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 4.24 - Towards assessing the values of reefs in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria
In this project, existing data and knowledge on reefs in the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park and surrounding waters will be compiled and anaysed with the aim of identifying knowledge gaps and providing recommendations for future research priorities. The Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park, adjacent to the Wellesley Islands, was only recently declared, in 2013. The marine park has National Park and Special Purpose (Trawl) zones that support commercial prawn fisheries, and it is culturally important for the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadlit, and Gangalidda people who have responsibilities for sea country there. The marine park is due for renewal by 2028. The coral reefs in this area were only recently discovered, in the early 2000s, and they remain poorly studies. Only a few reefs have been assessed ecologically, and even then, only briefly. The main source of ecological data is from a citizen science program, Reef Life Survey, where volunteer divers are trained to conduct visual surveys. Using this data, and through meetings/workshops with relevant scientific, management, industry and Indigenous authorities, we will examine what is known about the reefs in this area and their values.
Marine mega-fauna DNA testing in Cleveland Bay
The seagrass meadows in Townsville harbor are well established foraging grounds for a large herd of dugong and a high number of green sea turtles (marine mega-herbivores). These foraging grounds have maintained a healthy and resilient meadow after quickly bouncing back from large loss after tropical cyclone Yasi and have provided vital foraging grounds for the endangered and vulnerable marine mega-herbivores.
Healthy seagrass meadows are also home to many different benthic macro fauna (such as sea cucumbers, ascidians, sponges, etc). Previous port funded seagrass surveys have found the seagrass meadows in Townsville harbor contain a wide range of benthic macro fauna. When marine mega-herbivores forage in seagrass meadows, they are known to incidentally consume benthic macro fauna. However, it is unknown at what extent this incidental consumption occurs, and how important this fauna is to their diet.
This project will determine which benthic macro fauna are present in the faeces of marine mega-herbivores using two different DNA methods: eDNA water filtration and laboratory-based DNA extraction. The DNA results will be compared with results of the presence of marine benthic macro fauna from an already scheduled port funded ariel seagrass survey (May and November 2024). Determining which benthic macro fauna are present in dugong and green turtle diets in relation to what is present in the foraging meadow, will enable a greater understanding the role these benthic macro fauna play in the health and resilience of seagrass meadows.
This project will enable a greater understanding of the complex interactions marine mega-herbivores have with their main food source (seagrass), and the role macro benthic fauna play with the value seagrass meadows provide. This information can help to inform whether a seagrass meadow is functioning to its full potential, based on the importance of macro benthic fauna to the diet and health of marine mega-herbivores.
Regenerative Agriculture: understand the intent, practices, the benefits and disbenefits
Regenerative agriculture, while definitions vary, broadly relates to agriculture that not only aims to be but also aims to regenerate the socio-ecological systems that the farm influences. Exactly what components or functions of the socio-ecological system that are being regenerated vary considerably, often reflecting farmer values and goals, and that of the broader community. For example, some farmers may focus on regenerating soil ecosystems within their paddocks, while others might be more interested in regenerating a local waterway or having a thriving a community. Regardless of the goal, effectively managing a farming system towards these goals requires regular assessment and monitoring towards the goals, followed by as evaluation of practice efficacy and responding accordingly - ie adaptive management. In partnership with lead organisation, Southern Cross University, and funded by the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), this project aims to: (1) understand the goals pursued by regenerative grain growers across Australia; (2) identify suitable monitoring indicators for a wide range of goals spanning agronomic, soil health, ecological, social, and economic domains; and (3) trial those indicators over three years with at least 60 regenerative growers across the nation.
NESP 4.1: Coastal seagrass of the Gulf of Carpentaria: building knowledge and capacity as a foundation for long-term monitoring
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Using monitoring data to model herbicides exported to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- 2011
- Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Researchers:Stephen LewisAaron Davis
Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program: 2009/2010 synthesis report
- 2011
- Reef and Rainforest Research Centre
- Researchers:Len McKenzie
A comparison of threats, vulnerabilities and management approaches in global seagrass bioregions
- 2012
- Institute of Physics Publishing
- Researchers:Alana GrechLen McKenzieMichael Rasheed
Start Date:
01 Jan 2009
End Date:
01 Jan 2026
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01 Jan 2009
End Date:
01 Jan 2030
Start Date:
01 Jan 2014
End Date:
01 Jan 2030
Start Date:
01 Jan 2021
End Date:
01 Jan 2025
Start Date:
01 Jan 1981
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01 Jan 1984
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01 Jan 1986
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01 Jan 1988
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01 Jan 1973
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01 Jan 1973
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
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01 Jan 2022
End Date:
01 Jan 2023
Title:
Conference co-chair
Start Date:
01 Jan 2023
End Date:
01 Jan 2023