Professor William Figueira
Director, One Tree Island Research Station
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (Marine Ecology), 2003 - Duke University, USA
- Bachelors of Science (Biology), 1993 - University of California, San Diego, USA
Prof Figueira is broadly interested in the population ecology of marine fishes and conducts research on this theme across the spectrum from small-scale demographic studies to large scale metapopulation and ocean connectivity projects. His work focuses on establishing mechanistic linkages between an organism’s environment, its behaviour and ultimately its demographics. This work takes place in tropical and temperate habitats and includes consideration of impacts such as climate change and urbanisation on populations.
Range shifts of marine fishes and tropicalisation of temperate habitats
3D Reefs
Collaborator: Professor Maria Byrne
The shallow reefs of our seas are amongst the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Yet these areas are also typically the most heavily impacted by the ever expanding human footprint. Impacts such as coastal development and climate change induced coral bleaching are driving dramatic changes to the habitats that serve as the basis for these incredibly diverse systems. The 3D Reefs Project is a synergy of science and engagement which uses the latest innovations in imaging technology to shed much needed light on the problems faced by our shallow reef systems but also to offer solutions. It contains elements that contribute to many of Prof Figueira’s research themes. The project uses the process of photogrammetry to build high resolution models of everything from individual coral colonies to hundreds of square meters of reef. The incredible detail offered by these models allows for the tracking of growth and erosion rates of coral reefs resulting from cyclone damage or coral bleaching. It is also possible to pull apart the various aspects of the structural complexity of these habitats to better understand their importance to different groups and types of organisms living on them. This allows for predictions of expected changes in fish assemblages as a result of coral bleaching or the replacement of coastal rocky reef by sea walls and jetties.
This same information can also inform the design of the structural elements for remediation efforts, for instance the 3D printing of specific coral models to replace complexity lost on bleached reefs over the short to medium term recovery period. The 3D models also serve as a powerful outreach and communication tool, serving up something that is out of sight and mind to the majority of people in a compelling and engaging way, allowing them to observe the beauty of these systems in a truly interactive manner. The Project is built heavily around off the shelf components, allowing broad applicability within not only the science community but opening doors to citizen science as well. The 3D Reefs Project aims to engage the public in the plight of these systems, grow our scientific understanding of them and develop practice short term solutions to mitigate the ongoing impacts.
Current and recently completed projects under this theme include:
- Variation in structure of corals across the GBR shelf and latitudes [collaboration with Morgan Pratchett at JCU]
- Growth of corals with differing responses to thermal stress [Coral Assist Program, James Guest, U. Newcastle; Renata Ferrari, AIMS]
- Importance of coral structure for social dynamics of damselfish [collaboration with Mia Kent and Ashley Ward, Usyd]
- Growth of corals at high latitude reefs [collaboration with Morgan Pratchett at JCU] Relationships between reef structure and diversity across the Coral Sea, GBR and subtropical reefs of the Solitary Islands [collaboration with: Morgan Pratchett, Andrew Hoey and Hugo Harrison, JCU; Hamish Malcolm and Steve Dalton, NSW Fisheries]
- Accuracy and Precision of 3D mapping systems
- Growth of range expanding corals in NSW waters [collaboration with David Suggart and team at UTS; Brigitte Sommer, USYD]
Effects of habitat restoration of fishes
Prof Figueira is involved in several projects which are looking at ways to optimise the restoration of lost habitats and what effects these efforts have on associated fish assemblages. These projects focus on lost intertidal and oyster reef habitats around NSW. The seawalls work is done in collaboration with the Living Seawalls project at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. This project seeks to restore some measure of lost intertidal habitat by adding structural tile back onto seawall. A second project done in collaboration with colleagues at UNSW and Macquarie) is looking at the restoration of rock oyster reefs, which have dramatically declined over the past 100 years. Both of these project leverage on the 3D Reefs program which provides the tools for assessing structure.
Project title | Research student |
---|---|
Microbial Community Sensitivity Resistance and Resilience under Interacting Environmental Stressors. | Rose FUGGLE |
Disentangling trophic interactions and structural feedbacks between corallivorous fish and coral | Tony HSU |
The ecological and socioeconomic consequences of fishing around multispecies maximum sustainable yield: A global analysis and Australian case study of coral reef fisheries | Indy RILEY |
Publications
Journals
- McCarthy, O., Contractor, K., Figueira, W., Gleason, A., Viehman, T., Edwards, C., Sandin, S. (2024). Closing the gap between existing large-area imaging research and marine conservation needs. Conservation Biology, 38(1), e14145. [More Information]
- Lechene, M., Figueira, W., Murray, N., Aston, E., Gordon, S., Ferrari, R. (2024). Evaluating error sources to improve precision in the co-registration of underwater 3D models. Ecological Informatics, 81, 102632. [More Information]
- Reis, M., Figueira, W. (2023). Assessing the Relative Vulnerability of Chondrichthyan Species as Bycatch Using Spatially Reported Catch Data Series. Diversity, 15(6). [More Information]
Conferences
- Ferrari, R., Malcolm, H., Friedman, A., Williams, S., Jordan, A., Figueira, W., Byrne, M. (2013). Effect of structural complexity on fish abundance on deep reefs: a case study in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. 50th Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Gold Coast, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association Inc.
