Theme 1 - Staus of the Ecosystems RSS Feed

143 JCU Krockenberger, A. (2008) November Interview Transcript 'Save our ringtails'

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:12:49 GMT

143 JCU Krockenberger, A. (2008) November Interview Transcript 'Save our ringtails'
Interview transcript by ABC Far North Queensland. Interview recorded November 2008. [pdf 38.3 kb]

2006/2007 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP1)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:31:04 GMT

2006/2007 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP1)
ARP1 Revision dated February 2007. [pdf 1.3 Mb]

2007 Conference Proceedings

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:23:28 GMT

2007 Conference Proceedings
[pdf 416.7 kb]

2007/2008 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP2)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:31:43 GMT

2007/2008 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP2)
July 2007 [pdf 1.6 Mb]

2008/2009 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP3)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:47:37 GMT

2008/2009 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP3)
ARP3 Revision dated March 2009 [pdf 1.5 Mb]

2009 Annual Conference - Final Program

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:25:09 GMT

2009 Annual Conference - Final Program
Download the Final Conference Program. [pdf 553.3 kb]

2009/2010 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP4)

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:34:55 GMT

2009/2010 MTSRF Annual Research Plan (ARP4)
December 2009. Readers may use the Contents links to access project descriptions directly. [pdf 2.7 Mb]

2010 International Climate Change Adaptation Conference, GOLD COAST

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:00:19 GMT

2010 International Climate Change Adaptation Conference, GOLD COAST
Tuesday, 29 June 2010 - Thursday, 01 July 2010
Climate Adaptation Futures: "Preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change", Gold Coast Convention Centre
http://www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2010

2011 NCCARF Conference

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:17 GMT

2011 NCCARF Conference

National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) 2011 Conference

(2 March 2011) The 2011 NCCARF Conference will be a one-day event held on Wednesday 6 April at the Cairns Convention Centre, North Queensland, in conjunction with Greenhouse 2011.

For further information and to register your interest for the NCCARF Conference, visit the conference webpage at www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2011.

2nd Coral Reef Management Symposium on the Coral Triangle Area

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:17 GMT

2nd Coral Reef Management Symposium on the Coral Triangle Area

2nd Coral Reef Management Symposium - Coral Triangle Area

"Coral Reefs: Global Threats and Opportunities", Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, 28-30 September 2011

(24 August 2011) The Coral Triangle Area, consisting of the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste is recognised, not only as the centre of world marine biodiversity, but also as the most important refuge for the world's marine life. The region is home to more than 500 species of corals and 3,000 species of reef fishes. Most importantly, this area supports more than 200 million people.

Indonesia is located at the heart of the 'The Coral Triangle' and has the largest coral reef area of any country in the world. Unfortunately, human activities have placed substantial pressures on these fragile ecosystems and have caused serious coral reef degradation, mostly through destructive fishing, overfishing, global warming, coral mining, pollution, sedimentation and nutrient depletion. As a result, only around six percent of the coral reefs in the country remain in very good condition.

The 2011 international symposium will discuss these and other challenges, and will bring together policy makers, scientists, NGOs and the private sector to identify solutions for coral reef issues.

Further Information: http://www.coral-symposium-cti.com/

34th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:56:03 GMT

34th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment
Sunday, 10 April 2011 - Friday, 15 April 2011
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, visit website for further information.
http://isrse34.org/

Assessing the 'visibility' of the Torres Strait: Representations and discourses through policy, media and public opinion

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:12:29 GMT

Assessing the 'visibility' of the Torres Strait: Representations and discourses through policy, media and public opinion
Karen E. McNamara and Kevin E. Parnell (MTSRF Project 1.3.1) [pdf 1.7 Mb]

Book Launch: 'Myrtle's battle against climate change'

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:35:01 GMT

Book Launch: 'Myrtle's battle against climate change'
Wednesday, 19 May 2010 from 6:00pm, Arlington Bar, Level 2, Pullman Reef Hotel & Casino, Cairns. [pdf 307.1 kb]

Can dung beetles be used as environmental and biodiversity indicators in the Wet Tropics?

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:30:36 GMT

Can dung beetles be used as environmental and biodiversity indicators in the Wet Tropics?
Marios Aristophanous, Stephen Williams, Richard Rowe and Geoff Monteith (MTSRF Projects 1.2.1b and 2.5ii.4) [pdf 1.7 Mb]

Cay island dynamics in Torres Strait: The science informing community decisions

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:51:42 GMT

Cay island dynamics in Torres Strait: The science informing community decisions
Kevin E. Parnell and S. G. Smithers (MTSRF Project 1.3.1) [pdf 2.6 Mb]

Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering International Conference

Wed, 27 May 2009 14:12:10 GMT

Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering International Conference
Tuesday, 14 July 2009 - Friday, 17 July 2009
To be held at Jupiters Hotel and Casino, Townsville, North Queensland.
http://eng1.jcu.edu.au/Staff/Profiles/jega-veeriah/CESE-2009/CESE-2009.html

'Challenges in Science and Engineering' Conference

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:30:05 GMT

'Challenges in Science and Engineering' Conference

'Challenges in Environmental Sciences and Engineering (CESE)' 2010 Conference

(27 May 2010) The third annual CESE conference will be held in Cairns, North Queensland from 26 September to 1 October at The Sebel Hotel.

Researchers, policy-makers, academics, students and the broader community active in contributing solutions to the myriad of environmental questions posed by the challenges facing ecological sustainability are invited to attend the event to share their knowledge and visions for the future.

For further information, visit the CESE-2010 website.

Communique # 10

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:19:46 GMT

Communique # 10
[Released 25 March 2009] This issue: IMPROVING RAINFOREST REVEGETATION OUTCOMES | INCREASING PROFITABILITY WHILE DECREASING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT | INCREASED SUPPORT FOR SMALLER OPERATORS [pdf 411.0 kb]

Communique # 11

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:26:11 GMT

Communique # 11
[Released 25 March 2009] This issue: LOCALS SUPPORT THE WORLD HERITAGE AREA | SUSTAINING RAINFOREST TOURISM | IMPROVING RAINFOREST REVEGETATION OUTCOMES [pdf 459.0 kb]

Communique # 12

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:26:50 GMT

Communique # 12
[Released 25 March 2009] This issue: SERVICE QUALITY | RRRC SHOWCASES FNQ EXPERTISE | RESEARCH PAVES THE WAY FOR BUSINESS [pdf 151.9 kb]

Communique # 13 - Climate Change in North Queensland

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:20:04 GMT

Communique # 13 - Climate Change in North Queensland
[Released 15 April 2009] This issue: CLIMATE FORECAST FOR NQ | CIGUATERA AND IRUKANDJI | 2009 MTSRF ANNUAL CONFERENCE [pdf 360.9 kb]

Communique # 13 - Climate Change in North Queensland (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:23:59 GMT

Communique # 13 - Climate Change in North Queensland (PDF)
[pdf 2.5 Mb]

Communique # 14 - Sustaining Marine Tourism

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:20:38 GMT

Communique # 14 - Sustaining Marine Tourism
[Released 18 June 2009] This issue: VALUE OF DIVE BOAT INDUSTRY TO NQ | SUSTAINING NQ TOURISM DESPITE SEA LEVEL RISE | TRENDS IN DOMESTIC REEF TOURISM [pdf 142.8 kb]

Communique # 14 - Sustaining Marine Tourism (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:25:32 GMT

Communique # 14 - Sustaining Marine Tourism (PDF)
[pdf 1.7 Mb]

Communique # 15 - Future of the Great Barrier Reef

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:22:03 GMT

Communique # 15 - Future of the Great Barrier Reef
[Released 8 July 2009] This issue: HAVE HUMAN ACTIVITIES AFFECTED THE REEF? | RESEARCHING REEF RESILIENCE | GROWING SUPPORT FOR MARINE PARK ZONING [pdf 419.3 kb]

Communique # 15 - Future of the Great Barrier Reef (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:27:29 GMT

Communique # 15 - Future of the Great Barrier Reef (PDF)
[pdf 1.7 Mb]

Communique # 16 - Planning for the future of North Queensland

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:22:51 GMT

Communique # 16 - Planning for the future of North Queensland
[Released 30 July 2009] This issue: NORTH QUEENSLAND - HOTTER AND DRIER | ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE ON LAND | REEF RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE [pdf 387.2 kb]

Communique # 16 - Planning for the future of North Queensland (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:29:17 GMT

Communique # 16 - Planning for the future of North Queensland (PDF)
[pdf 1.6 Mb]

Communique # 17 - Sustaining Coastal and Island Communities

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:27:57 GMT

Communique # 17 - Sustaining Coastal and Island Communities
[Released 3 August 2009] This issue: ADAPTING TO RISING SEA LEVELS IN NQ | ECOTOURISM: INCOME FROM OUR ENVIRONMENT | SUSTAINING OUR MARINE RESOURCES [pdf 400.3 kb]

Communique # 17 - Sustaining Coastal and Island Communities (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:31:01 GMT

Communique # 17 - Sustaining Coastal and Island Communities (PDF)
[pdf 1.8 Mb]

Communique # 18 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Terrestrial)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:28:50 GMT

Communique # 18 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Terrestrial)
[Released 28 August 2009] This issue: HELPING SPECIES SURVIVE | BETTER PROTECTION FOR THE CASSOWARY | MANAGING ANCIENT FLOWERING PLANT SPECIES [pdf 158.3 kb]

Communique # 18 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Terrestrial) (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:32:57 GMT

Communique # 18 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Terrestrial) (PDF)
[pdf 1.5 Mb]

Communique # 19 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Marine)

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:23:41 GMT

Communique # 19 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Marine)
[Released 7 September 2009] This issue: RESEARCHING RARE COASTAL DOLPHIN SPECIES | SUSTAINING QUEENSLAND'S SHARK POPULATIONS | WORKING COLLABORATIVELY FOR DUGONG CONSERVATION [pdf 149.3 kb]

Communique # 19 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Marine) (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:35:04 GMT

Communique # 19 - Sustaining Threatened Species (Marine) (PDF)
[pdf 1.5 Mb]

Communique # 20 - About the MTSRF and RRRC (Special CERF Conference Issue)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:36:46 GMT

Communique # 20 - About the MTSRF and RRRC (Special CERF Conference Issue)
[Released 9 September 2007] This issue: BACKGROUND TO THE MTSRF AND RRRC | SCOPE OF THE MTSRF | IMPACTS OF THE MTSRF [pdf 396.2 kb]

Communique # 20 - About the MTSRF and RRRC (Special CERF Conference Issue) (PDF)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:02:13 GMT

Communique # 20 - About the MTSRF and RRRC (Special CERF Conference Issue) (PDF)
[pdf 2.7 Mb]

Communique # 21 - Working Together for the Torres Strait

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:15:36 GMT

Communique # 21 - Working Together for the Torres Strait
[Released 5 October 2009] This issue: BUILDING SOCIAL RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE | RESEARCH LEADS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES | KNOWLEDGE REPATRIATION IN THE TORRES STRAIT [pdf 153.3 kb]

