Biological Indicators of Ecosystem Health in Wet Tropics Streams
Edited by Angela Arthington and Richard Pearson. Final Report for Task 3, Catchment to Reef Joint Research Program. A contribution to the MTSRF Water Quality Project 3.7.3 'Freshwater indicators and thresholds of concern'. [pdf 8.1 Mb]
Project 1.1.1 CSIRO/AIMS Pitcher, R. et al. (2007) Indicators of protection levels for seabed habitats, species and assemblages on the continental shelf of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Report by CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science which outlines the objectives of Project 1.1.1 for Year 1: to develop indicators of protection levels for seabed species, assemblages and habitats for the GBR Zoning Plan in effect both before and after 1 July 2004, and identify the change in protection levels coinciding with the Representative Areas Program re-zoning. [pdf 13.6 Mb]
Project 1.1.2 AIMS Doherty, P. (2007) Reef Check Australia Dive Operators' Workshop - Feedback
Reef Check Australia trains volunteers to coordinate community monitoring and reporting of the status and trends of 25 key reef tourism sites. Through regular visitation, Reef Check is able to resolve seasonal patterns and more closely observe phenomena such as outbreaks of pests and disease. Outputs from this community monitoring feeds into MTSRF Project 1.1.2. This document provides a report on several workshops convened by Reef Check in January and February of 2007 to gain dive operators' feedback on Reef Check activities and to review the current monitoring sites in light of operator knowledge. [pdf 128.7 kb]
Project 1.1.3 AIMS QDPI&F De'ath, G. et al. (2008) Spatial distributions and temporal change in distributions of deep water seagrasses in the Great Barrier Reef region
Joint report by AIMS and QDPI&F researchers for Project 1.1.3. [pdf 413.5 kb]
Project 1.1.3 JCU Grech, A. et al. (2008) Spatial risk assessment for coastal seagrass habitats in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: A case study of the Dry and Wet Tropics
Report prepared in December 2008 outlining the results of a spatial risk assessment for coastal seagrass habitats of the Great Barrier Reef from various anthropogenic factors. This study includes habitats in both the dry and wet tropical areas of the World Heritage Area. [pdf 608.2 kb]
Project 1.1.3 QDPI&F Coles, R. et al. (2007) Status and Trends of Seagrass Habitats in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Report by Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries that provides a summary of the state of knowledge of Queensland seagrasses and which outlines the gaps in knowledge that still remain and issues confronting management agencies responsible for protection and development of coastal waters. [pdf 4.7 Mb]
Project 1.1.3 QDPI&F Rasheed, M. et al. (2008) Coastal seagrass habitats at risk from human activity in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: Review of areas to be targeted for monitoring
This report by researchers from the Northern Fisheries Centre in Cairns details the results of a workshop involving regional seagrass experts and end users of seagrass monitoring information. The report identifies key coastal seagrass risk areas in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and examines how well the current research program addresses information requirements in these areas. Also included are recommendations for developing the seagrass status and trends program in the future. [pdf 6.4 Mb]
Project 1.1.4 UQ Quaintance, J. (2007) Coral community struture in life and death assemblages from the Swain Reefs, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Honours Thesis by Jill K. Quaintance, The Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland. The project received support from MTSRF Project 1.1.4. [pdf 1.9 Mb]
Project 1.1.5 AIMS De'ath, G. (2007) The spatial, temporal and structural composition of water quality of the Great Barrier Reef, and indicators of water quality and mapping risk
Report prepared by the Australian Institute of Marine Science which presents an analysis of three major data sets from broadscale water quality sampling programs on the Great Barrier Reef. The report also explores the use of these data sets as potential indicators of water quality. [pdf 2.6 Mb]
Project 1.1.5 and 2.5i.1 AIMS Fabricius, K. (2009) e-Atlas: Risk, Resilience and Response - June Milestone Report
Project progress report against Project 1.1.5 and Project 2.5i.1 objectives - June 2009. [pdf 47.4 kb]
Project 1.3.1 CSIRO Haywood et al. (2007) Improved knowledge of Torres Strait seabed biota and reef habitats
