Contact details

Dr Scarla Weeks
Moreton Bay Research Station University of Queensland Queensland, Australia, 4072

(tel) +61 7 3409 9058
(email) s.weeksuq.edu.au
(www) http://www.gpem.uq.edu.au/crssis/

Connections

Students
Mr Campbell Allen
Ms Ana Redondo-Rodriguez
Ms Lydie Couturier
Mr Fabrice Jaine
Mr Chris Rohner

Collaborators
Dr Ken Anthony
Ms Maxi Jennifer Eckes
Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Prof. Andrew Bakun
Prof. Stuart Phinn
Prof. Jane Hunter
Dr Guillermo Diaz-Pulido
Dr Sophie Dove
Dr Janice Lough
Dr Gene Feldman
Dr Zhongping Lee
Dr Ray Berkelmans
Dr Craig Steinberg

People > Scarla Weeks

Position: Senior Research Staff
Last update: 08-Mar-2009

Research

Satellite Oceanography

My particular expertise lies in ecosystem-scale specific applications of satellite data to the oceanographic environment. A primary research theme over the past 3 years has been the Pew-funded “Adverse Eco-Feedbacks” Project, addressing crucial ecosystem inter-linkages in upwelling and coral reef ecosystems. My research interest and applications have now broadened to include the link between climate change, oceanography and the biological response, including regional to local processes, for example, the physical and biological oceanographic patterns involved in the coral bleaching process. Research into the role of mesoscale oceanographic variability in mass coral bleaching patterns, and on higher trophic levels, forms an integral component to the development of an “Early warning and assessment system for thermal stress on the Great Barrier Reef”. A more recent research theme is the impact of climate change on higher trophic levels in GBR regional waters, and in particular, “The movement and migration patterns of manta rays of the GBR in relation to oceanographic conditions & food availability”.

As a member also of the Centre for Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Science (CRSSIS) at UQ, I work in close collaboration with the NASA Ocean Biology Processing Group in developing the application of satellite ocean colour and thermal data to coral reef ecosystems. A current focus is the development of products to quantify the attenuation of photosynthetically available radiation though the water column. Together with Dr. Zhongping Lee & NASA, we propose to collaboratively develop an operational water-clarity algorithm for optically shallow waters in support of coral reef studies.
Keywords: chlorophyll, climate change, ocean colour, oceanography, satellite, SST

Education

PhD Satellite Oceanography - University of Cape Town (2004)
MSc Satellite Oceanography - University of Cape Town (1992)
BSc(Hons) Ocean & Atmospheric Science - University of Cape Town (1990)
BSc(Hons) Medical Radiation Biology - University of Cape Town (1982)

Publications

Diaz-Pulido GA, Mccook LJ, Dove S, Berkelmans R, Roff G, Kline DI, Weeks SJ, Evans RD, Williamson DH, Hoegh-Guldberg O (2009) Doom and Boom on a Resilient Reef: Climate Change, Algal Overgrowth and Coral Recovery. PLoS One 4: 5239--1

Bakun A, Weeks SJ (2008) The marine ecosystem off Peru: What are the secrets of its fishery productivity and what might its future hold?. PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY 79: 290-299

Weeks SJ, Anthony KRN, Bakun A, Feldman GC, Hoegh-Guldberg O (2008) Improved predictions of coral bleaching using seasonal baselines and higher spatial resolution. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 53: 1369-1375

Bakun A, Weeks SJ (2006) Adverse feedback sequences in exploited marine systems: are deliberate interruptive actions warranted?. FISH AND FISHERIES 7: 316-333

Weeks SJ, Barlow R, Roy C, Shillington FA (2006) Remotely sensed variability of temperature and chlorophyll in the southern Benguela: upwelling frequency and phytoplankton response. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 28: 493-509

Barlow R, Sessions H, Balarin M, Weeks SJ, Whittle C, Hutchings PA (2005) Seasonal variation in phytoplankton in the southern Benguela: pigment indices and ocean colour. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 27: 275-287

Bakun A, Weeks SJ (2004) Greenhouse gas buildup, sardines, submarine eruptions and the possibility of abrupt degradation of intense marine upwelling ecosystems. ECOLOGY LETTERS 7: 1015-1023

Gremillet D, Dell'Omo G, Ryan PG, Peters G, Ropert-Coudert Y, Weeks SJ (2004) Offshore diplomacy, or how seabirds mitigate intra-specific competition: a case study based on GPS tracking of Cape gannets from neighbouring colonies. MARINE ECOLOGY-PROGRESS SERIES 268: 265-279

Weeks SJ, Currie B, Bakun A, Peard KR (2004) Hydrogen sulphide eruptions in the Atlantic Ocean off southern Africa: implications of a new view based on SeaWiFS satellite imagery. DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS 51: 153-172

John HC, Mohrholz V, Lutjeharms JRE, Weeks SJ, Cloete R, Kreiner A, Neto DD (2004) Oceanographic and faunistic structures across an Angola Current intrusion into northern Namibian waters. JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS 46: 1-22

Weeks SJ, Pitcher GC, Bernard S (2004) Satellite monitoring of the evolution of a coccolithophorid bloom in the Southern Benguela upwelling system. OCEANOGRAPHY 17: 83-89

Agenbag JJ, Richardson AJ, Demarcq H, Freon P, Weeks SJ, Shillington FA (2003) Estimating environmental preferences of South African pelagic fish species using catch size- and remote sensing data. PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY 59: 275-300

Weeks SJ, Currie B, Bakun A (2002) Satellite imaging - Massive emissions of toxic gas in the Atlantic. NATURE 415: 493-494

Penven P, Lutjeharms JRE, Marchesiello P, Roy C, Weeks SJ (2001) Generation of cyclonic eddies by the Agulhas Current in the lee of the Agulhas Bank. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 28: 1055-1058

Roy C, Weeks SJ, Rouault M, Nelson G, Barlow R, van der Lingen C, Bernard S (2001) Extreme oceanographic events recorded in the Southern Benguela during the summer 1999-2000 summer season. South African Journal of Marine Science 97: 465-471

See all 16 publications