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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

401 - 410 of 410 works

1989

Journal Article

The Effect of Sudden Changes in Temperature, Light and Salinity On the Population-Density and Export of Zooxanthellae From the Reef Corals Stylophora-Pistillata Esper and Seriatopora-Hystrix Dana

Hoeghguldberg, O and Smith, GJ (1989). The Effect of Sudden Changes in Temperature, Light and Salinity On the Population-Density and Export of Zooxanthellae From the Reef Corals Stylophora-Pistillata Esper and Seriatopora-Hystrix Dana. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 129 (3), 279-303. doi: 10.1016/0022-0981(89)90109-3

The Effect of Sudden Changes in Temperature, Light and Salinity On the Population-Density and Export of Zooxanthellae From the Reef Corals Stylophora-Pistillata Esper and Seriatopora-Hystrix Dana

1988

Conference Publication

Light and Feeding Influence Temperature Related Expulsion of Zooxanthellae by the Sea-Anemone Aiptasia-Pulchella

Hoeghguldberg, O (1988). Light and Feeding Influence Temperature Related Expulsion of Zooxanthellae by the Sea-Anemone Aiptasia-Pulchella. LAWRENCE: AMER SOC ZOOLOGISTS.

Light and Feeding Influence Temperature Related Expulsion of Zooxanthellae by the Sea-Anemone Aiptasia-Pulchella

1988

Journal Article

A Method for Determining the Surface-Area of Corals

Hoeghguldberg, O (1988). A Method for Determining the Surface-Area of Corals. Coral Reefs, 7 (3), 113-116. doi: 10.1007/BF00300970

A Method for Determining the Surface-Area of Corals

1987

Journal Article

Correction

Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (1987). Correction. Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B-Biological Sciences, 229 (1257), 473-473.

Correction

1987

Journal Article

Expulsion of Zooxanthellae by Symbiotic Cnidarians From the Red-Sea

Hoeghguldberg, O, McCloskey, LR and Muscatine, L (1987). Expulsion of Zooxanthellae by Symbiotic Cnidarians From the Red-Sea. Coral Reefs, 5 (4), 201-204. doi: 10.1007/BF00300964

Expulsion of Zooxanthellae by Symbiotic Cnidarians From the Red-Sea

1986

Journal Article

Studies On a Nudibranch That Contains Zooxanthellae .2. Contribution of Zooxanthellae to Animal Respiration (Czar) in Pteraeolidia-Ianthina with High and Low-Densities of Zooxanthellae

Hoeghguldberg, O, Hinde, R and Muscatine, L (1986). Studies On a Nudibranch That Contains Zooxanthellae .2. Contribution of Zooxanthellae to Animal Respiration (Czar) in Pteraeolidia-Ianthina with High and Low-Densities of Zooxanthellae. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 228 (1253), 511-521. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1986.0067

Studies On a Nudibranch That Contains Zooxanthellae .2. Contribution of Zooxanthellae to Animal Respiration (Czar) in Pteraeolidia-Ianthina with High and Low-Densities of Zooxanthellae

1986

Journal Article

Studies On a Nudibranch That Contains Zooxanthellae .1. Photosynthesis, Respiration and the Translocation of Newly Fixed Carbon by Zooxanthellae in Pteraeolidia-Ianthina

Hoeghguldberg, O and Hinde, R (1986). Studies On a Nudibranch That Contains Zooxanthellae .1. Photosynthesis, Respiration and the Translocation of Newly Fixed Carbon by Zooxanthellae in Pteraeolidia-Ianthina. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 228 (1253), 493-509. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1986.0066

Studies On a Nudibranch That Contains Zooxanthellae .1. Photosynthesis, Respiration and the Translocation of Newly Fixed Carbon by Zooxanthellae in Pteraeolidia-Ianthina

1985

Conference Publication

Density of Zooxanthellae in a Nudibranch - Effect On Zooxanthellae Carbon Budgets

Hoeghguldberg, O (1985). Density of Zooxanthellae in a Nudibranch - Effect On Zooxanthellae Carbon Budgets. LAWRENCE: AMER SOC ZOOLOGISTS.

Density of Zooxanthellae in a Nudibranch - Effect On Zooxanthellae Carbon Budgets

1983

Conference Publication

Photosynthesis and Translocation of Newly Fixed Carbon by Zooxanthellae in the Aeolid Nudibranch, Pteraeolidia-Ianthina

Hoeghguldberg, IO (1983). Photosynthesis and Translocation of Newly Fixed Carbon by Zooxanthellae in the Aeolid Nudibranch, Pteraeolidia-Ianthina. LAWRENCE: AMER SOC ZOOLOGISTS.

Photosynthesis and Translocation of Newly Fixed Carbon by Zooxanthellae in the Aeolid Nudibranch, Pteraeolidia-Ianthina

1982

Journal Article

A Brood-Protecting Nudibranch with Pelagic Lecithotrophic Development

Rose, RA and Hoeghguldberg, IO (1982). A Brood-Protecting Nudibranch with Pelagic Lecithotrophic Development. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 48 (AUG), 231-232.

A Brood-Protecting Nudibranch with Pelagic Lecithotrophic Development

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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