Communique # 21 - Working Together for the Torres Strait (PDF)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:50:08 GMT

Communique # 21 - Working Together for the Torres Strait (PDF)
[pdf 2.2 Mb]

Communique # 22 - Managing Invasive Species

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:16:21 GMT

Communique # 22 - Managing Invasive Species
[Released 27 November 2009] This issue: EARLY WARNING OF STARFISH OUTBREAKS | CONTROLLING INVASIVE WEEDS | PEST FISH IN THE TROPICS [pdf 408.3 kb]

Communique # 22 - Managing Invasive Species (PDF)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:41:00 GMT

Communique # 22 - Managing Invasive Species (PDF)
[pdf 777.1 kb]

Communique # 23 - Wet Season Flooding in North Queensland

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:57:51 GMT

Communique # 23 - Wet Season Flooding in North Queensland
[Released 6 January 2010] This issue: 'FIRST FLUSH': FLOOD MONITORING IN THE TROPICS | MAJOR POLLUTANTS AND THEIR SOURCES | MAPPING FLOODWATER PLUMES IN THE GBR LAGOON [pdf 220.3 kb]

Communique # 24 - Managing for Resilience to Change

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:05:15 GMT

Communique # 24 - Managing for Resilience to Change
[Released 11 February 2010] This issue: MANAGING FOR REEF RESILIENCE | PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE ON LAND | BUILDING THE RESILIENCE OF NORTH QUEENSLANDERS [pdf 236.9 kb]

Communique # 25 - Delivering for North Queensland

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:45:46 GMT

Communique # 25 - Delivering for North Queensland
[Released 16 March 2010] This issue: THE MTSRF: WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? | EVERYTHING, ALL THE TIME: THE RRRC WEBSITE | MAPPING IT OUT: THE 'e-ATLAS' [pdf 363.7 kb]

Communique # 26 - Sustaining Rainforest Resources

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:03:42 GMT

Communique # 26 - Sustaining Rainforest Resources
[Released 29 April 2010] This issue: SUSTAINING RAINFORESTS: 2010 MTSRF CONFERENCE | LIVING MORE SUSTAINABLY IN THE WET TROPICS | RAINFORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE [pdf 201.2 kb]

Communique # 27 - Sustaining Marine Resources

Thu, 06 May 2010 12:17:20 GMT

Communique # 27 - Sustaining Marine Resources
[Released 6 May 2010] This issue: SUSTAINING MARINE RESOURCES: 2010 MTSRF ANNUAL CONFERENCE | SUSTAINING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF | SUSTAINING THE TORRES STRAIT [pdf 164.5 kb]

Communique # 28 - The MTSRF Winds Up

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:02:18 GMT

Communique # 28 - The MTSRF Winds Up
[Released 21 July 2010] This issue: THE MTSRF WINDS UP | THE MTSRF LEGACY | THE FUTURE OF THE RRRC [pdf 404.2 kb]

Communique 21-2

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:52:52 GMT

Communique 21-2
[pdf 736.6 kb]

Communique 21-3

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:51:10 GMT

Communique 21-3
[pdf 715.4 kb]

Communique 21-4

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:52:29 GMT

Communique 21-4
[pdf 582.4 kb]

Communique 21-5

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:52:08 GMT

Communique 21-5
[pdf 980.6 kb]

Community 'Essential Science' Information Session

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:46 GMT

Community 'Essential Science' Information Session

(22 April 2010) The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre invites interested members of the community to attend a special Community 'Essential Science' session to be held on Saturday, 22 May 2010 at The Pier Marketplace in Cairns. The event will take place on the Centre Stage at the Farmgate Markets.

The session will run for two hours from 10:00am and include presentations by some of the MTSRF's key research leaders. The RRRC will have a stall available from 7:30am to answer questions and distribute flyers and brochures.

Download: Community 'Essential Science' Flyer

Date Claimer: 12th International Coral Reef Symposium

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:17 GMT

Date Claimer: 12th International Coral Reef Symposium

Date Claimer: 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns

(28 September 2011) In July 2012, the world's leading natural scientists, resource managers, conservationists, economists, educators and graduate students will meet in Cairns, North Queensland, to progress coral reef science, management and conservation.

Abstracts are invited for oral and poster presentations. For further information and to determine which mini-symposium you wish to contribute to, visit the ICRS 2012 Call for Abstracts webpage.

Early Bird registration will be available until 1 March 2012. Registration can be completed online or by hard copy form submission. Visit the conference registration webpage for further information.

For all other information, including key dates, draft program, pre- and post-conference tours and travel and accommodationa advice, visit the ICRS 2012 home page.

Date Claimer: 60th Anniversary Fulbright Symposium, Cairns 2010

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:30:05 GMT

Date Claimer: 60th Anniversary Fulbright Symposium, Cairns 2010

2010 Fulbright 60th Anniversary Symposium, Cairns

(3 March 2010) James Cook University and the Australian-American Fulbright Commission will host the 2010 Fulbright 60th Anniversary Symposium, 'Sustainable Societies in the Tropical World'.

The Symposium will be held 19 and 20 August 2010 at The Hilton Hotel in Cairns.

For further information visit the Symposium website.

Decomposition and nutrient cycling in the rainforest: Quantification of patterns and controls

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:29:07 GMT

Decomposition and nutrient cycling in the rainforest: Quantification of patterns and controls
Scott Parsons (MTSRF Projects 1.2.1 and 2.5ii.4) [pdf 2.7 Mb]

Delivering for the Torres Strait

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:43:53 GMT

Delivering for the Torres Strait
[7 October 2009] The outcomes of the latest scientific research being conducted in the Torres Strait will be presented to the Torres community at a meeting on Thursday Island on 9 October 2009. Staff and scientists from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC), along with stakeholders from other organisations active in the region, will discuss the implications of a range of research projects aiming to deliver benefits for the Torres Strait's communities and ecosystems. [pdf 239.2 kb]

Documenting and sharing the seasonal calendar for Erub Island, Torres Strait

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:53:34 GMT

Documenting and sharing the seasonal calendar for Erub Island, Torres Strait
[pdf 160.3 kb]

Does recreational fishing impact the sustainability of Queensland's shark populations?

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:44:43 GMT

Does recreational fishing impact the sustainability of Queensland's shark populations?
[1 September 2009] A newly-published study has investigated whether recreational fishing could be affecting shark and ray populations in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The study was conducted by Ann-Maree Lynch as part of her Honours research project through the Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre at James Cook University (JCU), and was jointly funded by JCU and the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF). According to Dr Steve Sutton, a co-author of the study, there are growing concerns internationally over the decline of shark and ray populations, and the implications of these declines for marine ecosystems. [pdf 135.5 kb]

EcoForum Conference & Exhibition 2010

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:17:36 GMT

EcoForum Conference & Exhibition 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 - Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Australian Technology Park, Sydney
http://www.ecoforum.net.au/2010/

Economic and Regional Development Conference

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:19:24 GMT

Economic and Regional Development Conference
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 - Friday, 12 February 2010
Cairns
http://www.lgaq.asn.au/web/guest/public-home/-/asset_publisher/V7jb/content/economic-and-regional-development-conference-2010;jsessionid=F0289C68BACEB84BBF6B99987CBAE076?redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fpublic-home

ESA Symposium and Annual General Meeting 2009 - Flyer

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:22:30 GMT

ESA Symposium and Annual General Meeting 2009 - Flyer
[pdf 1.2 Mb]

ESA Symposium and Annual General Meeting 2009 - Registration

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:23:37 GMT

ESA Symposium and Annual General Meeting 2009 - Registration
[pdf 469.4 kb]

Essential Science - Next Session

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:40:23 GMT

Essential Science - Next Session

Next Seminar:

Community 'Essential Science' Information Session - CAIRNS
Saturday, 22 May 2010
10:00am - 12:00 noon
Farmgate Markets Centre Stage
The Pier Marketplace at the Marina

Join us for a free information session highlighting current tropical research funded by the MTSRF. Find out how research being conducted in North Queensland is helping to enhance the sustainability, use and management of the Great Barrier Reef, the Torres Strait, the Wet Tropics rainforests and connecting regions. Come along and meet the scientists of one of the largest research facilities in northern Australia.

Program

Time	Speaker	Topic
10:00am	Sheriden Morris, RRRC	'An introduction to the MTSRF and RRRC'
10:15am	Dr Suzanne Long, RRRC	'Impacts of the MTSRF'
10:30am	Prof Bruce Prideaux, JCU	'Trends in Tourism'
10:45am	Hayley Gorsuch, RRRC	'Great Barrier Reef Research Highlights'
11:00am	Dr Brad Congdon, JCU	'Climate Change and Seabirds'
11:15am	Dr Karen McNamara, JCU	'Impacts of Climate Change on the Torres Strait'
11:30am	Mellissa Jess, RRRC	'Rainforest Research Highlights'
11:45am	Dr Ro Hill, CSIRO	'Community Participation in Planning: Mission Beach'
12:00pm	Sheriden Morris, RRRC	'Water Quality and the Great Barrier Reef / Close of Session'

Download: Community 'Essential Science' Flyer (A4) for email/standard print-out
Download: Community 'Essential Science' Flyer (A3) for noticeboards

Essential Science for Mangers and Policy-makers

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:29:37 GMT

Essential Science for Mangers and Policy-makers
The next Essential Science session will be held on Monday, 22 February 2010 at the Pullman Reef Hotel & Casino, Cairns. This session has been developed specifically for managers and policy-makers in North Queensland's Wet Tropics region. [pdf 221.4 kb]

Females threaten to overtake turtle species

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:44 GMT

Females threaten to overtake turtle species

(20/08/2009) James Cook University PhD candidate and MTSRF-funded researcher Mariana Fuentes talks with ABC's Annie Guest from The World Today program about observed changes in Australia's population of green sea turtles - the world's largest - which could threaten the species' future.

Read the transcript and access MP3 download online (The World Today website).

