Each year, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) to acknowledge the contributions of the many women monitoring, researching, restoring, and protecting tropical ecosystems. We spoke with seven TropWATER scientists – with expertise spanning water quality, seagrass ecology, and marine megafauna – about their experiences, careers, and challenges they have faced as women working in science. Read on to learn more about Dr Shelley Templeman , Carissa, Reason , Dr Emily Webster , Jane Waterhouse , Professor Helene Marsh , Dr Jane Mellors , and Megan Proctor . Dr Shelley Templeman Dr Shelley Templeman’s work focuses on monitoring and understanding how ecosystem drivers influence aquatic ecology. This includes assessing water, sediment, macroinvertebrates, and vegetation along with climate and land use information, and running regular training courses for industry, government, NRM groups, Indigenous Rangers, schools, and community groups. Throughout my career I have worked with some amazing people (within the scientific and local communities) and their knowledge sharing has helped me become the scientist I am today. What led you to a career in science? Curiosity – I spent my childhood asking my parents “but why?” When my parents couldn’t answer the questions, I went to books (this pre-dated the internet). When they couldn’t help, I tried working it out for myself and kept going until I am where I am today (and still asking “why?”). What’s the best part of your job? The unpredictability of my career is the best part and because of that, I have had the opportunity to work in so many incredibly beautiful locations that very few people have ever seen. I have worked from the equator (West Papua) to Antarctica, and remote locations across northern Australia. What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? Science has made many improvements during my career but there are still some significant unconscious biases that exist. Sometimes this comes from community stakeholders who look behind you for a man as the project leader when you start a new program. Sometimes it is the perception that female scientists need more help to apply for new opportunities and are therefore expected to jump through more hoops to apply for these opportunities. Carissa Reason Carissa Reason manages statewide seagrass monitoring programs and researches seagrass ecology, biology, and physiology. Her work focuses on assessing ecological health, the impacts of human activities, and the effectiveness of restoration and mitigation efforts. What led you to a career in science? I grew up on a cattle/farming property in central Queensland and knew I would always need to have animals and nature as part of my workplace.  A Zoology degree at JCU in Cairns cemented that pathway and led me firstly into monitoring fisheries resources for the Queensland Government and then into seagrass monitoring for TropWATER. What’s the best part of your job? What I love most about my job is the mix of adventure and analysis. I get to visit stunning, remote places to assess seagrass, spending long days on boats out on the water and in helicopters doing aerial assessments and having unforgettable wildlife encounters. Then I come back to the office to process and report on the data and recharge before heading out on the next adventure. What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? One of the biggest challenges for me has been balancing being a mum with the travel and workload that come with a career in science. Taking time away for parental leave creates gaps in professional development and missed opportunities, and catching up can feel daunting. Having a supportive team has made a huge difference, helping me stay connected and continue moving forward. Dr Emily Webster Dr Emily Webster’s research is focused on the spatial ecology of threatened marine megafauna, particularly sea turtles. She works closely with government and Traditional Owners and wants to know how future climate change may affect the habitats that turtles rely on so we can allocate resources for effective habitat protection. What led you to a career in science? When I started my undergraduate degree I experimented with the arts – music, philosophy, and languages – but I found my first-year biology lectures were the most compelling, challenging my worldview and my understanding of ethics, human behaviour and our relationship with nature. I was also captivated by fieldtrips to amazing places that most people will never have the opportunity to visit, and close encounters with wildlife. Now, I am deeply concerned about climate change and the trajectory of our planet and want to contribute to positive environmental change.   What’s the best part of your job? Through my work I’m connected with people who are passionate, driven, conscientious, and deeply connected to nature. I love that my job is to be inquisitive and learn as much as I can. What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? I have found it challenging to develop the confidence to speak out in a room of more qualified people or do things differently in an established system. Self-promotion and self-advocacy don’t come naturally to me either. I’m curious about how other women navigate career interruptions and keep up competitive grant and publication profiles while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Jane Waterhouse Jane Waterhouse translates science for water quality management, from the catchment to the reef. Since 1998, she has been involved in many projects requiring a synthesis of the latest science to help managers make decisions. Jane has led the inshore water quality monitoring component of the Marine Monitoring Program since 2016. What led you to a career in science? I am passionate about marine environments – I have always loved spending days at the beach or out on the water and have always wanted to be a part of the protection and maintenance of the incredible values of these areas. I especially love the coastal and inshore areas which are so