Project 1.3.1 extends the work conducted by the CRC Torres Strait ('Mapping and physical characterisation of key biotic and physical attributes of the Torres Strait ecosystem'). This report provides an analysis of datasets collected during CRC research and a current state of knowledge of the Torres Strait habitat. [pdf 12.8 Mb]
Project 1.3.2 AIMS Duckworth, A. (2007) Ecological Role and Potential Value of Sponges to Torres Strait - Annual Report 2007
MTSRF Project 1.3.2 Annual Report for 2006/2007 prepared by researchers of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Sponges are a dominant organism on coral reefs throughout Torres Strait and have been shown to play an important ecological role by acting as a nursery or recruitment habitat for other species of economic importance. In addition to their ecological importance, sponges that have good quality spongin fibres have commercial value and may be sold as bath sponges. This report examines the size of the Coscinoderma sp. population in Torres Strait; determines the possible risks of translocating individuals of Coscinoderma sp. within Torres Strait in the interests of setting up bath sponge farms where it is not naturally abundance; and highlights when, where and how often sponges such as Coscinoderma recruit onto coral reefs in Torres Strait. [pdf 2.2 Mb]
Project 1.3.2 AIMS Duckworth, A. (2008) Ecological Role and Potential Value of Sponges to Torres Strait - Annual Report 2008
Annual Report for Year 2 of MTSRF Project 1.3.2 (2007/2008) prepared by researchers of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. [pdf 821.3 kb]
Project 1.3.2 AIMS Whalan, S. (2009) Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait - Annual Report 2009
Annual Report for Year 3 of MTSRF Project 1.3.2 (2008/2009) prepared by researches of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. [pdf 3.5 Mb]
Project 1.3.2 Duckworth, A. (2006) Distribution and abundance of the bath sponge Coscinoderma in Central and Eastern Torres Strait
A project report on the distribution and abundance of the bath sponge Coscinoderma in Central and Eastern Torres Strait. [pdf 800.7 kb]
Project 1.3.3 CSIRO Pascoe, S. (2007) Preliminary review of key resource economics in the Torres Strait
Report by Sean Pascoe, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research. This report outlines some of the key resource economic issues that could be developed into research projects or programmes. The focus of this report is on marine resource related issues, and fisheries resources in particular, as these represent the most important industry in the Torres Strait region. Only brief consideration is given to other natural resource issues, namely land and water. [pdf 517.2 kb]
Project 1.3.3 JCU Marsh, H. (2008) Spatial closures as possible management tools for community-based management of dugongs and turtles in Torres Strait
Outcomes of Torres Strait Spatial Closures Workshop held 14-16 October 2008, Thursday Island. Report compiled by Professor Helene Marsh, School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, James Cook University. [pdf 933.2 kb]
Project 1.3.3 JCU Tawake, A. (2008) Livelihood benefits of adaptive co-management of hand collectable fisheries in the Torres Strait
Overview of PhD project which aims to test an adaptive co-management framework approach for trochus and beche-de-mer fisheries in two Torres Strait Island communities. [pdf 186.4 kb]
Project 1.4.1 Marsh, H. et al. (2007) Northern Great Barrier Reef & Torres Strait Final Report
This report provides the first synopsis of the distribution and abundance of the dugong on the remote coast of Queensland from Cooktown north including Torres Strait. [pdf 3.0 Mb]
Project 1.4.1(e) UQ Parra, G. et al. (2009) Feeding habits of Australian Snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis)
Little information exists on the feeding habits of Australian Snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). In this study, University of Queensland researchers provide quantitative analyses of the diet of both dolphin species in Queensland waters, based on the examination of stomachs collected from stranded and bycaught animals between 1970 and 2008. Snubfin and humpback dolphins appear to be opportunistic-generalist feeders, eating a wide variety of fish and cephalopods associated with coastal-estuarine waters. [pdf 231.6 kb]
Project 1.4.2 JCU Grech, A. et al. (2008) Torres Strait Community GIS - Project Report
A report outlining activities conducted in Torres Strait to build the capacity of Torres Strait Islander communities in Natural Resource Management through the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Scientific Knowledge. [pdf 590.6 kb]
Project 1.4.2 JCU Soto, A. (2007) Effects of Acoustic Alarms on Coastal Dolphins - Powerpoint Slides
