Tropical Water & Ecosystems
Scott Morrissey
- Research Officer
- scott.morrissey@jcu.edu.au
Tim Smith
- Senior Research Officer
- tim.smith2@jcu.edu.au
Alejandro Navarro Otero
- Casual Research Worker
- alejandro.navarrootero@jcu.edu.au
Jack Koci
- Principal Research Officer
- jack.koci1@jcu.edu.au
Sarah McDonald
- Senior Research Officer
- sarah.mcdonald@jcu.edu.au
Emily Webster
- Research Officer
- emily.webster1@jcu.edu.au
Abbi Scott
- Senior Research Officer
- abbi.scott1@jcu.edu.au
Catherine Collier
- Principal Research Officer
- catherine.collier@jcu.edu.au
Rob Coles
- Principal Research Scientist
- rob.coles@jcu.edu.au
Aaron Davis
- Principal Research Officer
- aaron.davis@jcu.edu.au
Assessing seagrass distribution as habitat for dugong, turtle and fish on Mandubarra Sea Country
The Mandubarra Sea Country project aims to understand and manage crucial coastal habitats and the ecosystems they support. Focusing on expansive seagrass habitats, this initiative partners with TropWATER and involves comprehensive mapping and monitoring along the coast, including the South Barnard Islands. The project integrates high-intensity aerial surveys to study the usage of seagrass meadows by green sea turtles and dugongs, both vital to the ecosystem. Additionally, it includes baseline fish surveys and workshops training Mandubarra Rangers in drone usage and underwater video assessments to monitor and manage fish and megaherbivore populations effectively. This collaboration aims to enhance fisheries resilience and inform future conservation efforts within the Mandubarra Sea Country.
South East Arnhem Land seagrass surveys and development of ranger-led monitoring
Traditional Owners from South East Arnhem Land aspire for a healthy, managed Sea Country. South East Arnhem Land's Sea Country has high cultural and biodiversity significance, but this is poorly documented. The presence of important species such as dugong and turtle is known, but habitats important to these species has not been quantified. This project will map subtidal benthic habitats and design and implement a ranger-led monitoring program
South East Arnhem Land seagrass surveys and development of ranger-led monitoring
Traditional Owners from South East Arnhem Land aspire for a healthy, managed Sea Country. South East Arnhem Land's Sea Country has high cultural and biodiversity significance, but this is poorly documented. The presence of important species such as dugong and turtle is known, but habitats important to these species has not been quantified. This project will map subtidal benthic habitats and design and implement a ranger-led monitoring program
South East Arnhem Land seagrass surveys and development of ranger-led monitoring
Traditional Owners from South East Arnhem Land aspire for a healthy, managed Sea Country. South East Arnhem Land's Sea Country has high cultural and biodiversity significance, but this is poorly documented. The presence of important species such as dugong and turtle is known, but habitats important to these species has not been quantified. This project will map subtidal benthic habitats and design and implement a ranger-led monitoring program
NESP 4.2: Assessing dugong distribution and abundance in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria
Aboriginal ranger groups, Traditional Owners of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria (sGoC), scientists, Queensland, Northern Territory and Commonwealth government representatives will co-design and implement a program that enables a contemporary cross-border understanding of dugong populations and other marine megafauna. The dugong program comprises three parts: 1) Dugong population genetics, 2) a standardised aerial survey in the sGoC, and 3) Indigenous-led drone surveys of marine megafauna hotspots. The collaborative approach will enable contemporary data on abundance, distribution and genetic population structuring to inform local and regional conservation management actions. In combination with other NESP investments in Qld and WA, this program will have applied consistent approaches to dugong population assessment across three states. This program directly responds to the national priorities of conserving, protecting and sustainably managing biodiversity through research and information management.
Monitoring the distribution and abundance of dugongs (and in-water, large marine turtles) within the GBRWHA using a combined aerial observer and imagery approach (Old ID 27811)
This project aims to: (1) to monitor the trends in the abundance and distribution of dugongs within the GBRWHA and (2) contribute to the transition to the use of novel imagery survey technologies to enhance survey methods and accuracy in abundance estimates. The project will be conducted in five main stages which will include: the development of a Traditional Owners engagement strategy and the drafting and submitting regulatory permit applications (stage 1), the development of the survey design and data collection protocols and undertake observer training (stage 2), conduct the dugong observer surveys and imagery experimental work within the GBRWHA (stage 3) and the production of a final report including summary of all survey report findings and advice about the implications of the findings for the conservation and management of dugongs and large marine turtles within the GBRWHA (stage 4).