diverse, accessible, and beautiful, and enjoy learning more about their processes and management solutions as part of my job; I feel very fortunate. What’s the best part of your job? I have had the benefit of working with many incredibly clever, kind, and generous people who are genuinely making a difference to the way the Great Barrier Reef and water quality specifically is understood and is managed, and how improvements can be delivered. That keeps me going. For me, maintaining working relationships and networks has been critical to having an interesting and successful career, as well as having a mix of tasks – there is never a dull moment! What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? I have been fortunate to have a very positive working environment. I made the decision to maintain a casual role early on to ensure I had flexible work hours to enable me to support my young family and choose projects that are of most interest to me; that has made a big difference. It was a potential risk to having an ongoing career in science – and realise it’s not an option that everyone can choose, so I am grateful that it’s worked out. Professor Helene Marsh Professor Helene Marsh is officially retired but remains very busy as a research leader and dugong expert. She currently leads the Threatened and Migratory Species and Threatened Ecological Communities initiative in the National Environmental Science Program, and continues to supervise students, deliver specialist lectures, and advise international agencies on dugong research. What led you to a career in science? I started my science degree at the University of Queensland with the intention of becoming a neuroscientist. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to undertake an independent psychology research project in my first year. I spent far too much time on this project, even though it wasn’t worth many marks. By the end of first year, I knew I didn’t want to be a neuroscientist, but I had discovered that I absolutely loved doing independent research. From then on, I was hooked and took every possible opportunity to do research projects as part of my degree. I am now a strong advocate for giving undergraduate students the opportunity to undertake research. What’s the best part of working in science? Making a difference. Discovering new knowledge, advising policymakers (I have provided advice to 14 countries), supporting research students (I have supervised more than 60 PhD candidates to completion), meeting inspiring people, and travelling to fascinating places – often countries within the dugong’s range. What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? My biggest early challenge was bias against women in science. I still have a copy of a letter I received when I applied for my first job as a fisheries officer, stating that it was not government policy to employ women because fisheries officers had to drive boats, camp with fishermen, and carry heavy gear. I had my first child before finishing my PhD (not a great idea, despite having a very supportive partner) and worked part-time for several years while I had major child-rearing responsibilities. The greatest challenge then was being taken seriously as a scientist. Once I had a permanent position and my children were older, being a woman was no longer perceived as a problem. Nonetheless, there were many times when I was told I only obtained positions because I was a woman. Fortunately, such prejudices are now far less common. Dr Jane Mellors Dr Jane Mellors coordinates the field operations of a small team, collecting water samples during routine monitoring and from plumes during flood events between Gladstone and Cairns. Each trip involves boating, sample filtering in a field lab, submitting samples for analysis, downloading from instrumentation, and entering data. What led you to a career in science? As a child I was always poking around in rock pools, then in grade 10 I had this amazing biology teacher Dr Stren who was a marine biologist on sabbatical from the University of Palau. She was inspirational and most of our studies that year were on marine invertebrates – I was hooked. What’s the best part of your job? The best part is the diversity of locations/Sea Country I get to experience during the course of collecting the water samples, and the variety of activities involved getting all the samples to their end point. What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? I have faced many challenges throughout my 42-year career in science. Early in my career, I encountered discriminatory attitudes toward women in the field. As my career progressed, balancing the demands of scientific work with family life – particularly when my child was young – required constant negotiation and resilience. Throughout, I also navigated the increasing competitiveness for research funding and the persistent pressure of the “publish or perish” culture. Megan Proctor Megan Proctor plans remote research trips and assists large-scale marine habitat mapping for coastal ecosystems across northern Australia. Some days, she’s flying around in a helicopter or dropping a camera off a boat, while many other days she is analysing images, creating flyers to share findings with local communities, and writing reports. What led you to a career in science? I grew up on the east coast in the US, spending summers at the beach and exploring tidal flats. I had a constant curiosity about the natural world and a special love of the ocean. As I got older, I was interested in the interaction between people and their environment and how science is communicated – I was convinced that if more people knew how amazing and important our ocean ecosystems are, then more people would take action to protect them. My first trip to Australia and diving on the Great Barrier Reef cemented my path and I’ve had the privilege of working across many different areas of marine science including science communication, tourism, and research. What’s the best part of your job? The best part of my job is being