Copy of Microsoft PowerPoint presentation slides developed by Alvaro Berg, PhD Candidate, James Cook University for use in presentations to key stakeholders of Project 1.4.2 Objective A - To evaluate the effects of acoustic alarms on the behaviour of wildlife bycatch. [pdf 1.4 Mb]
Project 1.4.2 JCU Soto, A. (2007) Status Report Bycatch Levels
This report summarises temporal trends over the last 10 years in the levels of bycatch of marine mammals and turtles for the eastern coast of Queensland between Cairns and the Gold Coast, with particular emphasis on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The report is based on published records compiled in the Queensland Marine Wildlife Stranding and Mortality Database by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service plus more recent unpublished information obtained through collaboration with the Queensland Shark Control Program. [pdf 661.0 kb]
Project 2.5i.3 JCU Hughes, T. (2007) Herbivory by fishes on the Great Barrier Reef: A review of knowledge and understanding
Preliminary status and trends report completed in June 2007 by C. Cvitanovic, R. J. Fox and D. R. Bellwood, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University. [pdf 266.2 kb]
Project 2.5i.4 AIMS Wooldridge, S. (2007) Linking land-use change scenarios with predicted water quality improvements within the GBR lagoon
A project progress report outlining modelling methodology that enables end-of-river values of DIN to be spatially extrapolated across the inner-shelf region of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Importantly this allows the end-of-river outcomes of modelled land-use improvement scenarios to be tested for their relevance in terms of improving inshore reef water quality. [pdf 1.8 Mb]
Project 2.5i.4 AIMS Wooldridge, S. (2007) Metadata Inshore GBR Datasets
A project progress report outlining the metadata of the inshore Great Barrier Reef datasets. [pdf 36.7 kb]
Project 2.5i.4 AIMS Wooldridge, S. (2008) Modelling the improved resilience of inshore coral reefs to climate change due to terrestrial water quality improvements
A case study from the Tully-Murray River catchment, North Queensland. This report outlines research to model the 'envelope' of future bleaching risks to inshore coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef that are under the influence of the Tully-Murray flood plume, based on a range of optimised land management actions. [pdf 801.7 kb]
Project 2.5i.4 AIMS Wooldridge, S. (2008) Regional Scale Coral Bleaching Predictions for the Great Barrier Reef
A project milestone report describing the downscaling methodology developed to enable GCM-scale scenarios of future SST to be interpreted as a regional-scale coral bleaching threat on the Great Barrier Reef Australia. [pdf 1.3 Mb]
Project 2.5i.4 AIMS Wooldridge, S. (2009) Managing local water quality to help combat climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
A project update detailing work to simulate the beneficial impact of end-of-catchment dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) reductions (10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) in raising the bleaching resistance of inshore coral reefs between Townsville and Cooktown, North Queensland. [pdf 1.9 Mb]
Project 2.5i.4 AIMS Wooldridge, S. (2009) Modelling the improved resilience of inshore coral reefs to climate change due to terrestrial water quality improvement: A case study from the Burdekin River catchment
Submitted as a component of Project 2.5i.4 January 2009 milestone report. [pdf 1.3 Mb]
Project 2.5i.4 CQU Miles, R. et al. (2009) Assessing the Socio-Economic Implications of Climate Change (Coral Bleaching) in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment: Synthesis Report
Submitted as a component of Project 2.5i.4 January 2009 milestone report. [pdf 2.5 Mb]
Project 2.5ii.1 CSIRO Ramasamy, S. (2007) Climate Change Projections for the Tropical Rainforest Region of North Queensland
Report prepared by the Climate Impacts and Risk Group, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Science. This report outlines temperature and rainfall projections for the tropical rainforest region of far northern Queensland based on simulations performed for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report invovling twenty-three global climate models (GCMs). [pdf 722.1 kb]
Project 2.5ii.1 CSIRO Thatcher, M. et al (2007) Regional climate downscaling for the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) between 1971 and 2000
Report by CSIRO researchers which describes the results of downscaling of regional climate statistics for the MTSRF, using CSIRO's Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model and Mk3 model. [pdf 741.5 kb]
Project 2.6.1 JCU Blair, D. (2007) The influence of nutrients and temperature on the global distribution of algal blooms.
