Cassandra James
- cassandra.james@jcu.edu.au
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4886-787X- Senior Research Scientist
- Tropical Water & Ecosystems
Projects
16
Publications
48
Awards
0
Contact Details
Senior Research Officer
Biography
Dr Cassie James is a Senior Research Officer at TropWATER, James Cook University, specialising in water quality, aquatic ecology and environmental data science. Her research focuses on understanding long-term environmental change in river catchments through the integration of ecological knowledge, advanced statistical analysis and large environmental datasets. She is recognised for her leadership in developing nationally significant water-quality datasets and for translating complex environmental data into evidence that informs management, policy and investment decisions.
Research
Projects
Herbert Integrated Program - comms support
30 Nov 2025 - 28 Mar 2027
Mary Integrated Project: Upper Mary dairy water quality
27 Nov 2025 - 30 Jun 2027
NESP Project 5.11 Water quality trends analysis at key GBR basins (sediment and DIN)
01 Jul 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
Great Barrier Reef catchments historical water quality data compilation. (Old ID 27764)
03 Aug 2022 - 30 Sep 2024
Review of water quality monitoring and evaluation for DIN-focused projects. (Old ID 27773)
20 Jun 2022 - 31 Aug 2025
Provision of Specialist Environmental Support to Townsville City Council. (Old ID 27681)
26 May 2022 - 19 Apr 2023
Lady Loretta Compliance Framework Review (Old ID 27380)
15 Sep 2021 - 31 Mar 2026
Influences on inshore marine water quality in the dry season (Old ID 27285)
17 Jun 2021 - 30 Nov 2021
Water Quality & Environmental Research to Support Townsville City Council (Old ID 26868)
01 Jun 2020 - 31 Dec 2020
Mt Leyshon Receiving Environment Monitoring & Environmental Assessment. (Old ID 26869)
01 Feb 2020 - 31 Dec 2025
James Maternity Funding (Old ID 23503)
28 Jan 2017 - 31 Aug 2017
JCU and Greening Australia alliance: leaders in tropical wetland restoration (Old ID 22951)
01 Sep 2016 - 31 Dec 2017
Environmental Water Knowledge and Research: Vegetation theme (Old ID 22787)
31 May 2016 - 30 May 2019
Design & Development of Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (Old ID 22207)
30 Jun 2015 - 31 Dec 2019
Mt Leyshon REMP (Old ID 22096)
01 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2019
Output
Gruber, R.; Waterhouse, J.; Petus, C.; Lewis, S.; Howley, C.; Thompson, K.; James, C.; Logan, M.; Bove, U.; Brady, B.; Bray, L.; Choukroun, S.; Connellan, K.; Davidson, J.; Dick, E.; Massuger, J.; Mellors, J.; Molinari, B.; Moran, D.; O'Callaghan, M.; O'Dea, C.; Polglase, L.; Bushotts, M.; Shellberg, J.; White- Kiely, D.; Shiels, R.; Elisei, G.; Paxman, C.; Lei Li, S.; Li, Y.; Carswell, C.; Xia, S.; Prasad, P.; Gallen, M.; Reeks, T.; Clokey, J.E.; Jekimovs, L.J.; Marano, K.; Kaserzon, S. (2026) Marine Monitoring Program: Annual Report Inshore Water Quality Monitoring 2024-25. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Moran, D; Waterhouse, J.; Petus, C.; Howley, C.; Lewis, S.; Gruber, R.; James, C.; Logan, M.; Bove, U.; Brady, B.; Choukroun, S.; Connellan, K.; Davidson, J.; Mellors, J.; O'Dea, C.; Shellberg, J.; Dick, E.; Polglase, L.; Tracey, D.; Molinari, B.; Zagorskis, I. (2025) Marine Monitoring Program: Annual Report Inshore Water Quality Monitoring 2023-24. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Gruber, R.; Waterhouse, J.; Petus, C.; Howley, C.; Lewis, S.; Moran, D.; James, C.; Logan, M.; Bove, U.; Brady, B.; Choukroun, S.; Connellan, K.; Davidson, J.; Mellors, J.; O'Callaghan, M.; O'Dea, C.; Shellberg, C.; Tracey, D.; Zagorskis, I. (2024) Marine Monitoring Program: Annual Report Inshore Water Quality Monitoring 2022-23. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Lewis, S.; James, C.; Bainbridge, Z. (2023) Water quality signatures of pristine and near-pristine landscapes in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Moran, D.; Robson, B.; Gruber, R.; Waterhouse, J.; Logan, M.; Petus, C.; Howley, C.; Lewis, S.; Tracey, D.; James, C.; Mellors, J.; Bove, U.; Davidson, J.; Glasson, K.; Lefevre, C.; Macadam, A.; Shanahan, M.; Vasile, R.; Zagorskis, I.; Shellberg, J. (2022) Marine Monitoring Program: Annual Report for Inshore Water Quality Monitoring 2020-2021. