Geomorphological development of coral reefs, southern Great Barrier Reef: an integrated record of Holocene palaeoecology and palaeoclimate from cores

Aiding prediction of future reef behaviour

Although the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), one of Australia’s most significant ecological, economic and cultural assets, is threatened by anthropogenic environmental changes, we know very little about how reef communities or whole reefs responded to the most recent environmental changes over the last ~8000 yrs.

This project investigates shallow cores from the southern GBR to construct the composite record of ecological and geomorphological responses to changing sea-level and environment (climate, water quality) as recorded in the geochemistry of the skeletons of reef builders such as corals.

This project will aid prediction of future reef behaviour in the face of climate change projects, thus informing management strategies, while providing baseline data for current climate models.