Metadata
Title
Daniel Dunn
Category
general
UUID
012869d3494d49e68fe480c9d37adc9e
Source URL
https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/24799
Parent URL
https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920
Crawl Time
2026-03-11T07:45:28+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown 
# Daniel Dunn

**Source**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/24799
**Parent**: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920

Associate Professor

# Daniel Dunn

Email:
:   [daniel.dunn@uq.edu.au](mailto:daniel.dunn@uq.edu.au)

Phone:
:   [+61 7 336 58513](tel:+61 7 336 58513)

## Positions

Affiliate of Centre for Marine Science
:   Centre for Marine Science
:   Faculty of Science

Centre Director of Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
:   Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
:   Faculty of Science

Associate Professor
:   School of the Environment
:   Faculty of Science

## Overview

### Background

Daniel is an Associate Professor in the School of the Environment, and the Director of the [Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science](https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/) at the University of Queensland. His research focuses on how migratory species use and connect the ocean; how we can use spatial management measures to help conserve them and marine biodiversity more broadly; and how we need to work together on regional and global scales to conserve marine spaces. He has worked with seven UN Conventions and organisations to try to provide the information and tools necessary to support a healthy ocean.

His research focuses on applying ecological and biogeographical theory to develop applied solutions to natural resource management and conservation problems in the ocean across a range of scales. I am particularly interested in developing and disseminating actionable information to inform conservation planning in areas beyond national jurisdiction and improving environmental governance of that “other” half of our planet. His current focus is on delivering an open-access, online system to describe how migratory species use and connect the ocean (mico.eco), and new tools to increase stakeholder engagement in systematic conservation planning.

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### Availability

Associate Professor Daniel Dunn is:
:   Available for supervision

### Research interests

- #### Marine conservation

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- #### Migratory species

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- #### Conservation planning

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- #### Connectivity

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- #### Areas beyond national jurisdiction (i.e., the High Seas)

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## Works

[Search Professor Daniel Dunn’s works on UQ eSpace](http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/list/author_id/6122762)

[All
(90)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/24799/all)
[Journal Article
(82)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/24799/4748)
[Other Outputs
(4)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/24799/4749)
[Book Chapter
(4)](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts-publication/24799/4752)

Featured

2019

Journal Article

##### The importance of migratory connectivity for global ocean policy

Dunn, Daniel C., Harrison, Autumn-Lynn, Curtice, Corrie, DeLand, Sarah, Donnelly, Ben, Fujioka, Ei, Heywood, Eleanor, Kot, Connie Y., Poulin, Sarah, Whitten, Meredith, Åkesson, Susanne, Alberini, Amalia, Appeltans, Ward, Arcos, José Manuel, Bailey, Helen, Ballance, Lisa T., Block, Barbara, Blondin, Hannah, Boustany, Andre M., Brenner, Jorge, Catry, Paulo, Cejudo, Daniel, Cleary, Jesse, Corkeron, Peter, Costa, Daniel P., Coyne, Michael, Crespo, Guillermo Ortuño, Davies, Tammy E., Dias, Maria P. ... Halpin, Patrick N. (2019). The importance of migratory connectivity for global ocean policy. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, 286 (1911) 1472, 20191472. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1472

[The importance of migratory connectivity for global ocean policy](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:99bca96)

Featured

2019

Journal Article

##### High-seas fish biodiversity is slipping through the governance net

Crespo, Guillermo Ortuño, Dunn, Daniel C., Gianni, Matthew, Gjerde, Kristina, Wright, Glen and Halpin, Patrick N. (2019). High-seas fish biodiversity is slipping through the governance net. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 3 (9), 1273-1276. doi: 10.1038/s41559-019-0981-4

[High-seas fish biodiversity is slipping through the governance net](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:761f9ae)