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Waterhouse, J.; Gruber, R.; Logan, M.; Petus, C.; Howley, C.; Lewis, S.; Tracey, D.; James, C.; Mellors, J.; Tonin, H.; Skuza, M.; Costello, M.; Davison, J.; Gunn, K.; Lefevre, C.; Moran, D.; Robson, B.; Shanahan, M.; Zagorskis, I.; Shellberg, J. (2021) Marine Monitoring Program: Annual report for inshore water quality monitoring 2019-20. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Lewis, S.; Bainbridge, Z.; Stevens, T.; Garzon-George, A.; Bahador, M.; Burton, J.; Rezaei Rasht, M.; James, C.; Smithers, S.; Olley, J. (2020) What’s really damaging the Reef?: Tracing the origin and fate of the ecologically detrimental sediment and associated bioavailable nutrients. Cairns, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Campbell, CJ.; Capon, SJ.; Gehrig, SL.; James, CS.; Morris, K.; Nicol, JM.; Nielsen, DL.; Thomas, RF. (2019) Murray‒Darling Basin Environmental Water Knowledge and Research Project: Vegetation Theme Research Report. Canberra, ACT, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Paul, K.I.; Bartley, R.; Lamour, J.; Davies., M; Crawford, D.; Westley, S.; Dryden, B.; James, C. (2018) Optimising the management of riparian zones to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef: Report to the National Environmental Science Program. Cairns, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Templeman, Shelley; Baker, Ronnie; James, Cassandra (2017) Carpentaria Gold Receiving Environment Monitoring Program design version 2: report 17/33. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra; Templeman, Shelley; Burrows, Damien (2017) Townsville field training area ecological monitoring November 2016 - July 2017. Townsville, QLD, Australia:
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Capon, Samatha; James, Cassandra; Reid, Simon (2016) Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: [Edited Publication]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Mt Leyshon Mine Receiving Environment Monitoring Program Report 1 Nov 2014 to 31 Oct 2015 Vol 1 & 2
2016
Templeman, Shelley; James, Cassandra (2016) Mt Leyshon Mine Receiving Environment Monitoring Program Report 1 Nov 2014 to 31 Oct 2015 Vol 1 & 2. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Templeman, Shelley; Butler, Barry; James, Cassandra (2015) Closed Mt Leyshon Mine Lease Receiving Environment Monitoring Program 1 Nov 2013 to 31 Oct 2014 Vol 1 & 2. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Templeman, S.; James, C. (2015) Carpentaria Gold Review of Historic Information and Data Report 15/70. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Templeman, Shelley; James, Cassandra (2015) Carpentaria Gold Receiving Environment Monitoring Program Design Report 15/71. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hilbert, David W.; Hill, Rosemary; Moran, Catherine; Turton, Steve M.; Bohnet, Iris C.; Marshall, Nadine A.; Pert, Petina L.; Stoeckl, Natalie; Murphy, Helen T.; Reside, April E.; Laurance, Susan G.W.; Alamgir, Mohammed; Coles, Rob; Crowley, Gabriel; Curnock, Matthew; Dale, Allan; Duke, Norman C.; Esparon, Michelle; Farr, Marina; Gillet, Sarah; Gooch, Margaret; Fuentes, Marianna; Hamann, Mark; James, Cassandra S.; Kroon, Frederieke J.; Larson, Silva; Lyons, Pethie; Marsh, Helene; Meyer Steiger, Dagmar; Sheaves, Marcus; Westcott, David A. (2014) Key messages extracted from the Synthesis of Climate Change Issues and Impacts in the Wet Tropics NRM Cluster Region. Cairns, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hilbert, David W.; Hill, Rosemary; Moran, Catherine; Turton, Stephen M.; Bohnet, Iris C.; Marshall, Nadine A.; Pert, Petina L.; Stoeckl, Natalie; Murphy, Helen T.; Reside, April E.; Laurance, Susan G.W.; Alamgir, Mohammed; Coles, Rob; Crowley, Gabriel; Curnock, Matt; Dale, Allan; Duke, Norman