Report
- Hedge, L., Johnston, E., Ahyong, S., Birch, G., Booth, D., Creese, B., Doblin, M., Figueira, W., Pinto, M., Hutchings, P., et al (2014). Sydney Harbour: A systematic review of the science 2014.
- Figueira, W., Coleman, F., Ueland, J. (2007). Comparative Harvest of United States Marine Recreational Fishing Sectors.
- Figueira, W. (2007). Implementation strategies for a state-wide recreational fishing survey in New South Wales.
2024
- McCarthy, O., Contractor, K., Figueira, W., Gleason, A., Viehman, T., Edwards, C., Sandin, S. (2024). Closing the gap between existing large-area imaging research and marine conservation needs. Conservation Biology, 38(1), e14145. [More Information]
- Lechene, M., Figueira, W., Murray, N., Aston, E., Gordon, S., Ferrari, R. (2024). Evaluating error sources to improve precision in the co-registration of underwater 3D models. Ecological Informatics, 81, 102632. [More Information]
2023
- Reis, M., Figueira, W. (2023). Assessing the Relative Vulnerability of Chondrichthyan Species as Bycatch Using Spatially Reported Catch Data Series. Diversity, 15(6). [More Information]
- Lachs, L., Humanes, A., Pygas, D., Bythell, J., Mumby, P., Ferrari, R., Figueira, W., Beauchamp, E., East, H., Edwards, A., Sommer, B., et al (2023). No apparent trade-offs associated with heat tolerance in a reef-building coral. Communications Biology, 6(1). [More Information]
- Erickson, K., Bugnot, A., Figueira, W. (2023). Optimising sampling of fish assemblages on intertidal reefs using remote underwater video. PeerJ, 11. [More Information]
2022
- Ferrari, R., Leon, J., Davies, A., Burns, J., Sandin, S., Figueira, W., Gonzalez-Rivero, M. (2022). Editorial: Advances in 3D Habitat Mapping of Marine Ecosystem Ecology and Conservation. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 827430. [More Information]
- Rowe, C., Figueira, W., Kelaher, B., Giles, A., Mamo, L., Ahyong, S., Keable, S. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of drones for quantifying invasive upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.) in Lake Macquarie, Australia. PloS One, 17(1-Jan), e0262721. [More Information]
- Bugnot, A., Dafforn, K., Coleman, R., Ramsdale, M., Gibbeson, J., Erickson, K., Vila-Concejo, A., Figueira, W., Gribben, P. (2022). Linking habitat interactions and biodiversity within seascapes. Ecosphere, 13(4), 1-14. [More Information]
2021
- Taylor, T., Figueira, W. (2021). Assessing the role of competitive processes in mediating the range expansions of tropical vagrant fish. Marine Ecology, 42(2), 1-14. [More Information]
- Thia, J., McGuigan, K., Liggins, L., Figueira, W., Bird, C., Mather, A., Evans, J., Riginos, C. (2021). Genetic and phenotypic variation exhibit both predictable and stochastic patterns across an intertidal fish metapopulation. Molecular Ecology, 30(18), 4392-4414. [More Information]
- Talavera, L., Vila-Concejo, A., Webster, J., Smith, C., Duce, S., Fellowes, T., Salles, T., Harris, D., Hill, J., Figueira, W., et al (2021). Morphodynamic controls for growth and evolution of a rubble coral island. Remote Sensing, 13(8), 1582. [More Information]
2020
- Reis, M., Figueira, W. (2020). Age, growth and reproductive biology of two endemic demersal bycatch elasmobranchs: Trygonorrhina fasciata and dentiraja australis (chondrichthyes: Rhinopristiformes, rajiformes) from Eastern Australia. Zoologia, 37, 1-12. [More Information]
- Reis, M., Figueira, W. (2020). Diet and feeding habits of two endemic demersal bycatch elasmobranchs: Trygonorrhina fasciata & Dentiraja australis. Ichthyological Research, 67(2), 320-329. [More Information]
- Pygas, D., Ferrari, R., Figueira, W. (2020). Review and meta-analysis of the importance of remotely sensed habitat structural complexity in marine ecology. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 235, 106468. [More Information]
2019
- Figueira, W., Curley, B., Booth, D. (2019). Can temperature-dependent predation rates regulate range expansion potential of tropical vagrant fishes? Marine Biology, 166(6), 1-9. [More Information]
- Robinson, M., Porter, A., Figueira, W., Fletcher, R. (2019). Neolithic Temples of Malta: 3D analysis points to novel roof reconstruction. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 13, 1-10. [More Information]
- Lechene, M., Haberstroh, A., Byrne, M., Figueira, W., Ferrari, R. (2019). Optimising sampling strategies in coral reefs using large-area mosaics. Remote Sensing, 11(24), 1-17. [More Information]
2018
