Alex is employed as a senior research officer with TropWATER. Her research focuses on the ecology and conservation of coastal environments, in particular tropical seagrass meadows and coral reefs, and fisheries management.

Alex's current research focuses on understanding environmental and biological variation at broad spatial and/or temporal scales. Recent research projects include developing seagrass condition indicators for the Gladstone Harbour report card, working with Torres Strait rangers to monitor seagrass in the Dugong Sanctuary, GIS mapping projects in Torres Strait and on the Great Barrier Reef, and developing spatial tools for assessing habitats at risk from shipping accidents in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Torres Strait.

Alex completed her PhD on spatial variation in reproductive biology for common coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus), and the role of marine reserves as a potential fisheries management tool for this species on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Interests

Research

• Statistical approaches to model messy biological data
• Spatial analysis of habitats at risk and biodiversity hotspots
• Fisheries management and no-take marine reserves
• Fish reproductive biology
• Spatial and temporal trends in seagrass meadow condition

Research Disciplines

• Environmental Science and Management (0502)
• Ecology (0602)

Socio-Economic Objectives

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

Awards

• 2009 - GBRMPA Science for Management Award
• 2009 - PADI Project Aware Grant
• 2008 - GBRMPA Science for Management Award

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

• Carter A, Davies C, Emslie M, Mapstone B, Russ G, Tobin A and Williams A (2017) Reproductive benefits of no-take marine reserves vary with region for an exploited coral reef fish. Scientific Reports, 7. pp. 1-12
• York P, Smith T, Coles R, McKenna S, Connolly R, Irving A, Jackson E, McMahon K, Runcie J, Sherman C, Sullivan B, Trevathan-Tackett S, Brodersen K, Carter A, Ewers C, Lavery P, Roelfsema C, Sinclair E, Strydom S, Tanner J, van Dijk K, Warry F, Waycott M and Whitehead S (2017) Identifying knowledge gaps in seagrass research and management: an Australian perspective . Marine Environmental Research, 127. pp. 163-172
• Baird M, Adams M, Babcock R, Oubelkheir K, Mongin M, Wild-Allen K, Skerratt J, Robson B, Petrou K, Ralph P, O’Brien K, Carter A, Jarvis J and Rasheed M (2016) A biophysical representation of seagrass growth for application in a complex shallow-water biogeochemical model. Ecological Modelling, 325. pp. 13-27
• Chartrand K, Bryant C, Carter A, Ralph P and Rasheed M (2016) Light thresholds to prevent dredging impacts on the Great Barrier Reef seagrass, Zostera muelleri ssp. capricorni. Frontiers in Marine Science, 3.
• Carter A, Carton A, McCormick M, Tobin A and Williams A (2015) Maternal size, not age, influences egg quality of a wild, protogynous coral reef fish Plectropomus leopardus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 529. pp. 249-263
• York P, Carter A, Chartrand K, Sankey T, Wells L and Rasheed M (2015) Dynamics of a deep-water seagrass population on the Great Barrier Reef: annual occurrence and response to a major dredging program. Scientific Reports, 5. pp. 1-9
• Carter A, Davies C, Mapstone B, Russ G, Tobin A and Williams A (2014) Effects of region, demography, and protection from fishing on batch fecundity of common coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus). Coral Reefs, 33 (3). pp. 751-763
• Carter A, Russ G, Tobin A, Williams A, Davies C and Mapstone B (2014) Spatial variation in the effects of size and age on reproductive dynamics of common coral trout Plectropomus leopardus. Journal of Fish Biology, 84 (4). pp. 1074-1098
• Rasheed M, McKenna S, Carter A and Coles R (2014) Contrasting recovery of shallow and deep water seagrass communities following climate associated losses in tropical north Queensland, Australia. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 83. pp. 491-499

Conference Papers

• Carter A, Davies J, Jarvis J, McCormack C and Rasheed M (2017) Development of a condition report card for variable and diverse seagrass meadows in ports. Proceedings of the Australasian Coasts & Ports 2017 Conference. In: Australasian Coasts & Ports 2017 Conference: working with nature, 21-23 June 2017, Cairns, QLD, Australia
• Carter A, Coles R, McKenna S and Rasheed M (2017) Spatial management tools for coastal seagrasses in Queensland, Australia. Proceedings of the Australasian Coasts & Ports 2017 Conference. 21-23 June 2017, Cairns, QLD, Australia
• Rasheed M, McKenna S, Coles R and Carter A (2017) Protection of Great Barrier Reef seagrasses through innovative port industry and science research partnerships. Proceedings of the Australasian Coasts & Ports 2017 Conference. In: Australasian Coasts & Ports 2017 Conference: working with nature, 21-23 June 2017, Cairns, QLD, Australia

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 59+ research outputs authored by Dr Alexandra Carter from 2007 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

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.