JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Stephanie Duce

About

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

EV2502: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Level 2; CNS & TSV)
EV3401: Coastal and Catchment Geomorphology (Level 3; 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

Socio-Economic Objectives

Honours

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

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

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 Funding

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

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd - Research Grant

Green turtle satellite tracking data analysis and reporting

Indicative Funding: $60,000 over 2 years
Summary: The project aims to understand (2) the patterns of habitat use and home range of foraging green turtles in Port Curtis? (2) How green turtles use habitats located within and immediately adjacent to port infrastructure in the western and southern sections of the Port, such as jetties and navigation channels? And (3) What are the patterns of movement and foraging behaviour of green turtles that shift between inside and outside the Inner Port habitats (i.e. from Pelican Banks to offshore of Curtis Is)?
Investigators: Mark Hamann, Emily Webster and Stephanie Duce in collaboration with Colin Limpus and Takahiro Shimada (College of Science & Engineering, QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords: Turtle; Tracking; Gladstone; Behaviour

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd - Research Grant

Green turtle satellite tracking data analysis and reporting

Indicative Funding: $60,000 over 2 years
Summary: The project aims to understand (1) The patterns of habitat use and home range of foraging green turtles in Port Curtis (2) How green turtles use habitats located within and immediately adjacent to port infrastructure in the western and southern sections of the Port, such as jetties and navigation channels (3) What are the patterns of movement and foraging behaviour of green turtles that shift between inside and outside the Inner Port habitats (ie from Pelican Banks to offshore of Curtis Is)?
Investigators: Mark Hamann, Emily Webster and Stephanie Duce in collaboration with Colin Limpus and Takahiro Shimada (College of Science & Engineering, QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Australian Institute of Marine Science)
Keywords: Turtle; Behaviour; Tracking; Gladstone

CRC for Developing Northern Australia Scheme - Projects

Applying new technologies to enhance biosecurity and cattle quality

Indicative Funding: $1,084,500 over 3 years (administered by Branir Pty Ltd & Trustee for Booloomani Unit Trust)
Summary: The vast natural environment of Northern Australia feeds the cattle industry; however, biosecurity threats have negatively impacted this. Conventional management of such threats such as weeds are not suited to such broad, harsh landscapes. The project will use an Internet of Things network with low-cost environmental sensors, drone mapping and big data analytics to develop and test data-driven, strategic pest management programs - ultimately improving both cattle industry and natural assets.
Investigators: Ian Atkinson, Wei Xiang, Ron White, Stephanie Duce, Mohan Jacob and Karen Joyce (Research Infrastructure and College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Biosecurity; Cattle; Drones; Weeds; Technology; Internet Of Things

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

Investigating potential co-factors of Fibropapillomatosis development in Chelonia mydas of the Great Barrier Reef;; (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Beyond the Reef: The Influence of Seascape Structure on Fish Communities and Ecological Processes on Coral Reefs (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
From Coral Communities to Fringing Reefs: Developing a Novel Predictive Model for Fringing Reef Growth, Conservation and Restoration (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
A Novel Integrated Analytical Framework for Sustainable Livelihoods Development: Addressing Multidimensional Vulnerability to Develop, Assess and Adapt Livelihood Strategies Considering Global Change (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Spatial Dynamics of Tropical Shallow Marine Habitats and their Related Mobile marine Faunal Communities (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Exploring Fine-Scale Habitat use by Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) in Port Curtis with Satellite Telemetry (PhD , Secondary 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)

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.