JCU > Research Portfolio > Prof Andrew Baird

About

Interests

Research

I have broad research interests in many aspects of coral reef ecology ranging from organism biology to the biogeography and evolution of the Scleractinia. My current research focus is a taxonomic revision of the Family Acroporidae.

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Alvarez-Noriega M, Madin J, Baird A, Dornelas M and Connolly S (2023) Disturbance-induced changes in population size structure promote coral biodiversity. American Naturalist, 202 (5). pp. 604-615
Bridge T, Cowman P, Quattrini A, Bonito V, Sinniger F, Harii S, Head C, Hung J, Halafihi T, Rongo T and Baird A (in press) A tenuis relationship: traditional taxonomy obscures systematics and biogeography of the ‘Acropora tenuis’ (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) species complex. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
Cannon S, Donner S, Liu A, González Espinosa P, Baird A, Baum J, Bauman A, Beger M, Benkwitt C, Birt M, Chancerelle Y, Cinner J, Crane N, Denis V, Depczynski M, Fadli N, Fenner D, Fulton C, Golbuu Y, Graham N, Guest J, Harrison H, Hobbs J, Hoey A, Holmes T, Houk P, Januchowski-Hartley F, Jompa J, Kuo C, Limmon G, Lin Y, McClanahan T, Muenzel D, Paddack M, Planes S, Pratchett M, Radford B, Reimer J, Richards Z, Ross C, Rulmal Jr. J, Sommer B, Williams G and Wilson S (2023) Macroalgae exhibit diverse responses to human disturbances on coral reefs. Global Change Biology, 29 (12). pp. 3318-3330
Hughes T, Baird A, Morrison T and Torda G (2023) Principles for coral reef restoration in the anthropocene. One Earth, 6 (6). pp. 656-665
Kuo C, Pratchett M, Madin J and Baird A (2023) A test of adaptive strategy theory using fifteen years of change in coral abundance. Coral Reefs, 42 (4). pp. 951-966
McWilliam M, Dornelas M, Alvarez-Noriega M, Baird A, Connolly S and Madin J (2023) Net effects of life-history traits explain persistent differences in abundance among similar species. Ecology, 104 (1).
Quek Z, Jain S, Richards Z, Arrigoni R, Benzoni F, Hoeksema B, Carvajal J, Wilson N, Baird A, Kitahara M, Seiblitz I, Vaga C and Huang D (2023) A hybrid-capture approach to reconstruct the phylogeny of Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 186.
Bridge T, Baird A, Pandolfi J, McWilliam M and Zapalski M (2022) Functional consequences of Palaeozoic reef collapse. Scientific Reports, 12 (1).
Elder H, Weis V, Montalvo Proano J, Mocellin V, Baird A, Meyer E and Bay L (2022) Genetic Variation in Heat Tolerance of the Coral Platygyra Daedalea Indicates Potential for Adaptation to Ocean Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.
Figueiredo J, Thomas C, Deleersnijder E, Lambrechts J, Baird A, Connolly S and Hanert E (2022) Global warming decreases connectivity among coral populations. Nature Climate Change, 12 (1). pp. 83-87
Ramírez-Portilla C, Bieger I, Belleman R, Wilke T, Flot J, Baird A, Harii S, Sinniger F and Kaandorp J (2022) Quantitative three-dimensional morphological analysis supports species discrimination in complex-shaped and taxonomically challenging corals. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.
Ramírez-Portilla C, Baird A, Cowman P, Quattrini A, Harii S, Sinniger F and Flot J (2022) Solving the Coral Species Delimitation Conundrum. Systematic Biology, 71 (2). pp. 461-475

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 220+ research outputs authored by Prof Andrew Baird from 1997 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Minderoo Foundation - Flourishing Oceans

Taxonomic assessment of corals in the Australian Indian Ocean Territory

Indicative Funding: $57,750 over 1 year
Summary: Document the species richness of the coral fauna of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) islands (Australian Indian Ocean Territory), with a focus on identifying new species, species endemic to the region or vulnerable to threats due to low abundance or limited distributions.
Investigators: Tom Bridge, Peter Cowman and Andrew Baird (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Coral; Taxonomy; endemicity; Indian Ocean; Biogeography; biodiversity

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - Approach to market

Localised status assessment for specialty coral harvest species in the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding: $585,089 over 1 year
Summary: The objectives of the proposed 2-year program of monitoring are to assess the relative abundance and biomass of coral species within localised areas of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, directly comparing between areas of intensive coral harvesting with complementary reference areas within Marine National Park areas that are closed to fishing.
Investigators: Morgan Pratchett and Andrew Baird (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Coral reefs; Monitoring; Ecosystem management; Great Barrier Reef; Fisheries; Marine Parks