Final Program - 2010 MTSRF Annual Conference

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:25:05 GMT

Final Program - 2010 MTSRF Annual Conference
Final Program @ 11 May 2010. [pdf 1.3 Mb]

Four Years of Research in Two Hours

Tue, 25 May 2010 10:27:42 GMT

Four Years of Research in Two Hours
[18 May 2010] Sitting for three days straight and listening to and then summing up the research that 120 scientists have completed in the past four years is not an easy task, but it is one that the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre's (RRRC) Managing Director Sheriden Morris is looking forward to. Sheriden and her team at RRRC are hosting the fourth Annual Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) Conference which is being held in Cairns this week. The conference is designed to showcase the Australian Government's $40 million investment in scientific research in terms of improved sustainability for the North Queensland region, and Australia. [pdf 91.8 kb]

Full list of available PDF publications - November 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:14:22 GMT

Full list of available PDF publications - November 2011
Last updated 30 November 2011 [pdf 620.8 kb]

Great news for North Queensland's environment

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:35:59 GMT

Great news for North Queensland's environment
[19 February 2010] On behalf of a large consortium of research providers and end users working in North Queensland, the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) welcomed today's announcement by Minister Peter Garrett on the future of the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) Program in North Queensland. "e;This is fantastic news for everyone living and working in the region, including major industries such as the tourism industry,"e; said Sheriden Morris, Managing Director of the RRRC. [pdf 211.3 kb]

Great news for North Queensland's environment

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:37:19 GMT

Great news for North Queensland's environment
[11 March 2011] On behalf of the large consortium of research providers and end users based in and working in North Queensland, the RRRC today signed a contract with the Australian Government to administer a new, regionally-focused environmental research hub funded through the National Environmental Research Program (NERP). The $25.8 million research hub will fund four years' of research into environmental issues facing the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Wet Tropics rainforests. [pdf 32.9 kb]

'Greenhouse 2011: The Science of Climate Change' Conference Notice

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:16 GMT

'Greenhouse 2011: The Science of Climate Change' Conference Notice

(30 July 2010) Scientists, industry representatives and all levels of government will hear about the latest climate change science at the GREENHOUSE 2011 meeting, to be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from 4-8 April 2011.

Abstracts are invited on topics in line with the conference theme of 'the science of climate change'. Abstracts are to be submitted by 19 November 2010. See the conference website Abstract Submission webpage for further information.

For all other supporting information, including program, registration, venue and sponsorship opportunities, visit the conference home page.

Historical ecology of coral communities from the Palm Islands region (inshore central Great Barrier Reef)

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:47:32 GMT

Historical ecology of coral communities from the Palm Islands region (inshore central Great Barrier Reef)
George Roff, Tara Clark, Jian-xin Zhao, Claire Reymond, Laurence McCook and John Pandolfi (MTSRF Project 1.1.4) [pdf 1.3 Mb]

Impacts of Climate Change on Green Sea Turtles

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:19:57 GMT

Impacts of Climate Change on Green Sea Turtles
[30 March 2009] Climate change will cause additional pressure on already threatened sea turtle populations by skewing their sex ratio towards female, reducing available nesting space and altering their exposure to cyclones, according to new research results to be announced at the 2009 Annual Conference of the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. [pdf 157.2 kb]

Impacts of climate change on sea turtles: Using a vulnerability assessment to inform management

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:39:28 GMT

Impacts of climate change on sea turtles: Using a vulnerability assessment to inform management
Mariana Fuentes and Mark Hamann (MTSRF Project 1.4.1) [pdf 2.1 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF - September 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:09:05 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF - September 2009
Most research facilities measure their success in tems of the number of scientific and technical publications they have produced. While publication by this means is an extremely important step to maintaining the credibility of scientific information, the objectives of the MTSRF are more accurately served using additional indicators of performance. Updated in September 2009, the MTSRF presents brief descriptions of some of the cases in which successful delivery of MTSRF-funded 'solution science' to end users has contributed to changes in policy and/or practice. [pdf 4.4 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF: Carbon biosequestration

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:06:36 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF: Carbon biosequestration
The United Nations REDD Programme (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) recognises that deforestation is a serious climate change problem worldwide, as it not only directly threatens the health of rainforest ecosystems but also reduces the rate at which carbon is biosequestered from the atmosphere. Rainforest revegetation is considered an important mitigating tool for these problems. Australia is already a world leader in rainforest revegetation technologies, with decades of research showing that ecological restoration plantings can produce excellent rainforest ecosystem outcomes, including recovery of both animal and plant biodiversity. But what of carbon biosequestration rates? Rapidly increasing worldwide interest in the use of rainforest revegetation projects as carbon storage or environmental offsets�has stimulated researchers funded through the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) to investigate ways to maximise returns on investment in revegetation efforts. [pdf 1.4 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF: Delivering science solutions

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:07:05 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF: Delivering science solutions
There is increasing worldwide recognition of the cost of failure to transfer new research-generated knowledge to policy and decision makers. Enhancing the sometimes poor links between science and policy should be a high priority given the Australian Government's commitment to evidence-based policy, and the need for adaptive management to keep up with the increasing pace of environmental change. In the context of the recent reviews of the Australian Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program and the National Innovation System, it is both timely and appropriate to consider how publicly-funded, public-good research might more reliably inform Australian public policy and practice, particularly in the environmental arena. [pdf 1.2 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF: Increasing sustainability for Queensland's sharks

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:07:25 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF: Increasing sustainability for Queensland's sharks
There is increasing worldwide concern about the vulnerability of shark populations to fishing pressure, with marked declines in reef shark numbers recently reported in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef*. Although traditionally considered of low fisheries value, and hence a low priority for fisheries research, the lack of species-specific population assessments, catch per unit effort records and critical life history information for most sharks stands in stark contrast to the potential threats to their sustainability, including growing demand for shark products, as well as unknown but potentially significant mortality rates through bycatch in other fisheries. While the removal of apex predators is likely to have consequences for marine ecosystems that are already under pressure, sustaining shark populations is not just about biodiversity conservation: recent results from research funded through the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) suggest that healthy populations of sharks and other marine wildlife are very important in dollar terms to North Queensland's dive tourism industry (MTSRF Project 4.8.6 Analysis of recreational and tourism use and impact on the Great Barrier Reef for managing sustainable tourism). Generating some of the information that is needed to increase understanding about the impacts of commercial and recreational fishing on the Great Barrier Reef's inshore shark species has been a strong focus of research conducted through MTSRF Project 4.8.4. [pdf 1.2 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF: Towards sustainable shark fisheries on the Great Barrier Reef: The contribution of MTSRF-funded research

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:06:05 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF: Towards sustainable shark fisheries on the Great Barrier Reef: The contribution of MTSRF-funded research
MTSRF-funded science has generated the best available descriptions of shark catches in the inshore commercial net fishery of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, including catch composition and life history traits of priority species which will support production of a comprehensive ecological risk assessment of the Australian East Coast Inshore Finfish Fishery, Queensland's largest and most diverse fishery. Outputs from other MTSRF-funded research suggest that healthy populations of sharks and other marine wildlife are very important income generators for the Great Barrier Reef dive tourism industry in North Queensland. [pdf 4.6 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF: Working together for the Torres Strait

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:07:52 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF: Working together for the Torres Strait
The Torres Strait is a unique, and uniquely vulnerable, region of Australia. The numerous islands and their surrounding waters between Cape York and Papua New Guinea are home to a traditional Indigenous culture and complex and diverse natural environments, as well as some of the world's largest remaining populations of dugongs and turtles. Healthy marine ecosystems are fundamental to the sustainability of Torres Strait communities. It will be important to ensure that these marine ecosystems can continue to provide food and income despite sustained use and climate change. In addition, many of the inhabited islands are low-lying, and are already occasionally inundated by high tides. While all coastal areas of Australia will be affected by sea level rise, the island communities of Torres Strait are particularly vulnerable. Can scientific research help the communities of Torres Strait to increase sustainability in their region? [pdf 1.2 Mb]

Impacts of the MTSRF: Delivering for Australia

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:08:50 GMT

Impacts of the MTSRF: Delivering for Australia
The MTSRF has generated an enormous amount of new information relevant to living and working more sustainably in the tropics. While all of this information is freely and publicly available, the sheer quantity of it can be overwhelming. Successful delivery of new information to the people who can actually use it is fundamental to the overall objective of the MTSRF, which is to increase the sustainability of management and use of North Queensland's environmental assets. The RRRC has expended considerable effort making sure MTSRF-generated information is not only publicly available, but available in diverse interpreted forms that are accessible to a wide range of end users. The efforts of the RRRC in these knowledge brokering and delivery roles are already helping the MTSRF make a difference to environmental policy and practice in North Queensland, as well as further afield. [pdf 2.1 Mb]

Improving the accuracy and precision of TIMS U-series ages of modern corals and application of coral death assemblages from the inshore of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:41:07 GMT

Improving the accuracy and precision of TIMS U-series ages of modern corals and application of coral death assemblages from the inshore of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Tara R. Clark, Jian-xin Zhao, George Roff, Yue-xing Feng, Terry Done, John M. Pandolfi (MTSRF Project 1.1.4) [pdf 1.6 Mb]

Indicators for water quality as a driver of inshore coral reefs: What have we learned?

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:24:09 GMT

Indicators for water quality as a driver of inshore coral reefs: What have we learned?
Katharina Fabricius, C. Humphrey, S. Uthicke, T. Cooper, H. LeGrand, J. Davidson, A. Thompson, Glenn De'ath, J. Doyle and B. Schaffelke (MTSRF Project 3.7.1) [pdf 1.4 Mb]

Invitation for Expressions of Interest - 2010 CERF Conference

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:13:11 GMT

Invitation for Expressions of Interest - 2010 CERF Conference

(22 March 2010) Expressions of Interest are now being sought for the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) 2010 Conference to be held 24-26 May 2010 at the Old Parliament House, Canberra.

For further information about the conference and to express your interest in attending, visit www.conlog.com.au/cerf.

Kailag Enterprises research facilities for hire

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:36:57 GMT

Kailag Enterprises research facilities for hire
[pdf 428.6 kb]

Knowledge is profit: Informed farmers make more money

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:17:20 GMT

Knowledge is profit: Informed farmers make more money
[20 April 2009] Sir Francis Bacon famously wrote that 'Knowledge is power'. Now the results of a study of landholders on the Atherton Tablelands of North Queensland show that knowledge is also profit - informed farmers tend to make more money. The survey of rural landholders demonstrated that those who actively sought information about how to best manage their properties and businesses were more likely to be profitable than others. [pdf 99.1 kb]

Light intensity and water temperature are drivers of change in seagrasses of the Great Barrier Reef

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:29:23 GMT

Light intensity and water temperature are drivers of change in seagrasses of the Great Barrier Reef
Catherine Collier and Michelle Waycott (MTSRF Project 1.1.3) [pdf 2.5 Mb]

Managing risks to seagrass in coastal habitats

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:31:19 GMT

Managing risks to seagrass in coastal habitats
Rob Coles, Alana Grech, Michael Rasheed and Len McKenzie (MTSRF Project 1.1.3) [pdf 4.6 Mb]

Mapping the distribution of weeds and ferals in the Wet Tropics bioregion

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:35:05 GMT

Mapping the distribution of weeds and ferals in the Wet Tropics bioregion
Tina J. Lawson, T. Sydes and D. J. Metcalfe (MTSRF Project 1.2.1) [pdf 1.3 Mb]

Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Report for 2009-2010

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:08:31 GMT

Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Report for 2009-2010
Report prepared by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre on activities conducted in Year 4 of the MTSRF Research Program. Includes concluding overviews and remarks. [pdf 3.8 Mb]