surrounded by incredibly passionate and intelligent people doing meaningful work, constantly learning new things and exploring remote regions of Australia. I have the great privilege of working with many Indigenous Rangers and Traditional Owners; being invited onto their Land and Sea Country and trusted with their knowledge and stories is a unique opportunity I will never take for granted. It is interesting, inspiring, and very fulfilling work! What are some of the challenges as a woman working in science? My early experiences showed me that higher levels of science were often dominated by men and characterised by competition, ego, and a work-work-work mentality. That environment didn’t appeal to me and at times I doubted if there was space for me to thrive in this field. Fortunately, I have had wonderful women mentors along my journey, and their example and encouragement led me to persevere and carve a path that suited me without compromising my values. I am grateful for the collaborative and supportive culture of my team at TropWATER that allows for personal and professional development, high-quality work, and a more manageable work-life balance.

The sun was gradually rising in shades of warm golds and vibrant oranges, casting a soft ethereal glow onto the water. While lost in the ocean's serene beauty, I noticed a dark shape moving in the water and coming to the surface. This was the moment I saw a dugong for the first time, on a boat at Cleveland Bay with researchers from JCU TropWATER. My name is Alessa. I am a Year 10 student attending St Catherine's Catholic College in Proserpine, Whitsundays. I was given the opportunity to complete my work experience with the Marine Megafauna team at James Cook University’s TropWATER, who are leaders in dugong research. Throughout the week, I was introduced to a wonderful and inspiring team and participated in a wide range of activities related to marine science and science communication – two fields which reflect my love for the ocean, writing, and the environment. In this blog, I would love to share a glimpse of my experiences from this unforgettable week. A 5am start to find dugongs with Sarah and Luisa Imagine waking up at 5am, 300 km from home, to embark on what would become an unforgettable boat trip to Cleveland Bay. I joined Dr Melanie Hamel, PhD student Sarah Landeo, and research assistant Luisa Schramm – in hope to encounter the majestic ‘sea cow’. For the very first time in my life, I watched dugongs swim in the ocean. I was astounded. Amazed. Speechless. Not only did I get to observe a dugong so close to the boat, but I got to see a mamma dugong and her baby calf. I was taken by surprise by how cute and graceful dugongs are – given they weigh more than 450kg. Dugongs are far heavier and far more elusive than they seem. They are the only marine mammal that is herbivorous – feeding almost entirely on seagrass. Dugongs can spend more than 15 hours a day feeding on hidden seagrass meadows, only surfacing occasionally for a breath. Because of this, they can be challenging to find. On the boat, while preparing the gear, Sarah explained how drone aerial surveys can detect dugongs in small areas. By flying the drone over Cleveland Bay, she was able to detect the dugongs and capture pictures while they surfaced for breath – assessing their health and overall condition. My job was to help record the data, such as the take-off and landing time of the drone, environmental factors such as water visibility, and observations on the dugong behaviour and physical condition. I even got to launch the drone a couple of times, using gloves to protect my hands from the churning propellers. The team taught me a lot about dugongs. Did you know that when dugongs feed, they create something known as a sediment plume? As dugongs pull seagrass from the seabed, sediments rise to the surface and create a cloudy patch that can indicate to scientists that there was, or may still be, a dugong feeding in the area. Dugongs also have tusks. These tusks are located from the top of their skull to their mouth but are only visible in mature males and extremely old females. Getting personal with turtles In the morning, I met with Dr Emily Webster to discuss her research on tracking turtles and dugongs. This project is working with Traditional Owners to understand where green turtles travel in the Whitsundays, and how the environment influences these behaviours. Turtle trackers are used by scientists to record the migration and behaviour of turtles over long distances. When the turtle surfaces for a breath, the tracker emits signals which are recorded by a satellite and downloaded for analysis. Today, it was my job to paint these trackers with a layer of an anti-fouling paint. This is to avoid unwanted growth of marine organisms that may interfere with the device’s performance. The trackers are then attached to the turtles with a strong, cement-like adhesive to prevent them from detaching during the tracking period.  In the afternoon, I went to JCU’s Turtle Health Research facility, Caraplace. Here, I was shown how 13 loggerhead turtles are cared for each day – including the most enjoyable task: feeding the turtles. I was quick to learn that they all had their own separate personalities – my favourite being three-year-old Turbo. His confident and playful nature set him apart from the other turtles. Until getting up close with the turtles that day, I never realised their striking resemblance to dinosaurs. Everything from their beaks to the intricate patterns on their shells harboured similarities to these prehistoric creatures. This week at TropWATER has not only strengthened my passion for marine science but has also opened my eyes to the diverse roles, responsibilities, and people that make up this incredible field. From feeding loggerhead turtles to watching a dugong glide gracefully through the water, every moment has left a lasting impact. I’m walking away with new knowledge, unforgettable memories, and an even greater determination to protect our oceans.

