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Emeritus Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Emeritus Professor

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

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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

361 - 380 of 410 works

2000

Journal Article

Changes in quantum efficiency of Photosystem II of symbiotic dinoflagellates of corals after heat stress, and of bleached corals sampled after the 1998 Great Barrier Reef mass bleaching event Ross J. Jones , Selina Ward, Affendi Yang Amri and Ove Hoegh-Gu

Jones, R. J., Ward, S., Yang Amri, A. and Hoegh-Guldberg, I.O. (2000). Changes in quantum efficiency of Photosystem II of symbiotic dinoflagellates of corals after heat stress, and of bleached corals sampled after the 1998 Great Barrier Reef mass bleaching event Ross J. Jones , Selina Ward, Affendi Yang Amri and Ove Hoegh-Gu. Marine and Freshwater Research, 51 (1), 63-71. doi: 10.1071/MF99100

Changes in quantum efficiency of Photosystem II of symbiotic dinoflagellates of corals after heat stress, and of bleached corals sampled after the 1998 Great Barrier Reef mass bleaching event Ross J. Jones , Selina Ward, Affendi Yang Amri and Ove Hoegh-Gu

2000

Journal Article

Fluorescent pigments in corals are photoprotective

Salih, A., Larkum, A., Cox, G., Kuhl, M. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2000). Fluorescent pigments in corals are photoprotective. Nature, 408 (6814), 850-853. doi: 10.1038/35048564

Fluorescent pigments in corals are photoprotective

2000

Conference Publication

Global climate change and the tolerance of corals to changes in sea temperatures: Implications for reefs in the 21st Century

Hoegh-Guldberg, Ian O. (2000). Global climate change and the tolerance of corals to changes in sea temperatures: Implications for reefs in the 21st Century. JAMSTEC International Coral Reef Symposium, Tokyo, Japan, 23-24 February 2000. Tokyo, Japan: JAMSTEC.

Global climate change and the tolerance of corals to changes in sea temperatures: Implications for reefs in the 21st Century

1999

Journal Article

Influence of field-based nutrient enrichment on the photobiology of the giant clam Tridacna maxima

Ambariyanto and Hoegh-Guldberg, O (1999). Influence of field-based nutrient enrichment on the photobiology of the giant clam Tridacna maxima. Marine Biology, 133 (4), 659-664. doi: 10.1007/s002270050506

Influence of field-based nutrient enrichment on the photobiology of the giant clam Tridacna maxima

1999

Journal Article

Net uptake of dissolved free amino acids by the giant clam, Tridacna maxima: alternative sources of energy and nitrogen?

Ambariyanto and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (1999). Net uptake of dissolved free amino acids by the giant clam, Tridacna maxima: alternative sources of energy and nitrogen?. Coral Reefs, 18 (1), 91-96. doi: 10.1007/s003380050161

Net uptake of dissolved free amino acids by the giant clam, Tridacna maxima: alternative sources of energy and nitrogen?

1999

Journal Article

The energetics of development of three congeneric seastars (Patiriella Verrill, 1913) with different types of development

Moreno, Guillermo and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (1999). The energetics of development of three congeneric seastars (Patiriella Verrill, 1913) with different types of development. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology And Ecology, 235 (1), 1-20. doi: 10.1016/S0022-0981(98)00031-8

The energetics of development of three congeneric seastars (Patiriella Verrill, 1913) with different types of development

1999

Journal Article

Climate change, coral bleaching and the future of the world's coral reefs

Hoegh-Guldberg, O (1999). Climate change, coral bleaching and the future of the world's coral reefs. Marine And Freshwater Research, 50 (8), 839-866. doi: 10.1071/MF99078

Climate change, coral bleaching and the future of the world's coral reefs

1999

Journal Article

Sweeper polyps of the coral Goniopora tenuidens (Scleractinia : Poritidae)

Peach, Meredith B. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (1999). Sweeper polyps of the coral Goniopora tenuidens (Scleractinia : Poritidae). Invertebrate Biology, 118 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.2307/3226906

Sweeper polyps of the coral Goniopora tenuidens (Scleractinia : Poritidae)

1999

Journal Article

Availability of two forms of dissolved nitrogen to the coral Pocillopora damicornis and its symbiotic zooxanthellae

Hoegh-Guldberg, O and Williamson, J (1999). Availability of two forms of dissolved nitrogen to the coral Pocillopora damicornis and its symbiotic zooxanthellae. Marine Biology, 133 (3), 561-570. doi: 10.1007/s002270050496

Availability of two forms of dissolved nitrogen to the coral Pocillopora damicornis and its symbiotic zooxanthellae

1999

Journal Article

PAM chlorophyll fluorometry: a new in situ technique for stress assessment in scleractinian corals, used to examine the effects of cyanide from cyanide fishing