- Rowe, C., Figueira, W., Raubenheimer, D., Solon-Biet, S., Machovsky-Capuska, G. (2018). Effects of temperature on macronutrient selection, metabolic and swimming performance of the Indo-Pacific Damselfish (Abudefduf vaigiensis). Marine Biology, 165(11), 1-12. [More Information]
- Morris, R., Porter, A., Figueira, W., Coleman, R., Fobert, E., Ferrari, R. (2018). Fish-smart seawalls: A decision tool for adaptive management of marine infrastructure. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 16(5), 278-287. [More Information]
- Ferrari, R., Malcolm, H., Byrne, M., Friedman, A., Williams, S., Schultz, A., Jordan, A., Figueira, W. (2018). Habitat structural complexity metrics improve predictions of fish abundance and distribution. Ecography, 41(7), 1077-1091. [More Information]
2017
- Ferrari, R., Figueira, W., Pratchett, M., Boube, T., Adam, A., Kobelkowsky-Vidrio, T., Doo, S., Atwood, T., Byrne, M. (2017). 3D photogrammetry quantifies growth and external erosion of individual coral colonies and skeletons. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 1-9. [More Information]
- Hardy, N., Berry, T., Kelaher, B., Goldsworthy, S., Bunce, M., Coleman, M., Gillanders, B., Connell, S., Blewitt, M., Figueira, W. (2017). Assessing the trophic ecology of top predators across a recolonisation frontier using DNA metabarcoding of diets. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 573, 237-254. [More Information]
- Bryson, M., Ferrari, R., Figueira, W., Pizarro, O., Madin, J., Williams, S., Byrne, M. (2017). Characterization of measurement errors using structure-from-motion and photogrammetry to measure marine habitat structural complexity. Ecology and Evolution, 7(15), 5669-5681. [More Information]
2016
- Bugnot, A., Coleman, R., Figueira, W., Marzinelli, E. (2016). Effects of the receiving assemblage and disturbance on the colonisation of an invasive species. Marine Biology, 163(7), 1-9. [More Information]
- Wood, G., Lynch, T., Devine, C., Keller, K., Figueira, W. (2016). High-resolution photo-mosaic time-series imagery for monitoring human use of an artificial reef. Ecology and Evolution, 6(19), 6963-6968. [More Information]
- Ferrari, R., Bryson, M., Bridge, T., Hustache, J., Williams, S., Byrne, M., Figueira, W. (2016). Quantifying the response of structural complexity and community composition to environmental change in marine communities. Global Change Biology, 22(5), 1965-1975. [More Information]
2015
- Figueira, W., Ferrari, R., Weatherby, E., Porter, A., Hawes, S., Byrne, M. (2015). Accuracy and Precision of Habitat Structural Complexity Metrics Derived from Underwater Photogrammetry. Remote Sensing, 7(12), 16883-16900. [More Information]
- Bewley, M., Friedman, A., Ferrari, R., Hill, N., Hovey, R., Barrett, N., Pizarro, O., Figueira, W., Meyer, L., Babcock, R., Byrne, M., Williams, S., et al (2015). Australian sea-floor survey data, with images and expert annotations. Scientific Data, 2, 1-12. [More Information]
- Bugnot, A., Coleman, R., Figueira, W., Marzinelli, E. (2015). Community-level impacts of the invasive isopod Cirolana harfordi. Biological Invasions, 17(4), 1149-1161. [More Information]
2014
- Beck, H., Feary, D., Figueira, W., Booth, D. (2014). Assessing range shifts of tropical reef fishes: a comparison of belt transect and roaming underwater visual census methods. Bulletin of Marine Science, 90(2), 705-721. [More Information]
- Matis, P., Figueira, W., Suthers, I., Humphries, J., Miskiewicz, A., Coleman, R., Kelaher, B., Taylor, M. (2014). Cyclonic entrainment? The ichthyoplankton attributes of three major water mass types generated by the separation of the East Australian Current. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71(7), 1696-1705. [More Information]
- Feary, D., Pratchett, M., Emslie, M., Fowler, A., Figueira, W., Luiz, O., Nakamura, Y., Booth, D. (2014). Latitudinal shifts in coral reef fishes: why some species do and others do not shift. Fish and Fisheries, 15, 593-615. [More Information]
2013
- Curley, B., Jordan, A., Figueira, W., Valenzuela Davie, V. (2013). A review of the biology and ecology of key fishes targeted by coastal fisheries in south-east Australia: identifying critical knowledge gaps required to improve spatial management. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 23, 435-458. [More Information]
- Ferrari, R., Malcolm, H., Friedman, A., Williams, S., Jordan, A., Figueira, W., Byrne, M. (2013). Effect of structural complexity on fish abundance on deep reefs: a case study in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. 50th Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Gold Coast, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association Inc.
