Cassandra James
- cassandra.james@jcu.edu.au
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4886-787X- Senior Research Scientist
- Tropical Water & Ecosystems
Projects
16
Publications
44
Awards
0
Contact Details
Senior Research Officer
Biography
Cassie James is a senior research officer and vegetation ecologist with the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) at James Cook University in Townsville. Dr James research encompasses the ecology and management of riparian, floodplain and wetland vegetation. Cassie has also worked on the impacts of climate change on the biodiversity of freshwater biota.
She has collaborated on several monitoring and evaluation projects across the Great Barrier reef catchment area and, more broadly, across Queensland and New South Wales. Cassie has worked on a diverse array of projects and contract research for industry and government to monitor and manage the influences of mining, agriculture and urban activities on aquatic ecosystems. Cassie couples strong field skills with expertise in compiling and manipulating large ecological datasets for analysis and visualization including the use of GIS and high performance computing. She specializes in the handling of "big data", the development of QA/QC protocols to asses the quality of data and the analysis, presentation and archiving of water quality data. Cassie has led several TropWATER projects and regularly coordinates across multi-disciplinary research teams.
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
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]
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
Review of the TFTA aquatic ecological monitoring program and update to the site specific guidelines
2018
James, C.S.; Templeman, S. (2018) Review of the TFTA aquatic ecological monitoring program and update to the site specific guidelines. Townsville: [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]
James, Cassandra; Templeman, Shelley; Burrows, Damien (2017) Townsville field training area ecological monitoring November 2016 - July 2017. Townsville, QLD, Australia:
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
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
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; James, Cassandra (2015) Carpentaria Gold Receiving Environment Monitoring Program Design Report 15/71. 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
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
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
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]
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.; 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
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
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
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
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