Catherine Collier

Dr Collier is motivated by the need for robust information on estuarine and marine habitats to support conservation. She leads research projects that fall into three broad themes:

1. where do habitats grow and where could they grow

2. how does habitat condition vary over time and what causes it to change

3. how do ecosystems stay resilient to extreme weather events and other potential impacts

Dr Collier leads habitat mapping in the Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Carpentaria and Northern Territory. Using habitat suitability modelling to complement this essential knowledge on the distribution and composition of habitats, she examines where habitats could grow and the underpinning environmental conditions that support healthy habitats. Dr Collier contributes to long-term monitoring of the inshore Great Barrier Reef seagrass habitats through the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program.

Working with Indigenous Ranger groups across Northern Australia, Dr Collier utilises consistent and comparable methods to map habitats and establish monitoring programs, delivering training as a key element of this. Research and development to improve efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness is also a substantial and ongoing feature of her mapping and monitoring activities.

Recognising that management and conservation strategies must be adaptive and accommodating of the changing climate, ecological resilience is a strong focus for Dr Collier as it is essential for maintaining healthy habitats under cumulative pressures. Her investigations include unravelling what makes seagrass habitats resilient, pinpointing key aspects that can be measured and monitored and identifying ways to enhance it. Outcomes of these projects include the development of a resilience indicator, water quality targets, light thresholds and thermal optima. She primarily uses in situ environmental monitoring, aquaria experiments and modelling for this research.

Collaboration lies at the core of Dr Collier’s research and she has built substantial working relationships with distinct teams of scientists and stakeholders including Traditional Owners and environmental managers. She enthusiastically receives enquiries from prospective Honours, Masters and PhD students interested in Marine Biology with a strong track record.