Cassowary Coast Green Nourishment Seagrass Program (Stage 1 Feasibility)
Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) will collaborate with James Cook University (JCU) and Traditional Owners throughout the project to look at the feasibility of managing seagrass meadows to enhance coastal protection of foreshores. CCRC will collate existing data to produce a map of seagrass habitat within their LGA and identify areas where data gaps exist for further monitoring. Risk mapping of the CCRC coastline will also identify areas most at risk and likely to benefit from coastal protection measures. JCU working with Traditional Owners will then undertake further mapping of seagrass in areas of interest for potential pilot studies for trailing seagrass as an alternative to hard engineering solutions for coastal protection. The mapping will be presented in a report along with recommendations for coastal areas to be considered for the next stage of the Green Nourishment Program (Stage 2 – Establishment of pilot studies utilising seagrass as an alternative to engineering solutions for coastal protection).
Cassowary Coast Green Nourishment Seagrass Program (Stage 1 Feasibility)
Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) will collaborate with James Cook University (JCU) and Traditional Owners throughout the project to look at the feasibility of managing seagrass meadows to enhance coastal protection of foreshores. CCRC will collate existing data to produce a map of seagrass habitat within their LGA and identify areas where data gaps exist for further monitoring. Risk mapping of the CCRC coastline will also identify areas most at risk and likely to benefit from coastal protection measures. JCU working with Traditional Owners will then undertake further mapping of seagrass in areas of interest for potential pilot studies for trailing seagrass as an alternative to hard engineering solutions for coastal protection. The mapping will be presented in a report along with recommendations for coastal areas to be considered for the next stage of the Green Nourishment Program (Stage 2 – Establishment of pilot studies utilising seagrass as an alternative to engineering solutions for coastal protection).
Cassowary Coast Green Nourishment Seagrass Program (Stage 1 Feasibility)
Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) will collaborate with James Cook University (JCU) and Traditional Owners throughout the project to look at the feasibility of managing seagrass meadows to enhance coastal protection of foreshores. CCRC will collate existing data to produce a map of seagrass habitat within their LGA and identify areas where data gaps exist for further monitoring. Risk mapping of the CCRC coastline will also identify areas most at risk and likely to benefit from coastal protection measures. JCU working with Traditional Owners will then undertake further mapping of seagrass in areas of interest for potential pilot studies for trailing seagrass as an alternative to hard engineering solutions for coastal protection. The mapping will be presented in a report along with recommendations for coastal areas to be considered for the next stage of the Green Nourishment Program (Stage 2 – Establishment of pilot studies utilising seagrass as an alternative to engineering solutions for coastal protection).
Managing Rangelands for Drought Resilience
This project will draw on artificial intelligence, machine learning and drone technologies and techniques to improve rangeland mapping that leads to enhanced drought resilience and management. Utilising digital precision mapping technologies at demonstration sites will allow the ability to detect changes in ground cover and land condition to be assessed. In collaboration with Southern Gulf NRM and landholders, ways in which this information could be used to improve drought resilience will be reported. Landholders will be exposed to potential techniques to automate mapping of on-ground features for improved management.
Coral decline threatens fish biodiversity in marine reserves
- 2004
- National Academy of Sciences
- Researchers:Maya Srinivasan
Mid-late Holocene sea-level variability in eastern Australia
- 2008
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Stephen Lewis
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2024
Title:
Presenter - US Embassy - Presentation of TropWATER work to the US Embassy Public Affairs team
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
End Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
End Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2020
End Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2015
End Date:
01 Jan 2016
Title:
Examination of PhD thesis
Start Date:
01 Jan 2012
End Date:
01 Jan 2012
Title:
Examination of PhD thesis
Start Date:
01 Jan 2011
End Date:
01 Jan 2011
Start Date:
01 Jan 2012
End Date:
01 Jan 2012
Title:
Examination of PhD thesis
Start Date:
01 Jan 2013
End Date:
01 Jan 2013
Title:
Examination of PhD thesis
Start Date:
01 Jan 2017
End Date:
01 Jan 2017