Ronan Roche Ph.D.

Institution:
Bangor University

Profile

My research focuses on the impacts of global coral bleaching events and climate change on the composition and functioning of coral reefs.

Shifts in the ecological communities structuring coral reefs are occurring in response to the unprecedented levels of thermal stress reefs now experience with increasing frequency. We need to understand how coral reefs respond to these pressures over longer time-scales relevant to ecological and geological processes, and this is the aim of my project within the Indian Ocean region.

We plan to integrate long-term monitoring datasets with data collected using recent and newly emerging techniques. This will enable new insights into the physical drivers of patterns in coral reef resilience and recovery from thermal stress. Obtaining detailed site-specific benthic data also allows us to examine relationships moving up the food web into coral reef fish communities.

This is an exciting and critical time in coral reef science, and the challenges facing reefs require both multi-disciplinary collaboration and novel thinking in the search for solutions.

Ronan Roche

Biography

2016 Present
Research Fellow, Centre for Applied Marine Sciences, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University
2011 2016
Industrial Research Officer, Centre for Applied Marine Sciences, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University
2007 2011
Ph.D. research, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Natural History Museum of London
2005 2007
National Science Foundation Interdisciplinary Education and Research Traineeship, University of Rhode Island
2002 2005
Fisheries Partnerships Officer, Essex Estuaries Initiative, Colchester Borough Council, UK

My Project

  • Island Reef Connections
    Monitoring Coral Reefs in the Indian Ocean

Other interests

I am interested in the study of reefs as socio-ecological systems and in finding ways to work with local communities that depend on coral reefs for their livelihoods. This aims to increase well being and protect the benefits gained from functioning reef systems. Recently I have led projects in the Philippines and Vanuatu, and will be participating in a project to improve livelihoods in Santiago Island, Cabo Verde.

My Publications

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