C.; Esparon, Michelle; Farr, Marina; Gillet, Sarah; Gooch, Margaret; Fuentes, Mariana; Hamann, Mark; James, Cassandra S.; Kroon, Frederieke J.; Larson, Silva; Lyons, Pethie; Marsh, Helene; Meyer Steiger, Dagmar; Sheaves, Marcus; Westcott, David (2014) Climate change issues and impacts in the Wet Tropics NRM cluster region. Cairns, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Arthington, AH.; James, CS.; Mackay, SJ.; Rolls, R.; Sternberg, D.; Barnes, A. (2012) Hydro-ecological relationships and thresholds to inform environmental flow management. Brisbane: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra S.; Kuhnert, Petra; Lewis, Stephen E.; Bartley, Rebecca; Lawrence, Emma; Strauss, Jennifer; Mann, Reinier; Turner, Ryan; Bainbridge, Zoe T. (2026) 'Water quality trends in river catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef: an analysis of ∼40 years of data'. Journal of Environmental Management, . [DOI]
Puignou Lopez, Oscar; Lewis, Stephen E.; James, Cassandra S.; Davis, Aaron M.; Mackay, Stephen J. (2025) 'Hydrology of the Great Barrier Reef catchment area along a latitudinal gradient: Implications for estimating discharge'. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 61 . [DOI]
James, Cassandra; Bainbridge, Zoe; Lewis, Stephen; Clech-Goods, Celine; Mann, Reinier; Huggins, Raethea; Orr, David; Welk, Kylee; Liu, Shuci; Agnew, Gordon; Bartley, Rebecca; Bramley, Robert; Buckle, Alicia; Cogle, Lex; Cross, Matthew; Davis, Aaron; Devlin, Michelle; Eyre, Bradley D.; Faithful, John; Furnas, Miles; Godfrey, Paul; Gruber, Renee; Hawdon, Aaron; Howley, Christina; Hunter, Heather; Kennard, Mark; Laxton, Emma; Mackay, Stephen; McJannet, David; Nash, Michael; O'Brien, Dominique; Oudyn, Fred; Pearson, Richard; Rohde, Ken; Tink, Michelle; Moss, Andrew (2025) 'Compilation of riverine water quality data from the Great Barrier Reef catchment area, northeastern Australia'. Scientific Data, 12 . [DOI]
Campbell, Cherie J.; James, Cassandra S.; Morris, Kaylene; Nicol, Jason M.; Thomas, Rachael F.; Nielsen, Daryl L.; Gehrig, Susan L.; Palmer, Gary J.; Wassens, Skye; Dyer, Fiona; Southwell, Mark; Watt, Robin J.; Bond, Nick R.; Capon, Samantha J. (2022) 'Blue, green and in-between: objectives and approaches for evaluating wetland flow regimes based on vegetation outcomes'. Marine and Freshwater Research, 73 :1212-1224.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Lewis, Stephen E.; Bartley, Rebecca; Wilkinson, Scott; Bainbridge, Zoe T.; Kinsey-Henderson, Anne; James, Cassandra S.; Irvine, Scott A.; Brodie, Jon E. (2021) 'Land use change in the river basins of the Great Barrier Reef, 1860 to 2019: a foundation for understanding environmental history across the catchment to reef continuum'. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 166 :112193-112193. [DOI]
Graham, Erin M.; Reside, April E.; Atkinson, Ian; Baird, Daniel; Hodgson, Lauren; James, Cassandra S.; VanderWal, Jeremy J. (2019) 'Climate change and biodiversity in Australia: a systematic modelling approach to nationwide species distributions'. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 26 (2):112-123. [DOI]
James, Cassandra S.; Reside, April E.; VanDerWal, Jeremy; Pearson, Richard G.; Burrows, Damien; Capon, Samatha J.; Harwood, Thomas D.; Hodgson, Lauren; Waltham, Nathan J. (2017) 'Sink or swim? potential for high faunal turnover in Australian rivers under climate change'. Journal of Biogeography, 44 (3):489-501. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Maxwell, Adam; Capon, Samatha J.; James, Cassandra S. (2016) 'Effects of flooding on seedling establishment in two Australian riparian trees with contrasting distributions; Acacia stenophylla A. Cunn. ex Benth. and Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq'. Ecohydrology, 9 (6):942-949. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra S.; Mackay, Stephen J.; Arthington, Angela H.; Capon, Samatha J.; Barnes, Anna; Pearson, Ben (2016) 'Does stream flow structure woody riparian vegetation in subtropical catchments?'. Ecology and Evolution, 6 (16):5950-5963. [DOI]
