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

Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project Synthesis Report (Old ID 23203)
Stephen Lewis
09 Feb 2017 - 30 Jun 2017
Extensive science has been conducted in the catchments of the wet tropics region with the aim of improving water quality in the Great Barrier Reef. This project aims to compile and synthesise this information for the Johnstone and Tully Catchments. The synthesis will utilize and integrate extensive existing biophysical, land management practice, social and economic data with the aim of generating new and increased understanding of the current status and options for the future. It will be used in conjunction with feasibility studies to inform decision making around the best location and mix of on-ground actions to reduce nutrient and pesticide loads.
Marine Plant Habitat Survey and Monitoring Program (GCWA SRMP-002) (Old ID 22500)
Paul York
15 Jul 2015 - 30 Apr 2016
The aim of this research is to map & monitor seagrass habitats in areas around the Gold Coast. The objectives include comparing results of previous monitoring and baseline surveys and assessing any changes in seagrass distribution and abundance in relation to natural events or human induced activities.
Marine Plant Habitat Survey and Monitoring Program (GCWA SRMP-002) (Old ID 22500)
Skye McKenna
15 Jul 2015 - 30 Apr 2016
The aim of this research is to map & monitor seagrass habitats in areas around the Gold Coast. The objectives include comparing results of previous monitoring and baseline surveys and assessing any changes in seagrass distribution and abundance in relation to natural events or human induced activities.
Mapping South East Arnhem Land Sea Country - Intertidal (Old ID 27885)
Catherine Collier
11 Nov 2022 - 30 Jun 2023
Understanding the location and extent of ecological and cultural values in Sea Country is necessary to support the aspirations of South East Arnhem Land (SEAL) people and further their connection with Sea Country through sustainable resource management. The proposed SEAL Sea Country IPA has high biodiversity values, including extensive habitat for large foraging populations of dugong and turtles which depend on healthy seagrass. Historical seagrass data, dugong aerial surveys (2019), recent surveys in adjacent Marra Sea Country (2021) and the Yanyuwa IPA (2021-22) indicate that extensive areas of seagrass habitat also occur in the SEAL IPA. However, there are no recent maps of seagrass habitat in the IPA. This project will assist the Aboriginal Traditional Owners to protect, maintain and sustainably manage Aboriginal land/ and sea country within the proposed SEAL Marine Indigenous Protected Area by providing base line bilingual maps, GIS and report of seagrass and other benthic habitats.
Mapping South East Arnhem Land Sea Country - Intertidal (Old ID 27885)
Carissa Reason
11 Nov 2022 - 30 Jun 2023
Understanding the location and extent of ecological and cultural values in Sea Country is necessary to support the aspirations of South East Arnhem Land (SEAL) people and further their connection with Sea Country through sustainable resource management. The proposed SEAL Sea Country IPA has high biodiversity values, including extensive habitat for large foraging populations of dugong and turtles which depend on healthy seagrass. Historical seagrass data, dugong aerial surveys (2019), recent surveys in adjacent Marra Sea Country (2021) and the Yanyuwa IPA (2021-22) indicate that extensive areas of seagrass habitat also occur in the SEAL IPA. However, there are no recent maps of seagrass habitat in the IPA. This project will assist the Aboriginal Traditional Owners to protect, maintain and sustainably manage Aboriginal land/ and sea country within the proposed SEAL Marine Indigenous Protected Area by providing base line bilingual maps, GIS and report of seagrass and other benthic habitats.
Seagrass surveys in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland (Old ID 29024)
Catherine Collier
15 Jun 2023 - 01 May 2024
The proposed work is for marine habitat mapping in the in the Thuwathu/Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Area (TBIPA). Benthic habitats for this area have not been surveyed for more than 15 years and so it is considered a high priority for a comprehensive survey. This will expand the scope (i.e. coverage) of planned benthic habitat surveys currently funded by Parks Australia for the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park (GOCMP) into the adjacent IPA. Therefore, the proposed project is supported by Parks Australia who have confirmed that this work is outside the scope of their funded work, but complements and enhances their work program given the importance of this area for marine turtle and dugong foraging and to the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadilt and Gangalida Peoples. Funding will be used to procure a helicopter for surveying intertidal areas, and for staff time to undertake the surveys, process the data and deliver the outcomes including a ‘baseline’ map on which rangers can continue to monitor benthic habitat condition and to improve their negotiation on resource condition and use with other stakeholders in the region.