Featured

2018

Journal Article

##### A strategy for the conservation of biodiversity on mid-ocean ridges from deep-sea mining

Dunn, Daniel C., Van Dover, Cindy L., Etter, Ron J., Smith, Craig R., Levin, Lisa A., Morato, Telmo, Colaço, Ana, Dale, Andrew C., Gebruk, Andrey V., Gjerde, Kristina M., Halpin, Patrick N., Howell, Kerry L., Johnson, David, Perez, José Angel A., Ribeiro, Marta Chantal, Stuckas, Heiko, Weaver, Philip and SEMPIA Workshop Participants (2018). A strategy for the conservation of biodiversity on mid-ocean ridges from deep-sea mining. Science Advances, 4 (7) eaar4313, eaar4313. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aar4313

[A strategy for the conservation of biodiversity on mid-ocean ridges from deep-sea mining](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:4b67dc4)

2025

Journal Article

##### What is an ecologically or biologically significant area?

Dunn, D. C., Cleary, J., DeLand, S., Bax, N., Bentley, L. K., Curtice, C., Donnelly, B., Dunstan, P. K., Froján, C. Barrio, Gjerde, K. M., Gunn, V., Johnson, D. E., Klein, E., Kot, C. Y., Nisthar, D., Crespo, G. Ortuño and Halpin, P. N. (2025). What is an ecologically or biologically significant area?. NPJ Ocean Sustainability, 4 (1) 28, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s44183-025-00126-5

[What is an ecologically or biologically significant area?](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:62e2b65)

2025

Journal Article

##### Multiple-use spatial planning for sustainable development and conservation

Neubert, Sandra, McGowan, Jennifer, Metcalfe, Kristian, Hanson, Jeffrey O., Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Dabalà, Alvise, Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Possingham, Hugh P., Stelzenmüller, Vanessa, Estep, Andy, Ervin, Jamison and Richardson, Anthony J. (2025). Multiple-use spatial planning for sustainable development and conservation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 40 (11), 1126-1142. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2025.09.007

[Multiple-use spatial planning for sustainable development and conservation](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:49054a4)

2025

Journal Article

##### Drifting fish aggregation devices as a tool to study oceanic marine protected areas

Blanluet, Arthur, Game, Edward T., Pollock, Kydd, Wolff, Nicholas H., Everett, Jason D., Neubert, Sandra, Dunn, Daniel C. and Richardson, Anthony J. (2025). Drifting fish aggregation devices as a tool to study oceanic marine protected areas. Fisheries Research, 289 107474, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107474

[Drifting fish aggregation devices as a tool to study oceanic marine protected areas](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:e70fc57)

2025

Journal Article

##### Near-global spawning strategies of large pelagic fish

Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Neubert, Sandra, Scales, Kylie L., Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Flower, Jason, Suthers, Iain M., Granados-Dieseldorff, Pablo, Dabalà, Alvise, Esturas, Kris Jypson T., Mercer, James and Richardson, Anthony J. (2025). Near-global spawning strategies of large pelagic fish. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 8146, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63106-w

[Near-global spawning strategies of large pelagic fish](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:65673d6)

2025

Other Outputs

##### Blue Corridors for Turtles

Madden, C. A., Maurer, A. S., Bourgogne, H., Jensen, M. P., Bentley, L. K., O'Criodain, C., DiMatteo, A., Hurley, B., Posnik, Z., Baudel, S., Palin, O., Mast, R., Bandimere, A.N., Houtman, N., Pezin, J., Videira, E., van den Berg, S.H.R, Eliosa, E., Wijntuin, S., de Groene, A., Jolis, G, Restrepo, J., Heng, W. K. and Dunn, D. C. (2025). Blue Corridors for Turtles. Indonesia: WWF Coral Triangle Programme.