A $7.5 million partnership between North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) and James Cook University (JCU) will deliver a five-year program to advance marine science across four ports, led by JCU TropWATER. Building on a decade of nationally recognised collaboration, the partnership will deliver world class monitoring, research, education and training. It will also expand into new areas such as marine habitat restoration research, marine animal studies such as dugongs and turtles, and increasing Traditional Owner engagement. NQBP CEO Brendan Webb said the new partnership solidifies NQBP’s long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and collaboration. “As the only port authority managing three ports within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, we take our environmental and social responsibilities in these iconic surroundings seriously,” Mr Webb said. “This partnership represents the gold standard for how industry and research institutions can work together to protect and understand the environment. “Together, we’ve delivered world-class monitoring, empowered Traditional Owner engagement, and fostered the next generation of marine scientists. This renewed partnership ensures we build on those achievements into the future.” JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Professor Jenny Seddon said the partnership continued to demonstrate the real-world impact of JCU’s research. “Our collaboration with NQBP shows how industry and universities can work together and embed scientific expertise into core port operations to deliver real and lasting benefits to the environment, communities and industry,” Professor Seddon said. TropWATER's Professor Michael Rasheed, JCU’s co-director of the program, said at its core the partnership supports world class research and monitoring, including one of the world’s longest continuous running seagrass monitoring program. “These programs have led to breakthrough knowledge on how coastal ecosystems function including developing tools for their effective management and approaches to restoration of seagrass meadows that can be applied throughout tropical Queensland and the Indo-Pacific,” Professor Rasheed said. “The program reaches well beyond the ports themselves with results fed into regional reporting on waterway health and advancing science and management. This is a great example of how research and industry partnerships can benefit society,” he said. TropWATER's Associate Professor Nathan Waltham said the partnership is a model for how industry and research can work together to deliver real-world outcomes. “We’re proud to be training the next generation of marine scientists and delivering the data and solutions needed for resilient, thriving port environments,” Associate Professor Waltham said. “It also provides extraordinary opportunities for our students and researchers to work at the forefront of marine science.”