Jones, RJ, Kildea, T and Hoegh-Guldberg, O (1999). PAM chlorophyll fluorometry: a new in situ technique for stress assessment in scleractinian corals, used to examine the effects of cyanide from cyanide fishing. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 38 (10), 864-874. doi: 10.1016/S0025-326X(98)90160-6

PAM chlorophyll fluorometry: a new in situ technique for stress assessment in scleractinian corals, used to examine the effects of cyanide from cyanide fishing

1999

Journal Article

Photoinhibition and photoprotection in symbiotic dinoflagellates from reef-building corals

Hoegh-Guldberg, O. and Jones, R. J. (1999). Photoinhibition and photoprotection in symbiotic dinoflagellates from reef-building corals. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 183, 73-86. doi: 10.3354/meps183073

Photoinhibition and photoprotection in symbiotic dinoflagellates from reef-building corals

1999

Journal Article

Effects of cyanide on coral photosynthesis: implications for identifying the cause of coral bleaching and for assessing the environmental effects of cyanide fishing

Jones, Ross J. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (1999). Effects of cyanide on coral photosynthesis: implications for identifying the cause of coral bleaching and for assessing the environmental effects of cyanide fishing. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 177, 83-91. doi: 10.3354/meps177083

Effects of cyanide on coral photosynthesis: implications for identifying the cause of coral bleaching and for assessing the environmental effects of cyanide fishing

1998

Journal Article

Temperature-induced bleaching of corals begins with impairment of the CO2 fixation mechanism in zooxanthellae

Jones, R. J., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Larkum, A. W. D. and Schreiber, U. (1998). Temperature-induced bleaching of corals begins with impairment of the CO2 fixation mechanism in zooxanthellae. Plant Cell And Environment, 21 (12), 1219-1230. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3040.1998.00345.x

Temperature-induced bleaching of corals begins with impairment of the CO2 fixation mechanism in zooxanthellae

1998

Journal Article

Amino acid synthesis in the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella

Swanson, R. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (1998). Amino acid synthesis in the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella. Marine Biology, 131 (1), 83-93. doi: 10.1007/s002270050299

Amino acid synthesis in the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella

1998

Conference Publication

Inter- and intra-specific variability in DNA sequence in the ITS region of corals

Takabayashi, Misaki, Carter, Dee, Ward, Selina and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (1998). Inter- and intra-specific variability in DNA sequence in the ITS region of corals. 75th Conference of the Australian Coral Reef Society, Heron Island, QLD, Australia, 2-6 October 1997. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: School of Marine Science, University of Queensland.

Inter- and intra-specific variability in DNA sequence in the ITS region of corals

1998

Journal Article

A coral-specific primer for PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region in ribosomal DNA

Takabayashi, M, Carter, DA, Loh, WKW and Hoegh-Guldberg, O (1998). A coral-specific primer for PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region in ribosomal DNA. Molecular Ecology, 7 (7), 928-930.

A coral-specific primer for PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region in ribosomal DNA

1997

Journal Article

Effect of nutrient enrichment in the field on the biomass, growth and calcification of the giant clam Tridacna maxima

Ambariyanto and HoeghGuldberg, O (1997). Effect of nutrient enrichment in the field on the biomass, growth and calcification of the giant clam Tridacna maxima. Marine Biology, 129 (4), 635-642.

Effect of nutrient enrichment in the field on the biomass, growth and calcification of the giant clam Tridacna maxima

1997

Journal Article

Size at sexual maturity and the reproductive biology of two species of scyllarid lobster from New South Wales and Victoria, Australia

Stewart, J, Kennelly, SJ and HoeghGuldberg, O (1997). Size at sexual maturity and the reproductive biology of two species of scyllarid lobster from New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Crustaceana, 70 (3), 344-367. doi: 10.1163/156854097X00618

Size at sexual maturity and the reproductive biology of two species of scyllarid lobster from New South Wales and Victoria, Australia

1997

Journal Article

Effects of egg size on postlarval performance: Experimental evidence from a sea urchin

Emlet, RB and HoeghGuldberg, O (1997). Effects of egg size on postlarval performance: Experimental evidence from a sea urchin. Evolution, 51 (1), 141-152. doi: 10.2307/2410967

Effects of egg size on postlarval performance: Experimental evidence from a sea urchin

1997

Journal Article

Sources of energy for increased metabolic demand during metamorphosis of the abalone Haliotis rufescens (Mollusca) (vol 191, pg 402, 1996)

Shilling, FM, HoeghGuldberg, O and Manahan, DT (1997). Sources of energy for increased metabolic demand during metamorphosis of the abalone Haliotis rufescens (Mollusca) (vol 191, pg 402, 1996). Biological Bulletin, 192 (1), R4-R4.

Sources of energy for increased metabolic demand during metamorphosis of the abalone Haliotis rufescens (Mollusca) (vol 191, pg 402, 1996)

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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