The Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) is an amalgamation of aquatic expertise from across James Cook University. It brings together over 150 research and supporting staff and over 100 post-graduate students into one cohesive research group. TropWATER provides a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary research activities by integrating JCU’s aquatic expertise into one unit, which covers the full spectrum of freshwater, estuarine and marine waters, with expertise from ecology, water quality, hydrology, engineering, physics, oceanography, modelling and resource economics.
TropWATER aims to conduct highly-recognised and influential research in fields related to water science, resource management and the ecology of water ecosystems, with a special focus on achieving sustainable use of water resource systems and water ecosystems. Our overall goal is to secure the future of water ecosystems and maintain their critical functional processes. The Centre has a strong, but not exclusive, focus on tropical water systems, both in Australia and internationally. It is concerned with major issues in water science, including water resources, water quality and aquatic biodiversity, in relation to economic, social and environmental needs, constraints and change.
Find out moreResearchers in the Freshwater Ecology Theme provide scientific advice for the management of agriculture, mining and water extraction impacts on freshwater ecosystems, including habitat protection, wetland restoration and the control of invasive species.
Researchers in the Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Theme are world leaders in research into the ecology of tropical estuaries, coastal wetlands and nearshore ecosystems, their values, and approaches to ameliorate and repair human impacts on them.
The Seagrass Ecology group specialises in tropical research with a specific interest in the Indo-Pacific region but also manages projects that extend globally. The group has a strong focus on research, advising management agencies responsible for coastal development and coastal planning decisions.
The Catchment to Reef Processes research group is one of Australia’s leading research groups in the study of environmental issues along the 'catchment to reef continuum’, from the headwaters of the Great Barrier Reef catchment to the outer reef.
The Water Quality and Contaminants group working with large-scale, regional monitoring, management, detection and prediction of water contamination brings together unique expertise to be able to deal with these complex issues of modelling, prediction and remediation of various regional scale water contamination problems.
One of the primary focuses of the Oceanography Group is the effect of sediment and nutrients on coral reefs in both natural conditions and also when dredging is occurring.
Our hydrological research focuses on the interactions between river flow and aquatic ecology; providing critical knowledge required for the management and sustainable use of surface and groundwater water resources.
Focusing on the interactions between people and aquatic systems. Engaging with local communities to learn more about the way in which humans affect and are affected by their environment.
Tropical Australia’s first large-scale seagrass restoration project begins this week in Cairns and Mourilyan, aiming to replenish more than 400 hectares of seagrass habitat devasted by cyclones ...
James Cook University scientists are studying a previously unknown manta ray aggregation at Holbourne Island – capturing photographs of the mantas' distinct markings and deploying satellite and acou...
Mangroves are nature's blue carbon powerhouses – capable of capturing and storing significant amounts of carbon – making them a vital tool in mitigating the climate crisis.They’re also biodi...
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