Tropical Water & Ecosystems

Scott Morrissey

Scott Morrissey

Tim Smith

Tim Smith

Alejandro Navarro Otero

Alejandro Navarro Otero

Jack Koci

Jack Koci

Sarah McDonald

Sarah McDonald

Emily Webster

Emily Webster

Abbi Scott

Abbi Scott

Catherine Collier

Catherine Collier

Rob Coles

Rob Coles

Aaron Davis

Aaron Davis

Applying Indigenous and western science knowledges to inform the sustainable management of a dugong and seagrass hotspot in the Girringun TUMRA (Old ID 27854)
Christophe Cleguer
28 Nov 2022 - 31 May 2024
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) are deeply concerned about potential threats and reduced resilience for the coastal environment. This project will address knowledge gaps around dugongs and seagrasses that are core to Traditional Owner’s cultural identity and traditional values; critical to the cultural, natural, socio-economic values of the Girringun Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA) and Indigenous Protected Area, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Hinchinbrook Island Dugong Protection Area. This project is a collaboration between GAC, seagrass and dugong experts from James Cook University, and Charles Darwin University to heal the Reef.
International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW12) Conference Travel Grant (Old ID 22786)
Paul York
14 Oct 2016 - 08 Dec 2016
To attend and present a research paper at the International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW12) in Nant, Gwrtheyrn, Wales 16-21st October, 2016
What's really damaging the reef? Tracing the origin and fate of the environmentally detrimental sediment (Old ID 22541)
Stephen Lewis
01 Jan 2016 - 10 Dec 2018
Recent research has shown that only a portion of the fine sediment fraction delivered from rivers draining into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon reaches coral reefs and seagrass meadows. The specific sources of this sediment, which affects the health of corals and seagrasses, are as yet unresolved. This project will, for the first time characterise and trace the origin(s) and fate of this environmentally detrimental sediment using samples collected in flood plumes and during resuspension events. This will enable direct spatial targeting of the sources of this material to achieve maximum benefits to GBR health from catchment management actions.
CSIRO - JCU Partnership - Catchment Water Quality Science (2019030726) (Old ID 26465)
Zoe Bainbridge
01 Jul 2019 - 30 Jun 2023
The CSIRO Land and Water Business Unit is seeking to engage several JCU staff to support research undertaken within the Catchment Processes Research Group. These collaborative positions will synthesise and build on the Group's scientific output within the Great Barrier Reef land management and water quality research domain. It will also strengthen out collective ability to connect land management changes (CSIRO focus) with marine impact (JCU focus).
Ravenswood Gold Environmental Research, Monitoring & Investigations. (Old ID 26949)
Shelley Templeman
30 Jun 2020 - 31 Aug 2025
Environmental monitoring, research and assessment to meet regularity assessment requirements for aquatic, riparian and terrestrial systems in the region of the Ravenswood Gold mine. In addition, there are investigations into site specific water quality and sediment quality objectives.
Mapping Marra Sea Country with a focus on benthic habitats of the Limmen Marine Park (Old ID 27076)
Catherine Collier
26 Nov 2020 - 15 Dec 2023
Understanding the distribution and composition of benthic habitats in the Limmen Marine Park is necessary to manage the park in accordance with the North Marine Parks Network Management Plan and support the aspirations of the Marra People. Our team will survey the marine benthic habitats within and adjacent to the marine park. Recommendations for the marine park’s co-management will be developed. Project outputs will be relevant to multiple users and made accessible by optimizing media streams, including a short film about the Limmen marine park from the perspective of the Marra people and sea rangers.
Rehabilitating Bare Ground in the Southern Gulf Region to Improve Drought Resilience (Old ID 27902)
Jack Koci
20 Jan 2023 - 30 Jun 2024
The project will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of bare ground rehabilitation techniques on improving drought resilience on cattle grazing properties throughout the Southern Gulf region of north-west Queensland. Detailed on-ground measurement, coupled with remote sensing techniques, will be used to evaluate changes in soil and vegetation condition as a result of rehabilitation approaches trialled. The project will be underpinned by extensive communication and engagement activities. Ultimately, the project will deliver new knowledge to support more drought resilient, sustainable and profitable cattle production in tropical north Queensland, and other parts of northern Australia.
Benthic monitoring and demersal fish surveys in Limmen Marine Park. (Old ID 29022)
Tim Smith
18 Jun 2023 - 30 Jun 2025
This project's requirements are for field work, data analysis and reporting on benthic habitat monitorings and demersal fish communities in, and connected to, Limmen Marine Park, in the South-West Gulf of Carpentaria. The objectives are: 1. Increase understanding of traditional knowledge and collaborate with Indigenous rangers and Traditional Owners to undertake marine park management, such as monitoring, including the development of bilingual maps where possible. 2. Identify any changes/trends in the condition of benthic habitats in the marine park, including seagrass, algal, sponge and coral habitats. 3. Identify demersal fish communities in and adjacent to the marine park, including consideration of key pressures on these communities and any potential management actions for mitigating impacts.
Light thresholds for seagrasses of the GBR: a synthesis and guiding document for managing seagrass (Old ID 22235)
Catherine Collier
01 Jul 2015 - 15 Mar 2016
Light levels (ie water quality/turbidity) can be managed to minimise seagrass losses. Recent attempts to define threshold levels of light required to maintain GBR seagrass state has resulted in a spectrum of recommendations with no single definitive source document to guide regulation. We will compile the available information on light thresholds into a guiding document, which will become a key reference for managers and regulators to use in generating relevant water quality guidelines and conditions for developments such as dredging programs. It will also highlight research information needs and provide interim guidelines for immediate management application.
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment of Frances Creek Operations (Old ID 22583)
Aaron Davis
18 Feb 2016 - 31 Oct 2018
Review of historic data and site visit for development of a receiving environment monitoring program for the Frances Creek Iron Ore Mine, Northern Territory.

