JCU > Research Portfolio > Prof Terry Hughes

About

Professor Terry Hughes is Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, which is headquartered at James Cook University, Australia. His research focuses on the linkages between the ecology of reefs and their importance for societies and economies. He has worked extensively in Australia, the Coral Triangle Region, and in the Caribbean. An important aspect of his research is understanding the dynamics and resilience of coral reefs, and translating this knowledge into innovative and practical solutions for improved reef management.

Interests

Research

In the past five years, my research has increasingly evolved in a new direction, moving from an ecological focus to a broader evaluation of the linkages between coral reef ecosystems and people. This new program focuses on solutions for managing resilience and for coping with change and uncertainty in complex social-ecological systems. The ARC Centre is developing further research capacity in this area by strategic recruitment of social scientists, creating a unique multi-disciplinary team of the highest calibre. My recent work has focussed on market drivers of ecological change, missing institutions, identifying safe planetary boundaries for human development, avoiding social traps, and transformative governance of the sea in Australia, Chile, China, the Galapagos Islands, Gulf of Maine and the Coral Triangle. My future research will focus on the linkages between coral reef ecosystems, the goods and services they provide to people, and the welfare of human societies. The objective is to improve the governance and management of natural systems and enhance their capacity to sustain human and natural capital. The overarching goal is to integrate the science of coral reef resilience with decision-making and management.

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2014 - Einstein Professorship
2008 - The Darwin Medal
2007 - Eureka Sherman Prize for Environmental Science

Fellowships

2012 to 2017 - ARC Laureate Fellow
2007 to 2012 - Federation Fellow
2002 to 2007 - Federation Fellow

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

Mouillot D, Parravicini V, Bellwood D, Leprieur F, Huang D, Cowman P, Albouy C, Hughes T, Thuiller W and Guilhaumon F (2016) Global marine protected areas do not secure the evolutionary history of tropical corals and fishes. Nature Communications, 7. pp. 1-8
Fischer J, Gardner T, Bennett E, Balvanera P, Biggs R, Carpenter S, Daw T, Folke C, Hill R, Hughes T, Luthe T, Maass M, Meacham M, Norström A, Peterson G, Queiroz C, Seppelt R, Spierenburg M and Tenhunen J (2015) Advancing sustainability through mainstreaming a social–ecological systems perspective. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 14. pp. 144-149
Hughes T, Day J and Brodie J (2015) Securing the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Nature Climate Change, 5. pp. 508-511
Scheffer M, Barrett S, Carpenter S, Folke C, Green A, Holmgren M, Hughes T, Kosten S, van de Leemput I, Nepstad D, van Nes E, Peeters E and Walker B (2015) Creating a safe operating space for iconic ecosystems. Science, 347 (6228). pp. 1317-1319
Barrett S, Lenton T, Millner A, Tavoni A, Carpenter S, Anderies J, Chapin F, Crépin A, Daily G, Ehrlich P, Folke C, Galaz V, Hughes T, Kautsky N, Lambin E, Naylor R, Nyborg K, Polasky S, Scheffer M, Wilen J, Xepapadeas A and de Zeeuw A (2014) Climate engineering reconsidered. Nature Climate Change, 4. pp. 527-529
Hughes T, Bellwood D, Connolly S, Cornell H and Karlson R (2014) Double jeopardy and global extinction risk in corals and reef fishes. Current Biology, 24 (24). pp. 2946-2951
Bridge T, Hughes T, Guinotte J and Bongaerts P (2013) Call to protect all coral reefs. Nature Climate Change, 3. pp. 528-530
Graham N, Bellwood D, Cinner J, Hughes T, Norström A and Nyström M (2013) Managing resilience to reverse phase shifts in coral reefs. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 11 (10). pp. 541-548
Hughes T, Connolly S and Keith S (2013) Geographic ranges of reef corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the Indo-Pacific. Ecology, 94 (7). p. 1659
Hughes T, Carpenter S, Rockström J, Scheffer M and Walker B (2013) Multiscale regime shifts and planetary boundaries. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 28 (7). pp. 389-395
Hughes T, Huang H and Young M (2013) The wicked problem of China's disappearing coral reefs. Conservation Biology, 27 (2). pp. 261-269

Book Chapters

Craig R and Hughes T (2014) Marine protected areas, marine spatial planning and the resilience of marine ecosystems. In: Social-Ecological Resilience and Law. Columbia University Press, New York, NY, USA, pp. 98-141

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 123+ research outputs authored by Prof Terry Hughes from 1980 onwards.

Current Funding

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

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, Bette Willis, Andrew Baird, David Bellwood, Joshua Cinner, Sophie Dove, Sylvain Foret, Nick Graham, Mia Hoogenboom, Geoff Jones, Mike Kingsford, Ryan Lowe, Mark McCormick, David Miller, Philip Munday, Morgan Pratchett and Garry Russ in collaboration with Neil Andrew, Jeremy Jackson, Janice Lough, Laurence McCook, Stephen Palumbi, Serge Planes and Madeleine van Oppen (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, Worldfish Centre - Penang, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Stanford University and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
Keywords: coral reef ecosystems; Climate Change Adaptation; ecological resilience; biodiversity goods and services; social-ecological dynamics

International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management - Contract Research

Improving community based fisheries management in Pacific countries

Indicative Funding: $175,504 over 4 years
Summary: The objective of this Project is to enhance collaborative research between WorldFish and the Centre of Excellence with a particular focus on participation of the Centre in ACIAR project Improving Community-based Fisheries Management in Pacific Countries. WorldFish and the Centre will co-fund a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to undertake research on governance and sustainability of Pacific island coastal fisheries.
Investigators: Terry Hughes (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Pacific Island; Coastal Management; sustainability; Fisheries Management; Communities

