JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Amy Diedrich

About

My research interests relate broadly to the humn dimensions of environmental conservation and management, with an emphasis on small-scale fishing communities in the tropics. In particular, I work to identify the social factors that influence positive livelihood outcomes from conservation, development, and natural resource management. Much of my work has focused on how tourism alters the relationship between humans and the natural environment (e.g. through shifting livelihoods, implementation of Marine Protected Areas, and influence on socio-cultural values and behaviour). More recently, my research has focused on the role of social capital in influencing sustainable livelihood outcomes in small-scale fishing communities in Asia and the Pacific.

My work tends to be applied and locally or regionally specific, with an overarching objective to develop comparative methods and evaluation tools relevant to multiple scenarios. To date, I have conducted research in the Caribbean, Latin America, the Mediterranean and in the Asia Pacific region. I use a combination of quantitative and qualitative ethnographic methods and am working to develop ways to integrate social and ecological science data in spatial contexts, thus providing comprehensive scientific support to environmental decision-making.

Teaching

EV3020: Human Dimensions of Nature, Environment and Conservation (Level 3; TSV)
EV5009: Foundations of Natural Resource Management (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
EV5020: Human Dimensions of Nature, Environment and Conservation (Level 5; TSV)
EV5209: Principles and Practices of Protected Area Management (Level 5; TSV)
SC5009: Professional Placement (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
SC5900: Special Topic (Level 5; TSV)
SC5901: Special Topic 1 (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
SC5902: Special Topic 2 (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
SC5903: Literature Review (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
SC5909: Minor Project and Seminar (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
SC5912: Minor Project, Seminar and Literature Review (1 of 2) (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
SC5913: Minor Project, Seminar and Literature Review (2 of 2) (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

Human dimensions of conservation and natural resource management
Marine Protected Areas
Sustainable livelihoods
Marine ecotourism
Sustainable aquaculture

Experience

2013 to present - Lecturer, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences (Townsville, Australia)
2012 - Lecturer, The School for Field Studies (Bocas del Toro, Panama)
2009 to 2012 - Lead Researcher, Division of Strategic Issues and Applications for Society, Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (Spain)
2006 to 2008 - Postdoctoral Researcher, Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (Balearic Islands, Spain)
2002 to 2003 - Doctoral Research Assistant, Coastal Resources Centre, University of Rhode Island (USA)
2001 to 2002 - Program Assistant, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO (Paris, France)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Publications

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

Sandanam A, Diedrich A, Gurney G and Richardson T (2018) Perceptions of cyclone preparedness: assessing the role of individual adaptive capacity and social capital in the Wet Tropics, Australia. Sustainability, 10 (4).
Diedrich A, Stoeckl N, Gurney G, Esparon M and Pollnac R (2017) Social capital as a key determinant of perceived benefits of community-based marine protected areas. Conservation Biology, 31 (2). pp. 311-321
Trave C, Brunnschweiler J, Sheaves M, Diedrich A and Barnett A (2017) Are we killing them with kindness? Evaluation of sustainable marine wildlife tourism. Biological Conservation, 209. pp. 211-222
Barnett A, Abrantes K, Baker R, Diedrich A, Farr M, Kuilboer A, Mahony T, McLeod I, Moscardo G, Prideaux M, Stoeckl N, Van Luyn A and Sheaves M (2016) Sportfisheries, conservation and sustainable livelihoods: a multidisciplinary guide to developing best practice. Fish and Fisheries, 17 (3). pp. 696-713
Diedrich A and Aswani S (2016) Exploring the potential impacts of tourism development on social and ecological change in the Solomon Islands. Ambio, 45 (7). pp. 808-818
Aswani S, Diedrich A and Currier K (2015) Planning for the future: mapping anticipated environmental and social impacts in a nascent tourism destination. Society and Natural Resources, 28 (7). pp. 703-719
Krause G, Brugere C, Diedrich A, Ebeling M, Ferse S, Mikkelsen E, Agúndez J, Stead S, Stybel N and Troell M (2015) A revolution without people? Closing the people–policy gap in aquaculture development. Aquaculture, 447. pp. 44-55
Sardá R, O'Higgins T, Cormier R, Diedrich A and Tintoré J (2014) A proposed ecosystem-based management system for marine waters: linking the theory of environmental policy to the practice of environmental management. Ecology and Society, 19 (4). pp. 1-14
Diedrich A, Terrados J, Arroyo N and Balaguer P (2013) Modeling the influence of attitudes and beliefs on recreational boaters' use of buoys in the Balearic Islands. Ocean & Coastal Management, 78. pp. 112-120
Tintoré J, Vizoso G, Casas B, Heslop E, Pascual A, Orfila A, Ruiz S, Martínez-Ledesma M, Torner M, Cusí S, Diedrich A, Balaguer P, Gómez-Pujol L, Álvarez-Ellacuria A, Gómara S, Sebastian K, Lora S, Beltran J, Renault L, Juzá M, Álvarez D, March D, Garau B, Castilla C, Canellas T, Roque D, Lizarán I, Pitarch S, Carrasco M, Lana A, Mason E, Escudier R, Conti D, Sayol J, Barcæló B, Alemany F, Reglero P, Massuti E, Vélez-Belchí P, Ruiz J, Oguz T, Gómez M, Álvarez E, Ansorena L and Manriquez M (2013) SOCIB: the Balearic Islands Coastal Ocean Observing and Forecasting System responding to science, technology and society needs. Marine Technology Society Journal, 47 (1). pp. 101-117
Diedrich A and Tintore J (2012) Multi-method approach to exploring social-ecological dimensions in a Mediterranean suburban beach setting. Coastal Management, 40 (3). pp. 301-311
Balaguer P, Diedrich A, Sarda R, Fuster M, Cañellas B and Tintoré J (2011) Spatial analysis of recreational boating as a first key step for marine spatial planning in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Ocean & Coastal Management, 54 (3). pp. 241-249

