Area of Research Strength – Tropical Biology and Conservation

Tropical Biology and Conservation is one of 5 Areas of Research Strength (AoRS) within James Cook University – along with Earth Sciences, Marine Science, Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Identity and Place: intellectual, social, economic and cultural dynamics.

The Tropical Biology and Conservation Area of Research Strength brings together JCU research on the biology and sustainable use of tropical organisms and ecosystems. It focuses on terrestrial and freshwater environments but some of its work extends into marine systems and estuarine environments at the interface of the marine and terrestrial realms.

The Mission of this Area of Research Strength is to ensure that JCU will be acknowledged as the leading university in biology and conservation research and training in the tropics.

The specific goals set for the AoRS at its inception were to:

• enhance JCU’s current national and international research profile in Tropical Biology through its research activity and outputs;

• develop initiatives to carry this AoRS forward as a research leader, through novel research programs, multidisciplinary projects and infrastructure development;

• increase collaborative linkages with the broad research community and industry both nationally and internationally, to expand opportunities for research and its application;

• integrate research and postgraduate training to provide top-quality research training to Australian and overseas students, and thereby be the university of first choice for research training in tropical biology;

• provide a high-quality research environment for staff, students, visitors and collaborators.