TFTA Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program (2016/2017). (Old ID 23057)
Shelley Templeman
30 Oct 2016 - 31 Jan 2022
This project continues the long standing monitoring that TropWATER has undertaken for Defence that incorporates water quality (including standard physio chemical, nutrients and metals), aquatic ecosystems on the Townsville Field Training Area. It will also report on previous years monitoring (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) and provide an overall review of ambient monitoring at TFTA in light of more than 20 years of ambient water quality monitoring data.
NESP 4.11: Scaling-up long-term seagrass restoration in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Paul York
05 Feb 2024 - 04 Jan 2027
There is an urgent community-driven need to develop appropriate seagrass restoration approaches at scale for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI). Fast-tracking larger-scale restoration research is required to prevent imminent collapse and functional extinction of seagrasses at CKI due to past disturbance and current green turtle grazing pressure. This project builds on pilot studies to design and establish a network of larger-scale turtle exclusion areas where locally appropriate restoration approaches can be refined. At the same time, this will provide “seagrass refuges” to initiate recovery, monitor ecological effects, and provide for future restoration efforts. The project has been co-developed with the CKI community and Parks Australia, addressing their highest research priority identified in the newly established Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park. The project will provide an action plan for ongoing interventions and strategies to future-proof local seagrasses and support seagrass-dependent species, such as green turtles and fish, in the long term.
Seagrass Restoration Opportunities in the Russell-Mulgrave Basin & Mutcharoo Inlet
Paul York
28 Jun 2024 - 09 Jan 2026
Conduct seagrass assessments and identify restoration opportunities in the Russell Mulgrave / Wanjuru Yidinji Country, including training and workshops with Traditional Owners
Tiwi Islands seagrass surveys and development of ranger-led monitoring program
Alexandra Carter
01 Mar 2024 - 30 Jun 2027
Tiwi People aspire for a healthy, managed Sea Country and to establish an integrated Marine IPA (MIPA). Tiwi Sea Country estate has high cultural and biodiversity significance, but this is poorly documented. The presence of important species such as dugong and turtle is known, but habitats important to these species has not been quantified. Collecting data efficiently and co-designing monitoring that rangers can maintain in their workplans is a priority of the Tiwi rangers. Subtidal seagrass needs to be mapped and monitoring of these habitats designed for rangers to implement. We will: • Participate in On-country consultations and knowledge sharing sessions (timing to be determined) • Co-design subtidal benthic habitat surveys with Tiwi Resources • Undertake benthic habitat surveys using a drop camera in collaboration with Tiwi sea rangers • Analyse drop camera images, create maps and prepare draft data report • Co-design and undertake two years of monitoring in collaboration with Tiwi sea rangers • Purchase underwater camera system for Tiwi sea rangers • Contribute to progress reports from Tiwi Resources to the Northern Territory Government as needed

Key messages extracted from the Synthesis of Climate Change Issues and Impacts in the Wet Tropics NRM Cluster Region

Phylogeographic pattern of Rhizophora (Rhizophoraceae) reveals the importance of both vicariance and long-distance oceanic dispersal to modern mangrove distribution

Seagrass viviparous propagules as a potential long-distance dispersal mechanism

Contrasting recovery of shallow and deep water seagrass communities following climate associated losses in tropical north Queensland, Australia

  • 2014
  • Elsevier
  • Researchers:Michael RasheedSkye McKennaAlexandra Carter

Tropical dairy pasture yield and nitrogen cycling: effects of fertiliser rate and a nitrification inhibitor

Fish assemblages in subtropical rivers: low-flow hydrology dominates hydro-ecological relationships

Responses to flooding and drying in seedlings of a common Australian desert floodplain shrub: Muehlenbeckia florulenta Meisn. (tangled lignum)

Macrophytes as indicators of stream condition in the wet tropics region, Northern Queensland, Australia

Classification and comparison of natural and altered flow regimes to support an Australian trial of the Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration framework

Approaches to providing and managing environmental flows in China

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