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 20+ research outputs authored by Dr Amy Diedrich from 2007 onwards.

Current Funding

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

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - Reef Guardian Grants

A holistic approach to shark and ray species management: the role of contemporary Indigenous knowledge.

Indicative Funding: $2,000
Summary: Using a case study approach, this is a collaborative project with a Saltwater Traditional Owner group (Yuku Baja Muliku) that will describe the use and cultural values that they have for sharks and rays, and explore how, or what, Indigenous knowledge of these species could be recognised or used in science and management. The project also looks at how managers and scientists currently use Indigenous knowledge in their disciplines and hopes to identify the barriers and opportunities that may lead to a more holistic, inclusive and comprehensive management approach that acknowledges both knowledge systems (both western and Indigenous).
Investigators: Karin Gerhardt and Amy Diedrich (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge; Traditional Owners; Sharks; Rays

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors - Global Partnership for Sharks & Rays (GPSR)

Maximising outcomes for shark and ray MPAs

Indicative Funding: $740,629 over 2 years
Summary: This project will investigate the benefits of using marine protected areas (MPAs) for shark and ray conservation. It will combine work reviewing the current state of knowledge, synthesis or shark and ray movement data to better inform MPA design, identification of socioeconomic factors that affect MPA success, and spatial modelling to identify the areas where MPAs will be of greatest benefit. I will include partnerships with AIMS and Simon Fraser University.
Investigators: Colin Simpfendorfer and Amy Diedrich in collaboration with Michelle Heupel and Nick K Dulvy (College of Science & Engineering, Australian Institute of Marine Science and Simon Fraser University)
Keywords: Marine Protected Areas; movement ecology; Shark; Conservation Planning; ray; Spatial Planning

ACIAR - Research Grant

FIS/2013/015 Sustainable Management of Sport Fisheries for Communities in Papua New Guinea

Indicative Funding: $688,131 over 5 years
Summary: The project aims to conduct the ecological, fisheries, social, business and tourism research needed to develop a viable local-based sport fishery for Black Bass in Papua New Guinea that can provide alternative livelihoods for local people.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves, Jacob Wani, Ronnie Baker, Adam Barnett, Amy Diedrich, Murray Prideaux and Katya Abrantes in collaboration with Dean Jerry, Alf Kuilboer, Gianna Moscardo, Anne Swinbourne, Leban Gisawa, Peter Vincent, Jason Yip, Riccard Reimann and Ian Middleton (College of Science & Engineering, National Fisheries Authority, Papua New Guinea, College of Business, Law & Governance, College of Healthcare Sciences, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, National Department of Health (PNG), Baia Sport Fishing and Ok Tedi Development Foundation)
Keywords: Fish; Ecosystems; Sport Fishing; Estuary; Livelihoods; Food Security

Supervision

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

Effects of land use on butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) abundance and diversity in the tropical coastal regions of Guyana and Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
A holistic approach to shark fisheries science and management: The role of contempory indigenous knowledge (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Understanding the social dynamics of tilapia pond aquaculture in a rural developing pacific islands context (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Conservation Targeting and Prioritization in the Prairie Pothole Region (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Maximising Potential Impact of Marine Protected Area Placement: An Integrated Socioeconomic Perspective. (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Completed

Socio-economic Drivers Affecting Marine Turtle Conservation Status: Causes and Consequences;; (2018, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
The Ecological State and Fishing Practices of Coral Reefs in South Buton (2018, Masters , Secondary Advisor)
Multidisciplinary insights into the conservation and biology of sea turtles in Mozambique (2017, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Collaboration

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.