TropWATER, James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, brings together leading researchers to tackle critical environmental issues. We provide science-based solutions to industries, communities, and governments for managing, protecting, and restoring tropical ecosystems. About us We provide science based solutions to tackle critical environmental issues in tropical ecosystems. TropWATER, James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, brings together over 150 leading researchers. We provide science-based solutions to industries, communities, and governments for managing, protecting, and restoring tropical ecosystems. Our mission Our mission is to conduct influential research in water science, resource management, and aquatic ecology, focusing on sustainable use and preservation of water ecosystems. Our research covers water quality, fish and marine mammals, seagrass, coral reefs, mangroves, freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems, biosecurity and Indigenous training and capacity-building. With a strong focus on tropical water systems in Australia and internationally, TropWATER uses the latest technologies and advanced research methods to addresses key issues, while balancing economic, social, and environmental needs. James Cook University TropWATER is an amalgamation of aquatic expertise from across James Cook University. It brings together over 150 research and supporting staff and over 100 postgraduate students into one cohesive group. This provides a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary research activities that integrate JCU’s aquatic expertise, spanning freshwater, estuarine, and marine waters, with expertise from ecology, water hydrology, engineering, physics, oceanography, modelling, and resource economics. Who we work with Our scientists take pride in maintaining and developing strong relationships with all levels of communities, governments, industries, First Nations people, and non-government organisations. Working together allows us to address environmental impacts of joint concern and achieve common goals to help create a more sustainable future in tropical environments. Traditional Owners and Indigenous Rangers Traditional Owners and Indigenous Rangers are key partners in many ongoing TropWATER projects. Our collaborations include mapping seagrass and coral reefs on sea Country, conducting Traditional Owner-led dugong surveys, monitoring mangrove shorelines, performing eDNA monitoring of invasive species, and participating in wetland protection initiatives, among many other activities. Industries Our work with industry spans tourism, agriculture, mining, and ports. Examples include identifying management practices that improve water quality leaving farms, co-designing robust ecological monitoring programs to help companies proactively reduce risks of negatively impacting aquatic environments, and providing management tools for environmental protection of seagrass habitats. Landholders We work with landholders, including cane farmers and graziers, to understand how, when, and where sediment and nutrients moves from the land into key catchments, reducing loads of fine sediment and nutrient reaching the Great Barrier Reef. This work helps growers adopt progressive practices to improve water quality. We also research the most effective methods to incentivise wetland and catchment restoration opportunities for landholders by leveraging ecosystem service markets. Governments Our work is instrumental in informing management and policymakers at local, state, and federal levels. We advise government on water quality conditions in the Great Barrier Reef, coastal restoration, blue carbon, dugong population dynamics, water security risks and seagrass health. We also advise defence management, providing critical insights for sustainable environmental management and policy development. Conservation and non-government organisations We actively collaborate with conservation and non-government organisations, including Greening Australia and Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, to advance environmental goals. These partnerships focus on restoration projects, citizen science programs, and advocacy efforts to promote sustainable practices and protect aquatic ecosystems. Other universities and research institutions We collaborate with various universities and research institutions across all our research fields. This includes partnerships with experts in genetics, water quality, e-DNA, and drone-based morphometrics. Our collaborations extend to CSIRO, AIMS, UQ, CQU, CDU, numerous State Government Departments and the CRC for Northern Australia, on diverse environmental projects. Explore the experiences of women working in science, supporting healthy turtle hatchlings, community action for water quality, and more. Issue 1 2026 ACCESS Explore our partnership bringing marine science advances to ports, findings of a landmark dugong report, our latest award achievements, and more. Issue 4 2025 ACCESS Explore how we're assessing recovery of grazing lands after flooding, leading eDNA science, using hovercraft for seagrass restoration, and more. Issue 3 2025 ACCESS Explore how we’re boosting seagrass recovery in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, our new imagery tool for tracking coastal