James, Cassandra S.; Capon, Samatha J.; Quinn, Gerry P. (2015) 'Nurse plant effects of a dominant shrub (Duma florulenta) on understorey vegetation in a large, semiarid wetland in relation to flood frequency and drying'. Journal of Vegetation Science, 26 (5):985-994. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Fish assemblages in subtropical rivers: low-flow hydrology dominates hydro-ecological relationships
2014
Arthington, A.H.; Rolls, R.J.; Sternberg, D.; Mackay, S.J.; James, C.S. (2014) 'Fish assemblages in subtropical rivers: low-flow hydrology dominates hydro-ecological relationships'. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (3-4):594-604. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Mackay, Stephen J.; Arthington, Angela H.; James, Cassandra S. (2014) 'Classification and comparison of natural and altered flow regimes to support an Australian trial of the Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration framework'. Ecohydrology, 7 (6):1485-1507. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Dinophyta characterise nitrogen scarcity more strongly than cyanobacteria in moderately deep lakes
2013
Fisher, Jane; James, Cassandra S.; Moore, Victoria L.; Moss, Brian (2013) 'Dinophyta characterise nitrogen scarcity more strongly than cyanobacteria in moderately deep lakes'. Acta protozoologica, 52 (3):203-216. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Mackay, Stephen J.; James, Cassandra S.; Arthington, Angel H. (2010) 'Macrophytes as indicators of stream condition in the wet tropics region, Northern Queensland, Australia'. Ecological Indicators, 10 (2):330-340. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Capon, S.J.; James, C.S.; Williams, L.; Quinn, G.P. (2009) 'Responses to flooding and drying in seedlings of a common Australian desert floodplain shrub: Muehlenbeckia florulenta Meisn. (tangled lignum)'. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 66 (2):178-185. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Fisher, Jane; Barker, Tom; James, Cassandra; Clarke, Stewart (2009) 'Water quality in chronically nutrient-rich lakes: the example of the Shropshire-Cheshire meres'. Freshwater Reviews, 2 (1):79-99. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Gippel, Christopher J.; Bond, Nick R.; James, Cassandra S.; Wang, Xiqin (2009) 'An asset-based, holistic, environmental flows assessment approach'. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 25 (2):301-330. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Wang, Xiqin; Zhang, Yuan; James, Cassandra (2009) 'Approaches to providing and managing environmental flows in China'. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 25 (2):283-300. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra S.; Thoms, Martin C.; Quinn, Gerry P. (2008) 'Zooplankton dynamics from inundation to drying in a complex ephemeral floodplain-wetland'. Aquatic Sciences, 70 (3):259-271. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra S.; Capon, Samatha J.; White, Melissa G.; Rayburg, Scott C.; Thoms, Martin C. (2007) 'Spatial variability of the soil seed bank in a heterogeneous ephemeral wetland system in semi-arid Australia'. Plant Ecology, 190 :205-217. [DOI]
James, Cassandra; Eaton, John W.; Hardwick, Keith (2006) 'Responses of three invasive aquatic macrophytes to nutrient enrichment do not explain their observed field displacements'. Aquatic Botany, 84 (4):347-353. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra; Fisher, Jane; Russell, Victoria; Collings, Sally; Moss, Brian (2005) 'Nitrate availability and hydrophyte species richness in shallow lakes'. Freshwater Biology, 50 (6):1049-1063. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Marsh, Helene; Albouy, Camille; Arraut, Eduardo; Castelblanco-Martinez, Delma Nataly; Collier, Catherine; Edwards, Holly; James, Cassandra; Keith-Diagne, Lucy (2022) 'How Might Climate Change Affect the Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Dugongs and Manatees?' In: Marsh, Helene, Albouy, Camille, Arraut, Eduardo, Castelblanco-Martinez, Delma Nataly, Collier, Catherine, Edwards, Holly, James, Cassandra, and Keith-Diagne, Lucy (2022) How Might Climate Change Affect the Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Dugongs and Manatees? In: Marsh, Helene, (ed.) Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sirenia. Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals . Springer, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 351-406(Eds.). Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sirenia. Cham, Switzerland : Springer. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Arthington, Angela H.; Mackay, Steve J.; Ronan, Mike; James, Cassandra S.; Kennard, Mark J. (2019) 'Freshwater wetlands of Moreton Bay Quandamooka and catchments:
Biodiversity, ecology, threats and management' In: Arthington, Angela H., Mackay, Steve J., Ronan, Mike, James, Cassandra S., and Kennard, Mark J. (2019) Freshwater wetlands of Moreton Bay Quandamooka and catchments: Biodiversity, ecology, threats and management. In: Tibbetts, Ian R., Rothlisberg, Peter C., Neil, David C., Homburg, Tamara A., Brewer, David T., and Arthington, Angela H., (eds.) Moreton Bay Quandamooka & Catchment: Past, present, and future. The Moreton Bay Foundation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, pp. 319-333(Eds.). Moreton Bay Quandamooka & Catchment: Past, present, and future. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia : The Moreton Bay Foundation.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra S.; Reid, Michael A.; Capon, Samatha J. (2016) 'Climate change and the future of Australian riverine vegetation' In: James, Cassandra S., Reid, Michael A., and Capon, Samatha J. (2016) Climate change and the future of Australian riverine vegetation. In: Capon, Samatha J., James, Cassandra S., and Reid, Michael, (eds.) Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. CSIRO publishing, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, pp. 387-407(Eds.). Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. Melbourne, VIC, Australia : CSIRO publishing.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Capon, Samatha J.; Porter, John; James, Cassandra S. (2016) 'Vegetation of Australia's desert river landscapes' In: Capon, Samatha J., Porter, John, and James, Cassandra S. (2016) Vegetation of Australia's desert river landscapes. In: Capon, Samatha J., James, Cassandra S., and Reid, Michael, (eds.) Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, pp. 239-258(Eds.). Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. Melbourne, VIC, Australia : CSIRO Publishing.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Capon, Samatha; James, Cassandra; George, Amy (2016) 'Riverine trees and shrubs' In: Capon, Samatha, James, Cassandra, and George, Amy (2016) Riverine trees and shrubs. In: Capon, Samatha J., James, Cassandra S., and Reid, Michael, (eds.) Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, pp. 119-141(Eds.). Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. Melbourne, VIC, Australia : CSIRO Publishing.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Mackay, Stephen J.; James, Cassandra S. (2016) 'Aquatic vascular macrophytes of Australias riverine systems' In: Mackay, Stephen J., and James, Cassandra S. (2016) Aquatic vascular macrophytes of Australias riverine systems. In: Capon, Samatha J., James, Cassandra S., and Reid, Michael, (eds.) Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, pp. 87-102(Eds.). Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management. Melbourne, VIC, Australia : CSIRO Publishing.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
James, Cassandra; Vanderwal, Jeremy; Capon, Samantha; Hodgson, Lauren; Waltham, Nathan; Ward, Doug; Anderson, Barbara; Pearson, Richard (2013) Identifying Climate Refuges for Freshwater Biodiversity Across Australia: identification and characterisation of freshwater refuges in the face of climate change. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.
Book
ResearchOnline@JCU