My primary area of research is the application of geospatial technologies (e.g., Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing) to the study of Earth’s environment and natural processes. I am particularly interested in coral reef processes and geomorphology. 

I first developed an interest in coral reef geomorphology (how reef features form and evolve) during my undergraduate degree at James Cook University where my honours research examined the impacts of harbour infrastructure on reef islands in the Torres Strait. I later completed a Masters in Geospatial Technologies in Europe with a particular focus on spatial data interoperability. After a few years working as a spatial analyst in the environmental consultancy industry I decided to return to coral reef research and completed a PhD at The University of Sydney. I enjoy multidisciplinary research and the opportunity to combine field work with a variety of geospatial technologies to better understand the world and our part in it.

Teaching

• EV1005: Environmental Processes and Global Change (Level 1; TSV)
• EV2502: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
• EV3502: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (Level 3; TSV)
• EV3506: Remote Sensing (Level 3; CNS)
• EV5502: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (Level 5; TSV)
• EV5505: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

• Coral reef geomorphology
• Spatial science
• Fore reef hydrodynamics
• Reef evolution
• Marine Protected Area Planning

Experience

• 2013 to 2016 - Teaching Associate, The University of Sydney (Sydney)
• 2010 to 2013 - Spatial Analyst, GHD (Sydney)
• 2006 to 2008 - Research Assistant, James Cook University (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Environmental Science and Management (0502)
• Geology (0403)
• Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience (0406)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (9608)
• Ecosystem Assessment and Management (9605)

Awards

• 2018 - James Cook University Early Career Rising Star Award
• 2017 - TropEco Teaching and Learning Award for embedding sustainability into coursework
• 2014 - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Science for Management Award
• 2008 - James Cook University Medal
• 2013 to 2016 - University of Sydney Merit Award

Memberships

• 2018 - Treasurer Australian Coral Reef Society

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

• Duce S, Dechnik B, Webster J, Hua Q, Sadler J, Webb G, Nothdurft L, Salas-Saavedra M and Vila-Concejo A (2020) Mechanisms of spur and groove development and implications for reef platform evolution. Quaternary Science Reviews, 231, Article: 106155, DOI:10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.106155.
• Mizrahi M, Duce S, Khine Z, MacKeracher T, Maung K, Phyu E, Pressey R, Simpfendorfer C and Diedrich A (2020) Mitigating negative livelihood impacts of no-take MPAs on small-scale fishers. Biological Conservation, 245, Article: 108554, DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108554.
• Joyce K, Duce S, Leahy S, Leon J and Maier S (2019) Principles and practice of acquiring drone-based image data in marine environments. Marine and Freshwater Research, 70 (7), pp. 952-963, DOI:10.1071/MF17380.
• Mizrahi M, Duce S, Pressey R, Simpfendorfer C, Weeks R and Diedrich A (2019) Global opportunities and challenges for shark large marine protected areas. Biological Conservation, 234, pp. 107-115, DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.026.
• Sambrook K, Hoey A, Andréfouët S, Cumming G, Duce S and Bonin M (2019) Beyond the reef: the widespread use of non‐reef habitats by coral reef fishes. Fish and Fisheries, 20 (5), pp. 903-920, DOI:10.1111/faf.12383.
• Salas-Saavedra M, Dechnik B, Webb G, Webster J, Zhao J, Nothdurft L, Clark T, Graham T and Duce S (2018) Holocene reef growth over irregular Pleistocene karst confirms major influence of hydrodynamic factors on Holocene reef development. Quaternary Science Reviews, 180, pp. 157-176, DOI:10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.11.034.
• Dechnik B, Webster J, Webb G, Nothdurft L, Dutton A, Braga J, Zhao J, Duce S and Sadler J (2017) The evolution of the Great Barrier Reef during the Last Interglacial Period. Global and Planetary Change, 149, pp. 53-71, DOI:10.1016/j.gloplacha.2016.11.018.
• Hamylton S, Duce S, Vila-Concejo A, Roelfsema C, Phinn S, Carvalho R, Shaw E and Joyce K (2017) Estimating regional coral reef calcium carbonate production from remotely sensed seafloor maps. Remote Sensing of Environment, 201, pp. 88-98, DOI:10.1016/j.rse.2017.08.034.
• Bryson M, Duce S, Harris D, Webster J, Thompson A, Vila-Concejo A and Williams S (2016) Geomorphic changes of a coral shingle cay measured using Kite Aerial Photography. Geomorphology, 270, pp. 1-8, DOI:10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.06.018.
• Dechnik B, Webster J, Nothdurft L, Webb G, Zhao J, Duce S, Braga J, Harris D, Vila-Concejo A and Puotinen M (2016) Influence of hydrodynamic energy on Holocene reef flat accretion, Great Barrier Reef. Quaternary Research, 85, pp. 44-53, DOI:10.1016/j.yqres.2015.11.002.
• Duce S, Vila-Concejo A, Hamylton S, Webster J, Bruce E and Beaman R (2016) A morphometric assessment and classification of coral reef spur and groove morphology. Geomorphology, 265, pp. 68-83, DOI:10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.04.018.
• Hamylton S, Carvalho R, Duce S, Roelfsema C and Vila-Concejo A (2016) Linking pattern to process in reef sediment dynamics at Lady Musgrave Island, southern Great Barrier Reef. Sedimentology, 63 (6), pp. 1634-1650, DOI:10.1111/sed.12278.

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 17+ research outputs authored by Dr Stephanie Duce from 2009 onwards.

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

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

• The Identification of Potential Links Between Fibropapilloma Prevalence in Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) and Heavy metal Contamination Along the Great Barrier Reef, Australia (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Exploring Fine-Scale Habitat use by Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) in Port Curtis with Satellite Telemetry (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Beyond the Reef: The Influence of Seascape Structure on Fish Communities and Ecological Processes on Coral Reefs (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Spatial Dynamics of Tropical Shallow Marine Habitats and their Related Mobile marine Faunal Communities (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Completed

• Maximising potential impact of Marine Protected Area placement: An integrated socioeconomic perspective. (2020, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• A transdisciplinary evaluation of forest retention policies and practices in the Australian context (2020, PhD , Primary Advisor)

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.