health, and more. Issue 2 2025 ACCESS Explore how mangroves recover after oil spills over the long-term, the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, and more. Issue 1 2025 ACCESS Explore how we’re finding ‘missing’ frogs, investigating the secret life of dugongs, finding safe passage for turtles, and more. March 2022 ACCESS Explore how we used eDNA to rediscover the iconic Irwin’s turtle, analysed satellite imagery to identify global wetland loss, and more. June 2022 ACCESS Explore how we discovered a mangrove dieback in the Gulf of Carpentaria, identified a boost in fish stocks after spearfishing restrictions, and more. October 2022 ACCESS Explore how we are boosting bushfoods, restoring seagrass, identifying a new mangrove species in India, and more. December 2022 ACCESS Explore our latest findings of a slow rise in seagrass, how we’re taking AI underwater, and more. March 2023 ACCESS Explore how we’re identifying sediment hotspots, restoring lost seagrass meadows, and more. July 2023 ACCESS Explore how we’re investigating water security challenges, surveying declines in dugong populations, and more. December 2023 ACCESS Explore how we’re locating inshore fish nurseries, scoping sites for blue carbon restoration, and more. July 2024 ACCESS Explore survey findings showing dugongs thriving in the far north, insights from the latest Scientific Consensus Statement, and more. September 2024 ACCESS Explore how we’re finding habitats favoured by crayfish, identifying clues to dugong diets using DNA, and more. December 2024 ACCESS Newsletters Programs we host TropWATER hosts several programs that support research, conservation, and management of aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on facilitating collaboration. 01 MangroveWatch MangroveWatch is a not-for-profit organisation that brings together scientists, Traditional Owners, community volunteers, government, and industry to advance the research, education, and conservation of mangrove and tidal wetland environments. MangroveWatch is an environmental health monitoring program for shorelines, encouraging community awareness and local environmental stewardship. VISIT 02 Australasian Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network The Australasian Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network was established in 2008 to connect individuals and organisations concerned about mangrove and saltmarsh intertidal wetland habitats in the region. The network promotes sustainable communication, collaboration, and community mentoring and participation in restoring and managing critically vulnerable intertidal wetlands. VISIT 03 Australian Coastal Restoration Network The Australian Coastal Restoration Network connects marine and coastal restoration specialists, researchers, practitioners, and managers for collaboration and knowledge sharing to find solutions to challenges in coastal restoration and management. The Network provides networking opportunities and resources such as a database of coastal restoration projects across Australia and New Zealand. VISIT 04 Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub The Cairns-Port Douglas Reef Hub is a collaborative network that connects individuals and organisations to share, learn, and collaborate on new approaches to care for reefs within the region. By strengthening collective capacity and driving solutions that benefit communities, the Hub aims to build more resilient coral reefs. VISIT

Advanced online tool designed to monitor and track the condition of coastal mangrove ecosystems over time. Using aerial imagery and real-time data, this tool provides insights into mangrove health, environmental changes, and conservation efforts. Easily accessible and user-friendly, it empowers researchers, conservationists, and the public to take action in protecting vital coastal habitats. Coastal health tracker What is it? We have undertaken coastline aerial surveys across northern Australia since 2009, collecting valuable, systematic, geo-referenced imagery for documenting changes occurring within shoreline ecosystems These surveys have captured thousands of high-resolution images covering around 16,000 km of shoreline, enabling us to create a web platform that showcases these aerial images. This online tool provides views of shoreline vegetation, topography, and changes through time, allowing users to monitor and evaluate changing shoreline conditions. An imagery tool for tracking coastline changes over time Our team has conducted aerial surveys across northern Australia, capturing high-resolution, overlapping images of shoreline vegetation using small helicopters. These surveys have already captured thousands of images spanning 16,000 km of shoreline from 2009 to now. This online tool makes coastal imagery datasets easily accessible, allowing users to view and inspect shoreline sites of interest and to evaluate current vegetation condition and the types of changes taking place. As we continue to monitor Australia’s shorelines, new imagery will be uploaded to this tool as it becomes available. Snapshots of coastal vegetation health Aerial surveys have been undertaken to identify major drivers of change in shoreline mangrove and tidal saltmarsh environments. Habitat condition is recorded during or after these surveys, using visual indicators of