Literature Review by James Cook University researchers, June 2007. Algal blooms are defined as increased abundance, biomass, or population growth. This review reveals knowledge gaps regarding bloom initiation and nutrient preferences, and is divided into four sections. Section A investigates nutrient effects and challenges the paradigm of macroalgal growth limitation by nitrogen in temperature, but phosphate in tropical regions. Sections B and C investigate global distributions of algal blooms. Section D focuses on a new microalga for the Great Barrier Reef. [pdf 574.9 kb]
Project 2.6.1 JCU Blair, D. et al. (2009) March Interim Report - Part 2 - Review of genetic probe development for invasive marine species, with a focus on choice of target gene and on DNA amplification technology
Part 2 of a joint progress report by James Cook University - March 2009. [pdf 757.6 kb]
Project 2.6.1 JCU Heimann, K. et al. (2009) June Interim Report - Part 1 - The continuing development of the toxic dinoflagellates atlas
Part 1 of a joint progress report by James Cook University - June 2009. [pdf 542.4 kb]
Project 2.6.1 JCU Heimann, K. et al. (2009) March Interim Report - Part 1 - Laboratory culture of marine microalgae of the Great Barrier Reef toxic dinoflagellate cultures established by the North Queensland Algal Identification/Culturing Facility (NQAIF)
Part 1 of a joint progress report by James Cook University - March 2009. [pdf 286.7 kb]
Project 2.6.1 JCU Momigliano, P. et al. (2009) June Interim Report - Part 2 - Development of genetic probes for the identification of marine microalgae
Part 2 of a joint progress report by James Cook University. [pdf 966.1 kb]
Project 2.6.2 CSIRO Poon et al. (2007) Assessing the research needs for the management of invasive species in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Wet Tropics
This report by CSIRO and James Cook University researchers is a synthesis of past and current research and management of invasive species in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems of the Wet Tropics bioregion, North Queensland. Its intention is to identify knowledge gaps and critical research needs and thus recommend future opportunities for investment in research and management of invasive species in the Wet Tropics. [pdf 1.5 Mb]
Project 3.7.1 AIMS Cooper, T. (2007) Coral-based Indicators of Changes in Water Quality on Nearshore Coral Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef
Report by T. Cooper and K. Fabricius, Australian Institute of Marine Science for Project 3.7.1 Marine and estuarine indicators and thresholds of concern. [pdf 803.6 kb]
Project 3.7.1 AIMS Fabricius, K. (2007) Conceptual Model of the effects of runoff on the ecology of corals and coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef
Report by K. Fabricius, Australian Institute of Marine Science. Coastal coral reefs are exposed to increasing loads of nutrients, sediments and other pollutants discharged from the land. Terrestrial runoff resulting in poor coastal water quality is therefore a growing concern. The objective of this study was to build a conceptual model to address the specific question, 'How are changes in river loads linked to changes in lagoonal water quality and biogeochemical processes, and do these changes alter the condition and ecological properties of coral reefs?'. [pdf 1.5 Mb]
Project 3.7.1 AIMS Humphrey, C. (2007) The Use of Biomarkers in Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) to Monitor Contaminants in Estuaries of Tropical North Queensland
Unpublished report by C. Humphrey, S. C. King and D. Klumpp, Australian Institute of Marine Science, February 2007. [pdf 285.2 kb]
Project 3.7.1 DPI McKenzie, L. (2007) Relationships between seagrass communities and sediment properties along the Queensland coast
This report by Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries summarises baseline data and research results aimed at developing indicators for seagrass condition in response to contrasting sediment properties. [pdf 5.7 Mb]
Project 3.7.1 JCU Sheaves, M. (2007) Assessment of Techniques for Determining the Health of Tropical Estuarine Ecosystems
Report by James Cook University and Griffith University researchers on the assessment of techniques that can be employed to determine the ecosystem health of estuaries and coastal wetlands in Australia's tropical regions. [pdf 1.2 Mb]