Microorganisms are not responsible for the disease-like syndrome affecting the marine sponge Ianthella basta

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:55:33 GMT

Microorganisms are not responsible for the disease-like syndrome affecting the marine sponge Ianthella basta
Heidi Luter, Steve Whalan, Rocky de Nys and Nicole S. Webster (MTSRF Project 1.3.2) [pdf 2.4 Mb]

Monitoring intertidal seagrasses of the Great Barrier Reef and responses to water quality

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:27:17 GMT

Monitoring intertidal seagrasses of the Great Barrier Reef and responses to water quality
Len McKenzie, Richard K. Unsworth, Michelle Waycott, Rudi L. Yoshida and Naomi Smith (MTSRF Project 1.1.3a) [pdf 6.6 Mb]

MTSRF Great Barrier Reef Operations Committee Meeting, TOWNSVILLE

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:56:45 GMT

MTSRF Great Barrier Reef Operations Committee Meeting, TOWNSVILLE
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
11:00am - 3:00pm Timing and venue to be confirmed shortly by RRRC

MTSRF Program 4 Overview: Terrestrial threatened species, communities and ecosystem processes PLUS Halfway to the waterfall: Knowledge and gap filling in the Wet Tropics

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:31:48 GMT

MTSRF Program 4 Overview: Terrestrial threatened species, communities and ecosystem processes PLUS Halfway to the waterfall: Knowledge and gap filling in the Wet Tropics
Daniel J. Metcalfe, D. A. Westcott, A. Krockenberger and A. J. Ford (MTSRF Program 4) [pdf 690.9 kb]

MTSRF Rainforests & Catchments Operations Committee Meeting, CAIRNS

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:53:11 GMT

MTSRF Rainforests & Catchments Operations Committee Meeting, CAIRNS
Monday, 22 February 2010
9:30am - 2:30pm Timing and venue to be confirmed shortly by RRRC

MTSRF Torres Strait Steering Committee Meeting, CAIRNS

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:59:50 GMT

MTSRF Torres Strait Steering Committee Meeting, CAIRNS
Friday, 26 February 2010
9:30am - 2:30pm Timing and venue to be confirmed shortly by RRRC

MTSRF-funded researchers to present to the Department of Climate Change

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:45 GMT

MTSRF-funded researchers to present to the Department of Climate Change

(4 March 2010) Three senior MTSRF-funded researchers have been invited to present their work at a special session of the Department of Climate Change's Greenhouse Frontiers Seminar Series on 9 March 2010.

A ssociate Professor Kevin Parnell from James Cook University will discuss how his work is helping communities in the Torres Strait adapt to climate change. In conjunction with the Torres Strait Regional Authority, he has worked closely with communities on these low-lying islands to generate practical options for managing rising sea levels and shoreline erosion, and is currently exploring how traditional ecological knowledge might be used to help build the resilience of Torres Strait Islanders to climate change. Lessons learned in this region are applicable to managing the problems of vulnerable coastal communities elsewhere in Australia and the world.

Delivering practical options for managing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity is the goal of Professor Steve Williams from James Cook University. Working in the global biodiversity hotspot of the Wet Tropics rainforests of North Queensland, Professor Williams and his MTSRF-funded team are increasing our understanding of the consequences of climate change for tropical biodiversity, and the potential usefulness of climate refuges as management tools.

The release of the MTSRF-funded Monitoring Revegetation Projects in Rainforest Landscapes toolkit has been timely given the rapidly increasing interest in Australia and worldwide in revegetation for both ecological restoration and carbon biosequestration. Toolkit author Associate Professor Carla Catterall from Griffith University will discuss the wider implications of her MTSRF-funded research for managing, monitoring and evaluating the success of investment in ecological restoration and carbon sequestration projects.

The session will be held from 12.30pm-1.30 pm on Tuesday 9 March 2010 at the Department's offices, 2 Constitution Avenue, Canberra ACT.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Conrad Buffier at Conrad.buffier@climatechange.gov.au.

Myrtle's Battle against Climate Change

Tue, 25 May 2010 10:31:35 GMT

Myrtle's Battle against Climate Change
[19 May 2010] When a scientist presents their PhD, most people expect a boring report that is hundreds of pages long, with numerous complicated graphs and lots of footnotes. Instead James Cook University PhD student Mariana Fuentes has produced a children's book with illustrations, and only ten pages long. The book is based on Mariana's findings on her study of the impacts of climate change on the northern Great Barrier Reef green sea turtle population. The main character of the book, 'Myrtle' is based on a real turtle that was satellite-tagged in 2008 at Mer Island, Torres Strait. Myrtle was named by students of the local Tagai State College. [pdf 139.8 kb]

Nomination round now open for 2011 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:17 GMT

Nomination round now open for 2011 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

Nominations open for 2011 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

(16 March 2011) This year's nomination round is now open and will close on Friday 13 May 2011 at 5:00pm AEST. Nomination are invited for the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, which are offered to Australian citizens or those who hold permanent residence status in Australia.

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are a national tribute to excellent and dedicated work in Australian science and science teaching. Each comprises a cash component, a medallion and a lapel pin of the nature of those worn by recipients of Australian Honours such as the AO.

Further information about this year's nomination round, as well as recipients of the 2010 prizes, is available at the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website.

'Our Grandfathers' Wisdom': Towards a sustainable future for the hand collectable fisheries (beche de mer and trochus) of Torres Strait

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:20:44 GMT

'Our Grandfathers' Wisdom': Towards a sustainable future for the hand collectable fisheries (beche de mer and trochus) of Torres Strait
Alifereti Tawake, James Butler, Tim Skewes, Lavenie Tawake, Kenny Bedford, Willie Lui, Annabel Jones, Fiona Morseu, Vic McGrath and Helene Marsh (MTSRF Project 1.3.3) [pdf 1.3 Mb]

Overview of MTSRF Program 1: Status and trends of species and ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:49:55 GMT

Overview of MTSRF Program 1: Status and trends of species and ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef
Peter Doherty (MTSRF Program 1) [pdf 3.0 Mb]

Planning for the impacts of sea level rise in North Queensland

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:10:11 GMT

Planning for the impacts of sea level rise in North Queensland
[22 June 2009] The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) is bringing a national series of information seminars to Cairns and Townsville to enable policy makers, planners and owners of coastal infrastructure to understand and plan for the impacts of sea level rise. The seminars, to be delivered jointly by the RRRC, the Australian Government's Office of Climate Change and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC), will summarise the present state of sea level science and describe the method of incorporating this knowledge into risk-based planning. [pdf 86.0 kb]

Program 10 (Theme 5) Johnson, J. and Martin, K. (2011) Managing for resilience of the Great Barrier Reef: Socio-economic influences

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:19:06 GMT

Program 10 (Theme 5) Johnson, J. and Martin, K. (2011) Managing for resilience of the Great Barrier Reef: Socio-economic influences
This report provides a synthesis of the key findings of research conducted under the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) relevant to understanding the social and economic influences on managing for resilience of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The report summarises the findings of related projects supported by the MTSRF. Some of the information in this report is extracted from MTSRF project reports with the permission of the authors. [pdf 634.4 kb]

Program 10 (Theme 5) RRRC Long, S. (2010) Traditional Knowledge is Facilitating Climate Change Adaptation in Torres Strait

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:19:21 GMT

Program 10 (Theme 5) RRRC Long, S. (2010) Traditional Knowledge is Facilitating Climate Change Adaptation in Torres Strait
Researchers funded through the MTSRF have worked closely with Torres Strait communities to improve our understanding of both the vulnerability of Torres Strait islands to climate change, and their adaptation capacity. Traditional knowledge is a valuable asset in observing and managing environmental change, and Torres Strait Islanders are no exception: they have used traditional knowledge to adapt to biophysical changes in their environment for centuries (McNamara et al. 2010c). The research results show that traditional ecological knowledge and practices are already helping to facilitate climate change adaptation in the Torres Strait. Incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge and practices into future adaptation plans for the region is likely to increase the chances of adoption and success in terms of building community resilience to environmental change. This story from the Torres Strait contains lessons that are likely to be transferable to traditional island communities facing environmental challenges in many other parts of the world. [pdf 1.4 Mb]

Project 1.1.1 AIMS Delean, S. et al. (2008) Spatial and temporal patterns of indicators of reef health on the Great Barrier Reef

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:29:34 GMT

Project 1.1.1 AIMS Delean, S. et al. (2008) Spatial and temporal patterns of indicators of reef health on the Great Barrier Reef
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 8.3 Mb]

Project 1.1.1 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) April Milestone Report

Thu, 21 May 2009 11:06:33 GMT

Project 1.1.1 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) April Milestone Report
A project progress report - April 2009. [pdf 2.6 Mb]

Project 1.1.1 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) June Milestone Report

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:34:34 GMT

Project 1.1.1 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) June Milestone Report
A project progress report - June 2009. [pdf 219.8 kb]

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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:59:42 GMT

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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:00:19 GMT

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 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2007) Coral reef health indicators and thresholds of concern

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:07:38 GMT

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2007) Coral reef health indicators and thresholds of concern
Report from the Australian Institute of Marine Science which looks at components and measures of ecosystem health and practicalities of applying the approach to marine systems and to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in particular, with reference to incorporating measures of reef health into the MTSRF Integrated Report Card. [pdf 190.7 kb]

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2008) November Milestone Report

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:36:25 GMT

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2008) November Milestone Report
A project progress report detailing the start of surveys of the core reefs of the AIMS Long-term Monitoring Program; the completion of the cruise to the area north of Cooktown and another to the southern GBR of which is in progress. [pdf 43.4 kb]

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) June Milestone Report

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:36:03 GMT

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) June Milestone Report
A project progress report - June 2009. [pdf 3.0 Mb]

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) March Milestone Report

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:33:16 GMT

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2009) March Milestone Report
A project progress report - March 2009. [pdf 260.6 kb]

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2010) February Milestone Report

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:39:20 GMT

Project 1.1.2 AIMS Sweatman, H. (2010) February Milestone Report
Project progress report - February 2010. Includes the results of the latest surveys of reefs within the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) 'initiation zone' north of Cairns, North Queensland. [pdf 1009.5 kb]

Project 1.1.2 RCA Hill, J. (2008) December Milestone Report

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:48 GMT

Project 1.1.2 RCA Hill, J. (2008) December Milestone Report
A project milestone report on finalised operator interpretation materials and the projects results for 2008. [pdf 2.7 Mb]

Project 1.1.2 RCA Newsletter February 2007

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:03:51 GMT

Project 1.1.2 RCA Newsletter February 2007
[pdf 360.8 kb]

Project 1.1.2 RCA Newsletter May 2007

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:07:12 GMT

Project 1.1.2 RCA Newsletter May 2007
[pdf 144.9 kb]

