Tropical Water & Ecosystems

Scott Morrissey

Scott Morrissey

Tim Smith

Tim Smith

Alejandro Navarro Otero

Alejandro Navarro Otero

Jack Koci

Jack Koci

Sarah McDonald

Sarah McDonald

Emily Webster

Emily Webster

Abbi Scott

Abbi Scott

Catherine Collier

Catherine Collier

Rob Coles

Rob Coles

Aaron Davis

Aaron Davis

Expert technical advice regarding project water quality and catchment modelling (Old ID 31066)
Adam Canning - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
03 Jul 2023 - 03 Feb 2026
The project is to provide expert technical advice regarding the water quality and catchment modelling components of the Environmental Impact Statements for the proposed Big Rocks Weir, the raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam and the methodology behind the cumulative impact assessment.
Seagrass mapping synthesis - A resource for marine park and coastal management (Old ID 22237)
Alexandra Carter - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
01 Jul 2015 - 15 Feb 2016
Key to understanding the desired state of Queensland seagrasses is reliable data on seagrass distribution, abundance and species composition, and how this changes through time. Also valuable is the ability to reliably 'drill' down from large-scale (World Heritage Area) to small-scale estuaries and meadows. TropWATER provides a composite map of seagrass for the GBRWHA available through E-Atlas, GBRMPA and Pangaea. However this layer has not been updated since 2010 and is missing changes from important areas and extensive new data, and provides no meadow-specific information. This project will recompile existing GIS layers, update with 2010-2015 data, and provide meadow-specific information.
Seagrass mapping synthesis - A resource for marine park and coastal management (Old ID 22237)
Skye McKenna - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
01 Jul 2015 - 15 Feb 2016
Key to understanding the desired state of Queensland seagrasses is reliable data on seagrass distribution, abundance and species composition, and how this changes through time. Also valuable is the ability to reliably 'drill' down from large-scale (World Heritage Area) to small-scale estuaries and meadows. TropWATER provides a composite map of seagrass for the GBRWHA available through E-Atlas, GBRMPA and Pangaea. However this layer has not been updated since 2010 and is missing changes from important areas and extensive new data, and provides no meadow-specific information. This project will recompile existing GIS layers, update with 2010-2015 data, and provide meadow-specific information.
The Value of Tidal Wetland Habitats in Sustaining Fisheries Production in Central Queensland (Old ID 23499)
Paul York - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
15 Apr 2017 - 30 Jun 2018
This project uses stable isotopes as a chemical tracer to measure incorporation of organic matter from different plants into fish prey and ultimately into fish. It will determine the relative importance of seagrass, mangrove, saltmarsh and micro algae on the soft sediments to fish and particularly those of recreational and commercial importance in central Queensland.
Water Quality & Environmental Research to Support Townsville City Council (Old ID 26868)
Cassandra James - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
01 Jun 2020 - 31 Dec 2020
Townsville City Council are seeking advice and support to improve the water quality in the local lakes and rivers under their jurisdiction. They are investigating innovative and sustainable options to improve water quality and reduce weed infestations and require scientific advice and support to complete this work.
Review of water quality monitoring and evaluation for DIN-focused projects. (Old ID 27773)
Aaron Davis - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
20 Jun 2022 - 31 Aug 2025
Our team will coordinate and provide technical support across all the Reef Trust Partnership (RTP) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and pesticide projects that involve water quality (WQ) monitoring managed by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The purpose of the work is to ensure that the overall approach - including project design, equipment selection, sampling methods and analysis - is fit-for purpose and (to the extent appropriate) consistent across projects and programs. We will also ensure that project findings are communicated effectively and consistently.
Review of water quality monitoring and evaluation for DIN-focused projects. (Old ID 27773)
Cassandra James - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
20 Jun 2022 - 31 Aug 2025
Our team will coordinate and provide technical support across all the Reef Trust Partnership (RTP) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and pesticide projects that involve water quality (WQ) monitoring managed by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The purpose of the work is to ensure that the overall approach - including project design, equipment selection, sampling methods and analysis - is fit-for purpose and (to the extent appropriate) consistent across projects and programs. We will also ensure that project findings are communicated effectively and consistently.
Review of water quality monitoring and evaluation for DIN-focused projects. (Old ID 27773)
Zoe Bainbridge - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
20 Jun 2022 - 31 Aug 2025
Our team will coordinate and provide technical support across all the Reef Trust Partnership (RTP) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and pesticide projects that involve water quality (WQ) monitoring managed by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The purpose of the work is to ensure that the overall approach - including project design, equipment selection, sampling methods and analysis - is fit-for purpose and (to the extent appropriate) consistent across projects and programs. We will also ensure that project findings are communicated effectively and consistently.
CSIRO - Reef Trust Technical Support (2023061315) (Old ID 30052)
Jack Koci - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
12 May 2023 - 30 Aug 2024
The Landscape Repair Program is designed to build on the outcomes of the Reef Trust Phase IV investment, focusing on reduction of sediments through remediation of streambank and gully erosion. JCU-TropWATER will provide technical support and review during the initial program design phase.
2022 Scientific Consensus Statement / Review of Water Quality Targets Projects (Old ID 27867)
Catherine Collier - Tropical Water & Ecosystems
06 Dec 2022 - 30 Jun 2026
Project Part A: Lead authors selected to deliver synthesis of evidence for assigned questions forming the 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement Project Part C: Review of the GBR end of catchment water quality (sediment and nutrient) targets.