health and disturbance developed by Professor Duke. These surveys have been funded from multiple sources to assess a range of incidents including: Severe cyclone and flood damage. Rising sea levels. Restoration hotspots. Large-scale pollution events. Coastal development pressures. Monitoring assessments are crucial for effective, informed management of valuable and beneficial coastal habitats, which are increasingly threatened by a range of human- and climate-driven stressors. How this online tool can be used This online tool has been developed by our team to display high resolution, low-level, oblique aerial imagery of shoreline ecosystems like mangroves, tidal saltmarsh, coastal dunes, and sandy beaches. The tool can be used for shoreline condition monitoring, restoration project assessments, storm and flood incident evaluations, and general annual reporting on shoreline ecosystem condition. Project details The aerial surveys that produced these imagery datasets were led by Professor Norman Duke and Dr Adam Canning. Survey projects were funded by various sources including Greening Australia, the Australian Government, the National Environmental Science Program, PTTEP Australasia, and the Queensland Government’s SmartState Program. ACCESS Cadier C, Waltham NJ, Canning A, Fry S, Adame MF. Wetlands and freshwater habitats Tidal restoration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater impounded coastal wetlands. ACCESS Canning A & Duke NC. Mangroves Southern Great Barrier Reef Mangrove and Saltmarsh Condition Survey 2023. ACCESS Duarte de Paula Costa M, Adame MF, Bryant CV, et al. Wetlands and freshwater habitats Quantifying blue carbon stocks and the role of protected areas to conserve coastal wetlands. ACCESS Duarte de Paula Costa M, Lovelock CE, Waltham N, et al. Wetlands and freshwater habitats Current and future carbon stocks in coastal wetlands within the Great Barrier Reef catchments. ACCESS Duke NC et al. Wetlands and freshwater habitats PCPA Champ – Port Curtis and Port Alma coastal habitat archive and monitoring program – Final Report. ACCESS Duke NC et al. Mangroves PCPA Champ. Port Curtis and Port Alma coastal habitat archive and monitoring program. 2017-2018 annual report. ACCESS Duke NC et al. Mangroves Southern GBR CHAMP Coastal habitat archive and monitoring program Final Report – Volume 1. ACCESS Duke NC et al. Mangroves Southern GBR CHAMP Coastal habitat archive and monitoring program Final Report – Volume 2. ACCESS Duke NC, Mackenzie JR, Canning,A, Hutley LB, Bourke AJ, Kovacs J, Cormier R, Staben G, Lymburner L, Ai E. Mangroves ENSO-driven extreme oscillations in mean sea level destabilise critical shoreline mangroves – An emerging threat. ACCESS He Z, Feng X, Chen Q, et al. Mangroves Evolution of coastal forests based on a full set of mangrove genomes. ACCESS Mackenzie J & Duke NC. Mangroves Gulf of Carpentaria MangroveWatch with Lianthawirriyarra Sea Rangers. ACCESS Mackenzie J & Duke, NC. Mangroves Gulf of Carpentaria MangroveWatch with Numbulwar Numburindi & Yugul Mangi Rangers. ACCESS Mulloy R, Aiken CM, Dwane G, Ellis M, Jackson EL. Mangroves Scalable mangrove rehabilitation: Roots of success for Rhizophora stylosa establishment. ACCESS Murdiyarso D, Swails E, Hergoualc'h K, Bhomia R, Sasmito SD. Mangroves Refining greenhouse gas emission factors for Indonesian peatlands and mangroves to meet ambitious climate targets. ACCESS Royna M, Murdiyarso D, Sasmito SD, Arriyadi D, Rahajoe JS, Zahro MG, Ardhani TSP. Mangroves Carbon stocks and effluxes in mangroves converted into aquaculture: a case study from Banten province, Indonesia. ACCESS Sasmito SD, Taillardat P, Adinugroho WC, et al. Mangroves Half of land use carbon emissions in Southeast Asia can be mitigated through peat swamp forest and mangrove conservation and restoration. MORE Reports and publications

TropWATER, James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, brings together leading researchers to tackle critical environmental issues. We provide science-based solutions to industries, communities, and governments for managing, protecting, and restoring tropical ecosystems. Science based solutions to protect tropical ecosystems Celebrating the work of women in science Each year, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) to acknowledge the contributions of the many women monitoring, researching, restoring, and protecting tropical ecosystems. We asked seven TropWATER researchers about their experiences – what led them to working in science, what they love about their job, and some of the challenges they’ve faced. LEARN MORE What is blue carbon? Marine and coastal ecosystems are very efficient at capturing carbon – this is called blue carbon. Mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrass meadows, and coastal wetlands all capture and store blue carbon, contributing to mitigating climate change. But if these ecosystems are destroyed, this carbon is released – and no more is captured. Our researchers are trialling restoration methods for a range of coastal habitats, assessing the health of these ecosystems after extreme climate events, and setting new standards for how blue carbon is measured. LEARN MORE Sustainable water security in northern Australia Northern Australia boasts vast land areas, ample rainfall, and abundant water resources, making it a favourable