Dr Alana Grech ~ Assistant Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

My research interests are interdisciplinary and broadly focus on informing the management of Australia's natural and cultural environment through spatial information science and conservation planning. Most of my research is conducted in remote coastal and marine areas of northern Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait, and Gulf of Carpentaria. 

The transfer of research to management action and policy is my highest priority, and I actively generate partnerships to deliver my research outputs directly to government and non-government agencies and Indigenous communities. I communicate my knowledge via research papers, reports and presentations, workshops with stakeholders, and briefings to agencies, such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Australian Department of Environment, and the Torres Strait Regional Authority.

My research has received funding from the Australian Research Council, Ian Potter Foundation, James Cook University, Macquarie University, NSW Adaptation Research Hub - Biodiversity Node, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, National Environmental Research Program Tropical Ecosystems Hub, Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, and others.

Interests

Research

• Spatial predictions of coastal and marine features
• Cumulative impact and risk assessments in geographic information systems (GIS)
• Conservation planning and Indigenous Australia

Experience

• 2013 to 2016 - Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University (Sydney)
• 2010 to 2013 - Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Environmental Science and Management (0502)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Ecosystem Assessment and Management (9605)
• Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (9608)

Fellowships

• 2015 - Wallonie-Bruxelles International, Asem Duo Fellowship
• 2012 - Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Churchill Fellowship

Memberships

• 2016 - International Society for Reef Studies
• 2016 - Australian Coral Reef Society
• 2010 - World Seagrass Association
• 2008 - Society of Conservation Biology

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Tol S, Jarvis J, York P, Grech A, Congdon B and Coles R (2017) Long distance biotic dispersal of tropical seagrass seeds by marine mega-herbivores. Scientific Reports, 7. pp. 1-8
• Ainsworth T, Heron S, Ortiz J, Mumby P, Grech A, Ogawa D, Eakin C and Leggat W (2016) Climate change disables coral bleaching protection on the Great Barrier Reef. Science, 352 (6283). pp. 338-342
• Bridge T, Grech A and Pressey R (2016) Factors influencing incidental representation of previously unknown conservation features in marine protected areas. Conservation Biology, 30 (1). pp. 154-165
• Graham V, Laurance S, Grech A, McGregor A and Venter O (2016) A comparative assessment of the financial costs and carbon benefits of REDD+ strategies in Southeast Asia. Environmental Research Letters, 11 (11). pp. 1-11
• Grech A, Wolter J, Coles R, McKenzie L, Rasheed M, Thomas C, Waycott M and Hanert E (2016) Spatial patterns of seagrass dispersaland settlement. Diversity and Distributions, 22 (11). pp. 1150-1162
• Grech A, Pressey R and Day J (2016) Coal, cumulative impacts, and the Great Barrier Reef. Conservation Letters, 9 (3). pp. 200-207
• Heatwole H, Lillywhite H and Grech A (2016) Physiological, ecological, and behavioural correlates of the size of the geographic ranges of sea kraits (Laticauda; Elapidae, Serpentes): a critique. Journal of Sea Research, 115. pp. 18-25
• McLean J, Maalsen S and Grech A (2016) Learning about feminism in digital spaces: online methodologies and participatory mapping. Australian Geographer, 47 (2). pp. 151-177
• Sheaves M, Coles R, Dale P, Grech A, Pressey R and Waltham N (2016) Enhancing the value and validity of EIA: serious science to protect Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Conservation Letters, 9 (5). pp. 377-383
• Cleguer C, Grech A, Garrigue C and Marsh H (2015) Spatial mismatch between marine protected areas and dugongs in New Caledonia. Biological Conservation, 184. pp. 154-162
• Coles R, Rasheed M, McKenzie L, Grech A, York P, Sheaves M, McKenna S and Bryant C (2015) The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area seagrasses: managing this iconic Australian ecosystem resource for the future. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science , 153. pp. A1-A12

Book Chapters

• Coles R, Rasheed M, Grech A and McKenzie L (in press) Seagrass meadows of northeastern Australia. In: The Wetland Book II: Distribution description and conservation. Springer, pp. 1-13

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Impacts and Risk of the Microplastic portion of Marine Debris to Marine Organisms. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• Opportunities for REDD+ to Minimise Forest Carbon Emissions and Mitigate Climate Change in Southeast Asia (2017, Masters , Associate Advisor)
• Informing dugong conservation at several spatial and temporal scales in New Caledonia (2015, PhD , Associate Advisor)
• Understanding the risk to flatback turtles (Natator depressus) from expanding industrial development in Western Australia (2017, PhD , Associate Advisor)

These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit the JCU Research Data Catalogue.

• Tol, S. (2016) Biotic tropical seagrass seed dispersal by dugong and green sea turtles in the Great Barrier Reef. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (dugongs, turtles, cetaceans) Moreton Bay, December 2000. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerials surveys (dugongs, cetaceans, turtles) Torres Strait, November to December 1991. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (dugong) Torres Strait, November 1996. James Cook University
• Marsh, H. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (dugong, cetacean, turtle) Torres Strait, November 2006. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerial survey Torres Strait, 1987. James Cook University
• Marsh, H. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (dugong, cetacean, turtle) Torres Strait, November 2005. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (dugong) Torres Strait, 2001. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (dugong, turtle) Torres Strait, December 1994. James Cook University
• Grech, A. (2012) Dugong aerial survey (cetacean, dugong, turtle) Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef, 2000. James Cook University

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.