Project 3.7.1 QPIF Hedge, S. et al. (2009) Temporal and spatial morphological variability of the seagrasses 'Halophila ovalis' and 'Halodule uninervis' throughout the Great Barrier Reef region: Preliminary analysis
This report explores seagrass meadow dynamics in relation to proximity of catchments, nutrient quantity and quality in order to enhance the current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. [pdf 152.7 kb]
Project 3.7.2 AIMS Wolanski, E. (2007) Wet season fine sediment dynamics on the inner shelf of the Great Barrier Reef
Article submitted to Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science, 2007. Approval to upload to website provided by Dr K. E. Fabricius, Australian Institute of Marine Science. [pdf 986.4 kb]
Project 3.7.3 and 3.7.4 CSIRO Wallace, J. (2007) Hydro-ecological modeling in coastal catchments: Connectivity and hydro-ecological function
Report from the MTSRF Projects 3.7.3 and 3.7.4 Workshop held at CSIRO Davies Laboratory, Townsville, 19-20 April 2007, which summarises the presentations, discussion and recommendations made. The key objective of the workshop was to initiate the development of an integrated package of conceptual and quantitative models, supported by field-based research, to predict the key hydro-ecological functions in Wet Tropics rivers, wetlands and floodplains. [pdf 647.1 kb]
Project 3.7.4 CSIRO Hawdon, A. et al. (2007) Design and application of automated flood water quality monitoring systems in the Wet Tropics
CSIRO Land and Water commenced a floodwater monitoring program for the Tully-Murray Rivers in North Queensland in March 2006. Given the difficulty of accessing key sampling areas during extreme events, such as the floods following Tropical Cyclone Larry, the research team developed flood water sampling systems that could automatically collect water samples during the early parts of a flood, with manual samples then collected several days post-flood when access is again attainable. This report details the components, construction and application of fully automatic and refrigerated samplers and a hybrid system designed to measure sediment and nutrient concentrations in over-bank flood waters. [pdf 2.2 Mb]
Project 3.7.5 CSIRO Roebeling, P. et al. (2007) Financial-economic analysis of current best management practices for sugarcane, horticulture, grazing and forestry industries in the Tully-Murray catchment.
Report by CSIRO researchers initially prepared for the Cardwell Shire Floodplain Program under Tasks 3.3b,c,d and 2.15 of the Water Quality Improvement Program for the Tully-Murray catchment. This study analyses the cost-effectiveness of most promising best-management-practices for water quality improvement in sugarcane, horticulture, grazing and forestry production in the Tully-Murray catchment. [pdf 968.8 kb]
Project 3.7.6 terrain NRM Vella, K. (2007) Social and Economic Research Integration: Co-Research Agenda
Report on the outputs of the MTSRF Project 3.7.6 Social Research Integration Workshop convened 1-2 March 2007 in Cairns (MTSRF Year 1 project objectives). [pdf 105.0 kb]
Project 3.7.7 CSIRO Browne, M. et al (2007) Review of existing approaches used to develop integrated report card frameworks (IRCF) and their relevance to catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef
Report by Matthew Browne et al., CSIRO. A key deliverable of the MTSRF program is the development of an integrated report card framework for reporting on condition and trends in catchment and marine health of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait regions. This report provides a review of relevant report card approaches; raises awareness as to some of the issues and requirements for developing a report card for the Great Barrier Reef region; provides some principles and an approach on how to proceed with developing a report card for the GBR region; and outlines CSIRO's research plan for the completion of the first year (2006/2007) contract for Project 3.7.7. [pdf 4.4 Mb]
Project 3.7.7 CSIRO Kuhnert, P. et al (2007) Conceptual and statistical framework for a water quality component of an integrated report card for the Great Barrier Reef catchments
A report by CSIRO researchers that presents the final deliverable from MTSRF Project 3.7.7. [pdf 2.5 Mb]
Project 3.7.7 Kuhnert, P. et al. (2009) Statistical methods for the estimation of pollutant loads from monitoring data: Final project report.
