Human-Environment Geography

My research interests are focused in the domain of human-environment geography. The ocean, its complex ecosystems, and the diverse groups of people who live with these places are some of the most fascinating and complex systems on the planet. Understanding how they work and respond to changes is at the core of my research.

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Quantity and Quality of Marine Conservation in the Pacific

Two questions fundamental to effective conservation are "how much" and "how good." Through two paired efforts, I am assessing the quality of marine conservation areas in the US affiliated Pacific Islands. This work uses a combination of spatial analysis and the recently published MPA Guide to answer these questions. This work will help inform, support, and guide future ocean conservation across the Pacific.

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Ocean Novelty and No-Analog Futures

The ocean makes up more than 70% of the planets surface and climate change is going to alter the very biogeochemistry that sustains life on the planet. Using tools from information theory, I am developing a measure of ocean "novelty" - how will marine environments change and how different will they become - to inform management decisions such as:

• Where should I place a marine protected areas?
• Should I expand my marine protected area?
• Should I move my marine protected area?

Identifying how, where, and when the ocean will change can allow us to plan and anticipate who will be affected and recommend some options for a just and equitable solution. As oceans change, species will move, and new "climate cooperatives" will need to emerge to meet those challenges.

Image from Johnson & Watson 2021, One Earth

Press coverage

• Vast regions of the world's oceans will soon contain novel biogeochemical conditions [Cell Press]
  
• Climate change will destroy familiar environments, create new ones and undermine efforts to protect sea life [Oregon State University]
  

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Climate Change and Fisheries

Fisheries are a vital link between environmental and social systems. Changes in the health of the ocean and the food derived from it have direct and profound impacts on social systems, ranging from issues on household food security up to geopolitical and national security. Through a suite of upcoming projects, I am collaborating to explore how climate change will mediate geopolitical conflict and cooperation over shifting ocean resources as well as exploring how climate change is affecting food security and nutritional outcomes for Pacific Island communities. More details coming soon!

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Science communication

Climate Change in the Pacific Islands - Curiosity Weekly [May 2025]

What True Conservation of the Pacific Remote Islands Involves - Honolulu Civil Beat [July 2024]

Marine Resources Management, Climate Change, and Indigenous Perspectives - Rising Sea Voices [May 2022] 

Investing in What Matters Most - Science [April 2022]

• ‘Nowhere is safe’: heat shatters vision of Pacific north-west as climate refuge [the Guardian]
  
• It's 'inescapable': Pacific Islanders have tried to flee the climate crisis, only to face new threats [CNN]
  
• Climate change is strengthening typhoons, hurricanes and cyclones. The US isn't paying attention [Union of Concerned Scientists]
• Typhoon Yutu spurs disaster in a remote U.S. territory [Grist]
• New CNMI monitoring system to give early warning signs on corals [Radio New Zealand]