Research Projects
Improving capacity for emerging infectious diseases research and surveillance in the Indo-Pacific (Old ID 29009)
Paul Horwood
01 Jun 2023 - 31 Dec 2027
Through this initiative, a One-Health approach will be used to improve emerging infectious diseases research and surveillance in a selected country in the Indo-Pacific, thereby improving national and regional biosecurity. In collaboration with an identified regional partner, a Research Fellow will be recruited to be embedded in the partner organisation to progress a co-designed research agenda, and help develop local capacity.
QRMF_DES (Old ID 31092)
Zoe Bainbridge
01 Jul 2023 - 31 Oct 2024
Identify, review and synthesise existing prioritisation tools and update the WetlandInfo assessment toolbox with information on existing prioritisation tools.
Invasive Fish in Aquatic Habitats, Torres Strait Island (Old ID 21581)
Nathan Waltham
01 May 2014 - 10 Dec 2016
This project will assess and evaluate movement of invasive freshwater fish species from PNG to Torres Strait Islands. This project aims to understand the mechanisms of this migration (people, or environmental), and will examine ways to reduce the risk of pest freshwater fish species reaching northern Australian waters. A large component of this project is to prepare education material (websites, brochures) and conduct a range of workshops with Rangers community and schools. The success of this project is through a combination of scientific surveys and education.
Developing and refining biological indicators for seagrass condition assessments in an integrated monitoring program (Old ID 22243)
Catherine Collier
01 Jul 2015 - 31 Jan 2016
Refinement of biological indicators for condition assessment is an immediate priority as highlighted in a recent review of the GBR Marine Monitoring Program (MMP). Seagrass carbohydrate content is an early-warning indicator of water quality impacts. Samples collected quarterly since 2008 will be analysed and used to establish baselines and optimize protocols for applying carbohydrates as an indicator for future monitoring. Furthermore, calibration formulae to convert seagrass percent cover, the principal condition indicator, to biomass will be developed allowing integration across programs critical for the Reef-Wide Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program. This project provides excellent value for money because samples have been collected in-kind.
Stopping the Asian Tiger Mosquito from reaching mainland Australia with sugar baits (Old ID 26693)
Tanya Russell
01 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2020
Aedes albopictus, a documented vector of dengue, Zika and chikungunya, is one of the fastest spreading invasive species worldwide, and was first detected in the Torres Strait in 2005. This pilot project will lay the foundation required to assess the feasibility of Attractive Targeted Sugar Baits (ATSB) to control Aedes albopictus. The overall objective is to determine the frequency that mosquitos’ sugar feed, a parameter critical to the success of ATSBs. This pilot data will be leveraged for funding to trial the use of ATSBs to stop Ae. albopictus from reaching the mainland.
Research to inform yellow crazy ant management in the Wet Tropics (Old ID 26714)
Lori Lach
01 Apr 2020 - 30 Jun 2025
Continuation and consolidation of four years of scientific activities to support yellow crazy ant eradication in the Wet Tropics (data analysis, monitoring non-target effects of baiting, probability of detection).
Mt Leyshon Receiving Environment Monitoring & Environmental Assessment. (Old ID 26869)
Shelley Templeman
01 Feb 2020 - 31 Dec 2025
Environmental monitoring and assessment to meet regulatory assessment requirements for aquatic, riparian and terrestrial systems in the region of the closed Mt Leyshon mine. In addition, there are investigations and research into site specific water quality and sediment quality objectives.
On the physiology of plant transpiration (Old ID 27163)
Lucas Cernusak
01 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2024
The aim is to better understand plant water use (transpiration): to determine the relative roles of the environment, both aerial [absorbed radiation, both long and short wave, humidity, windspeed and temperature] and below ground [e.g. soil moisture content and resistance to root penetration], and of the plant [stomata, water pathways inside the leaf, and root water status] in controlling transpiration rate. The project will improve formulae describing the environmental and biological aspects of transpiration. A novel technique will be developed to measure the water potential distribution within the leaf. Results will inform breeders of the abilities of different plants to transpire rapidly when demand is high, or to conserve water.
National Assessment of Climate-Driven Species Redistribution using Citizen Science Data (Old ID 27400)
Jan Strugnell
11 Oct 2021 - 31 May 2022
This project will develop a report card assessing Australian marine species to determine species that have undergone recent changes in distribution, either shifting into each State, or into new areas within States. This report card will draw upon citizen science databases and use a robust decision tree analysis developed by our team to outline which species are shifting, and with what degree of certainty. Project objectives are to 1. draw upon citizen scientists to identify climate-driven changes within the Australian marine estate; and 2. communicate to and engage with the public on issues of climate change and biodiversity using their own citizen science information. The report card can be used to drive public interest in the NESP Hub and in the status of biodiversity in Australia.
Improving waterway monitoring in the Australian tropics with eDNA sampling (Old ID 27845)
Cecilia Villacorta Rath
28 Oct 2022 - 27 Jun 2025
This project will develop an eDNA metabarcoding technique to enable a more comprehensive assessment of fish assemblages in tropical waterways than is possible using conventional sampling methods. This project will be undertaken as a collaboration between OzFish Unlimited, Townsville City Council and the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER). Samples will be collected by OzFish and Townsville City Council volunteers through existing citizen science initiatives.