Quantifying the amount of sediment, nutrients and pesticides entering the Great Barrier Reef is a primary focus for water quality improvement plans that aim to halt or reverse the decline in reef health over the next five years. Although substantial work has been undertaken to define a load under varying conditions and assumptions, the methods available do not adequately address all aspects of uncertainty surrounding the load estimate, reducing the ability to usefully inform future monitoring activities and to report on the status of, or trends in, loads. The approach presented in this report is an extension to the regression or rating curve methdology, which incorporates three primary aspects of uncertainty specific to the calcultation of riverine loads: measurement error, stochastic uncertainty and knowledge uncertainty. [pdf 1.3 Mb]
Project 4.8.2 AIMS Johansson, C. et al. (2008) The use of stereo BRUVS for measuring fish size
Report by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, June 2008. Stereo Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (SBRUVS) were deployed as part of a larger study of the fish communities of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in response to zoning changes by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in 2004. This report assesses the use of SBRUVS as a tool for precise measurements of fish length to supplemennt comparisons based simply on visual observations of diversity and/or abundance. [pdf 877.7 kb]
Project 4.8.2 AIMS Speare, P. (2007) Preliminary findings from the first baseline survey of the Magnetic Shoals
Project progress report by P. Speare and M. Stowar, Australian Institute of Marine Science, on results of a baseline survey of 'green' zoned sites on Magnetic Shoal, together with non-green sites in the adjacent 'blue' zoned areas of the marine park initialised in July 2006. Ongoing monitoring was maintained in order to assess any seasonal effects on the fish and benthic communities. Output from Project 4.8.2 Influence of the Great Barrier Reef Zoning Plan on inshore habitats and biodiversity, of which fish and corals are indicators: Reefs and shoals. [pdf 1.1 Mb]
Project 4.8.2 AIMS Speare, P. et al. (2008) Temporal monitoring of northern shoals off Cardwell and Townsville
This report presents the results of three to five return visits (between July 2006 and May 2008) to shoal grounds in the Cardwell and Townsville (North Queensland) regions of the Great Barrier Reef, comparing areas closed to fishing in 2004 with control areas that remain open to fishing. Fish abundance and species composition was established with baited video stations. Habitats were assessed by towed video camera and classified into broad categories of substratum and life form. [pdf 1.1 Mb]
Project 4.8.2 AIMS Stowar, M. et al. (2008) Influence of zoning on midshelf shoals of the southern Great Barrier Reef
This report presents the results of seasonal surveys (Autumn/Spring 2007) on two pairs of discrete deepwater shoals in the southern Great Barrier Reef. Within each pair, one shoal was re-zoned 'Green' (closed to all fishing) in 2004 while the other 'Blue' (open to fishing) remained open to fishing. Each shoal or bank is a large submerged structure of several square kilometres rising from about fifty metres depth to within twenty to thirty metres of the surface. Demersal vertebrate communities were sampled using non-extractive baited remote underwater video stations, which revealed a diverse (~250 species) and abundant fauna of fish, sharks, rays and seasnakes including those targeted and not targeted by recreational and commercial line fishers. [pdf 3.8 Mb]
Project 4.8.3 JCU Heupel, M. et al. (2009) The Comparative Biology of Lutjanid Species on the Great Barrier Reef
Project Milestone Report. The Lutjanidae family comprises a wide array of species of varying size and body form, and with 103 species, this family is one of the largest and most diverse families of fish. Project 4.8.3 research was designed to examine and compare the biology of several lutjanid species occurring in mid and outer shelf reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. Comparisons between biological parameters were completed where possible to define differences between species, examine their resilience to fishing pressure and determine whether current management measures are appropriate. [pdf 722.8 kb]