[Blue Corridors for Turtles](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:12b207b)

2025

Other Outputs

##### Hidden connections of more than 100 migratory marine species revealed in interactive map

Bentley, Lily, Harrison, Autumn-Lynn and Dunn, Daniel (2025, 05 09). Hidden connections of more than 100 migratory marine species revealed in interactive map The Conversation

[Hidden connections of more than 100 migratory marine species revealed in interactive map](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a83b710)

2025

Journal Article

##### Marine megavertebrate migrations connect the global ocean

Bentley, Lily K., Nisthar, Dina, Fujioka, Ei, Curtice, Corrie, DeLand, Sarah E., Donnelly, Ben, Harrison, Autumn-Lynn, Heywood, Ellie I., Kot, Connie Y., Ortuño Crespo, Guillermo, Poulin, Sarah, Halpin, Patrick N. and Dunn, Daniel C. (2025). Marine megavertebrate migrations connect the global ocean. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 4089, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59271-7

[Marine megavertebrate migrations connect the global ocean](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a52331c)

2025

Journal Article

##### Climate mediates the predictability of threats to marine biodiversity

Scales, Kylie L., Bolin, Jessica A., Dunn, Daniel C., Hazen, Elliott L., Hannah, Lee and Schoeman, David S. (2025). Climate mediates the predictability of threats to marine biodiversity. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 40 (5), 502-515. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2025.02.010

[Climate mediates the predictability of threats to marine biodiversity](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:278435d)

2025

Journal Article

##### Current approaches and future opportunities for climate-smart protected areas

Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Dunn, Daniel C., Metaxas, Anna, Schoeman, David S., Everett, Jason D., Pidd, Alice, Hanson, Jeffrey O., Bentley, Lily K., Kim, Sun Wook, Neubert, Sandra, Scales, Kylie L., Dabalà, Alvise, Brito-Morales, Isaac and Richardson, Anthony J. (2025). Current approaches and future opportunities for climate-smart protected areas. Nature Reviews Biodiversity, 1 (5), 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s44358-025-00041-0

[Current approaches and future opportunities for climate-smart protected areas](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:542abef)

2025

Journal Article

##### Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals

Giakoumi, Sylvaine, Richardson, Anthony J., Doxa, Aggeliki, Moro, Stefano, Andrello, Marco, Hanson, Jeffrey O., Hermoso, Virgilio, Mazor, Tessa, McGowan, Jennifer, Kujala, Heini, Law, Elizabeth, Álvarez-Romero, Jorge G., Magris, Rafael A., Gissi, Elena, Arafeh-Dalmau, Nur, Metaxas, Anna, Virtanen, Elina A., Ban, Natalie C., Runya, Robert M., Dunn, Daniel C., Fraschetti, Simonetta, Galparsoro, Ibon, Smith, Robert J., Bastardie, Francois, Stelzenmüller, Vanessa, Possingham, Hugh P. and Katsanevakis, Stelios (2025). Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 40 (4), 395-410. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.12.002

[Advances in systematic conservation planning to meet global biodiversity goals](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:e266fdd)

2025

Other Outputs

##### Migratory connectivity in the ocean literature review datasheets

Dunn, Daniel and Bentley, Lily (2025). Migratory connectivity in the ocean literature review datasheets. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/aa77f3c

[Migratory connectivity in the ocean literature review datasheets](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:aa77f3c)

2024

Journal Article

##### From oceans apart to the global ocean: Including marine connectivity in global conservation targets

Metaxas, Anna, Harrison, Autumn-Lynn and Dunn, Daniel (2024). From oceans apart to the global ocean: Including marine connectivity in global conservation targets. npj Ocean Sustainability, 3 (1) 40, 1. doi: 10.1038/s44183-024-00079-1

[From oceans apart to the global ocean: Including marine connectivity in global conservation targets](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:ef941f1)

2024

Journal Article

##### Spatial and life history variation in a trait-based species vulnerability and impact model

Fleury, Aharon G., O’Hara, Casey C., Butt, Nathalie, Restrepo, Jaime, Halpern, Benjamin S., Klein, Carissa J., Kuempel, Caitlin D., Gaynor, Kaitlyn M., Bentley, Lily K., Richardson, Anthony J. and Dunn, Daniel C. (2024). Spatial and life history variation in a trait-based species vulnerability and impact model. PLoS One, 19 (6) e0305950, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305950

[Spatial and life history variation in a trait-based species vulnerability and impact model](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:2250656)

2024

Other Outputs

##### The world’s spectacular animal migrations are dwindling. Fishing, fences and development are fast-tracking extinctions

