Research impact

Since the 1950s, researchers at Heron Island Research Station have been tackling big questions about the biology, geology and ecology of coral reefs. In doing so, they provide fundamental insights into how reefs work, and develop innovative ways to protect and harness their amazing biodiversity.

Today, Australian and international researchers continue to focus on restoring and managing coral reefs on the Great Barrier Reef and around the world. They also address global challenges with novel solutions, including advanced environmentally benign bioproducts, biomaterials and sources of energy.

Diverse topics span bird and turtle migration and behaviour to drugs from cone shell venom to the genomes of corals, sponges and their symbionts.

See a selection, below, of our research community’s focus areas.

Biology of coral reefs

Research spans ecosystems to genomes, and focuses on reef function, health, adaptation and sustainability. Researchers also use model organisms to address key questions in biology and biomedicine. Focus areas include how corals respond to environmental change; how symbionts, parasites and disease influence corals and other ecosystem engineers such as sponges and fish; and how reef animal genomes direct development and respond to environmental change.

Coral reef resilience and adaptation

Coral reef managers need to know how reef restoration and control of crown-of-thorns starfish contribute to building a healthy, resilient reef. We are an internationally renowned destination for studies that quantify the natural processes of reef recovery and genetic adaptation to the impacts of climate change and other environmental stressors. These studies allow researchers to design the most useful management interventions.

Bioinspiration and discovery

Researchers study coral reef organisms to identify ways to benefit humankind. By studying and deriving inspiration from biological systems, scientists are developing advanced clean-energy solutions, pharmaceuticals and materials that are beyond current engineering and manufacturing capabilities. These are contributing to tomorrow’s sustainable cyclic bioeconomic solutions.

Past, present and future of coral reefs

Our station has a long history of research on the sediments and coral-algal frameworks that make up Heron Island Reef. This “reef geology” records the reef’s past and provides insights into its possible futures. The dating and study of excavated reef rock blocks and recovered cores have informed researchers about reef construction and how biological communities and the reef edifice were previously affected by changes in sea level and climate.

Coral reef mapping and monitoring

For more than 20 years, researchers have been developing and testing methods to map the composition, health and wellbeing of coral reefs. They do this by using images collected from satellites, aircraft and drones. This research includes partners from universities and space agencies from around the world and provides a globally unique “testbed” environment for integrating coral reef sciences and earth observation sciences.

Ecology and evolution

For decades, we have supported research that has focused on specific locations, species or events. Generations of researchers from around the world have been studying coral spawning, the behaviour and evolution of island birds, the shifting ecology of small reef patches, and the long-term nesting patterns of sea turtles. These and other studies provide unique insights into long- and short-term processes underpinning life on the reef.

Resources

Visit UQ eSpace to see the scope of our research publications.

Browse publications of research involving Heron Island Research Station (a full literature review conducted for student learning and future research).
The research publications were derived by using key words: "Heron Island Research Station", "Heron Island", "Heron Reef", "Heron Lagoon" and "HIRS" applied across a range of databases: UQ library and espace, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Pangaea, Trove (National Library) and thesis repositories at UQ, Griffith University, James Cook University, and Queensland University of Technology. If a publication is missing, please contact hirs@uq.edu.au

Research impact

Resources

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