A/PROF Nathan Waltham ~ Senior Principal Research Officer, TropWATER and CSE
TropWater
- About
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- Teaching
- Interests
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- Research
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- Aquatic ecology
- Research Disciplines
- Socio-Economic Objectives
I have a deep interest in coastal landscape ecology and processes, in particular, urban ecology. To achieve this requires cooperation and integration from a multidisciplinary team of scientists, managers and policy makers.
My working career has focused on understanding fisheries sustainability, nutrient processes, landscape restoration, stormwater quality and quantity, geomorphic processes, erosion and sediment control, and contamination.
I believe that every opportunity to restore river systems should be taken, particularly those small actions which are often completed by community members: it is the accumulative impact of these which leads to the greatest achievements and success in protection and restoration. In doing this, I believe it is important to engage local partners (e.g. land holders, industry, indigenous groups, government agencies) to capture their values, build capacity/trust, and encourage community ownership of the project and to share in the success.
- Publications
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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
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- Bradley M, Sheaves M and Waltham N (2023) Urban-industrial seascapes can be abundant and dynamic fish habitat. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.
- Cadier C, Waltham N, Canning A, Fry S and Adame M (in press) Tidal restoration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freshwater impounded coastal wetlands. Restoration Ecology,
- Canning A, Smart J, Dyke J, Curwen G, Hasan S and Waltham N (2023) Constructed Wetlands Suitability for Sugarcane Profitability, Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Environmental Management, 71. pp. 304-320
- Duarte de Paula Costa M, Adame M, Bryant C, Hill J, Kellaway J, Lovelock C, Ola A, Rasheed M, Salinas C, Serrano O, Waltham N, York P, Young M and Macreadie P (2023) Quantifying blue carbon stocks and the role of protected areas to conserve coastal wetlands. Science of the Total Environment, 874.
- 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.
- Walker S, Sheaves M and Waltham N (2023) Barriers to Using UAVs in Conservation and Environmental Management: A Systematic Review. Environmental Management, 71. pp. 1052-1064
- Waltham N, Lovelock C and Buelow C (2023) Blue carbon stocks and cycling in tropical tidal marshes facing grazing pressure. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 717. pp. 1-16
- Castle A and Waltham N (2022) Clearance rates achieved by an intertidal oyster, Isognomon ephippium, under different tidal emersion and temperature conditions. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 276.
- Claassens L, de Villiers N and Waltham N (2022) How developed is the South African coast? Baseline extent of South Africa’s coastal and estuarine infrastructure. Ocean and Coastal Management, 222.
- Hagger V, Waltham N and Lovelock C (2022) Opportunities for coastal wetland restoration for blue carbon with co-benefits for biodiversity, coastal fisheries, and water quality. Ecosystem Services, 55.
- Jahanbakht M, Xiang W, Waltham N and Rahimiazghadi M (2022) Distributed Deep Learning in the Cloud and Energy-efficient Real-time Image Processing at the Edge for Fish Segmentation in Underwater Videos Segmentation in Underwater Videos. IEEE Access, 10. pp. 117796-117807
- Murray N, Worthington T, Bunting P, Duce S, Hagger V, Lovelock C, Lucas R, Saunders M, Sheaves M, Spalding M, Waltham N and Lyons M (2022) High-resolution mapping of losses and gains of Earth's tidal wetlands. Science, 376. pp. 744-749
- More
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 103+ research outputs authored by A/PROF Nathan Waltham from 2012 onwards.
- Current Funding
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Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.
Reef Catchments Limited - Contract Research
Southern Expansion of Mackay-Whitsunday Ambient Marine Monitoring Program.
- Indicative Funding
- $450,790 over 10 years
- Summary
- TropWATER will provide seagrass assessment and water quality logging/chemistry services to assist regional marine ambient monitoring program administered by Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership. These data will assist Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership with the preparation of a regional report card.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham and in collaboration with Paula Cartwright (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Water Quality; Marine Ecosystems; Seagrass; Corals
CRC for Developing Northern Australia - Grant
Water security for Northern Australian - Implementation Phase
- Indicative Funding
- $3,672,588 over 3 years, in partnership with the Central Queensland University ($295,833) and the Charles Darwin University ($295,833)
- Summary
- This Water Security for Northern Australia program has identified 4 key focal nodes where pressure for increased water utilisation is high - Ord (WA), Daly-Katherine (NT), Gilbert (QLD) and lower Fitzroy (QLD) - to be the focal nodes for this research program. To determine the most appropriate research questions for each focal node, we undertook a co-design phase with relevant regional stakeholders in each focal node. This co-design phase and its outcomes have resulted in the generation of 15 research projects that are now proposed for funding under the Water Security for Northern Australia program -implementation phase outlined in this research program.
- Investigators
- Damien Burrows, Nathan Waltham, Dylan Irvine and John Rolfe (TropWater, Charles Darwin University and Central Queensland University)
- Keywords
- Northern Australia; Ord catchment; Water Security; Daly Catchment; Gilbert Catchment; Lower Fitzroy Catchment
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - National Environmental Science Program 2 (NESP 2) - Marine and Coastal Hub (NESP MAC Hub)
NESP 3.8 Carbon abatement & biodiversity enhancements through controlling feral ungulate disturbance in wetlands.