Project 1.1.2 RCA Schlappy, M-L (2009) March Milestone Report

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:55:10 GMT

Project 1.1.2 RCA Schlappy, M-L (2009) March Milestone Report
A project progress report - March 2009. Includes 2009 Great Barrier Reef Project update, February 2009 Reef Check Australia newsletter and results of the 2008 Reef Check Australia photographic competition, 'What do coral reefs mean to you?'. [pdf 1.3 Mb]

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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:12:42 GMT

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 Collier, C. et al. (2009) Drivers of Change to Seagrass Distributions and Communities on the Great Barrier Reef: Literature Review and Gaps Analysis

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:52:07 GMT

Project 1.1.3 JCU Collier, C. et al. (2009) Drivers of Change to Seagrass Distributions and Communities on the Great Barrier Reef: Literature Review and Gaps Analysis
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 13.9 Mb]

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

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:15:46 GMT

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 JCU QDPIF Waycott, M. McKenzie, L. (2008) December Milestone Report

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:36:26 GMT

Project 1.1.3 JCU QDPIF Waycott, M. McKenzie, L. (2008) December Milestone Report
Joint project progress report by JCU and QDPI&F researchers for Project 1.1.3. [pdf 253.2 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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:08:25 GMT

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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:12:25 GMT

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 1.1.3 QPIF McKenzie, L. (2009) May Milestone Report

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:58:35 GMT

Project 1.1.3 QPIF McKenzie, L. (2009) May Milestone Report
Project progress report - includes some of the key findings of previous six months' Seagrass-Watch monitoring work and communications outputs; brief overview of light and temperature experiments on seagrasses; and an overview of a risk assessment for coastal seagrass habitats. [pdf 53.0 kb]

Project 1.1.3 QPIF McKenzie, L. et al. (2009) June Milestone Report

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:58:55 GMT

Project 1.1.3 QPIF McKenzie, L. et al. (2009) June Milestone Report
Final report for Year 3 (2008/2009). Includes a summary of project achievements: (a) Observed change in seagrass habitats of the Great Barrier Reef; (b) Understanding the drivers of seagrass habitat change, including indicators of seagrass health and thresholds of potential concern; and (c) risk assessment for coastal seagrass habitats - values, threats and vulnerabilities. [pdf 625.3 kb]

Project 1.1.4 AIMS Doherty, P. (2007) Summary of Project Research Activities 2006/2007

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:14:47 GMT

Project 1.1.4 AIMS Doherty, P. (2007) Summary of Project Research Activities 2006/2007
Copy of presentation slides for presentation of Year 1 results from Project 1.1.4. Presented by Dr P. Doherty, Australian Institute of Marine Science, at the Annual MTSRF Workshop, April 2007. [pdf 605.1 kb]

Project 1.1.4 UQ Quaintance, J. (2007) Coral community struture in life and death assemblages from the Swain Reefs, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:13:16 GMT

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 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J. (2008) January Milestone Report

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:01:27 GMT

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J. (2008) January Milestone Report
A project progress report detailing results on dating for coral rubbles from Swain Reefs and other sites that are currently in CMM collection and a report on sample collection in the central GBR. [pdf 62.7 kb]

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J. (2008) October Milestone Report

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:02:13 GMT

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J. (2008) October Milestone Report
A project progress report detailing the project plan for conduct of year three activities including planned laboratory and field sample collection schedule, and a plan of communication outputs and products for Year 3 including a summary of any communication activities undertaken to date. [pdf 45.9 kb]

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J.-x. (2009) June Milestone Report

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:02:22 GMT

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J.-x. (2009) June Milestone Report
Project progress report - June 2009. Includes plan for completion of out-year (MTSRF Year 4 2009/2010) activities. [pdf 49.7 kb]

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J-X (2009) January Milestone Report

Thu, 21 May 2009 11:08:17 GMT

Project 1.1.4 UQ Zhao, J-X (2009) January Milestone Report
A project progress report - January 2009 [pdf 153.9 kb]

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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:15:10 GMT

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

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:14:28 GMT

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 1.2.1 CSIRO Butler, J. (2007) December Milestone Report

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:17:08 GMT

Project 1.2.1 CSIRO Butler, J. (2007) December Milestone Report
This Milestone Report summarises progress achieved during the first reporting period of FY2007-2008 for Project 1.2.1 Status & Trends of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (June-November 2007). [pdf 236.0 kb]

Project 1.2.1 CSIRO Pert, P. (2008) December Milestone Report

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:26:10 GMT

Project 1.2.1 CSIRO Pert, P. (2008) December Milestone Report
This Milestone Report summarises progress achieved during the period July - December 2008 for Project 1.2.1c 'Status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services: state of the environment reporting and gap filling'. The project team continues to concentrate efforts on the spatial display of status and trends of resource conditions identified, and the filling of biodiversity data gaps with field surveys. [pdf 7.1 Mb]

Project 1.2.1 CSIRO Zich, F. (2009) Poster: Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:12:38 GMT

Project 1.2.1 CSIRO Zich, F. (2009) Poster: Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants
The Australian tropical rainforests contain over 2,500 species of higher plants, representing more than 10% of the Australian flora. The 'Australian Tropical Rain Forest Plants - Trees, Shrubs and Vines', also known as the 'rainforest key', is an interactive identification and information system developed by the CSIRO. This downloadable poster highlights some of the rainforest key modules currently under development. [pdf 462.2 kb]

Project 1.2.1(b) JCU Williams, S. (2009) December Milestone Report

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:45:06 GMT

Project 1.2.1(b) JCU Williams, S. (2009) December Milestone Report
Project progress report - December 2009. Includes a summary of field sampling and monitoring of bird, reptile and microhylid frog species in the highlands of the Wet Tropics region, and a summary of an extension task which is sampling rainforest bird species outside of the Wet Tropics region to further current understanding of the role of climate as a driver of patterns of diversity and abundance in rainforest birds in general. [pdf 80.9 kb]

Project 1.2.1(b) JCU Williams, S. (2010) 'Biodiversity monitoring for climate change'

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:10:27 GMT

Project 1.2.1(b) JCU Williams, S. (2010) 'Biodiversity monitoring for climate change'
Final Report on Project Activities, June 2010. This document reports on fauna and weather station monitoring data collected as part of MTSRF Project 1.2.1 Extension (b). Microclimate data was collected from a region-wide network of 25 weather stations from 2006 to 2010. The data gained has been used to develop realistic estimates of microclimate exposure for the region and to identify cooler landscape 'refugia' and major microhabitat features that buffer exposure to extreme temperatures. This data has been used to evaluate vulnerability or resilience of species to extinction, evaluate the biodiversity values of climate change refugia, and improve niche models. [pdf 96.1 kb]

Project 1.2.1(c) Pert, P. et al. (2010) A Prototype Report Card for the Status and Trends of Biodiversity, Soils and Landscapes in the Wet Tropics

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:51:54 GMT

Project 1.2.1(c) Pert, P. et al. (2010) A Prototype Report Card for the Status and Trends of Biodiversity, Soils and Landscapes in the Wet Tropics
This report card presents the results and recommendations of the Wet Tropics based project 'Status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services: State of the Environment reporting and gap filling' (MTSRF Project 1.2.1(c)). Presented here is a prototype indicator framework for the biodiversity, soils and landscape assets of the Wet Tropics, and preliminary results for their present condition based on expert opinion and the most recent available data. For each of these natural assets, the current status and trends are assessed, and priorities for natural resource management actions are identified. The report card also highlights information gaps, and makes recommendations for how these gaps should be filled. [pdf 4.8 Mb]

Project 1.3.1 CSIRO Haywood et al. (2007) Improved knowledge of Torres Strait seabed biota and reef habitats

Tue, 19 May 2009 19:32:16 GMT

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 1.3.1 CSIRO Haywood, M. (2007) June Project Milestone Report

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:18:09 GMT

Project 1.3.1 CSIRO Haywood, M. (2007) June Project Milestone Report
A progress report on coral reef characterisation; data gaps identified for the North Queensland region; data gaps filled from data sourced during Project 1.3.1; identification of areas for future work in the region to fill remaining data gaps; and a summary of communication activities udnertaken through the course of Year 1 of the Project (2006/2007). [pdf 252.0 kb]

Project 1.3.1 JCU Duce, S. et al. (2010) A Synthesis of Climate Change and Coastal Science to Support Adaptation in the Communities of the Torres Strait

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:18:01 GMT

Project 1.3.1 JCU Duce, S. et al. (2010) A Synthesis of Climate Change and Coastal Science to Support Adaptation in the Communities of the Torres Strait
This report provides a synthesis of research on climate change and coastal science in the Torres Strait. It identifies and summarises work to date on reef evolution, hydrodynamics and sedimentary environments throughout the Torres Strait. It describes the island dynamics at Boigu, Saibai, Masig, Poruma, Warraber and Iama Islands. Numerous studies relating to climatic change are reviewed and the most relevant regional predictions for climate change in the Torres Strait are presented. The potential physical and ecological impacts of these changes in the Torres Strait are also identified. Adaptation and mitigation measures are suggested and their outcomes and consequences are evaluated. The key principles from sustainable land use plans on the islands are summarised and knowledge gaps in the fields of both coastal and climatic science are identified to guide future research. [pdf 5.3 Mb]

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. (2010) Constructing Torres Strait Fact Sheet

Fri, 07 May 2010 11:06:10 GMT

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. (2010) Constructing Torres Strait Fact Sheet
This fact sheet summarises the results of a study on the overall representation and visibility of the Torres Strait region through policy, media coverage and public opinion, particularly in relation to climate change impacts and processes. The aim of the study was not to deny the role and effects of climate change, but to interrogate how the Torres Strait has been constructed in certain ways - such as being represented as being particularly vulnerable to climate processes such as tidal inundation through rising sea levels. [pdf 203.2 kb]

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Constructing the Torres Strait: Report on Policy, Media and Public Opinion

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:14:25 GMT

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Constructing the Torres Strait: Report on Policy, Media and Public Opinion
The Torres Strait region holds special significance in the protection of Indigenous Australian culture and land rights, but is also gaining visibility as a site of climate change impacts and adaptation. While the 1992 Australian High Court decision to grant Native Title to traditional owners on Mer Island is probably best known internationally and nationally, the Torres Strait has more recently gained media and policy visibility in relation to unusually large tides and other inundations linked to climate change. This report examines how the Torres Strait region is constructed and represented, largely in relation to climate change, in a variety of forums: policy and discussions, popular media and public opinion. While not denying the impacts of climate change in the region, this report aims to interrogate how the Torres Strait is constructed in certain ways, such as being 'particularly' vulnerable to climate processes. This report identifies how the above three realms offer differing representations of the region. Both media and policy representations for instance implicate severe climate change in the identity of the region and as such construct Islanders as 'particularly' vulnerable subjects with low adaptive capacity. On the other hand, the results from the public opinion survey present alternative constructions of the region, based around culture, people and community. [pdf 464.9 kb]

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Documenting and Sharing the Seasonal Calendar for Erub Island, Torres Strait

