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

Bellwood D, Pratchett M, Morrison T, Gurney G, Hughes T, Álvarez-Romero J, Day J, Grantham R, Grech A, Hoey A, Jones G, Pandolfi J, Tebbett S, Techera E, Weeks R and Cumming G (2019) Coral reef conservation in the Anthropocene: confronting spatial mismatches and prioritizing functions. Biological Conservation, 236. pp. 604-615
Harrison H, Álvarez-Noriega M, Baird A, Heron S, Macdonald C and Hughes T (2019) Back-to-back coral bleaching events on isolated atolls in the Coral Sea. Coral Reefs, 38 (4). pp. 713-719
Hughes T, Kerry J, Connolly S, Baird A, Eakin C, Heron S, Hoey A, Hoogenboom M, Jacobson M, Liu G, Pratchett M, Skirving W and Torda G (2019) Ecological memory modifies the cumulative impact of recurrent climate extremes. Nature Climate Change, 9 (1). pp. 40-44
Morrison T, Hughes T, Adger W, Brown K, Barnett J, Lemos M, Huitema D, Huchery C, Chaigneau T, Turner R and Hettiarachchi M (2019) Save reefs to rescue all ecosystems. Nature, 573. pp. 333-336
Morrison T, Adger W, Brown K, Lemos M, Huitema D, Phelps J, Evans L, Cohen P, Song A, Turner R, Quinn T and Hughes T (2019) The black box of power in polycentric environmental governance. Global Environmental Change, 57.
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
Cinner J, Adger W, Allison E, Barnes M, Brown K, Cohen P, Gelcich S, Hicks C, Hughes T, Lau J, Marshall N and Morrison T (2018) Building adaptive capacity to climate change in tropical coastal communities. Nature Climate Change, 8 (2). pp. 117-123
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
Lough J, Anderson K and Hughes T (2018) Increasing thermal stress for tropical coral reefs: 1871-2017. Scientific Reports, 8. pp. 1-8
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
Connolly S, Hughes T and Bellwood D (2017) A unified model explains commonness and rarity on coral reefs. Ecology Letters, 20 (4). pp. 477-486

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 148+ 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.

CGIAR - Contract Research

CGIAR Fish-Agri-Food Systems

Indicative Funding: $429,091 over 4 years (administered by WorldFish, Malaysia)
Summary: JCU and WorldFish are committed to delivery of Flagship 2 "Sustaining small-scale fisheries" of the FISH CRP, and in particular Cluster 1 Resilient Coastal Fisheries and with contributions towards Cluster 3 Fish in Regional Food Systems (Program description http://on.cgiar.org/CRP2Proposals). This partnership will produce novel research contributing to increasing nutrition-sensitive fisheries management and policy for small-scale coastal fisheries, and leading to increased adpative capacity and resilience of small-scale coastal fisheries in the face of climate change. This partnership also represents a strong opportunity to build research-in0development capacity of students and post-doctoral research fellows based in Australia and in WorldFish focal countries.
Investigators: Joshua Cinner, Terry Hughes and Cindy Huchery (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Pacific Islands; small scale coastal fisheries; Climate Change; adaptive capacity and resilience; food security and nutrition; Sustainable Fisheries

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

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation - Donation

GBR Coral Replenishment

Indicative Funding: $63,181
Summary: This funding will be used to support our research on the capacity of coral reefs to cope with climate change. Specifically, in 2019 we will examine the rate of coral replenishment along the length of the Great Barrier Reef, in the aftermath of the two bleaching events in 2016 and 2017. The objective is to compare stock-recruitment relationships today with earlier, to better understand the recoverability of reefs.
Investigators: Terry Hughes (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Climate Change; stock recruitment relationships; coral replenishment; reef recoverability; Coral Bleaching

ACIAR - Research Grant

Research Fellow: Governing for resilience and equity in small-scale fisheries

Indicative Funding: $180,000 over 3 years (administered by World Fish, Malaysia)
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's project 'Strengthening and scaling community-based approaches to Pacific coastal fisheries management in support of the New Song." WorldFish and the Centre will co-fund a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to undertake research on governing for food security, equity and resilience in Pacific small-scale fisheries.
Investigators: Terry Hughes (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords: Pacific Islands; Small scale fisheries management; Gender equity; Food Security; Resilience; Sustainability

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

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

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

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

Ecological Drivers of Community Stability in Space and Time (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
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/AM/Adv)

Completed

Population regulation and diversity-stability relationships in ecological time-series (2015, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Adaptive strategies in reef-building corals (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Inter- and intra- specific variation in bleaching susceptibility among scleractinian corals (2014, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
The functional diversity and redundancy of corals (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)

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) Ecological memory modifies the cumulative impact of recurrent climate extremes. James Cook University
McWilliam, M. (2018) Biogeographical disparity in the functional diversity and redundancy of corals. James Cook University
McWilliam, M. (2018) Disturbance, recovery and the depletion of functional diversity on coral reefs. James Cook University
McWilliam, M. (2018) Neighbour diversity regulates the productivity of coral assemblages. James Cook University
Hughes, T. (2018) Global warming transforms coral reef assemblages. James Cook University
Connolly, S. (2017) Data from: A unified model explains commonness and rarity on coral reefs. 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.