Tropical Water & Ecosystems
Scott Morrissey
- Research Officer
- scott.morrissey@jcu.edu.au
Tim Smith
- Senior Research Officer
- tim.smith2@jcu.edu.au
Alejandro Navarro Otero
- Casual Research Worker
- alejandro.navarrootero@jcu.edu.au
Jack Koci
- Principal Research Officer
- jack.koci1@jcu.edu.au
Sarah McDonald
- Senior Research Officer
- sarah.mcdonald@jcu.edu.au
Emily Webster
- Research Officer
- emily.webster1@jcu.edu.au
Abbi Scott
- Senior Research Officer
- abbi.scott1@jcu.edu.au
Catherine Collier
- Principal Research Officer
- catherine.collier@jcu.edu.au
Rob Coles
- Principal Research Scientist
- rob.coles@jcu.edu.au
Aaron Davis
- Principal Research Officer
- aaron.davis@jcu.edu.au
The role of seagrass dispersal by marine mega-herbivores, dugong (Dugong dugon) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). (Old ID 22411)
This project will investigate the dispersal mechanisms of tropical seagrasses and determine which mechanisms are most effective for long distance dispersal. It will examine whether marine mega-herbivores (dugongs and green sea turtles) disperse seagrass seeds through their fecal matter and whether those seeds are viable. It will determine how long seagrass fragments, created by abiotic and biotic mechanisms, remain viable and establish new meadows. This information will be used to model which seagrass meadows are at greater risk of slow recovery after a large scale loss. This recovery model will have the potential to highlight which seagrass meadows rely solely on dispersal by marine mega-herbivores for recovery.
Building strategic partnerships to address climate change in marine ecosystems
This project will forge a strategic Australia–UAE partnership to develop science that can support climate-ready marine management, co-design monitoring frameworks for marine protected areas using cutting-edge technology, and strengthen long-term research capacity through reciprocal institutional exchanges built on shared scientific priorities.
Enhancing biosecurity efforts in the Torres Strait: Science for Caring for Country
This project aims to engage Indigenous rangers from two Torres Strait islands, a high-biosecurity region, in hands-on workshops on environmental DNA methods, a technology that is transforming biosecurity monitoring
Macroinvertebrate Taxonomy and Biological Monitoring (Old ID 27918)
Biological sorting an identification of macroinvertebrates from Kakadu national Park in support of research and monitoring programs for the Supervising Scientist Branch.
Seagrass Monitoring and Research Ports North
Ports North in partnership with James Cook University’s TropWATER Seagrass Ecology Group have been engaged in seagrass monitoring and research programs in the Ports of Cairns, Mourilyan, Karumba and Thursday Island since at least 2001. The monitoring programs involve annual surveys that are conducted between October and December each year (Thursday Island is conducted in February/March).
underpinning major research initatives and our understanding of tropical seagrass ecology. The monitoring programs:
• Provide a regular update of the marine environmental health of the ports
• Satisfy commitments linked to maintenance dredging and sea disposal approvals
• Provide an assessment of seagrass condition and resilience to inform port management.
In addition to monitoring, the program is utilised and leveraged for broader initiatives and contributions for joint research and activities including providing:
• A key information feed and contribution to regional report cards including Wet Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waterways and for Torres Strait Reporting
• A link to Traditional Owner participation in environmental monitoring and research
• A range of value-added seagrass research projects including leveraged funding from Australian Government and industry funded research programs investigating seagrass recovery and restoration
Exploring Nature Based Economies with the Lama Lama Rangers
This project aims to upskill the Lama Lama Rangers to conduct seagrass monitoring using boat based and drone methods. Using the knowledge from these surveys we aim to explore nature based economy and blue carbon opportunities on Lama Lama Sea Country.
NESP 3.5: Supporting regional planning in northern Australia: Building knowledge, skills & partnerships for understanding seagrass distribution (Old ID 29021)
Northern Australia has vast development opportunities but limited knowledge of the environment to inform decision making. This region has globally significant seagrass habitat, supporting dugong, green turtle, and commercially important fish and prawns. However, knowledge about seagrass habitats for extensive areas of the coast is limited - data is patchy or not freely available, few large-scale mapping surveys have been conducted, and even fewer seagrass long-term monitoring programs exist. This project will address these problems by: 1. Mapping selected benthic habitats, with a focus on seagrass, using methods consistent with previous and ongoing surveys in northern Australia. 2. Establishing a benchmark of seagrass habitats for Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities, rangers, management agencies, ports, industry, and researchers to assess change. 3. Partnering with management agencies and ranger groups to co-design mapping and monitoring methods in remote areas that use new technology such as drones. 4. Compiling and synthesizing historical seagrass data into a publicly available spatial database to create a permanent record. 5. Interpreting and reporting on survey findings, including providing advice on options for establishing monitoring programs.
Addressing Whitsunday turbidity issues through sediment source tracing
JCU Internal Grant Support Scheme - MCR. Please see attached Application Form.
Blue carbon under heatwave: how vegetation governs greenhouse gas exchange in coastal wetlands under extreme heat
Coastal wetlands store globally significant 'blue carbon', yet their response to intensifying heatwaves is poorly understood. The work develops a mechanistic understanding of how warming reshapes coastal wetland carbon function, informing blue carbon accounting, conservation, and Australia's climate commitments.
Molongle Creek Seagrass Monitoring (Old ID 22917)
The aim of this research is to survey seagrass habitats in areas around Molongle Creek. The objectives include conducting seagrass assessments, comparing results of previous surveys and assessing changes in seagrass distribution and abundance in relation to natural events or human induced activities.
Coral decline threatens fish biodiversity in marine reserves
- 2004
- National Academy of Sciences
- Researchers:Maya Srinivasan
Mid-late Holocene sea-level variability in eastern Australia
- 2008
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Stephen Lewis
Start Date:
01 Jan 2023
End Date:
01 Jan 2024
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
Title:
Editorial Board Chemosphere
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2026
End Date:
01 Jan 2026
Title:
PhD, James Cook University
Start Date:
01 Jan 2011
End Date:
01 Jan 2015
Start Date:
01 Jan 2005
End Date:
01 Jan 2007
Start Date:
01 Jan 2021
End Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
End Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2024
End Date:
01 Jan 2024