JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Janine Sheaves

About

My research focuses on the spatial structure and temporal dynamics of benthic invertebrates in tropical transitional wetlands. This work filles a critical gap in our knowledge of the unique components of these fauna and ways in which they respond to changes in tidal and freshwater flow. Consequently, the work provides a vital underpinning for work to restoration the functioning of human impacted tropical coastal wetlands.

My research focuses on the spatial structure and temporal dynamics of benthic invertebrates in tropical transitional wetlands. This work fills a critical gap in the knowledge of the unique components of these fauna and ways in which they respond to changes in tidal and freshwater flow. this work provides a vital underpinning for work to restoration and functioning of human impacted tropical coastal wetlands.

My research focusses on the spatial structure and temporal dynamics of benthic invertebrates in tropical transitional wetlands. I examine, document and evaluate the understanding of these components of these vitally important environments. This work fills a critical gap in the knowledge of the unique components of these fauna and ways in which they respond to changes in tidal and freshwater flow. This work provides a vital underpinning of work to restoration and functioning of human impacted tropical coastal wetlands.

I am te Director of the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program for undergraduate students in the College of Science and Engineering. Our program connects our students with industry and community organisations to support their learning and prepare them for their future careers.

Teaching

BS1001: Introduction to Biological Processes (Level 1; TSV)
MB2080: Invertebrate Biology (Level 2; TSV)
MB3270: Coastal, Estuarine and Mangrove Ecosystems (Level 3; TSV)
MB5270: Coastal, Estuarine and Mangrove Ecosystems (Level 5; TSV)
MB5380: Invertebrate Biology (Level 5; TSV)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

Awards

2014 - Inclusive Practice Award
2011 - Inclusive Practice Award
2010 - Certificate of Recognition from Australian College of Educators. For ability to engage students in skill development and understanding of biological concepts and for providing outstanding support to enable students to achieve their goals.
2010 - Inclusive Practice Award
2006 - Inclusive Practice Award

Other

1997 - Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Teaching).

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.

Journal Articles

Sheaves M, Mattone C, Barnett A, Abrantes K, Bradley M, Sheaves A, Sheaves J and Waltham N (in press) Whale sharks as oceanic nurseries for Golden Trevally. Pacific Conservation Biology, 23004.
Sheaves M, Waltham N, Benham C, Bradley M, Mattone C, Diedrich A, Sheaves J, Sheaves A, Hernandez S, Dale P, Banhalmi-Zakar Z and Newlands M (2021) Restoration of marine ecosystems: understanding possible futures for optimal outcomes. Science of the Total Environment, 796.
Sheaves M, Bradley M, Herrera C, Mattone C, Lennard C, Sheaves J and Konovalov D (2020) Optimizing video sampling for juvenile fish surveys: using deep learning and evaluation of assumptions to produce critical fisheries parameters. Fish and Fisheries, 21 (6). pp. 1259-1276
Sheaves J, Dingle L and Mattone C (2016) Biotic hotspots in mangrove-dominated estuaries: macro-invertebrate aggregation in unvegetated lower intertidal flats. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 556. pp. 31-43
Sheaves M, Sheaves J, Stegemann K and Molony B (2014) Resource partitioning and habitat-specific dietary plasticity of two estuarine sparid fishes increase food web complexity. Marine and Freshwater Research, 65 (2). pp. 114-123

Current Funding

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

Ecological Society of Australia - Student Research Grant

Ecological and Environmental Characteristics of Nurseries in Fisheries Species

Indicative Funding: $4,550 over 1 year
Summary: Fisheries species use a mosaic of interconnected coastal habitats. The quality of habitats and the connectivity between them determine successful recruitment to offshore fisheries. However, there are several knowledge gaps regarding nursery habitat requirements in fisheries species. There are examples of management of adult fisheries stocks in Australia, but very little is known about juvenile populations and habitats they use. This project focuses on the genus Lutjanus which is harvested across the world?s tropical fisheries. The study will determine ecological and environmental habitat characteristics that juvenile Lutjanus spp. presence correlates with, to identify habitat patches that provide nursery value to species, across early life history stages.
Investigators: Ajay Venkataraman, Michael Bradley, Janine Sheaves and Carlo Mattone (College of Science & Engineering and NQ Dry Tropics)
Keywords: Lutjanus spp.; Coastal; Underwater video; Nursery habitats; Juvenile; Fisheries

Queensland Department of Environment and Science - Research Grant

Desktop work, Fish Habitat and Fisheries Research

Indicative Funding: $17,581
Summary: A desktop synthesis of available scientific literature and grey literature is foundational for the approved DES project ?Coastal Wetlands for Fish ? Building foundational knowledge to guide effective habitat restoration?, to provide the initial knowledge base for fish habitat use of ecosystem components and processes and inform the future direction and approach of the project.
Investigators: Marcus Sheaves and Janine Sheaves (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Fish; Habitat; Coastal

Supervision

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.

Completed