Coral resilience and the optimal management of biodiversity

Research Projects | Updated 5 years ago

Image of Intertidal coral cover in the northwest of Western Australia
Intertidal coral cover in the northwest of Western Australia
Zoe Richards/WA Museum

One of the most pressing questions facing coral reef managers is “Will reef-building corals survive climate change?” To answer this, managers need to know how coral biodiversity responds to climatic disturbances; the potential for acclimation and adaptation; and the best ways to monitor, manage and restore biodiversity. This project will examine the resilience of coral biodiversity to disturbances and build on recently developed genomic resources to explore the genotypic traits that confer thermal tolerance. Working with government, regulatory sectors and an industry group, we aim to generate tangible outcomes and strategies to optimise the management of Australia’s coral biodiversity while engaging the public through museum-based outreach.

 

About the project

This Project led by Dr Zoe Richards (Curtin University and Western Australian Museum) in collaboration with Dr Nerida Wilson (Western Australian Museum) and is administered by Curtin University. It involves partnerships with the New Museum for Western Australia, James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Department of Conservation, Biodiversity and Attractions, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Coral Reef Rescue.

This project has received funding from the Australian Research Council Linkage Project Fund, The Western Australian Museum, the Department of Conservation, Biodiversity and Attractionsthe Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Fisheries and Coral Reef Rescue.