JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Katya Abrantes

About

Teaching

EV5961: Ecosystem Dynamics - Ridge to Reef (Level 5; TSV)

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

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
Sheaves M, Baker R, Abrantes K and Connolly R (2016) Fish biomass in tropical estuaries: substantial variation in food web structure, sources of nutrition and ecosystem-supporting processes. Estuaries and Coasts, 40 (2). pp. 580-593
Sheaves M, Baker R, McLeod I, Abrantes K, Wani J and Barnett A (2016) The conservation status of Niugini black bass: a world-renowned sport fish with an uncertain future. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 23 (3-4). pp. 243-252
Abrantes K, Barnett A, Baker R and Sheaves M (2015) Habitat-specific food webs and trophic interactions supporting coastal-dependent fishery species: an Australian case study. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 25 (2). pp. 337-363
Abrantes K, Johnston R, Connolly R and Sheaves M (2015) Importance of mangrove carbon for aquatic food webs in wet–dry tropical estuaries. Estuaries and Coasts, 38 (1). pp. 383-399
Masese F, Abrantes K, Gettel G, Bouillon S, Irvine K and McClain M (2015) Are large herbivores vectors of terrestrial subsidies for riverine food webs? Ecosystems, 18 (4). pp. 686-706
Vermeiren P, Abrantes K and Sheaves M (2015) Generalist and specialist feeding crabs maintain discrete trophic niches within and among estuarine locations. Estuaries and Coasts, 38 (6). pp. 2070-2082
Abrantes K, Barnett A and Bouillon S (2014) Stable isotope-based community metrics as a tool to identify patterns in food web structure in east African estuaries. Functional Ecology, 28 (1). pp. 270-282
Brunnschweiler J, Abrantes K and Barnett A (2014) Long-term changes in species composition and relative abundances of sharks at a provisioning site. PLoS ONE, 9 (1). pp. 1-10
Abrantes K, Barnett A, Marwick T and Bouillon S (2013) Importance of terrestrial subsidies for estuarine food webs in contrasting East African catchments. Ecosphere, 4 (1). pp. 1-33
Barnett A, Yick J, Abrantes K and Awruch C (2013) Trophic ecology of an abundant predator and its relationship with fisheries. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 494. pp. 241-248

Book Chapters

Sheaves M, Abrantes K and Johnston R (2014) Deluge Inlet, a pristine small tropical estuary in north-eastern Australia. In: Estuaries of Australia in 2050 and Beyond. Estuaries of the World. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 261-275

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 32+ research outputs authored by Dr Katya Abrantes from 2003 onwards.

Current Funding

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

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Are We Killing Them With Kindness: Does Tourism Affect Shark Health?

Indicative Funding: $85,000
Summary: Shark tourism is a growing multi-million dollar industry worldwide, with many dive companies marketing trips specifically to feed sharks. Although it encourages conservation by creating public awareness, ecotourism also has the potential to adversely affect a target species by altering an animal`s natural behaviour. Despite being a controversial issue, there is still very limited information on how feeding sharks or tourism in general affects the natural behaviour and health of individuals. This project will use activity loggers and calorie value (i.e. energetic value) of the bait and natural prey to establish what the increase in energy expenditure due to tourism means for long-term health and fitness of the sharks.
Investigators: Adam Barnett and Katya Abrantes (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Shark Tourism; biologging; Energetics; Reef Sharks

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

Culling Sharks: Public Safety or Senseless Slaughter?

Indicative Funding: $90,000
Summary: Commercial catch of tiger sharks remains unrestricted in Australia and shark control operations on the east coast of Australia target tiger sharks (~ 200 - 400 killed in Qld each year). The only form of full protection currently available is provided by the time spent in protected areas. This project will: identify critical areas for tiger sharks, evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef, provide information on population connectivity (stock structure) of tiger sharks along the east coast of Australia, and assess the use of beaches and likely interactions with shark control programs. Information from this project will also contribute to the ongoing debate about shark culling programs and can be used for planning public safety.
Investigators: Adam Barnett and Katya Abrantes (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Shark; Migrations; Culling program; Protected Areas

WV Scott Charitable Trust - Research Grant

You Are What You Eat: Does Tourism Affect Shark Diets?

Indicative Funding: $47,000 over 2 years
Summary: This study will use stable isotope analysis to determine if bull sharks and whitetip reef sharks at a tourism site rely on food provided for food, or if they still consume mostly natural prey. Intraspecific differences in this diet will also be analysed for both shark species.
Investigators: Katya Abrantes and Adam Barnett (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Carcharhinus leucas (Charcharinidae); Triaenodon obesus; Stable Isotope Analysis; Shark Tourism; Provisioning Tourism

Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc - Research Grant

Roles of batoids in coastal and reef ecosystems: impacts on predator and prey populations and the potential for energy transfer to adjacent subtidal and offshore communities

Indicative Funding: $17,500
Summary: This study will determine 1) the species composition, abundance, and biomass of batoid fauna in coastal sandflats and reef habitats, 2) the proportion of time different batoid fauna spend in intertidal versus subtidal zones, 3) the ecological importance of batoid utilization of intertidal habitats, and 4) how the above differ between sandflat and reef habitats. Results will contribute to understanding batoid community structure in different habitats and aid in identifying preferred habitat types throughout the year. In addition, understanding the ecological role of batoids in different habitats will stress the need for conservation of these species and development of more effective management strategies to mitigate catches in commercial fisheries.
Investigators: Katya Abrantes, Adam Barnett and Marcus Sheaves in collaboration with Kevin Crook (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Batoids; Acoustic Telemetry; Movement; Stable Iisotopes; Foodweb ecology; Abundance

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

Roles of batoids in coastal and reef ecosystems: impacts on prey and predator populations and the potential for energy transfer to adjacent subtidal and offshore communities (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Effects of Biodiversity and Environment on Benthic Ecosystem Functioning of Tropical Estuaries. (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.