields within Coral Reef Environments
Principal Advisor
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
The taxonomy and systematics of the coral genus Favia from Thai waters
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The microbiology of coral disease on the Great Barrier Reef
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Detecting changes in coral reef environments in response to subtle disturbances: from organism to holobiont community responses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions between scleractinian coral morphology and light
Principal Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Ecophysiology of the Marginal, High Latitude Corals (Coelenterata: Scleractinia) of Moreton Bay, Queensland
Principal Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation Of White Patch Syndrome, A Putative Disease Affecting Corals In The Genus Porites On The Great Barrier Reef
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karyn Johnson
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
SOME ASPECTS OF THE PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE ACROPORA LONGICYATHUS MULTI-CLADAL SYMBIOSIS
Principal Advisor
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
CONNECTIVITY OF CORAL REEFS IN THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN REGION: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
GLOW IN THE DARK CORAL; THE STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FLUORESCENT PIGMENTS IN REEF BUILDING CORALS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan
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Doctor Philosophy
THE NITROGEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATRICES IN CORAL SKELETON: A PROXY FOR HISTROICAL NITROGEN PROVENANCE IN TROPICAL COASTAL OCEANS
Principal Advisor
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Drivers of coral reef composition, cryptic marine biodiversity, and coral health along the north coast of Timor-Leste
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Trophic ecology of shallow and deep reef-building corals
Joint Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the physiological flexibility of reef-building corals in a changing environment
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Present and future coral physiology of the resilient coral Porites cylindrica (Dana, 1846).
Associate Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Coral responses to temperature, irradiance and acidification stress: linking physiology to satellite remote sensing.
Associate Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The dynamics of coral-algal interactions on coral reef ecosystems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Bioeroding sponges in a time of change: insights into the physiology and cell biology of a photosymbiotic coral-eroding sponge
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lars Nielsen
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of future climate scenarios on reef bioerosion processes
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Combined effects of ocean warming and acidification on the marine excavating sponge Cliona orientalis Thiele, 1900
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Implications of climate variability and change for the oceanography of the Great Barrier Reef Ecosystem
Associate Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Determining thermal threshold dynamics in reef building corals
Associate Advisor
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2011
Master Philosophy
Resilience studies of an Indonesian coral reef: Ecological and social assessments in Karimunjawa National Park
Associate Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Spatial Conservation Prioritisation Applied to Protected Area Design
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Historical ecology of coral communities from the inshore Great Barrier Reef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianxin Zhao
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of temperature on the accumulation and repair of UV damage in symbiodinium and corals
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Host-microbe interactions in reef building coral
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Degnan, Professor Andrew Barnes
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating field and remotely sensed data for assessment of coral reef and seagrass habitats
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY OF Symbiodinium IN POCILLOPORID CORALS
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
The health of Melanesian coral reefs: Environmental drivers and social responses
Associate Advisor
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
INVESTIGATING THE PHOTO-PHYSIOLOGY OF SYMBIODINIUM SUB-CLADES AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO CORAL BLEACHING
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE OF GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION ON THERMAL TOLERANCE OF A REEF-BUIDLING CORAL, Acropora millepora
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
A method for mapping live coral cover using remote sensing.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn
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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