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
NESP 4.1: Coastal seagrass of the Gulf of Carpentaria: building knowledge and capacity as a foundation for long-term monitoring
Catherine Collier
01 Feb 2024 - 11 Dec 2026
The Gulf of Carpentaria has globally significant seagrass habitat, supporting dugong, green turtle, and commercially important fish and prawns. Key to managing impacts to species in these habitats, including indirect impacts through land use within southern Gulf catchments, is reliable data on seagrass distribution and how it changes over time. Achieving this requires large-scale mapping and a ranger-led seagrass monitoring program. This project will map intertidal seagrass habitats from the western boundary of the Nijinda Durlga (Gangalidda) and Thuwathu/Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Areas to the Bynoe River near Karumba. This mapping focuses on data-deficient regions along the mainland coastline of the southern Gulf. New technologies for monitoring using drones will be collaboratively tested in key locations for ongoing monitoring of coastal habitats by rangers. This will contribute towards the development of a regional baseline of seagrass for the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Alluvial Gully Remediation in the Upper Burdekin Catchment (Old ID 27857)
Zoe Bainbridge
14 Nov 2022 - 15 Jun 2026
In catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, northeast Queensland, Australia, excess sediment derived from gully erosion is contributing to poor coastal water quality. Remediating and preventing further degradation of these landscapes is a major focus of investment toward improving coastal water quality. This project will monitor and evaluate the effect of several alluvial gully remediation measures on improving water quality in the Upper Burdekin catchment. The project will provide valuable new data, knowledge and understanding of the effectiveness of these remediation approaches for landholders interested in protecting and enhancing forage productivity, and for the organisations investing in activities to reduce sediment and nutrient loads delivered to the Great Barrier Reef.
Alluvial Gully Remediation in the Upper Burdekin Catchment (Old ID 27857)
Stephen Lewis
14 Nov 2022 - 15 Jun 2026
In catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, northeast Queensland, Australia, excess sediment derived from gully erosion is contributing to poor coastal water quality. Remediating and preventing further degradation of these landscapes is a major focus of investment toward improving coastal water quality. This project will monitor and evaluate the effect of several alluvial gully remediation measures on improving water quality in the Upper Burdekin catchment. The project will provide valuable new data, knowledge and understanding of the effectiveness of these remediation approaches for landholders interested in protecting and enhancing forage productivity, and for the organisations investing in activities to reduce sediment and nutrient loads delivered to the Great Barrier Reef.
What's really damaging the Reef? Tracing the origin and fate of the environmentally detrimental sediment and associated bioavailable nutrients (Old ID 26391)
Zoe Bainbridge
01 Jan 2019 - 10 Dec 2020
Recent research has shown that only a portion of the fine sediment fraction delivered from rivers draining into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon (GBRL) reaches coral reefs and seagrass meadows. The specific sources of this sediment, which affects the health of corals and seagrasses, are as yet unresolved. This project will, for the first time characterise and trace the origin(s), fate and nutrient bioavailability of this environmentally detrimental sediment using samples collected in flood plumes and during resuspension events. This will enable direct spatial targeting of the sources of this material to achieve maximum benefits to GBR health from catchment management actions.
Reef Rescue marine Monitoring Program - Assessment of Terrestrial Run-off entering the Reef. (Old ID 19255)
Caroline Petus
02 Mar 2011 - 30 Aug 2027
The Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program (MMP) is a key component in the assessment of long-term improvements in inshore water quality and marine ecosystem health that are expected to occur with the adoption of improved land management practices. The Program monitors the long-term health of key marine ecosystems and the condition of water quality in the inshore Reef lagoon. Data from the MMP is combined with monitoring data collected at the paddock and catchment scales to produce a summary of the health of the Reef and its catchments.
Reef Rescue marine Monitoring Program - Assessment of Terrestrial Run-off entering the Reef. (Old ID 19255)
Stephen Lewis
02 Mar 2011 - 30 Aug 2027
The Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program (MMP) is a key component in the assessment of long-term improvements in inshore water quality and marine ecosystem health that are expected to occur with the adoption of improved land management practices. The Program monitors the long-term health of key marine ecosystems and the condition of water quality in the inshore Reef lagoon. Data from the MMP is combined with monitoring data collected at the paddock and catchment scales to produce a summary of the health of the Reef and its catchments.
Mandubarra Healing Country Seagrass Program (Old ID 27873)
Michael Rasheed
14 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2023
JCU will co-design and implement a habitat mapping program with Mandubarra Land and Sea Rangers on their sea country at Kurrimine Beach/King Reef. JCU will provide training for Mandubarra Rangers on benthic habitat mapping techniques and seagrass identification at a series of workshops and will work with a Mandubarra Project officer to produce maps and a report, present findings and liaise with Mandubarra Rangers, Traditional Owners and the community on recommendations for future collaborations through a series of workshops.
Port of Weipa Seagrass Monitoring (Old ID 20700)
Alexandra Carter
01 Dec 2012 - 31 Oct 2017
The aim of this research is to monitor seagrass habitats, including those which may potentially be impacted by proposed port developments. The objectives include comparing results of previous monitoring and baseline surveys and assessing any changes in seagrass distribution and abundance in relation to natural events or human induced port and catchment activities, and establishing the capacity for recovery of key seagrass meadows types likely to be affected by proposed developments. The project also examines the relationship between seagrass condition and light and temperature.
Port of Weipa Seagrass Monitoring (Old ID 20700)
Skye McKenna
01 Dec 2012 - 31 Oct 2017
The aim of this research is to monitor seagrass habitats, including those which may potentially be impacted by proposed port developments. The objectives include comparing results of previous monitoring and baseline surveys and assessing any changes in seagrass distribution and abundance in relation to natural events or human induced port and catchment activities, and establishing the capacity for recovery of key seagrass meadows types likely to be affected by proposed developments. The project also examines the relationship between seagrass condition and light and temperature.
Identifying sources of fine sediments to protect the Great Barrier Reef (Old ID 22667)
Stephen Lewis
04 Jul 2016 - 15 Apr 2021
This fellowship builds on Bainbridge's PhD thesis which identified the sediment fractions preferentially transported from rivers via flood flumes to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, and which have the greatest influence on photic depth/water clarity. The research will identify both the key properties and the primary sources of this material, enabling more effective prioritisation and direct targeting of control works to improve the quality of water discharged to the Great Barrier Reef. This research is cutting edge in the field of sediment tracing and will contribute locally by identifying specific catchment sources of ecologically-damaging fine sediment, and to the broader international field of sediment tracing.
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 2004
End Date:
01 Jan 2006
Start Date:
01 Jan 2016
Start Date:
01 Jan 2016
Start Date:
01 Jan 2016
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2025
Start Date:
01 Jan 2026
Title:
Southern eDNA Society
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2016
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024