Dr Holly East

Assistant Professor

Department: Geography and Environmental Sciences

I undertake research at the intersections between geomorphology and ecology in tropical coastal environments, particularly within seagrass and reef island systems. Specifically, my research is focussed on: (1) reconstructing the development of coral reef islands over millennial to decadal timescales in relation to past environmental change; (2) quantifying reef sediment budgets and contemporary reef-to-island connectivity; (3) understanding seagrass systems in reef island settings, particularly their spatial dynamics, ecosystem services, and relationships with anthropogenic activities; and (4) use of geospatial analysis, through GIS and remote sensing, to improve our understanding of coastal environments.

02/2019 – present: Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Northumbria University

08/2017 – 01/2019: Lecturer in Physical Geography, Northumbria University

01/2016 – 07/2017: Lecturer in Physical Geography, University of Exeter

02 - 07/2016: Associate Research Fellow, University of Exeter

PhD (2017), Physical Geography, University of Exeter

MPhil (2012), Environmental Science: GIS and Remote Sensing, University of Cambridge

BA (2011), Geography, University of Cambridge

Campus Address

B225
Ellison Building

Email Holly

@hk_east

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

My research interests are focused on the interface between geomorphology and ecology in tropical coastal environments, particularly within seagrass and reef island systems. My recent work has included reconstructions of past reef island evolution in relation to environmental change, calculation of reef sediment budgets, and analyses of connectivity between seagrass meadows and reef islands.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Evaluating the role of moonlight-darkness dynamics as proximate spawning cues in an Acropora coral, de la Torre Cerro, R., Beauchamp, E., Buzzoni, D., Craggs, J., East, H., Edwards, A., Golbuu, Y., Humanes, A., Lachs, L., Martínez, H., Mill, A., van der Steeg, E., Ward, A., Guest, J. 28 Jan 2025, In: Coral Reefs
Author Correction: Emergent increase in coral thermal tolerance reduces mass bleaching under climate change (Nature Communications, (2023), 14, 1, (4939), 10.1038/s41467-023-40601-6), Lachs, L., Donner, S., Mumby, P., Bythell, J., Humanes, A., East, H., Guest, J. 4 Jan 2024, In: Nature Communications
Evaluating UAV‐based multispectral imagery for mapping an intertidal seagrass environment, Elma, E., Gaulton, R., Chudley, T., Scott, C., East, H., Westoby, H., Fitzsimmons, C. Aug 2024, In: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
High coral heat tolerance at local-scale thermal refugia, Lachs, L., Humanes, A., Mumby, P., Donner, S., Bythell, J., Beauchamp, E., Bukurou, L., Buzzoni, D., de la Torre Cerro, R., East, H., Edwards, A., Golbuu, Y., Martinez, H., van der Steeg, E., Ward, A., Guest, J., Xu, L. 11 Jul 2024, In: PLOS Climate
Natural selection could determine whether Acropora corals persist under expected climate change, Lachs, L., Bozec, Y., Bythell, J., Donner, S., East, H., Edwards, A., Golbuu, Y., Gouezo, M., Guest, J., Humanes, A., Riginos, C., Mumby, P. 13 Dec 2024, In: Science
Rapid seagrass meadow expansion in an Indian Ocean bright spot, Floyd, M., East, H., Traganos, D., Musthag, A., Guest, J., Hashim, A., Evans, V., Helber, S., Unsworth, R., Suggitt, A. 13 May 2024, In: Scientific Reports
Sea-level rise and extreme Indian Ocean Dipole explain mangrove dieback in the Maldives, Carruthers, L., Ersek, V., Maher, D., Sanders, C., Tait, D., Soares, J., Floyd, M., Hasim, A., Helber, S., Garnett, M., East, H., Johnson, J., Ponta, G., Sippo, J. 12 Nov 2024, In: Scientific Reports
Coral reef island shoreline change and the dynamic response of the freshwater lens, Huvadhoo Atoll, Maldives, Carruthers, L., East, H., Ersek, V., Suggitt, A., Campbell, M., Lee, K., Naylor, V., Scurrah, D., Taylor, L. 19 Jun 2023, In: Frontiers in Marine Science
Emergent increase in coral thermal tolerance reduces mass bleaching under climate change, Lachs, L., Donner, S., Mumby, P., Bythell, J., Humanes, A., East, H., Guest, J. 22 Aug 2023, In: Nature Communications
Honduran Reef Island Shoreline Change and Planform Evolution over the Last 15 Years: Implications for Reef Island Monitoring and Futures, Husband, E., East, H., Hocking, E., Guest, J. 30 Sep 2023, In: Remote Sensing

PGR Supervision

Sophie Carolan Understanding the Dynamics and Resilience of Marginal Coral Reef Ecosystems in the Central Caribbean Start Date: 18/07/2024 End Date: 27/02/2025
Emily Husband The formation and evolution of Caribbean coral reef islands Start Date: 16/08/2024 End Date: 28/02/2025