A review of load tools available for calculating pollutant exports to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon: a case study of varying catchment areas

Extended breeding and recruitment periods of fishes on a low latitude coral reef

Coral reef fish smell leaves to find island homes

Herbicides: a new threat to the Great Barrier Reef

  • 2009
  • Elsevier
  • Researchers:Stephen LewisZoe BainbridgeAaron Davis

Modelling and monitoring the sediment trapping efficiency and sediment dynamics of the Burdekin Falls Dam, Queensland, Australia

Coral-dwelling fishes resistant to bleaching but not to mortality of host corals

Water quality research: baseline synthesis and year 1 summary

Utilising catchment modelling as a tool for monitoring Reef Rescue outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area

Interactive effects of interspecifc competition and microhabitat on early post-settlement survival in a coral reef fish

Increased accuracy of batch fecundity estimates using oocyte stage ratios in Plectropomus leopardus

Title: Ports North, Ports North supports an annual monitoring program conducted by James Cook University (JCU) in Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet, as well as at our other ports, such as Karumba, Mourilyan and Thursday Island. By using helicopters and underwater cameras on boats, the seagrass meadows are mapped and assessed for any changes.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2026
Title: Gladstone Ports Corporation, The purpose of the Long-term Maintenance Dredging Management Plan (LMDMP) is to address operational needs, environmental risks, monitoring and adaptive management actions specific to the Port of Gladstone whilst ensuring the ongoing sustainability of maintenance dredging within the port.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2030
Title: North Queensland Bulk Ports, Partnering with scientists at James Cook University (JCU), NQBP has been collecting data on seagrass growth around our port sites for more than 20 years. In addition to informing our own environmental activities and port operations, our data has contributed to advances in an international body of seagrass knowledge through JCU's academic research and regional report cards developed to help monitor the health of our waterways.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2014
End Date: 01 Jan 2030
Title: Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service contracted James Cook University to conduct surveys and research on the impacts to and resilience of seagrass in Great Sandy Marine Park. This important surveying and research help government understand the impacts to seagrass from the 2022 flooding events and its ability to recovery.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
End Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: Master of Science - Botany, James Cook University
Reseracher: Norm Duke (Senior Research Scientist)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1981
End Date: 01 Jan 1984
Title: Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University
Reseracher: Norm Duke (Senior Research Scientist)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1986
End Date: 01 Jan 1988
Title: Bachelor of Science with Honours, James Cook University
Reseracher: Norm Duke (Senior Research Scientist)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1973
End Date: 01 Jan 1973
Title: Editor of the SeDNAS PeerJ Hub
Reseracher: Cecilia Villacorta Rath (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Higher Degree By Research Committee
Reseracher: Jack Koci (Principal Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2022
End Date: 01 Jan 2023
Title: Conference co-chair
Reseracher: Sarah McDonald (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
End Date: 01 Jan 2023