Research Topics

Problems and questions that need research

Where are the turtles breeding on the Cooloola Coast?

How stable is the dugong population?

Where is the seagrass and is it diminishing, stable or thriving?

Why is Tin Can Inlet so murky?

How can we prevent mooring chain damage to the benthic zone?

Why are the Cooloola pandanus dying and how can we save them?

What is the rate of the dynamic coastline receding?

What species live in the Cooloola Region?

Where is the water mouse living in Cooloola?

How are Cooloola mangroves faring with Climate Change (when thousands of acres of far north Queensland and NT mangroves are dying)?

Research to do - data sets and research topics

Field: Mangroves of the Cooloola Region

Research Question: How can we stop the losses of pandanus in the Cooloola Region?

Data Set: Mangrove mapping

Research Method: Your design

Outputs: Project to monitor and treat pandanus

Field: Marine Debris

Research Question: How can we prevent coastal litter becoming marine debris on the Cooloola Coast?

Data Set: Collection photos, maps and datasheets for a period of 4 years recorded in Tangaroa Blue of marine debris collections every 2 weeks.

Research Method: Analysis and mapping of the current data set for this region on Tangaroa Blue.

Outputs: Recommendations for councils for litter prevention and management.

Field: Benthic Sediment

Research Question: What is the source of sediment build-up in Tin Can Inlet?

Data Set: Underwater photos and video, maps and datasheets from previous projects: Cooloola Underwater Biodiversity Assessment (CUBA) and the Cooloola Sediment Investigation (CSI). Additional core samples may be available from government departments.

Research Method: Analysis of sediment on the bottom and in suspension.

Outputs: List of sources.

Field: Spiders of the Cooloola Region

Research Question: Can you find an unknown spider in this region? (75 found at the last 2 Cooloola BioBlitzes)

Data Set: iNaturalist records of species found during the annual Cooloola BioBlitz. 75 species unknown to science discovered in 2 weekends

Research Method: Field survey

Outputs: Fully described species with naming rights.