- Galaiduk, R., Figueira, W., Kingsford, M., Curley, B. (2013). Factors driving the biogeographic distribution of two temperate Australian damselfishes and ramifications for range shifts. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 484, 189-202. [More Information]
2010
- Figueira, W., Coleman, F. (2010). Comparing landings of United States recreational fishery sectors. Bulletin of Marine Science, 86(3), 499-514.
- Figueira, W., Booth, D. (2010). Increasing ocean temperatures allow tropical fishes to survive overwinter in temperate waters. Global Change Biology, 16(2), 506-516. [More Information]
2009
- Figueira, W. (2009). Connectivity or demography: Defining sources and sinks in coral reef fish metapopulations. Ecological Modelling, 220(8), 1126-1137. [More Information]
- Figueira, W., Biro, P., Booth, D., Valenzuela Davie, V. (2009). Performance of tropical fish recruiting to temperate habitats: role of ambient temperature and implications of climate change. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 384, 231-239. [More Information]
2008
- Granek, E., Madin, E., Brown, M., Figueira, W., Cameron, D., Hogan, Z., Kristianson, G., De Villiers, P., Williams, J., Post, J., et al (2008). Engaging recreational fishers in management and conservation: Global case studies. Conservation Biology, 22(5), 1125-1134. [More Information]
- Figueira, W., Booth, D., Gregson, M. (2008). Selective mortality of a coral reef damselfish: role of predator–competitor synergisms. Oecologia, 156(1), 215-226. [More Information]
- Figueira, W., Lyman, S., Crowder, L., Rilov, G. (2008). Small-scale demographic variability of the biocolor damselfish, Stegastes partitus, in the Florida Keys USA. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 81, 297-311. [More Information]
2007
- Figueira, W., Coleman, F., Ueland, J. (2007). Comparative Harvest of United States Marine Recreational Fishing Sectors.
- Rilov, G., Figueira, W., Lyman, S., Crowder, L. (2007). Complex habitats may not always benefit prey: linking visual field with reef fish behavior and distribution. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 329(-), 225-238. [More Information]
- Figueira, W., Lyman, S. (2007). Context-dependent risk tolerance of the bicolour damselfish: courtship in the presence of fish and egg predators. Animal Behaviour, 74(2), 329-336. [More Information]
2006
- Hose, G., Murray, B., Park, M., Kelaher, B., Figueira, W. (2006). A meta-analysis comparing the toxicity of sediments in the laboratory and in situ. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25(4), 1148-1152. [More Information]
- Figueira, W., Crowder, L. (2006). Defining patch contribution in source-sink metapopulations: the importance of including dispersal and its relevance to marine systems. Population Ecology, 48(3), 215-224. [More Information]
2005
- Murray, B., Kelaher, B., Hose, G., Figueira, W. (2005). A meta-analysis of the interspecific relationship between seed size and plant abundance within local communities. Oikos, 110(1), 191-194. [More Information]
- Coleman, F., Figueira, W., Ueland, J., Crowder, L. (2005). Global impact of recreational fisheries - Response. Science, 307, 1562-1563. [More Information]
- Coleman, F., Figueira, W., Ueland, J., Crowder, L. (2005). The recreational fisher's perspective - Response. Science, 307(5715), 1561-1561.
2004
- Coleman, F., Figueira, W., Ueland, J., Crowder, L. (2004). Marine Fisheries of the United States: tracking recreational and commercial landings since Magnuson.
- Coleman, F., Figueira, W., Ueland, J., Crowder, L. (2004). The Impact of United States Recreational Fisheries on Marine Fish Populations. Science, 305, 1958-1960. [More Information]
2002
- Price, P., Thomas, G., Pardini, A., Figueira, W., Caputo, J., Williamson, M. (2002). Discovery of a High Molecular Weight Complex of Calcium, Phosphate, Fetuin, and Matrix gamma-Carboxyglutamic Acid Protein in the Serum of Etidronate-treated Rats. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(6), 3926-3934.
Selected Grants
2024
- Biological and physical factors that mediate the population establishment of the coral Pocillopora aliciae on temperate reefs in New South Wales, Figueira W, Cooney C, Ecological Society of Australia/Student Research Grant
2023
- Assessing fish connectivity across highly-modified seascapes, Figueira W, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)