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

Managing Rangelands for Drought Resilience
Jack Koci
05 Sep 2022 - 30 Dec 2023
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.
Evaluating the drivers of persistent bare soil in the Southern Gulf to inform rehabilitation and build drought resilience
Jack Koci
01 Aug 2023 - 30 Nov 2024
This project will investigate the drivers of persistent bare soil development in parts of the Southern Gulf region of north-west Queensland in order to inform bare soil rehabilitation efforts and build drought resilience. The project will combine satellite imagery analysis of land cover change, with long-term rainfall analysis, and on-ground field data collection, including drone mapping, soil sampling and land condition assessment at selected sites. The project will communicate and disseminate findings through demonstration sites, field days, production of communications material, working collaboratively with landholders, Southern Gulf NRM, and the TNQ Drought Hub. Importantly, the project will leverage and add value to an existing project focused on the demonstration of bare soil rehabilitation techniques for building drought resilience. While focused in the Southern Gulf region, the new knowledge and information generated from this project will be of great value to other regions around Australia seeking to better understand the drivers of persistently bare soil development and rehabilitate and restore these degraded landscapes.
Ecosystem Services Gained and Lost from Proposed Development Areas
Jack Koci
30 Jan 2023 - 30 Jun 2026
This project will examining the ecosystem services gained and lost for proposed development areas in the Gilbert River catchment.
Futureproofing tropical Australian seagrasses
Michael Rasheed
01 Jun 2024 - 31 May 2026
The PhD research is focused on improving the success of seagrass restoration for species present in the wet tropics through trialing novel and established planting techniques.
Town Common Wetland Restoraiton NQDT
Sigit Deni Sasmito
21 Nov 2024 - 30 Mar 2026
Working with NQ Dry Tropics, undertake wetland monitoring and research to investigate restoration efforts and success at Town Common Townsville.
Nesting climate refugia for southwest Pacific loggerhead turtles
Emily Webster
28 Feb 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
To develop a scalable spatial analysis to identify climate refugia for nesting loggerhead turtles. Refugia is defined as areas of current suitable nesting habitat whose exposure to threatening climactic variables is predicted to remain stable over time. the project will consider predicted sea level rise, erosion and temperature change at current and future scenarios. By comparing current and future levels of exposure to these climatic variables, maps that identify areas of imminent loss (exposure to climatic threats predicted to increase), novelty (exposure decreases) and refugia (exposure remains stable) can be developed. the project will also examine geomorphology of the coastline to map the current suitable nesting habitat and quantifying the vulnerability of that habitat to specific climatic and anthropogenic threats.
Improving land condition across Southern Gulf rangelands to build resilience to variable and extreme climate
Jack Koci
01 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2028
Grant: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/environment/natural-resource-funding/apply#key-dates Project description: Recent extreme climatic events (e.g., the 2019 flood and preceding drought, and the 2023 flood) have had a devasting impact on the Southern Gulf’s grazing industry and local communities, as well as the health and functioning of the region’s sensitive natural assets, including soils, pastures, water, and biodiversity. The occurrence and severity of such extreme climatic events are predicted to increase into the future. The overarching aim of the project is to build resilience in Southern Gulf rangeland production systems to better manage climate variability and extreme climatic events, through improving land condition. Land that is maintained in good condition is less susceptible to severe impacts associated with extreme climatic events and recovers more quickly after events occur. To achieve improved land condition across the region, the project will work directly with X land managers to implement on-ground land management practice changes and/or remediation treatments, spanning an estimated area of X. The effectiveness of these interventions will be rigorously monitoring and evaluated, and the data made publicly available. Key learnings and outcomes will be passed on to the other landholders, NRM groups, Government extension staff and researchers through demonstration sites, field days, communications materials, scientific publications, and capacity building events. Overall, the project will provide much needed new knowledge, information, data, tools, and capacity to better manage and respond to climate variability and extreme climatic events across the Southern Gulf region, and other parts of northern Australia.
Bowen Wharf Baseline Environmental Assessments
Michael Rasheed
16 Apr 2025 - 31 Dec 2026
In preparation of development of the Bowen Wharf, North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) have engaged TropWATER to fill information gaps on marine habitats and marine megafauna to help inform approval processes for development. Information on seagrass habitat, coral and megafauna were identified as knowledge gaps in the recent Bowen Wharf Environmental Values Assessment. This project will address these knowledge gaps through; on-ground assessments (i.e., low-level aerial surveys (UAV & MAV), on-foot surveys, subtidal surveys using underwater camera systems), vessel-based field observations, and remote imagery.
Alluvial Gully Remediation in the Upper Burdekin Catchment (Old ID 27857)
Jack Koci
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.
Expanding Traditional Owner led seagrass monitoring and restoration – Woppaburra TUMRA
Len McKenzie
21 May 2025 - 31 Mar 2026
This project aims to build seagrass assessment and restoration capacity and identify seagrass cultural values within Woppaburra TUMRA Sea Country and communities. JCU will work with Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation and rangers to: • synthesize and collate all existing seagrass mapping data. These data will identify seagrass mapping gaps and will inform further seagrass monitoring and restoration activities. • build capacity of Rangers to conduct seagrass assessments. • map Sea Country using drones and dropcameras, for areas identified as needing mapping.

Prospects for seascape repair: three case studies from eastern Australia

Habitat value of Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) reefs on soft sediments

Bommies away! Logistics and early effects of repositioning 400 tonnes of displaced coral colonies following cyclone impacts on the Great Barrier Reef

Recolonization of mollusc assemblages in mangrove plantations damaged by Typhoon Chan-hom in the Philippines

Strong habitat and weak genetic effects shape the lifetime reproductive success in a wild clownfish population

Quantifying water quality improvements through use of precision herbicide application technologies in a dry-tropical, furrow-irrigated cropping system

Toward a coordinated global observing system for seagrasses and marine macroalgae

Coral reef habitats and their influence on reef assemblages

Saltmarsh grass supports fishery food webs in subtropical Australian estuaries

High variability of Blue Carbon storage in seagrass meadows at the estuary scale

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