NESP MaC Project 5.5 – Assessing impacts of extreme events on inshore coastal habitats in the northern Great Barrier Reef, 2025-2026 (JCU)

Updated: 2026-06-25

This project aims to assess the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Jasper and associated flooding on inshore coastal habitats (i.e. mangroves, seagrass, coral) in the northern GBR. This project will provide a current consolidated asset assessment that will be compared against previous monitoring/assessment data to determine any impacts of TC Jasper. This will be achieved through high-resolution imagery, rapid on-ground aerial surveys, subtidal surveys using underwater camera systems, and consolidating other available information (i.e., anecdotal/private records). Understanding the impact of TC Jasper on inshore coastal habitats is essential as extreme climate events can cause significant and enduring changes to the condition and resilience of critical habitats of key species, such as dugongs and turtles. Planned Outputs • Register of the impacts of an extreme weather event on coastal habitats in the northern GBR • Habitat data and metrics [Field surveys] • Final technical report with analysed data and summary of recommendations for policy makers of key findings [written]