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Assessment of fisher livelihoods and swim bladder trade in the Fly River, Papua New Guinea. (Old ID 27562)
Conduct interview surveys with local fishers to gather information about use, values, and trade within the swim bladder fishery in the Fly River. Establish conservation efforts for sawfish through introduction of the Piku Biodiversity Network to Fly River communities.
Island Habitat Monitoring - Vegetation (Old ID 27658)
Islands, particularly the remote or less-accessible ones, have very poor inventories of species and ecosystems, their condition and potential threats. This base level data is required to identify which values should be prioritised for management and monitoring. A process to identify and prioritise information gaps and fill them is needed to address this issue. The Australian Tropical Herbarium proposes to address these knowledge gaps through provision of technical expertise that can include (a) field survey, (b) provision of plant identification services, (c) training and (d) data management.
Review of water quality monitoring and evaluation for DIN-focused projects. (Old ID 27773)
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)
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.
AI-Powered Precision Farming: Mapping, Detection, Planning, and Spot Spraying (Old ID 31107)
High-tech solutions in agriculture offer many benefits for improved crop and land management. However, current methods rely heavily on human experts for monitoring and planning. To address this, we propose a state-of-the-art AI-based spraying strategy software that: • takes aerial images of the farm/land vegetation (using drones, planes, satellites, etc.) and detects field requirements, • generates a pre-spray map on GIS systems, considering the existing terrain topographies, • optimally plans the detailed spraying strategy and suggests one or a combination of proper spraying methods such as blanket, vehicular spot, or aerial spraying, and • whenever possible, effectively commands and controls appropriate devices to spray, such as drones, vehicles, people, etc. It might also receive feedback and correspondingly optimize the process/plan. This AI-Powered system helps farmers and producers precisely spray, saving costs and the environment.
Thermal stratification, overturning and mixing in riverine environments (Old ID 21650)
Thermal stratification is common in Australia's rivers due to our hot, drought-prone climate and high human demands relative to available supply, which has led to a significant reduction in flows relative to natural levels. Thermal stratification inhibits mixing, creating stagnant conditions characterised by low oxygen levels and increased concentrations of contaminants, leading to algal blooms, fish kills and systemic damage to ecosystems. The aim of this project is to develop predictive models for the effects of physical processes such as night-time cooling, wind, turbulence and currents n riverine thermal stratification. This will enable a more accurate determination of the flow rates required to maintain the health of our river systems.
Handling Mortality in Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) from farms (Old ID 21741)
Crayfish have become stress-sensitive to handling with low grade mortalities continuing until the crayfish re-acclimate. It is suspected they are carrying so-called orphan viruses. This project will use two independent observational techniques, histopathology and rolling-cycle PCR to look for difficult-to-diagnose viruses. These results will be used to support chapters in the PhD theses of two doctoral students, Shaun Bochow and Kitikarn Sakuna.
Extending REDMAP to Queensland (Old ID 26980)
REDMAP (Range Extension Database & Mapping project) is a citizen science initiative inviting fishers, divers and boater to submit photographs of unusual fish sightings to an interactive website (www.redmap.org.au). The project seeks to inform, engage and educate fishers, divers and boaters about fish that are shifting southwards in accordance with warming waters. This project will continue to roll out this initiative across Queensland through public talks at fishing and diving clubs in conjunction with the distribution of brochures, dive plans and stickers highlighting the fish species for citizen scientists to keep a look out for while they are on or in the water.
Analysis of sheet metals cladding anti rust coatings. (Old ID 27127)
Glencore are looking at replacing their minerals concentrate storage sheds with new colorbond materials and require testing on several materials so we can advise them on the most optimal materials to use to minimise corrosion for the future.
2022 Scientific Consensus Statement / Review of Water Quality Targets Projects (Old ID 27867)
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.