Project 4.8.3 JCU Mapleston, A. (2009) Comparative biology of key inter-reefal serranid species on the Great Barrier Reef
This project progress report examines biological samples collected as part of the CRC Reef-funded Effects of Line Fishing Experiment to provide information on the ecological resilience and vulnerability of key inter-reef fish species. Commonly referred to as groupers, the sub-family Epinepheline (Family: Serranidae) is the focus of this study due to concern about the status of a large number of grouper species being caught in tropical and temperate fisheries. [pdf 917.2 kb]
Project 4.8.3 JCU Simpfendorfer, C. (2008) Harvest patterns of the 'Other Species' quota group in the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery Updated June 2008
Report by researchers of the Fishing and Fisheries Team, James Cook University. This report documents the harvest patterns of the 'other species' component of the Coral Reef Fin Fish Fishery, a multi-sector line fishery that operates in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Updated June 2008. [pdf 1.6 Mb]
Project 4.8.6 JCU Prideaux, B. (2007) Reef Tourism: Establishment of Visitor Monitoring Structure
Unpublished report completed in February 2007 by B. Prideaux and A. Coghlan, School of Business, James Cook University. [pdf 263.4 kb]
Project 4.9.1 CSIRO Hill, R. (2008) Indigenous Cultural Action Workshop Report
Hill, R., Cullen, L., Hedgcock, N., George, C., Canendo, W., McCaul, J. and Hill, D. (2008) Indigenous Cultural Action for Biological and Cultural Conservation and Human Well-being: Report of the Alliance Workshop held at the Fourth IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, 5-9 October 2008. CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. [pdf 1.0 Mb]
Project 4.9.2 JCU Prideaux, B. (2007) Rainforest Tourism: Establishment of a visitor monitoring structure
Report by James Cook Universtiy researchers on the sustainable use of rainforest resources by the tourism industry, and methods for monitoring visitors at the site level as well as community perceptions of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. [pdf 737.5 kb]
Project 4.9.3 JCU Turton, S. et al. (2008) An assessment of the environmental impacts of Cyclone Larry on the forest landscapes of northeast Queensland, with reference to responses to natural resource management issues in the aftermath
An assessment of the environmental impacts of Cyclone Larry on the forest landscapes of northeast Queensland, with reference to responses to natural resource management issues in the aftermath:
Report submitted to the Bureau of Meteorology (March 2007.
[pdf 4.5 Mb]
Project 4.9.7 CSIRO Alexandridis, K. (2007) Monte Carlo Extreme Event Simulations for Understanding Water Quality Change Classifications in the Great Barrier Reef Region
Report prepared by K. Alexandridis, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. [pdf 1.4 Mb]
Project 4.9.7 JCU Gooch, M. (2008) Why community perceptions about social resilience in relation to water quality are important
Project PowerPoint presentation for the 3rd National Education Conference of the Australian Water Association, Gold Coast International Hotel, Surfers Paradise, 30 March - 2 April 2008.
[pdf 1.4 Mb]
Project 4.9.7 UQ Cuthill, M. (2008) Reporting social outcomes of development: an analysis of diverse approaches
A project update detailing a conceptual framework for regional
monitoring and reporting of social resilience and how individuals, communities and societies adapt, transform, and potentially become stronger when faced with environmental, social, economic or political challenges. [pdf 743.2 kb]
Project 4.9.7 UQ Maclean, K. et al (2008) Regional Level Indicators of Social Resilience
A project update on 'Regional Level Indicators of Social Resilience' as presented at the September 2008 Steering Committee meeting. [pdf 1.1 Mb]
