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. The main focus of my research has been coral larval ecology and reproductive biology. I have also made significant contributions to the field of coral bleaching and likely effects of climate change on coral reefs. My primary research interest at present is to understand and predicting range limits of corals under a changing climate. My research into coral larval ecology has been instrumental in establishing the role of pre-settlement process, in particular larval behaviour, in determining patterns of adult distribution at multiple scales. I demonstrated that the depth zonation of coral assemblages is influenced in part by choices made by larvae at settlement. Similarly, the large geographical range size of many coral species is caused, in part, by an extraordinary capacity for larvae to delay metamorphosis. This research also provided an explanation for the paradox of heterogeneous genetic population structure within the extensive geographical range of many coral species. When given the choice, larvae will settle rapidly, however, if transported away from their natal reefs they retain the ability to settle for many months. Furthermore, we recently provided a mechanism to explain this extraordinary capacity of coral larvae to stay alive in the plankton: hypometabolism, which essentially means coral larvae will “hibernate” in the absence of sensory stimulus. Currently, I am working with the postdoctoral fellows in my lab and my colleague, Prof Sean Connolly, to develop mechanistic models of larval dispersal that allow for patterns of dispersal to be predicted from a few simple and easily measured traits. In addition, we are using a combination of experimental biology and ecological modelling to explore the effects of climate change on patterns of coral larval connectivity.

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, Baird A, Bridge T, Dornelas M, Fontoura L, Pizarro O, Precoda K, Torres-Pulliza D, Woods R, Zawada K and Madin J (2018) Contrasting patterns of changes in abundance following a bleaching event between juvenile and adult scleractinian corals. Coral Reefs, 37 (2). pp. 527-532
Álvarez Noriega M, Baird A, Dornelas M, Madin J and Connolly S (2018) Negligible effect of competition on coral colony growth. Ecology, 99 (6). pp. 1347-1356
Baird A, Álvarez-Noriega M, Cumbo V, Connolly S, Dornelas M and Madin J (2018) Effects of tropical storms on the demography of reef corals. Marine Ecology - Progress Series, 606. pp. 29-38
Baird A, Madin J, Álvarez-Noriega M, Fontoura L, Kerry J, Kuo C, Precoda K, Torres-Pulliza D, Woods R, Zawada K and Hughes T (2018) A decline in bleaching suggests that depth can provide a refuge from global warming in most coral taxa. Marine Ecology - Progress Series, 603. pp. 257-264
Baird A and Thomson D (2018) Coral reproduction at Hall Bank, a high latitude coral assemblage in Western Australia. Aquatic Biology, 27. pp. 55-63
Cumbo V, van Oppen M and Baird A (2018) Temperature and symbiodinium physiology affect the establishment and development of symbiosis in corals. Marine Ecology - Progress Series, 587. pp. 117-127
Hughes T, Anderson K, Connolly S, Heron S, Kerry J, Lough J, Baird A, Baum J, Berumen M, Bridge T, Claar D, Eakin C, Gilmour J, Graham N, Harrison H, Hobbs J, Hoey A, Hoogenboom M, Lowe R, McCulloch M, Pandolfi J, Pratchett M, Schoepf V, Torda G and Wilson S (2018) Spatial and temporal patterns of mass bleaching of corals in the Anthropocene. Science, 359 (6371). pp. 80-83
Hughes T, Kerry J, Baird A, Connolly S, Dietzel A, Eakin C, Heron S, Hoey A, Hoogenboom M, Liu G, McWilliam M, Pears R, Pratchett M, Skirving W, Stella J and Torda G (2018) Global warming transforms coral reef assemblages. Nature, 556 (7702). pp. 492-496
Keith S, Baird A, Hobbs J, Woolsey E, Hoey A, Fadli N and Sanders N (2018) Synchronous behavioural shifts in reef fishes linked to mass coral bleaching. Nature Climate Change, 8 (11). pp. 986-991
Madin J, Baird A, Bridge T, Connolly S, Zawada K and Dornelas M (2018) Cumulative effects of cyclones and bleaching on coral cover and species richness at Lizard Island. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 604. pp. 263-268
McWilliam M, Hoogenboom M, Baird A, Kuo C, Madin J and Hughes T (2018) Biogeographical disparity in the functional diversity and redundancy of corals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 115 (12). pp. 3084-3089
Mizerek T, Baird A and Madin J (2018) Species traits as indicators of coral bleaching. Coral Reefs, 37 (3). pp. 791-800

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 174+ 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.