- Indicative Funding
- $64,292 over 3 years (administered by Reef and Rainforest Research Centre)
- Summary
- Ungulates (pigs, buffalo, cattle) damage the landscape in northern Australia. This impact is particularly evident in coastal wetlands, that provide a range of ecosystem services such as carbon abatement, biodiversity and water quality. Attempts to control ungulates have required expensive mitigation action, with mixed levels of success. In this project we examine the carbon and biodiversity services that controlling ungulates has in coastal areas. Importantly, this research contributes to the development of new methodologies to attract market investments from big businesses, such as blue carbon and biodiversity certificates.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham, Catherine Lovelock and Valerie Hagger (TropWater and The University of Queensland)
- Keywords
- Marine ecosystems; Blue carbon; Fisheries; Water quality; Estuaries; modelling
Greening Australia Limited - Contract Research
Mungalla ecosystem service restoration.
- Indicative Funding
- $293,600 over 3 years
- Summary
- Coastal wetland restoration is critical and necessary in response to lost values and services, and to increase climate change resilience. Working with Birdlife Australia, Greening Australia and Mungalla Aboriginal Corporation for Business, we will undertake a series of works to improve restoration outcomes for the wetland on the station. The focus is on blue carbon, though other services include water quality and biodiversity outcomes.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Wetland Restoration; Ecosystem Services; Water Quality; Blue Carbon; Fish
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation - Contract Research
NQBP and JCU Research and Monitoring Partnership ? Ambient Marine Water Quality Studies.
- Indicative Funding
- $2,470,327 over 5 years
- Summary
- Ports are essential for economic trade and prosperity, and vital for the day-to-day function of modern society. TropWATER has provided services to complete an ambient marine water quality-monitoring program for North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) at the Port of Mackay and Port of Hay Point since 2014. This program has expanded to include the other two major port facilities (Port of Abbot Point and Port of Weipa) administered by NQBP. The ambient marine water quality program includes deployment, maintenance and analysis of water quality data generated from high frequency loggers positioned on the sea floor, ambient water quality for metals, nutrients and herbicides. Data will be used by the port authority for strategic planning of operations.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham in collaboration with Jordan Ilse and Adam Canning (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Marine water quality; Seagrass; Port development; Coral
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - National Environmental Science Program 2 (NESP 2) - Marine and Coastal Hub (NESP MAC Hub)
NESP 3.4 Better management of catchment runoff to marine receiving environments in northern Australia.
- Indicative Funding
- $95,011 over 1 year (administered by Reef and Rainforest Research Centre)
- Summary
- Runoff from catchments in northern Australia has the potential to carry large amounts of sediment and nutrients. These available nutrients are important in driving coastal and estuary productivity, including many commercially and recreationally targeted species. Water resource development in northern Australia could reduce the supply of freshwater flow to the coast, thereby limiting supply of nutrients. This research project will examine the potential risks water resource development presents to Gilbert (QLD), Daly (NT) and Ord (WA) marine and coastal areas. We will complete a literature review, undertake flood plume modelling and examine vegetation damage along these coastal areas.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham, Mohammad Jahanbakht and Paula Cartwright (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Marine ecosystems; Water resource development; Fisheries; Water quality; Estuaries; modelling
CSIRO - Contract Research
Water resource development assessment in northern Australia
- Indicative Funding
- $35,000 over 2 years
- Summary
- This project investigates the potential for water resource development in several catchment areas in northern Australia. Specifically, we will provide technical expertise in estuarine habitat ecology analysis, modelling and provide regional context to analysis outcomes and scenario analysis. Working in a large multidisciplinary team, we will also attend workshops and assist the project team more broadly to deliver the final reports to the Australian Government.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Wetland Restoration; Ecosystem Services; Water Quality; Blue Carbon; Fish
The World Wide Fund for Nature, Australia - Contract Research
Blue carbon and cane land restoration methods development
- Indicative Funding
- $222,500 over 5 years
- Summary
- The Project seeks to advance the development of a blue carbon methodology under the Australian government?s emissions reduction fund, by undertaking a project to restore tidal connectivity and wetlands in a selected catchment. The Project team will collect baseline data (GHG emissions, carbon storage, water quality and biodiversity) to inform the blue carbon methodology and undertake post-restoration assessments to quantify carbon and co-benefits arising from the restoration. The Project also seeks to undertake terrestrial restoration on a small section of low productivity farmland, to quantify whether there is a business case for land use change to carbon farming in an intensive farming environment. The Project will then support the farmer/s within the Project boundary to transition to best management practice agriculture, and to quantify whether this transition satisfactorily offsets land taken out of production for the i) wetland restoration and ii) terrestrial revegetation undertaken.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham in collaboration with Marcus Sheaves, Michael Bradley and Carlo Mattone (College of Science & Engineering)
- Keywords
- Water Treatment; Coastal Wetlands Habitats; Wetland Restoration; Wetland Monitoring
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - National Environmental Science Program 2 (NESP 2) - Marine and Coastal Hub (NESP MAC Hub)
NESP 3.7 Barriers to Restoration and NbS
- Indicative Funding
- $90,000 over 1 year (administered by University of Tasmania)
- Summary
- Coastal and marine restoration in Australia has been hindered by the ability for project managers to obtain approval. This project examines the barriers and challenges presenting project managers keen to begin restoration projects. The project will work through a series of case studies from SA, Tasmania, NSW and QLD focusing on oyster and tidal ingress project approaches. The outcomes of this research will outline areas in policy requiring changes and identify a consistent approach for project managers working in several states across Australia.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham (TropWater)
- Keywords
- wetlands; restoration; Blue carbon; marine; shellfish
CRC for Developing Northern Australia - Grant
Co-design phase, Water Security for Northern Australia Program
- Indicative Funding
- $225,000 over 1 year
- Summary
- This project will organise the collective expertise of 3 north Australian-based universities (James Cook University, Charles Darwin University and Central Queensland University) who have recently formed the Northern Australia Universities Alliance (NAUA). The NAUA partners will collaborate on undertaking a program of stakeholder engagement and research needs analysis in 4 focal catchments (Nodes) in order to design, develop and cost a cohesive and impactful 3.5 year research program that delivers on the core priorities of those stakeholders in those 4 focal catchments.