Minderoo Foundation - Flourishing Oceans

Biodiversity of the reef-building corals of Ningaloo Reef and the Indian Ocean

Indicative Funding: $95,187 over 2 years
Summary: Document the species richness of the coral fauna of Ningaloo with a focus on identifying species endemic to the region or vulnerable to threats due to low abundance or limited distributions.
Investigators: Andrew Baird, Tom Bridge and Peter Cowman (College of Science & Engineering and Education Division)
Keywords: Coral Reefs; Conservation; Species discovery; Biodiversity; Biogeography; Endemicity

Lizard Island Research Station - Critical research grants

Taxonomy of the reef-building corals of Lizard Island

Indicative Funding: $88,000 over 2 years
Summary: The short term aim of the project is to establish a curated collection of all scleractinian coral species from Lizard Island, including field and skeleton images plus tissue samples. This will allow for consistency in identification of corals among studies. The long term goal is a robust taxonomy for the corals of Lizard Island using an integrated approach that includes quantitative morphological analysis, molecular analysis and other lines of evidence, such as spawning times and breeding compatibilities.
Investigators: Andrew Baird, Tom Bridge and Peter Cowman (Research Division)
Keywords: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Great Barrier Reef; Coral Reefs; Scleractinia; Conservation

Australian Research Council - Centres of Excellence

ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies

Indicative Funding: $28,000,000 over 7 years
Summary: The overarching aim of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for sustaining ecosystem goods and services of the world's coral reefs, which support the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in the tropics. The Centre will enhance Australia's global leadership in coral reef science through three ambitious research programs addressing the future of coral reefs and their ability to adapt to change. A key outcome of the research will be providing tangible benefits to all Australians by bui8lding bridges between the natural and social sciences, strengthening capacity, and informing and supporting transformative changes in coral reef governance and management.
Investigators: Graeme Cumming, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Malcolm McCulloch, Peter Mumby, Sean Connolly, John Pandolfi, Bob Pressey, Andrew Baird, David Bellwood, Joshua Cinner, Sophie Dove, Maja Adamska, Mia Hoogenboom, Geoff Jones, Mike Kingsford, Ryan Lowe, Mark McCormick, David Miller, Philip Munday, Morgan Pratchett, Garry Russ and Tiffany Morrison in collaboration with Janice Lough, David Wachenfeld, Stephen Palumbi, Serge Planes and Philippa Cohen (Research Division, The University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, College of Science & Engineering, Australian National University, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Stanford University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and WorldFish)
Keywords: coral reef ecosystems; Climate Change Adaptation; ecological resilience; biodiversity goods and services; social-ecological dynamics

Department of the Environment and Energy - Director of National Parks - Tender

Coral Reef Health in the Coral Sea Marine Park

Indicative Funding: $968,346 over 2 years
Summary: A number of coral reefs occur in the Australian Marine Parks estate, particularly within the Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP). In 2016 and 2017, coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and CSMP were impacted by a mass global coral bleaching event. Regular surveys of coral bleaching and associated reef health in the CSMP are needed to inform future marine park management over the next three years to either enable comparisons against historical baselines where bleaching has previously occurred, or set new baselines for areas that aren?t bleached but may be in the future.
Investigators: Morgan Pratchett, Andrew Hoey, Hugo Harrison, Andrew Baird, Tom Bridge, Daniela Ceccarelli and Jean-Paul Hobbs (Research Division and Curtin University)
Keywords: Coral Reefs; Monitoring; Coral Bleaching; Coral Sea Marine Park

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

An integrated taxonomic approach to understanding the diversity and biogeography of corals on the Great Barrier Reef. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Morphological and molecular systematics of stoloniferous soft corals (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
Revisiting Coral Taxonomy: diversity and biogeography of Acropora across the Indian Ocean (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Integrating physiological and environmental drivers of depth zonation patterns on coral reefs (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Role of Hybridization in Evolutionary History of Scleractinian Corals (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)

Completed

Diversity, phylogeography and taxonomy of hard corals in the genus Porites (2021, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
Competition and coexistence of reef-corals (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Data

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.

Hughes, T. (2019) Global warming impairs stock-recruitment dynamics of corals. James Cook University
Hughes, T. (2018) Global warming transforms coral reef assemblages. James Cook University
Figueiredo, J. (2017) Data from: Increased local retention of reef coral larvae as a result of ocean warming. James Cook University
Baird, A. (2013) Acropora Reproduction and Biogeography. James Cook University

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.