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:43:53 GMT

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Documenting and Sharing the Seasonal Calendar for Erub Island, Torres Strait
Reading landscapes, seasons and environments has long been a tradition for Torres Strait Islanders through their close relationships with their islands and seas. MTSRF funded researchers worked with community Elders on Erub Island in the eastern group of islands in the Torres Strait to document the Elders' knowledge of seasonal patterns, including winds, wet and dry seasons, and also patterns in plant, animal and bird life. This report examines and synthesises this knowledge. The information varies from details on the migration and nesting patterns of key totem birds, to the movement of the Tagai star constellation, to the onset of wind patterns indicating certain planting or fishing cycles. The importance of documenting and transferring such knowledge is that it begins the task of generating interest among the younger generation to identify seasonal and environmental indicators in their landscape. This ability of Islanders to identify indicators and 'read' their land and sea country becomes important in maintaining culture, livelihoods and their surrounding environment. To this end, the seasonal calendar, which was assembled from the knowledge of four Erub Island Elders, was also developed into a large wooden mural at the local primary school. The school's students were involved in the creation and installation of the mural, and its contents will now form part of their teaching curriculum. It is hoped that by documenting, safeguarding and transferring this knowledge, it will remain alive and valuable. [pdf 797.1 kb]

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Elders' and Aunties' Experiences of Climate on Erub Island, Torres Strait

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:44:27 GMT

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Elders' and Aunties' Experiences of Climate on Erub Island, Torres Strait
There has been growing concern over the exposure of Torres Strait Islander communities to the impacts of climate change. Across the Torres Strait region, impacts have included inundation events, high tides, less predictable winds and ocean currents, an increase in disease vectors, the loss of cultural sites, and a reduction in freshwater supplies. Some of these direct and indirect impacts of climate change have been recorded in the scientific literature, but to date there is a paucity of documentation as to how the communities themselves have experienced these changes and impacts. These 'experiences' (of changes and/or impacts) might stem from Islanders' memories, or from the present. This report documents and records Erub Island Elders' and Aunties' experiences of a changing climate, such as their memories of extreme weather events and historical environmental changes, to present day changes to their land and sea country. [pdf 105.4 kb]

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Resilience in Knowledge: Unpacking Adaptation Strategies on Erub Island, Torres Strait

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:44:49 GMT

Project 1.3.1 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Resilience in Knowledge: Unpacking Adaptation Strategies on Erub Island, Torres Strait
Torres Strait Islanders have long been managing their land and sea country. In this vein, they have also been adapting to changes in their local environments since time immoral. This report examines and synthesises knowledge from Elders and Aunties on Erub Island, as well as the voice and views of young Islanders, who shared past and present adaptation strategies for coping with environmental changes. It contains traditional knowledge, including actions and activities that have been employed to adapt to seasonal and climatic changes. This information can shed light on Erub Islanders' ways of adapting to changes in the future. [pdf 857.8 kb]

Project 1.3.1 UNSW Green, D. (2007) December Milestone Report

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:14:25 GMT

Project 1.3.1 UNSW Green, D. (2007) December Milestone Report
A project progress report - December 2007. [pdf 47.7 kb]

Project 1.3.1 UNSW Green, D. (2008) May Milestone Report

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:14:35 GMT

Project 1.3.1 UNSW Green, D. (2008) May Milestone Report
A project progress report - May 2008. [pdf 46.7 kb]

Project 1.3.2 AIMS Duckworth, A. (2007) Ecological Role and Potential Value of Sponges to Torres Strait - Annual Report 2007

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:40:46 GMT

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

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:42:32 GMT

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 Evans-Illidge, E. et al. (2010) 'Ecological Role and Potential Value of Sponges to Torres Strait'

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:04:23 GMT

Project 1.3.2 AIMS Evans-Illidge, E. et al. (2010) 'Ecological Role and Potential Value of Sponges to Torres Strait'
Final Report on Project Activities, June 2010. Project 1.3.2 extends on work carried out through the CRC Torres Strait to establish farming protocols and best practice guidelines for growing the commercial bath sponge Coscinoderma matthewsi at Masig Island in Torres Strait. During the course of the MTSRF-funded research, researchers (a) studied the ecology and demography of sponges in Torres Strait, especially C. matthewsi, as a possible surrogate for ecosystem connectivity and health of benthic communities in Torres Strait; and (b) established a firmer knowledge base to underpin the sustainable environmental management of Torres Strait sponge framing. This document reports on outputs to date, including (a) the known distribution and abundance of sponges in Torres Strait at a range of spatial scales; (b) a demonstrated low incidence of disease in wild sponge populations; and (c) temporal trends in sponge demographics plus evidence of the success of existing farming and harvesting procotols. [pdf 2.9 Mb]

Project 1.3.2 AIMS Whalan, S. (2009) Ecological role and potential value of sponges to Torres Strait - Annual Report 2009

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:12:20 GMT

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

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:19:24 GMT

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 1.3.2 Duckworth, A. (2007) February Milestone Report

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:20:14 GMT

Project 1.3.2 Duckworth, A. (2007) February Milestone Report
A project milestone report detailing data and documents sourced to assist in achieving the projects objectives, findings of field work conducted to date (surveys of population collection for genetic work, recruitment plate deployment, sponge pathogen characterization), a project schedule of remaining field work and a summary of all liaison activities conducted to date (including employment employment of TSI for the project). [pdf 204.6 kb]

Project 1.3.2 Poster: Sponge farm at Masig operated by Kailag Enterprises

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:55:31 GMT

Project 1.3.2 Poster: Sponge farm at Masig operated by Kailag Enterprises
A three-year study by the CRC Torres Strait involving the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Yorke Island Council has developed farming procedures to commercially grow the common bath sponge Coscinoderma mathewsi around Masig (Yorke) in the Torres Strait. [pdf 1.3 Mb]

Project 1.3.3 CSIRO Pascoe, S. (2007) Preliminary review of key resource economics in the Torres Strait

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:20:36 GMT

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

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:11:58 GMT

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 STF Roe, D. (2010) Marine Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for Western Province, Papua New Guinea

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:28:40 GMT

Project 1.3.3 STF Roe, D. (2010) Marine Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for Western Province, Papua New Guinea
Outcomes of Development Workshop held 10 June 2010, Daru. [pdf 1.0 Mb]

Project 1.3.4 TSRA McGrath, V. (2007) Project Activity Plan

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:21:04 GMT

Project 1.3.4 TSRA McGrath, V. (2007) Project Activity Plan
Project progress report prepared by the Torres Strait Regional Authority, outlining a plan for liaison and facilitation activities and communication events/products to assist MTSRF researcher activity in the Torres Strait. [pdf 32.9 kb]

Project 1.3.4 TSRA Miley, D. (2008) May Final Milestone Report

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:11:08 GMT

Project 1.3.4 TSRA Miley, D. (2008) May Final Milestone Report
A project final progress report on the liaison and communication products completed during the milestone period 15th December 2007 to 30th May 2008, including an assessment of effectiveness and delivery against the projects plan. [pdf 87.1 kb]

Project 1.3.5 CSIRO Tawake, L. et al. (2010) Towards regional and community-scale reporting of marine ecosystem health in the Torres Strait

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:30:39 GMT

Project 1.3.5 CSIRO Tawake, L. et al. (2010) Towards regional and community-scale reporting of marine ecosystem health in the Torres Strait
Currently there is no formal marine ecosystem health monitoring or reporting system in the Torres Strait. While some commercial fisheries are assessed and monitored in detail, much of this information is transmitted to regional management agencies. However, there is increasing awareness of the need to involve Torres Strait Islander communities in the dissemination and collection of ecosystem management and research information, and to establish an integrated system of marine ecosystem health reporting whcih is of relevance to agencies and communities. This report presents the findings of MTSRF Project 1.3.5 'Reporting Ecosystem Health in the Torres Strait', which was established in 2006 to (a) identify potential marine ecosystem health indicators for Torres Strait that are relevant to regional and community-level stakeholders, and to calculate available data for those indicators; and (b) to develop potential monitoring and reporting frameworks and media for marine ecosystem health. [pdf 3.9 Mb]

Project 1.3.5 TSRA Miley, D. (2007) June Project Milestone Report

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:21:24 GMT

Project 1.3.5 TSRA Miley, D. (2007) June Project Milestone Report
Project Final Draft report detailing initial outcomes for meetings, workshops and engagement with Torres Strait Leaders and Communities; A short list of potential indicators for Torres Strait summarising their strengths and weaknesses, including a summary of progress with linking these potential indicators into the draft framework of the Integrated Report Card. [pdf 717.0 kb]

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2007) Project Milestone Report (Objective B) June

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:22:38 GMT

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2007) Project Milestone Report (Objective B) June
Project milestone report by James Cook University researchers, addressing Objective B - Analysis of the patterns, rates and causes of sand loss from green turtle rookeries of international significance in the northern Great Barrier Reef region; and assessment of remote methods of recording human visitation at remote sites of high conservation significance. Project milestone report to the MTSRF, June 2007. Unpublished report. [pdf 783.3 kb]

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2008) September Milestone Report

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:31:37 GMT

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2008) September Milestone Report
A project progress report detailing the Turtle Rodeo held in July 2008, community liaison between the Traditional owners at Murray Island and the planned project field trips. [pdf 66.9 kb]

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2009) January Milestone Report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:18:51 GMT

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2009) January Milestone Report
A project progress report - January 2009. [pdf 83.7 kb]

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2009) June Milestone Report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:17:45 GMT

Project 1.4.1 JCU Hamann, M. (2009) June Milestone Report
Project progress reporting outlining specific achievements of Year 3 (2008/2009) activities including field work, communication activities and outputs, and results of sea turtle tagging exercises. [pdf 325.2 kb]

Project 1.4.1 JCU Marsh, H. (2007) Northern Great Barrier Reef Torres Strait Final Report

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:05:52 GMT

Project 1.4.1 JCU Marsh, H. (2007) Northern Great Barrier Reef Torres Strait Final Report
Project final report on Condition, status and trends and projected futures of the dugong in the Northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait; including identification and evaluation of the key threats and evaluation of available management options to improve its status. [pdf 2.2 Mb]

Project 1.4.1 JCU Marsh, H. et al. (2008) Condition, status and trends and projected futures of the dugong in the Northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait; including identification and evaluation of the key threats and evaluation of available management options to improve its status

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:15:28 GMT

Project 1.4.1 JCU Marsh, H. et al. (2008) Condition, status and trends and projected futures of the dugong in the Northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait; including identification and evaluation of the key threats and evaluation of available management options to improve its status
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 6.6 Mb]

Project 1.4.1 Marsh, H. et al. (2007) Northern Great Barrier Reef & Torres Strait Final Report

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:22:21 GMT

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)

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:32:01 GMT

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 Marsh, H. (2008) September Milestone Report

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:15:28 GMT

Project 1.4.2 JCU Marsh, H. (2008) September Milestone Report
A project progress report - September 2008. [pdf 42.3 kb]