- Investigators
- Damien Burrows, Nathan Waltham and Yvette Williams (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Water Security; Northern Australia; Regional Development; Gilbert River; Ord River; Fitzroy River
Ecological Society of Australia - Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
Comparing the use of underwater video and unmanned aerial vehicles for assessing use of tropical estuaries by marine fauna
- Indicative Funding
- $1,800 over 1 year
- Summary
- Remote underwater video (RUV) is considered an established method for elucidating fish community structure but little work has been done to assess the optimal number of cameras required to precisely assess species richness. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), on the other hand have remained completely untested for this purpose. Using the two methods in tandem (RUVs and UAVs), this project aims to compare established (RUV) and novel (UAV) methodologies for determining fish community structure and determine how may cameras are required to accurately and precisely assess the use of large woody debris by fish.
- Investigators
- Sophie Walker and Nathan Waltham (College of Science & Engineering and TropWater)
- Keywords
- Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); Estuary; Remote underwater video (RUV); Conservation; Coastal; Fish
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - National Environmental Science Program 2 (NESP 2) - Marine and Coastal Hub (NESP MAC Hub)
National inventory of implemented nature-based solutions
- Indicative Funding
- $2,000 over 1 year (administered by University of Tasmania)
- Summary
- This project will undertake a national inventory revie of implemented nature-based solutions that have been completed to mitigate coastal hazards. The aim of this project is to collate the information, build a repository of data and to provide end user groups access to the data and information to inform future planning decisions.
- Investigators
- Nathan Waltham (TropWater)
- Keywords
- Wetland Restoration; Ecosystem Services; Water Quality; Blue Carbon; Fish
- Supervision
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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
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- Material Flow Analysis of Rare Earth Elements and their Sustainable Use in Australia to Reduce Potential Environmental Impacts (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- The implications of climate changes on the ecology of small pelagic fish (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Assessing the movement, habits, and functional roles of nocturnal fishes (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Checking the pulse: Dynamic prey resources and trophic relationships in coastal ecosystems. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Life history strategies of barramundi (Lates calcarifer) in heavily modified Floodplains (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Enabling accessible technology for more effective conservations of coastal systems (PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Understanding the services provided by marine built infrastructure and designing them to maximise their utility in tropical seascapes (PhD , Primary Advisor)
- The functional diversity, utilisation and size structure of fish in mangrove habitats in Queensland, Australia (Masters , Primary Advisor)
- Mangrove restoration trajectories: trends & lessons from Guyana (PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Natural tropical oysters as ecosystem engineers; implications for enhancing ecosystem goods and services (PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Saltmarsh Connectivity in Tropical Seascapes: An Eco-hydrological Perspective (PhD , Primary Advisor)
- The return of fish nursery function in recovered and restored tropical seagrass meadows (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
- Completed
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- Dissolved oxygen as a constraint for the structure of mangrove fish assemblages and their patterns of mangrove utilisation: a comparison between natural and disturbed mangrove ecosystems through the Austra (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
- Novel approach for the classification of habitats in tropical estuaries exposed to urban and industrial development (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor)
- Data
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These are the most recent metadata records associated with this researcher. To see a detailed description of all dataset records, visit Research Data Australia.
- Trave, C. (2019) Structural habitat composition of Althaus Creek (Townsville, QLD). James Cook University
- Trave, C. (2019) Structural habitat composition of Ross River (Townsville, QLD). James Cook University
- Trave, C. (2019) Structural habitat composition of Alligator Creek (Townsville, QLD). James Cook University
- Trave, C. (2019) Structural habitat composition of Ross Creek (Townsville, QLD). James Cook University
- Collaboration
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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.- 5+ collaborations
- 4 collaborations
- 3 collaborations
- 2 collaborations
- 1 collaboration
- Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)
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