My research focuses on the ecology and photophysiology of tropical marine organisms in coastal habitats at risk. In recent years, my work has centred on the marine optical environment and how photosynthetic processes dictate the success of marine plants and how this impacts the habitat at a broader scale. Using fine-scale fluorometric technology together with field-based rapid-assessment techniques our research team has built a strong understanding of natural variability versus impacts from environmental threats.

I have forged strong collaborations with researchers at the University of Technology Sydney to delve further into the optics and photosystems of marine plants. Our joint ventures have led to new research using cutting edge tools and sensors in the area of fluorometrics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to understand tropical seagrass systems.

Using an integrated scientific approach to manage marine habitats, I am currently leading a project on the drivers of deep-water seagrass dynamics and the implications of dredging on their optical strategies. I am particularly interested in the spectral attenuation of light at depth and how the plant modifies its photosynthetic machinery to adopt this environmental niche. This work feeds into management strategies used byt eh Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and state and federal regulators managing dredging programs on the GBR coastline.

Previous work on coral photophysiology and larval recruitment success in the Caribbean has also allowed me to integrate back into coral research on the Great Barrier Reef in 2018. I am currently co-leading a project to increase coral larvae settlement and recruitment success in the northern Great Barrier Reef.  The new research is one of six innovative ideas funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments. The innovative methods used will include rearing millions of coral larvae with improved performance and uptake of the symbiotic algae required for coral survival before the team settles the larvae directly on affected reef areas.

Other research interests include the productivity of tropical seagrass ecosystems, the resilience of seagrasses to disturbance and the role of seed banks and other reproductive mechanisms in recovery. I also am broadening my research interests and directions back into coral photophysiology and how such tools can enhance large-scale restoration efforts.  

Research Disciplines

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

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Ecosystem Assessment and Management (9605)
• Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (9608)
• Rehabilitation of Degraded Environments (9612)

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

• Chartrand K, Szabó M, Sinutok S, Rasheed M and Ralph P (2018) Living at the margins - the response of deep-water seagrasses to light and temperature renders them susceptible to acute impacts. Marine Environmental Research, 136. pp. 126 - 138
• Schrameyer V, York P, Chartrand K, Ralph P, Kuhl M, Brodersen K and Rasheed M (2018) Contrasting impacts of light reduction on sediment biogeochemistry in deep- and shallow-water tropical seagrass assemblages (Green Island, Great Barrier Reef). Marine Environmental Research, 136. pp. 38-47
• Wu P, McMahon K, Rasheed M, Kendrick G, York P, Chartrand K, Caley M and Mengersen K (2018) Managing seagrass resilience under cumulative dredging affecting light: predicting risk using dynamic Bayesian networks. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55 (3). pp. 1339-1350
• Wu P, Mengersen K, McMahon K, Kendrick G, Chartrand K, York P, Rasheed M and Caley M (2017) Timing anthropogenic stressors to mitigate their impact on marine ecosystem resilience. Nature Communications, 8.
• 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.
• 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
• Macreadie P, Schliep M, Rasheed M, Chartrand K and Ralph P (2014) Molecular indicators of chronic seagrass stress: A new era in the management of seagrass ecosystems? Ecological Indicators, 38. pp. 279-281
• Petrou K, Jimenez-Denness I, Chartrand K, McCormack C, Rasheed M and Ralph P (2013) Seasonal heterogeneity in the photophysiological response to air exposure in two tropical intertidal seagrass species. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 482. pp. 93-106
• Grech A, Chartrand-Miller K, Erftemeijer P, Fonseca M, McKenzie L, Rasheed M, Taylor H and Coles R (2012) A comparison of threats, vulnerabilities and management approaches in global seagrass bioregions. Environmental Research Letters, 7 (2). pp. 1-8
• Unsworth R, Rasheed M, Chartrand K and Roelofs A (2012) Solar radiation and tidal exposure as environmental drivers of Enhalus acoroides dominated seagrass meadows. PLoS One, 7 (3). pp. 1-8
• Chartrand K, Durako M and Blum J (2009) Effect of hyposalinity on the photophysiology of Siderastrea radians. Marine Biology, 156. pp. 1691-1702

Other research outputs

• Collier C, Chartrand K, Honchin C, Fletcher A and Rasheed M (2016) Light thresholds for seagrasses of the GBRWHA: a synthesis and guiding document. [monograph]

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 32+ research outputs authored by Mrs Katie Chartrand from 2008 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.