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; CNS & TSV)
EV5401: Coastal and Catchment Geomorphology (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
EV5502: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (Level 5; TSV)
EV5505: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Professional

Supporting girls in STEM

Research

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

Teaching

Authentic assessment for student success
Real-world field data collection opportunities
Focus on career preparedness

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

Harris D, Webster J, Vila-Concejo A, Duce S, Leon J and Hacker S (2023) Defining multi-scale surface roughness of a coral reef using a high-resolution LiDAR digital elevation model. Geomorphology, 439.
Lutzenkirchen L, Duce S and Bellwood D (in press) The global biogeography of reef morphology. Global Ecology and Biogeography,
Aston E, Duce S, Hoey A and Ferrari R (2022) A Protocol for Extracting Structural Metrics From 3D Reconstructions of Corals. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.
Diedrich A, Duce S, Eriksson H, Govan H, Harohau D, Koczberski G, Lau J, Mills D, Minter T, Steenbergen D and Troell M (2022) An applied research agenda for navigating diverse livelihood challenges in rural coastal communities in the tropics. One Earth, 5 (11). pp. 1205-1215
Duce S, Vila-Concejo A, McCarroll R, Yiu B, Perris L and Webster J (2022) Field measurements show rough fore reefs with spurs and grooves can dissipate more wave energy than the reef crest. Geomorphology, 413.
Hamann M, Shimada T, Duce S, Foster A, To A and Limpus C (2022) Patterns of nesting behaviour and nesting success for green turtles at Raine Island, Australia. Endangered Species Research, 47. pp. 217-229
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
Schlaefer J, Tebbett S, Bowden C, Collins W, Duce S, Hemingson C, Huertas V, Mihalitsis M, Morais J, Morais R, Siqueira A, Streit R, Swan S, Valenzuela J and Bellwood D (2022) A snapshot of sediment dynamics on an inshore coral reef. Marine Environmental Research, 181.
Vila-Concejo A, Hamylton S, Webster J, Duce S and Fellowes T (2022) Lagoon infilling by coral reef sand aprons as a proxy for carbonate sediment productivity. Geology, 50 (12). pp. 1427-1431
Webster E, Hamann M, Shimada T, Limpus C and Duce S (2022) Space-use patterns of green turtles in industrial coastal foraging habitat: Challenges and opportunities for informing management with a large satellite tracking dataset. Aquatic Conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems, 32 (6). pp. 1041-1056
Hernandez S, Benham C, Miller R, Sheaves M and Duce S (2021) What drives modern protected area establishment in Australia? Conservation Science and Practice, 3 (10).
Hernandez S, Barnes M, Duce S and Adams V (2021) The impact of strictly protected areas in a deforestation hotspot. Conservation Science and Practice, 3 (9).

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 33+ 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.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership

Sea cucumber monitoring project

Indicative Funding: $37,969 over 3 years (administered by Macquarie University)
Summary: Although we know that sea cucumbers play an important role in bioturbation on coral reefs, there are still many unknowns in terms of the ecosystem services that they provide. Additionally, their spatial and temporal density and distribution throughout the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is not well understood, yet we continue to harvest individuals to support global fisheries. We therefore need accurate baseline data of the sea cucumber populations, otherwise our extractive industries will remain at odds with ecosystem management goals. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of these populations will require a multiscaled approach incorporating intensive in situ surveys, collating industry and anecdotal observations, modelling habitat suitability, and broader scale surveys with remote sensing.
Investigators: Jane Williamson, Stephanie Duce, Karen Joyce, Troy Gaston and Vincent Raoult (Macquarie University, College of Science & Engineering and The University of Newcastle)
Keywords: Drones; Great Barrier Reef; Remote Sensing; Sea cucumbers; Fisheries; ROV

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership

GBRF EOI Island Monitoring

Indicative Funding: $397,435 over 2 years (administered by QLD Department of Environment and Science)
Summary: The more than 1000 islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Area (GBRMPA spatial data, 2019) support a diverse range of ecological, cultural and economic values. Many are threatened by climate change, but monitoring and management is difficult as many cays are remote and difficult to access. This project will develop and implement an efficient drone-based hierarchical monitoring protocol based on the recognition and use of `natural ground control points? that will enable more rapid and resource efficient capture of reef island status to inform management decisions.
Investigators: Scott Smithers, Stephanie Duce, Karen Joyce, Nicholas Murray and Jack Koci (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Drone; Great Barrier Reef; Remote Sensing; Geomorphology; Island Habitat

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research - Fisheries Program - Small Research Activity

Spatially integrated Portfolio Approach to support a portfolio of livelihoods.

Indicative Funding: $248,458 over 3 years
Summary: The Integrated Livelihoods Approach (ILA) provides an approach to diagnose and help navigate interrelated and cumulative impacts, trade-offs and co-benefits of interacting livelihood activities occurring in spatially defined coastal areas. Participatory and interdisciplinary research, integrated governance, negotiation, trust-building, ongoing conflict management, and cross-sectoral and political engagement are central to the ILA. This project will establish the mechanisms for achieving the strengthened networks, integrated governance and policy, and improved planning required to implement an ILA in Western Province, Solomon Islands, with the potential to scale-up to other locations.
Investigators: Amy Diedrich, Jacqueline Lau, Tiffany Morrison, Nicholas Murray, Stephanie Duce, Claire Holland, Faye Siota and Bethany Smith (College of Science & Engineering, Research Division, College of Business, Law & Governance and WorldFish Solomon Islands)
Keywords: Sustainable livelihoods; Solomon Islands; Pacific Islands; Participatory research approach; Natural Resource Management

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

Cay geomorphology, dynamics and future prospects within the Great Barrier Reef (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
From Coral Communities to Fringing Reefs: Developing a Novel Predictive Model for Fringing Reef Growth, Conservation and Restoration (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Applying vulnerability assessments within social-ecological systems: Developing a dynamic integrated vulnerability assessment (DIVA) in the Solomon Islands (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Exploring Fine-Scale Habitat use by Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) in Port Curtis with Satellite Telemetry (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Investigation of the role of the Reef Flat in Coral Reef Trophodynamics on a Global Scale using Geospatial Analysis (Masters , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

Quantifying and assessing coral reef structural complexity and its role in ecological processes and dynamics using photogrammetry (2023, PhD , Primary Advisor)
Investigating potential co-factors of Fibropapillomatosis development in Chelonia mydas of the Great Barrier Reef (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Beyond the reef: the influence of seascape structure on the composition and function of tropical fish communities (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
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.