Australian Research Council - Discovery - Australian Laureate Fellowships

Science for management of coral reefs

Indicative Funding: $2,511,216 over 6 years
Summary: The overarching aim is to increase knowledge of the dynamics and resilience of ecosystems (i.e. their capacity to absorb recurrent shocks without tipping into a degraded condition), and to incorporate these research findings into improved management of coral reefs. The Fellowship will develop research programs of international significance through the establishment of new collaborative teams that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Coral reefs provide essential ecosystem services and food security to millions of people. A key outcome of the research will be to actively transfer scientific knowledge to end-users, to increase their capacity and effectiveness and provide tangible benefits to all Australians.
Investigators: Terry Hughes (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Coral reefs; Ecosystems; Biodiversity; Ecology; social-ecological systems; Resilience; regime-shift

Griffith University - National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility - Contract Research

Policy Guidance Brief: GBR and its Ecosystem Services

Indicative Funding: $6,000
Summary: Development of a policy guidance brief on the Great Barrier Reef and its ecosystem services.
Investigators: Terry Hughes (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Great Barrier Reef; Ecosystem Services; Synthesis; Climate change

Australian Institute of Marine Science - Contract Research

Deep-Water Reefs in Northern Australia

Indicative Funding: $174,080 over 4 years
Summary: There is increasing awareness of the importance of submerged and deep-water banks habitat for diverse ecological communities and, potentially, refugia from climate change. However, due to logistic and technological restrictions, they remain poorly studied compared to shallow-water coral reef habitats. This project will investigate biodiversity associated with deep-water reefs and submerged shoal habitats across northern Australia and assess their potential to provide refugia for coral reef biota from climate change. I will also use new technology such as 3D imaging and light-field cameras to enable surveying and repeat monitoring of deep-water coral reef habitats.
Investigators: Terry Hughes (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Mesophotic; Climate Change; Underwater Imaging; Coral Reef; Refugia; Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Australian Institute of Marine Science - Contract Research

Biological Control of Acanthaster Planci

Indicative Funding: $129,010 over 2 years
Summary: Acanthaster planci (like many echinoderms) are susceptible to infectious disease (Pratchett 1999), providing an option for biological control (Rivera-Posada et al. 2011). The close proximity between sea stars during outbreaks has the potential to facilitate rapid transmission of potential panthogens, eliminating the need to directly kill or collect each individual sea star Disease (s) have been implicated in abrupt declines of A. planci at the end of outbreak events with sea stars disappearing long before they have reached maximum size or age (Zann et al. 1990; Moran et al., 1985; Moran 1986; Pratchett 2005). Biological disease agents to be isolated and tested would included bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites.
Investigators: Terry Hughes and Jairo Rivera Posada (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Acanthaster planci; (family Acanthasteridae); Crown-of-thorns sea star; Pest Control; Outbreaks

Australian Research Council - Discovery - Super Science Fellowships

Resilience of Coral Reef Ecosystems to Climate Change - Round 2

Indicative Funding: $835,200 over 4 years
Summary: The unifying theme of this proposal is the development of technologies and new knowledge for management and sustainable use of the world's coral reefs. The capacity of marine organisms and ecosystems to cope with accelerating climate change will depend on their potential for rapid acclimatisation, and ultimately adaptation, to changing climate. Research in Round 2 will use a unique combination of experiments, genomics and modeling to reveal the molecular and physiological mechanisms for acclimation and adaptation to climate change corals and reef fishes, leading to an enhanced capacity for predicting and managing changes to these critical natural assets.
Investigators: Terry Hughes, Bette Willis, David Miller, Philip Munday and Bob Pressey (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, College of Science & Engineering, College of Public Health and Medical & Vet Sciences)
Keywords: Climate Change; Coral reefs; Fisheries; Adaptation; Resilience; Disease; Genomics; Modelling; Physiology

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

Adaptive Strategies of Scleractinian Corals. (PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Primary Habitat Requirements of Key Herbivorous Fish and Stress-Tolerant Coral Species in the Great Barrier Reef: Which Ecological Factors Govern their Distribution and How to Draw Lessons for Coral Reef. (PhD, Primary Advisor)
The Trait Diversity of Reef Corals: A Response-and-effect Framework (PhD, Primary Advisor)
Social - Ecological Dynamics of Coral Reef Fisheries. (PhD, Primary Advisor)

Completed

The resilience of coral reef tourism to global change and crises (2011, PhD, Primary Advisor)
Geographic variation in ecology of coral feeding butterflyfishes and resilience to large scale disturbances (2012, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Advancing land-sea conservation planning: cross-system threats and competing values (2012, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
The effects of ocean acidification and warming on the early life history stages of corals (2012, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Pathogenesis of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L) (2012, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
The importance of live coral habitat for reef fishes and its role in key ecological processes (2012, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
The establishment and development of symbiosis in coral larvae (2012, PhD, Primary Advisor)
Incorporating socio-economic considerations into systematic conservation planning (2011, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Addressing new challenges in dynamic conservation planning (2011, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Ecosystem service values and societal settings for coral reef governance (2013, PhD, Primary Advisor)
The contribution of locally managed marine areas to small-scale fisheries and food security: a Solomon Islands case study (2013, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Inter- and intra- specific variation in bleaching susceptibility among scleractinian corals (2014, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Population Regulation and Diversity-stability Relationships in Ecological Time-series (2015, PhD, Secondary Advisor)
Social determinants of the exploitation and management of coral reef resources in Solomon Islands (2013, PhD, Associate Advisor)

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.