PhD Candidate
Science Offices
Ourimbah Campus
University of Newcastle
Ourimbah NSW 2258
Australia
Phone: +61 455 601 928
Email: Alexander.Fordyce@uon.edu.au
Skype: gus.fordyce.21
Twitter: @thedivinggoose
Instagram: @gusfordyce
PhD Project |
The role of the coral microbiome in structural stability and thermal acclimation: implications for the future of the Great Barrier Reef |
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Following the mass bleaching event of 2016/17, the persistence of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is more uncertain than ever as severe thermal stress is predicted to become commonplace by the middle of the century. In our recent study, we combined techniques from the fields of photo-physiology, microbiology and geology to describe how severe thermal stress can lead to rapid weakening and collapse of corals' skeletons. My PhD will build upon this discovery and investigate the conditions under which internal erosion is favoured, as well as describing how skeletal porosity and permeability change using micro computer tomography (micro-CT) constructed 3D models. Subsequently, I will experimentally test the upper limits of thermal acclimation, focusing primarily on the role of the microbiome in contributing to short and long term responses of corals to the changing environment. This data will be integrated with projections of sea surface temperature (SST) changes, working alongside NOAA researchers, to build predictions for high and low risk areas of the GBR that can inform adaptive management.
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Publications |
1. Fordyce AJ, Camp EC, Ainsworth TD. 2017. Polyp bailout in Pocillopora damicornis following thermal stress. F1000 Research, 6: 687. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.11522.2
2. Ainsworth TD, Fordyce AJ, Camp EC. 2017. The other microeukaryotes of the coral reef microbiome. Trends in Microbiology, 25: 980 - 991. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2017.06.007 3. Fordyce AJ. 2017. Reef fishes of Praia do Tofo & Praia da Barra, Inhambane, Mozambique. bioRxiv. DOI: doi.org/10.1101/139261 4. Ainsworth TD, Camp EC, Suggett DJ, Heron SF, Fordyce AJ, Gardener S, Deakin L, Turner M, Beeching LJ, Kuzhiumparambil U, Eakin M, Leggat W. 2018. Eroded from within: severe marine heatwaves result in the immediate decay and dissolution of the coral skeleton. Nature Climate Change, in review. |
Qualifications |
Education
MSci Biology (First Class Honours), 2015, University of Bristol (United Kingdom) BSc Biology, 2014, University of Bristol (United Kingdom) Other PADI Divemaster. 2016. BSAC Sports Diver. 2013. HLTAID001/002/003/007 First Aid, CPR and Advanced Resuscitation. 2017. |
Skills |
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