Metal contaminants in urban stormwater runoff: composition, biological interactions and impacts

  • 2021
  • Researchers:Sarah McDonald

Modelled dispersal patterns for wood and grass charcoal are different: implications for paleofire reconstruction

Disentangling genetic from environmental effects on phenotypic variability of Southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) postlarvae

Holocene climate-fire-vegetation feedbacks in tropical savannas: Insights from the Marura sinkhole, East Arnhem Land, northern Australia

  • 2022
  • Wiley
  • Researchers:Cassandra RoweEmma RehnChris WursterMichael Bird

Tidal restoration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater impounded coastal wetlands

Constructed Wetlands Suitability for Sugarcane Profitability, Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

How Might Climate Change Affect the Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Dugongs and Manatees?

Temporal variation of imidacloprid concentration and risk in waterways discharging to the Great Barrier Reef and potential causes

Genetic Detection and a Method to Study the Ecology of Deadly Cubozoan Jellyfish

  • 2022
  • MDPI
  • Researchers:Scott MorrisseyDean Jerry

Coral restoration and adaptation in Australia: The first five years

Title: Ports North, Ports North supports an annual monitoring program conducted by James Cook University (JCU) in Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet, as well as at our other ports, such as Karumba, Mourilyan and Thursday Island. By using helicopters and underwater cameras on boats, the seagrass meadows are mapped and assessed for any changes.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2026
Title: Gladstone Ports Corporation, The purpose of the Long-term Maintenance Dredging Management Plan (LMDMP) is to address operational needs, environmental risks, monitoring and adaptive management actions specific to the Port of Gladstone whilst ensuring the ongoing sustainability of maintenance dredging within the port.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2030
Title: North Queensland Bulk Ports, Partnering with scientists at James Cook University (JCU), NQBP has been collecting data on seagrass growth around our port sites for more than 20 years. In addition to informing our own environmental activities and port operations, our data has contributed to advances in an international body of seagrass knowledge through JCU's academic research and regional report cards developed to help monitor the health of our waterways.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2014
End Date: 01 Jan 2030
Title: Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service contracted James Cook University to conduct surveys and research on the impacts to and resilience of seagrass in Great Sandy Marine Park. This important surveying and research help government understand the impacts to seagrass from the 2022 flooding events and its ability to recovery.
Reseracher: Carissa Reason (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
End Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: Master of Science - Botany, James Cook University
Reseracher: Norm Duke (Senior Research Scientist)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1981
End Date: 01 Jan 1984
Title: Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University
Reseracher: Norm Duke (Senior Research Scientist)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1986
End Date: 01 Jan 1988
Title: Bachelor of Science with Honours, James Cook University
Reseracher: Norm Duke (Senior Research Scientist)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1973
End Date: 01 Jan 1973
Title: Editor of the SeDNAS PeerJ Hub
Reseracher: Cecilia Villacorta Rath (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Higher Degree By Research Committee
Reseracher: Jack Koci (Principal Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2022
End Date: 01 Jan 2023
Title: Conference co-chair
Reseracher: Sarah McDonald (Senior Research Officer)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
End Date: 01 Jan 2023