Fuller, Richard, Dunn, Daniel and Bentley, Lily (2024, 02 13). The world’s spectacular animal migrations are dwindling. Fishing, fences and development are fast-tracking extinctions The Conversation

[The world’s spectacular animal migrations are dwindling. Fishing, fences and development are fast-tracking extinctions](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:c2a14d2)

2024

Journal Article

##### Author Correction: A global, historical database of tuna, billfish, and saury larval distributions

Buenafe, Kristine Camille V., Everett, Jason D., Dunn, Daniel C., Mercer, James, Suthers, Iain M., Schilling, Hayden T., Hinchliffe, Charles, Dabalà, Alvise and Richardson, Anthony J. (2024). Author Correction: A global, historical database of tuna, billfish, and saury larval distributions. Scientific Data, 11 (1) 29, 29. doi: 10.1038/s41597-023-02860-2

[Author Correction: A global, historical database of tuna, billfish, and saury larval distributions](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:a5f3ccc)

2024

Journal Article

##### New framework reveals gaps in US ocean biodiversity protection

Gignoux-Wolfsohn, Sarah A., Dunn, Daniel C., Cleary, Jesse, Halpin, Patrick N., Anderson, Clarissa R., Bax, Nicholas J., Canonico, Gabrielle, Chaniotis, Peter, DeLand, Sarah, Diorio, Mimi, Gaines, Steven D., Grorud-Colvert, Kirsten, Johnson, David E., Levin, Lisa A., Lundquist, Carolyn J., Manca, Eleonora, Metaxas, Anna, Monaco, Mark E., Morgan, Lance, Mumby, Peter J., Nisthar, Dina, Pashkow, Brittany, Pike, Elizabeth P., Pinsky, Malin L., Ribera, Marta M., Stanley, Ryan R.E., Sullivan-Stack, Jenna, Sutton, Tracey T., Tittensor, Derek P. ... Duffy, J. Emmett (2024). New framework reveals gaps in US ocean biodiversity protection. One Earth, 7 (1), 31-43. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.12.014

[New framework reveals gaps in US ocean biodiversity protection](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:9b09fc2)

2024

Journal Article

##### Generating affordable protection of high seas biodiversity through cross-sectoral spatial planning

Fourchault, Léa, Dahdouh-Guebas, Farid, Dunn, Daniel C., Everett, Jason D., Hanson, Jeffrey O., Buenafe, Kristine C. V., Neubert, Sandra, Dabalà, Alvise, Yapa, Kanthi K.A.S., Cannicci, Stefano and Richardson, Anthony J. (2024). Generating affordable protection of high seas biodiversity through cross-sectoral spatial planning. One Earth, 7 (2), 253-264. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2023.12.006

[Generating affordable protection of high seas biodiversity through cross-sectoral spatial planning](https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:6f692d5)

## Funding

### Current funding

- 2024 - 2026

  Understanding marine migratory connectivity for more sustainable oceans

  ARC Discovery Projects

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/62171)
- 2023 - 2026

  Efficient, scalable, climate-smart marine conservation planning support

  The University of Queensland in America, Inc

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/58890)

### Past funding

- 2023 - 2024

  Beyond Known Hotspots in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

  MigraMar

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/59712)
- 2023 - 2025

  Leveraging individual operator skill to reduce threatened species bycatch in prawn trawl fisheries

  Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/58952)
- 2022 - 2024

  Spatial management reserve solutions for a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Kong Hakons VII Hav (WSMPA Phase 2)

  Norwegian Polar Institute

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/53669)
- 2020 - 2021

  Modelling migratory connectivity to support management of protected areas

  Global Fishing Watch

  [Open grant](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/project/43525)

## Supervision

### Availability

Associate Professor Daniel Dunn is:
:   Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on [how to choose a supervisor](https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/how-to-choose-a-supervisor).

