Alexandra Carter

Dr Alex Carter is a principal research officer at the Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER). Her research focuses on the ecology, conservation and assessment of coastal environments; in particular, large-scale ecosystem processes in northern Australia involving seagrass, coral, fish communities, turtle and dugong. Prior to commencing at James Cook University, she was employed as a scientist at Queensland Fisheries. She completed her PhD on spatial variation in reproductive biology for common coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), and the role of marine reserves as a potential fisheries management tool for this species on the Great Barrier Reef.

Alex leads a variety of projects and collaborations with diverse stakeholders and funding agencies, including all levels of government, other universities, industry, Traditional Owners, rangers, citizen scientists, and community groups. Current projects include:

1. Large-scale marine habitat mapping across northern Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria.

2. Quantifying habitat use by species with significant cultural, ecological, conservation and economic importance (e.g. turtles, dugong, fish);

3. Developing and implementing environmental condition report cards. These include seagrass report cards for the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership, Torres Strait, regional NRM groups, and Queensland ports, and development of condition indicators for reef fish on the Great Barrier Reef.

4. Working with Rangers and Traditional Owners to expand seagrass and fish research and monitoring in northern Australia by incorporating Indigenous Knowledge.

5. Coral restoration including the use of coral nurseries, reef stars, and larval seeding.

Alex is interested in receiving inquiries from prospective Honours, Masters by Research and PhD candidates who are interested in tropical marine biology. Scholarship funding is available through James Cook University Postgraduate Research Scholarships.