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

Project 2016002 - Protecting our chemicals for the future through accelerated adoption of best management practice (Old ID 23149)

Aaron Davis - Tropical Water & Ecosystems

01 Nov 2016 - 01 Aug 2019

A collaborative project with Sugar Research Australia to identify appropriate management strategies for pesticides to maximise efficacy while minimising pesticide losses off-farm. Key JCU-TropWATER roles in project include: 1. Expert interpretation of water quality data sets generated through rainfall simulation and other water quality monitoring activities. 2. Advice on experimental design and planning 3. Assistance in running rainfall simulation and water quality monitoring activities as required. 4. Assistance in communication of results and water quality issues, including presentation and discussion with growers.

Testing and implementation of the water quality metric for the 2017 and 2018 reef report cards (Old ID 23409)

Stephen Lewis - Tropical Water & Ecosystems

01 Jan 2017 - 10 Dec 2017

Report cards are used at various levels to summarise and communicate complex information on GBR health. The effectiveness of Reef Plan is communicated through the annual Reef Report card. In the Reef Report Card, marine water quality is reported using a metric, developed in 2009, based on satellite remote sensing of near surface concentrations of chlorophyll and total suspended solids. This provides a wide spatial and temporal coverage of marine water quality. However, the current water quality metric has a number of issues such that the Independent Science Panel has recently expressed a lack of confidence in it and suggested that a new approach was needed. This proposal outlines a research program to deliver elements of this new approach.

Port of Townsville Long Term Seagrass Monitoring Program October 2025 & Project Optimisation

Michael Rasheed - Tropical Water & Ecosystems

01 Sep 2025 - 31 Aug 2026

Assess and report on seagrass condition pre-wet season in the Townsville Region as part of the Port of Townsville Long Term Seagrass Monitoring Program.

Intertidal seagrass mapping of Mornington Island

Catherine Collier - Tropical Water & Ecosystems

01 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2027

The objectives of this work are to produce a comprehensive and complete map of the intertidal habitats of Mornington Island by completing mapping in collaboration with WILLSSED rangers.

Intertidal seagrass mapping of Mornington Island

Catherine Collier - Tropical Water & Ecosystems

01 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2027

The objectives of this work are to produce a comprehensive and complete map of the intertidal habitats of Mornington Island by completing mapping in collaboration with WILLSSED rangers.

Intertidal seagrass mapping of Mornington Island

Caitlin Smith - Tropical Water & Ecosystems

01 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2027

The objectives of this work are to produce a comprehensive and complete map of the intertidal habitats of Mornington Island by completing mapping in collaboration with WILLSSED rangers.