### Available projects

- #### [Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean](https://mico.eco)

  The distributions of migratory species in the ocean span local, national and international jurisdictions. Across these ecologically interconnected regions, migratory marine species interact with anthropogenic stressors throughout their lives. Migratory connectivity, the geographical linking of individuals and populations throughout their migratory cycles, influences how spatial and temporal dynamics of stressors affect migratory animals and scale up to influence population abundance, distribution and species persistence. Population declines of many migratory marine species have led to calls for connectivity knowledge, especially insights from animal tracking studies, to be more effectively incorporated into management and policy frameworks. However, while the quantity of data on marine migratory species has increased dramatically in recent decades, efforts to synthesize and integrate information on animal movement and connectivity into global management and policy fora are nascent with examples largely originating from individual efforts.

  Launched in April 2019 at the UN, the Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean system (MiCO system; https://mico.eco/system) represents a step-change: a move from aggregating raw data that require precious human resources to re-analyze, to aggregating and developing fit-for-purpose, actionable knowledge. MiCO has been conducting a massive literature review of over 1200 publications describing how marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles and fish use and connect our oceans. That review has now generated a dataset on migratory connectivity for more than 85 marine species. The integrated network models which are being derived from this datset can feed countless analyses of cumulative impacts, extinction risk, governance fit, biodiversity hotspots based on empirical data of areas of importance to species rather than models of distribution, and regional and global systematic conservation planning among many, many other options.

  The Applied Marine Bioegeography Lab at UQ seeks HDR students to engage with this datset and expand it to integrate other sampling methods that can inform network models for migriatory species (e.g., mark/recapture, stable isotopes, genetics and acoustics). A strong interest in either movement modeling or network modeling is desirable, as is some background in statistics, R and marine ecology. With a global dataset that spans taxa, output from this research should be emminently publishable in high level journals. Opportunities to collaborate with field ecologists, numerical ecologists, conservation scientists, and experts in regional and global governance are plentiful, as are chances to engage directly with regional and global ocean governance bodies including the Convention on Migratory Species, the Convention on Biological Diversity, Regional Seas Organizations, and the UN negotiations (and eventual implementation) of a new treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Dr. Dunn, AMBL and MiCO are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this project and the lab. Applicants of any background, age, ability or gender are strongly encouraged to apply. Feel free to reach out for more information and check out the mico.eco & AMBL websites.

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### Supervision history

#### Current supervision

- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Understanding marine migratory connectivity for more sustainable oceans

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Hugh Possingham](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/920), [Dr Lily Bentley](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/38388)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Post Nesting Migration Evaluation and Foraging Areas Identification Based on Stable Isotopes Analysis of Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Nesting at Tortuguero Rookery

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567), [Dr Lily Bentley](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/38388)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Connectivity of seagrasses for megaherbivores under environmental change

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Peter Mumby](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/2387)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Effective marine conservation planning for vulnerable species

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567), [Associate Professor Carissa Klein](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1735), [Dr Jason Everett](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/24320)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Migratory movements of sharks in the Great Barrier Reef: strengthening connectivity within and beyond national jurisdictions

  Principal Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Coastal connectivity for conservation

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Catherine Lovelock](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1430), [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Classifying and understanding the effectiveness of ecological corridors and their role in wider landscape and seascape integrity

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Associate Professor Carissa Klein](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1735), [Professor James Watson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/5735)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Multiple-use spatial planning in the Global South

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Jason Everett](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/24320), [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Modelling larval connectivity and fisheries spillover to design 30x30 marine protected area networks

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567)
- Doctor Philosophy

  ##### Connected climate-smart marine conservation planning

  Associate Advisor

  Other advisors:
  [Dr Jason Everett](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/24320), [Professor Anthony Richardson](https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1567)

View all 10 current supervisions
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## Media

### Enquiries

For media enquiries about Associate Professor Daniel Dunn's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

[communications@uq.edu.au](mailto:communications@uq.edu.au)

## External profiles

- [ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8932-0681)
- [Scopus](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23977458400)
- [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=W1fQoOoAAAAJ)

## Personal links

- [Personal profile](http://marinebiogeo.org)
- [Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science](https://cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/)

## Social media

- [Linkedin](https://au.linkedin.com/in/danielcdunn)
- [X](https://twitter.com/danielcdunn)

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