Australian Research Council - Discovery - Projects

Developing a mechanistic basis for coral reef conservation

Indicative Funding: $60,000 over 2 years (administered by UNSW)
Summary: The health and reef-building capacity of coral reefs worldwide is challenged by a range of anthropogenic impacts, including global warming, sedimentation, eutrophication and ocean acidification. If coral reef ecosystems are to overcome these environmental challenges and persist into the future, corals must acclimate and/or adapt. This project will provide an evidence base for coral reef conservation to be targeted towards conserving regions that are found to be at greatest risk, and those that have the greatest capacity for resilience, to the projected near future climate change.
Investigators: Tracy Ainsworth, Bill Leggat, Andrew Baird and Scott Heron (The University of New South Wales, The University of Newcastle, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and PortMap Remote Ocean Sensing Pty Ltd)
Keywords: Coral; Coral Reefs; Climate Change

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: Terry Hughes, 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 (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, The 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

ABRS - Director of National Parks - Tender

Coral Reef Health in the Coral Sea Marine Park

Indicative Funding: $968,346 over 3 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 (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and Curtin University of Technology)
Keywords: Coral Reefs; Monitoring; Coral Bleaching; Coral Sea Marine Park

ABRS - National Environmental Science Program (NESP) - Tropical Water Quality Hub (TWQ Hub)

Recommendations to maintain functioning of the Great Barrier Reef

Indicative Funding: $2,308 (administered by University of Queensland)
Summary: The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing increased environmental stress which threatens its functioning. Yet a subset of species are often disproportionately important in maintaining a functioning ecosystem. This project harnesses Queensland's breadth of reef expertise to deliver timely recommendations on what can be done to strengthen and protect key supportive species. Specifically we ask which species - or functional groups of species - drive processes that maintain a healthy reef. We provide a scientific consensus in support of (1) species' rankings and recommendations for enhanced protection, (2) informed scenarios for what's at stake; the consequences of not taking further action, and (3) make recommendations for targeted R&D. We will also suggest activities that can be undertaken by citizen science organisations to help monitor the status of priority species or identify areas of either outstanding value or threat.
Investigators: Peter Mumby and Andrew Baird in collaboration with Anthony Richardson, Nicole Webster, Juan-Carlos Ortiz, Line Bay, Katharina Fabricius, Kate Osborne, Angus Thompson, Russ C Babcock, Mia Hoogenboom, Geoff Jones, Mark McCormick, Andrew Hoey, Morgan Pratchett, David Bourne, Mike Kingsford, Sue-Ann Watson, Tom Bridge, Jessica Stella and Guillermo Diaz-Pulido (The University of Queensland, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, College of Science & Engineering, Queensland Museum, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Griffith University)
Keywords: Coral Reefs; Function; traits; Management; Climate Change; Diversity

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

Integrating physiological and environmental drivers of depth zonation patterns on coral reefs (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
The Use of Novel Techniques to SolveTaxonomic Uncertainties in an Ecologically Important Coral Taxon (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)

Completed

Inter- and intra- specific variation in bleaching susceptibility among scleractinian corals (2014, PhD , Associate Advisor)
Temporal and Spatial Variation in the Growth of Branching Corals (2016, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Advancing conservation planning for persistence: design of a conservation strategy for Brazilian coral reefs (2016, PhD , Associate Advisor)
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Demographic Traits in the Reef Coral, Acropora Millepora, on The Great Barrier Reef (2015, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Coral larval ecology and biogeography in a warming ocean (2014, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Ecological Determinates of Depth Zonation In Reef-Building Corals (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM)
Competition and coexistence of reef-corals (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Adaptive strategies in reef-building corals (2017, PhD , Primary Advisor)

Data

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

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.