Project 1.4.2 JCU Soto, A. (2007) Effects of Acoustic Alarms on Coastal Dolphins - Powerpoint Slides

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:24:14 GMT

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 1.4.3 CSIRO (2009) The spatial distribution and characteristics of the Queensland Forest Service rainforest map units in the Wet Tropics of North Queensland

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:01:49 GMT

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO (2009) The spatial distribution and characteristics of the Queensland Forest Service rainforest map units in the Wet Tropics of North Queensland
Compiled and edited by Andrew W. Graham from a study initiated by M. S. Hopkins with data recorded by P. Harland and R. K. Hewett. CSIRO Report No. VM1/049-15, 6 April 2009. ABSTRACT: This report presents unpublished but somewhat 'dated' data on the spatial distribution patterns of mainland North Queensland rainforests from 43 Queensland Forest Service 1:50,000 maps as available in 1990. At that time all data extractions from the maps were carried out manually as digital mapping resources were not available. All mapped rainforest isolates were assessed and arbitrarily classified as massifs (>10,000 ha), blocks (1,000-10,000 ha) and patches (<1,000 ha). Eleven massifs were defined, covering 635,945 ha and representing 89.4% of the total mapped area of 711,574 ha; seven blocks extended over 14,248 ha and represented two percent of the mapped area; 3,974 patches were identified covering 61,381 ha representing 8.6 percent of the mapped area. All patches were classified with regard to location in regard to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA) boundary, elevation and boundary length, naturalness of the margins, distance to the nearest patch, as well as topographic and geomorphic settings. Approximately two-thirds of the patches, both by number and area, had natural boundaries. Just over 50% of the patches occurred across 10 maps sheets and represented 59% of all patches with natural boundaries, being concentrated in the north-northwest and southern sections of the study area. Natural patches are most common in areas of marginal to unsuitable climate for rainforest, in rugged areas and on lower fertility soils. Map sheets with the largest areas of patches with modified boundaries are most commonly located in wet coastal areas and Tablelands areas. Just over 60% of patches are located completely outside the WTWHA boundary. In terms of geomorphic and topographic settings, riparian patches are most common, typically at lower altitudes. Discrepancies between the total mapped area and other contemporaneous estimates of the mainland rainforest area are addressed and some important general implications for management are briefly considered. Images of the 43 assessed maps and the spreadsheet of the full dataset are included with the report. [pdf 2.4 Mb]

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO Metcalfe, D. (2007) Project Milestone Report August

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:24:53 GMT

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO Metcalfe, D. (2007) Project Milestone Report August
Report prepared by CSIRO researchers which summarises work carried out between December 2006 and June 2007 in pursuance of the objectives set for 2006/2007. [pdf 103.2 kb]

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO Metcalfe, D. (2009) November Milestone Report

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:03:24 GMT

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO Metcalfe, D. (2009) November Milestone Report
Project progress report - November 2009. Includes update on objectives and sub-projects: Littoral rainforest mapping; Impacts of climate change; Cassowaries and flying foxes; Mechanisms of climate change impacts on threatened species; Tolerances of arboreal marsupials; and Physiological tolerances of microhylid frogs. [pdf 1.7 Mb]

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO Metcalfe, D. et al. (2010) Floristic impacts of re-alignment of beach ridge track, Cowley Beach

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:49:25 GMT

Project 1.4.3 CSIRO Metcalfe, D. et al. (2010) Floristic impacts of re-alignment of beach ridge track, Cowley Beach
A long-standing 4WD track along the back of the foredunes and sand spit between Cowley Beach and the mouth of Liverpool Creek (south of Innisfail, North Queensland) was extensively damaged by Tropical Cyclone Larry in March 2006. Storm surges removed several metres of beach sand and many established trees, while high winds felled many trees across the track. Quad bike riders and 4WD drivers have subsequently made their own tracks, following the original track at the southern end, but running along the ridge crest for much of its length, damaging sand-stabilising vegetation and potentially disturbing turtle nest sites. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is assessing the feasibility of re-routing the track to the landward side of the foredune where the sand is better stabilised and potential ecological damage is minimised. This report provides details of a site assessment carried out by CSIRO ecologists to assess community structure and condition in relation to the mapped vegetation communities under the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management's Regional Ecosystem Framework (RE), search for significant plant species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) (NCA), and for bioregionally important occurrences of other plant species, assess weed abundance and distribution, and assess the ecological values of the site and the damage being caused by on-going motor vehicle access. [pdf 2.4 Mb]

Project 4.8.5 JCU Nilsson, J. et al. (2010) A Community Survey of Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef

Fri, 07 May 2010 14:20:51 GMT

Project 4.8.5 JCU Nilsson, J. et al. (2010) A Community Survey of Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 4.6 Mb]

Project 4.9.1 JCU Fuentes, M. (2010) Myrtle's battle against climate change

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:24:24 GMT

Project 4.9.1 JCU Fuentes, M. (2010) Myrtle's battle against climate change
This PDF version of the book is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 2.1 Mb]

Project 4.9.4 UQ Emtage, N. et al. (2009) Landholders' perceptions of the Australian Government's Reef Rescue Program in the Wet Tropics region of North Queensland

Thu, 06 May 2010 15:01:38 GMT

Project 4.9.4 UQ Emtage, N. et al. (2009) Landholders' perceptions of the Australian Government's Reef Rescue Program in the Wet Tropics region of North Queensland
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 848.3 kb]

Project 4.9.4 UQ Emtage, N. et al. (2009) Modelling factors affecting landholders' adoption of recommended natural resource management practices in the Wet Tropics region

Thu, 06 May 2010 14:58:12 GMT

Project 4.9.4 UQ Emtage, N. et al. (2009) Modelling factors affecting landholders' adoption of recommended natural resource management practices in the Wet Tropics region
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 1.1 Mb]

Reef Guardian Schools 'Teacher Networking' Meeting

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:59:10 GMT

Reef Guardian Schools 'Teacher Networking' Meeting
Wednesday, 03 March 2010
1st annual speed-networking meeting to be held at The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James - lecture theatre - 3 March 2010, 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Contact Carolyn.Luder@gbrmpa.gov.au for further information. RSVP by 26 February.
http://www.reefed.edu.au/home/guardians

Reef Water Quality Marine Monitoring Program Summary Report 2007/2008

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:32:44 GMT

Reef Water Quality Marine Monitoring Program Summary Report 2007/2008
[pdf 4.5 Mb]

Reporting marine ecosystem health in the Torres Strait

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:16:03 GMT

Reporting marine ecosystem health in the Torres Strait
Lavenie Tawake, James Butler, Tim Skewes and Vic McGrath (MTSRF Project 1.3.5) [pdf 965.7 kb]

Research needs for sustainable growth in tropical north Queensland

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:49:07 GMT

Research needs for sustainable growth in tropical north Queensland
[17 July 2009] Some of Australia's top climate change scientists are meeting on Monday in Port Douglas to scope tropical north Queensland's climate science priorities and challenges, in a two-day workshop jointly sponsored by the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence, the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility and the CSIRO. The CSIRO has been responsible for providing the latest information about climate change to the Australian community, industry and government. Together with the Bureau of Meteorology, they are attempting to answer some fundamental questions about future climate and weather - particularly in the Australian tropics. These involve the behaviour of tropical cyclones, the El Nino Soutern Oscillation phenomenon, extreme temperatures and rainfall, and rising sea levels. [pdf 94.8 kb]

Robust and cost effective indicators of the status of the dugong in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:37:52 GMT

Robust and cost effective indicators of the status of the dugong in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
Alana Grech and Helene Marsh (MTSRF Project 1.4.2) [pdf 1.5 Mb]

RRRC to present to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:45 GMT

RRRC to present to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

(4 March 2010) On behalf of the RRRC consortium, Dr Suzanne Long and Dr David Souter will speak at a special afternoon seminar at Industry House in Canberra on 10 March 2010.

Suzanne will present and discuss some of the lessons learned from the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF), an innovative experiment in the management and delivery of applied research programs in regional Australia. David will introduce the e-Atlas, the MTSRF's new online knowledge management system that integrates a range of open-source technologies to provide access to the data and information handling, spatial mapping and analytical tools to collate, integrate, analyse, share and communicate the vast array of biophysical and socio-economic information required to facilitate evidence-based decision making for effective management and long-term sustainable use of Australia's tropical environmental assets.

The session will be held from 2.30pm-3.30 pm on Wednesday 10 March 2010, at Industry House, 10 Binara Street, Canberra ACT.

Contact Matt Stimson (matt.stimson@innovation.gov.au) to register your interest in attending.

Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Project Workshop

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:16 GMT

Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Project Workshop

Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for Western Province, Papua New Guinea - Development Workshop, Daru, 10 June 2010

(19 July 2010) A Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program Development Workshop, held in Daru, Papua New Guinea (PNG) on 10 June, brought together some 35 participants, including representatives from the thirteen PNG Treaty villages in Western Province. Facilitated by the Sea Turtle Foundation, with support from the MTSRF Project 1.3.4, the workshop was also attended by representatives of the PNG Department of Environment and Conservation, the PNG Fisheries Department, the PNG Treaty Chairman and the PNG Border Liaison Officer.

Key objectives of the workshop included a review of the Guiding Framework that resulted from the Daru Turtle and Dugong Workshop held in February 2009, as well as an introduction of the Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program for Western Province, PNG, and the chance to seek feedback from workshop participants on content and delivery options for the Awareness Program.

Daru workshop participants (Photo courtesy of David Roe)

Australian representatives came from the Sea Turtle Foundation, the MTSRF, the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) were unable to attend due to a major workshop to further develop Dugong and Turtle Management Plans in the region.

The Daru workshop gave participants the opportunity to develop components of the Sea Turtle and Dugong Awareness Program that the Sea Turtle Foundation will deliver in the thirteen Treaty communities and in Daru.

More information about the workshop is available at the Sea Turtle Foundation Daru workshop webpage.

Seagrass Watch Newsletter, Issue 38, September 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:04:42 GMT

Seagrass Watch Newsletter, Issue 38, September 2009
[pdf 486.2 kb]

Seminar: What's happening in GBRMP 'Green' Zones?

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:47 GMT

Seminar: What's happening in GBRMP 'Green' Zones?

(1 June 2010) James Cook University researcher Dr David Williamson will discuss the outputs of MTSRF funded research at a community seminar to be held on 10 June.

David will identify the effects of Marine Park zoning on inshore fish species and try to answer such questions as:

What's happening to the Reef's fish numbers?
How are the zones different?
Will trout numbers continue to grow?
Will they overflow into other zones?
What questions remain unanswered?

The seminar will be held from 7:00 to 8:00pm on Thursday, 10 June 2010 at the Mossman Bowls Club, Johnston Road, Mossman, Far North Queensland. Further information can be obtained by contacting 4098 1536. Entry is free.