region for agricultural expansion and developing water security. But expansion could pose a significant threat to the region's biodiverse aquatic ecosystems, disrupting water quality and the natural flow essential to ecosystems in both wet and dry seasons. Our researchers are exploring how to maximise water resource allocation across the vast and diverse landscapes of Northern Australia, advising policymakers on potential impacts to ecosystems. LEARN MORE Assessing the impacts of flooding after Tropical Cyclone Jasper Tropical Cyclone Jasper made landfall in Far North Queensland in December 2023, bringing record-breaking rainfall to the region and causing widespread flooding that washed sediments across coastal habitats. The affected region included part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage areas. We partnered with Rangers to survey coastal habitats in 2024 and 2025 and assess the impacts of the flooding on mangrove forests, inshore coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. LEARN MORE 19 March: Shaping sea turtle conservation strategies in a changing world WEBINAR: 1-2pm AEST Thursday 19 March Increasing temperatures, rising seas, and coastal development are just some of the threats currently facing sea turtles worldwide. Conservation efforts need to be carefully targeted to effectively address these challenges – matching the best approach with the right location to boost turtle survival and resilience. Join us to hear from Dr Emily Webster and Dr Caitlin Smith about their latest work guiding science-based strategies for effective sea turtle conservation and supporting Indigenous-led management of turtles on Sea Country in Queensland. From the nest to adulthood, this work is providing valuable data needed for informed conservation decisions. View more details below and sign up to hear about upcoming webinars . LEARN MORE Our eDNA lab As northern Australia's leading eDNA experts, we use genetic clues to revolutionise how to detect invasive and threatened species. We’ve contributed to biosecurity surveillance, environmental impact assessments, tracking fish communities in Australian waterways, locating threatened species, and advancing eDNA science itself, while working with Traditional Owners, community groups, governments, councils and regional bodies. We also lead advances in eDNA techniques and offer commercial and research services. LEARN MORE Our research and projects We provide industries, communities and governments with science-based solutions to better manage, protect and restore our tropical water ecosystems. Explore our research and projects. Wetlands and freshwater habitats Our wetlands team use innovative and science-based solutions to restore, preserve, and rehabilitate coastal wetlands. LEARN MORE Seagrass habitats We house Australia's largest seagrass research group and have more than 40 years of experience in seagrass research and monitoring across the Great Barrier Reef, Great Sandy Strait and northern Australia. LEARN MORE Mangroves Our projects focus on monitoring, assessing, and restoring mangrove ecosystems to address environmental changes and impacts. We provide expert advice, conduct detailed floristic surveys, and develop effective mitigation strategies. LEARN MORE Marine megafauna We use a combination of conventional and innovative research using cutting-edge technology to monitor the trends in the abundance, distribution and habitat use of megafauna across Australia and globally. LEARN MORE eDNA and technology Technology is revolutionising the way scientists monitor, research and uncover new information about habitats and species. We are at the forefront of testing the feasibility of new technologies, including eDNA, drones and AI. LEARN MORE Water quality: catchment to reef We play a major role in monitoring the condition and tracking long-term trends of water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef. We work closely with cane farmers and graziers to help reduce runoff. LEARN MORE Coral reef habitats Our scientists undertake multiple monitoring programs to provide governments, industries and communities with essential data on the condition of coral habitats. LEARN MORE Fish habitats We monitor fish habitats and species in both freshwater and marine environments. This research monitors fish populations, tracks invasive fish species and helps understand fish communities. LEARN MORE FIND OUT MORE We are James Cook University's Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER). We lead influential research on tropical water ecosystems across northern Australia, and beyond, contributing to their sustainable management and global understanding. About us News Our services and capabilities DISCOVER We provide science-based solutions, stakeholder training, and innovative monitoring technologies. Our capabilities include water quality and eDNA labs, specialised training programs, technology development, and a range of environmental assessments and restoration efforts. Subscribe Get the latest TropWATER news and research by subscribing to our newsletter today. First name* Last name* Company name Email* SUBMIT MEET US Led by Director Professor Damien Burrows, our centre includes 150 researchers and over 100 post-graduate students. Discover the passionate minds driving innovation in our field. Our people