Download: Seminar Flyer

Sharks International Conference, 6-11 June 2010, Cairns

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:21:46 GMT

Sharks International Conference, 6-11 June 2010, Cairns

(15 April 2010) Sharks International will provide a forum for the world's leading shark and ray experts, students and up and coming researchers to exchange and compare their latest research in shark and ray ecology from around the world. The conference will be the first of its kind in Australia since 1991 and is an opportunity to encourage and develop international links between researchers from various regions. The event will be held at the Rydges Hotel Esplanade in Cairns from 6 to 11 June, 2010.

Addressing key knowledge gaps for effective shark conservation has been a priority area for the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF Program 8). MTSRF-funded researchers from James Cook University will be presenting their latest research results in shark and ray ecology, biology and fisheries of the Great Barrier Reef. Recognising the international significance of this conference, the critical need to address existing knowledge gaps, and the MTSRF involvement in shark research, the RRRC is proudly sponsoring the event.

Further Information: Sharks International Conference webpage

Sponge aquaculture development at Yorke Island, Torres Strait

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:05:07 GMT

Sponge aquaculture development at Yorke Island, Torres Strait
Philippa Bauer and Chris Robertson (Kailag Enterprises; MTSRF Program 3 - Torres Strait) [pdf 4.0 Mb]

Status and trends of native vegetation condition in the Wet Tropics

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:51:37 GMT

Status and trends of native vegetation condition in the Wet Tropics
Petina L. Pert, James Butler, Caroline Bruce and Dan Metcalfe (MTSRF Project 1.2.1c) [pdf 2.0 Mb]

T40 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Assessing environmental research needs across three communities in the Torres Strait

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:02:40 GMT

T40 JCU McNamara, K. et al. (2010) Assessing environmental research needs across three communities in the Torres Strait
This report presents the environmental research needs of locals living in three island communities in the Torres Strait region. The project sought to conduct an assessment of environmental research needs in a number of Torres Strait communities, and also involve some TSRA Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) staff. The core aim of this project was to attempt to ensure that knowledge generated from future applied research arrangements is appropriate and useful for end-users throughout the Torres Strait. These end-users for future research include government agencies such as the TSRA, leaders and representatives (such as Island Councilors, Island Managers and PBC members), elders, and locals living in the communities where research is being conducted. This document provides a synthesis of the outputs of the project and forms a basis for future environmental research carried out in Torres Strait. [pdf 268.7 kb]

Tania Major presents Essential Science for North Queenslanders

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:15:32 GMT

Tania Major presents Essential Science for North Queenslanders
[22 April 2009] North Queenslander and former Young Australian of the Year, Tania Major, will be presenting information that all North Queenslanders need to know at a series of engaging Essential Science Sessions to be held in Cairns and Townsville in May. Tania will attend the third Annual Conference of the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) in Townsville in April to extract the most interesting and useful of the MTSRF scientific results and summarising them into a one-hour session aimed at the general public. [pdf 146.7 kb]

Targeted Research, Community Benefit, Value for Money

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:17:09 GMT

Targeted Research, Community Benefit, Value for Money
MTSRF presentation by Dr Ian Poiner (AIMS) and Mr Daniel Gschwind (QTIC) at the 2009 CERF Conference, Canberra, 16 September 2009. - 36.1 Mb

The e-Atlas: What you need to know as a MTSRF project

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:41:11 GMT

The e-Atlas: What you need to know as a MTSRF project
Eric Lawrey and Kim Pritchard (MTSRF Project 1.1.5) [pdf 1.3 Mb]

The roles of invasive species in tropical fragmented forests

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:34:01 GMT

The roles of invasive species in tropical fragmented forests
Daniel J. Metcalfe, Andrew Ford, Tina Lawson and Helen Murphy (MTSRF Project 1.4.3) [pdf 1.0 Mb]

The Wet Tropics' heritage of ancient flowering plants revealed

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:46:57 GMT

The Wet Tropics' heritage of ancient flowering plants revealed
[21 July 2009] The importance of North Queensland's Wet Tropics rainforests as an evolutionary refuge for many of the world's most ancient rainforest plant lineages may have been underestimated, a new study conducted by CSIRO scientists and funded by the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) has found. [pdf 286.6 kb]

Theme 5 RRRC Devantier, L. (2009) Great Barrier Reef Research: Baseline Synthesis and Year 1 Summary

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:05:56 GMT

Theme 5 RRRC Devantier, L. (2009) Great Barrier Reef Research: Baseline Synthesis and Year 1 Summary
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 9.0 Mb]

Theme 5 RRRC Hogan, S. et al. (2009) Proceedings of the 2009 Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Annual Conference

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:21:18 GMT

Theme 5 RRRC Hogan, S. et al. (2009) Proceedings of the 2009 Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Annual Conference
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 8.7 Mb]

Theme 5 RRRC Long, S. et al. (2009) Proceedings of the 2008 Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Annual Conference

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:49:09 GMT

Theme 5 RRRC Long, S. et al. (2009) Proceedings of the 2008 Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Annual Conference
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 14.3 Mb]

Theme 5 RRRC Taylor, R. et al. (2009) Proceedings of the 2008 Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Annual Conference

Wed, 06 May 2009 11:35:45 GMT

Theme 5 RRRC Taylor, R. et al. (2009) Proceedings of the 2008 Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Annual Conference
This PDF document is designed to be printed double-sided. [pdf 14.7 Mb]

Torres Strait Kabar (Trochus) Fact Sheet

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:59:29 GMT

Torres Strait Kabar (Trochus) Fact Sheet
The Torres Strait Trochus Fishery is a small, single species commercial and subsistence fishery, according to the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority, however is an important source of income for some islanders. [pdf 533.4 kb]

Torres Strait Kaiar (Tropical Rock Lobster) Fact Sheet

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:50:40 GMT

Torres Strait Kaiar (Tropical Rock Lobster) Fact Sheet
Kaiar (also commonly known as the tropical rock lobster) is considered the second most valuable commercial species in the Torres Strait, according to the Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences. Torres Strait kaiar stock is found from the tip of Cape York to the northern border of the Torres Strait Protected Zone although most catch comes from the western and south-eastern regions of Torres Strait where kaiar densities are highest. The majority of commercial Torres Strait kaiar is exported overseas with live product supplying Asian markets and frozen kaiar tails generally sold to the USA market. Surveys are carried out to measure the abundance of recruiting and fished lobsters at 82 sites in Torres Strait. [pdf 358.2 kb]

Torres Strait Sokpis (Warrior Reef Sandfish) Fact Sheet

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:55:55 GMT

Torres Strait Sokpis (Warrior Reef Sandfish) Fact Sheet
Torres Strait sandfish has been subject of extensive fishing effort, according to the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority. It is a high value species that occurs in relatively shallow waters and as a result is vulnerable to over-harvesting. [pdf 354.8 kb]

Tourism staff benefit from reef research

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:09:08 GMT

Tourism staff benefit from reef research
[23 February 2010] Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises' Operations Manager, Neil Shelley, will soon be able to confidently tell guests how the reef is adapting to climate change, and how much a single shark sighting is worth to the tourism industry. He will be attending the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre's (RRRC) upcoming Reef Science Seminar, which will cover these and many more issues relating to the Great Barrier Reef. [pdf 69.8 kb]

Traditional ecological knowledge is facilitating climate change adaptation in Torres Strait

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:16 GMT

Traditional ecological knowledge is facilitating climate change adaptation in Torres Strait

(19 January 2011) Research funded by the MTSRF Torres Strait research program has shown that traditional ecological knowledge and practices are helping communities in Torres Strait to adapt to changes in the region's climate.

Researchers from James Cook University (JCU) worked closely with Torres Strait communities to record traditional knowledge and practices, including a seasonal calendar, to help improve our understanding of both the vulnerability of Torres Strait islands to climate change and the capacity of communities to adapt to an unprecedented rate of changes in their environment.

Recent work with the Erub Island community in particular was the focus of an article by Greencross Australia.

Recent outputs that highlight JCU and other research in Torres Strait are freely available for download:

Traffic noise killing of Australian frogs

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:50:16 GMT

Traffic noise killing of Australian frogs

Traffic noise killing off frogs - Australian Geographic article

(1 June 2010) A recent article by Australian Geographic looks at how urban traffic noise is drowning out the mating calls of some Australian frogs. The article highlights research being conducted by MTSRF funded researchers from James Cook University (Project 4.9.3), who, surprisingly, discovered that while larger frogs are being negatively affected by urban noise, the smaller male common mist frog (Litoria rheocola) can cope better because of their higher-pitched calls. Read more.

Trends in coral reef health on the Great Barrier Reef assessed from data collected by community monitoring programs

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:09:29 GMT

Trends in coral reef health on the Great Barrier Reef assessed from data collected by community monitoring programs
Jo Roberts, Marie-Lise Schlappy, Paul Markey and Clive Wilkinson (MTSRF Project 1.1.2) [pdf 1.4 Mb]

U-series dating of historical changes in GBR coral communities: Progress report and future plan

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:45:11 GMT

U-series dating of historical changes in GBR coral communities: Progress report and future plan
Jian-xin Zhao, Tara Clark, George Roff, Kefu Yu, Terry Done, Laurence McCook and John Pandolfi (MTSRF Project 1.1.4) [pdf 1.5 Mb]

Vegetation change in the Wet Tropics, 1972-2006

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:19:55 GMT

Vegetation change in the Wet Tropics, 1972-2006
Caroline Bruce, Petina Pert, James Butler and Dan Metcalfe (MTSRF Project 1.2.1) [pdf 1.9 Mb]

Working Together for the Torres Strait

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:57:46 GMT

Working Together for the Torres Strait
[26 September 2008] The latest scientific research being conducted in the Torres Strait was presented to the Board of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), plus leading community leaders and representatives from Federal Government agencies at a meeting on Thursday Island on Friday 26 September 2008. Members of the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) today met with key Torres Strait management agencies to highlight some of the important outcomes from the latest research projects being conducted in Australia's most northern region. [pdf 50.6 kb]

World leading Australian research to save the Great Barrier Reef from climate change

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:55:01 GMT

World leading Australian research to save the Great Barrier Reef from climate change
(25 July 2008) The Great Barrier Reef is under threat from climate change, but there is hope: scientists and managers are working together to try to keep the Reef healthy. That was the clear message delivered this morning by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, in Port Douglas, far north Queensland. The Prime Minister and Climate Change Minister were guided by Ms Sheriden Morris, CEO of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, as they inspected some healthy and unhealthy reefs at the Low Isles, just offshore from Port Douglas. "Climate change is already affecting the Reef," Ms Morris said. "While it is easy to be overwhelmed by the array of environmental and economic problems that are being caused by climate change, it's important to remember that there are things we can do to mitigate or avoid these risks." "Right now we're developing an innovative tool that is going to be critical in our fight to save the Great Barrier Reef - the Reef Atlas," she said. [pdf 51.2 kb]