Catchments, Coasts and Communities
Our focus
Innovative land and water management solutions for sustainable communities
Effective land and water management is essential for environmental sustainability, community resilience, and economic prosperity. These systems face growing pressure from climate change, pollution, and land-use impacts, threatening biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem health.
Southern Cross University’s Catchments, Coasts and Communities research cluster delivers practical, outcome-driven solutions to these challenges. Our world-class research is helping to resolve the complex environmental, social, and economic issues within coastal catchments. From carbon storage models and methane cycling in trees to pesticide run-off and fertiliser mitigation strategies, the cluster leads innovative research that supports healthier landscapes, cleaner waterways, and more sustainable communities.
Our projects and research focus on:
- The role of trees in methane cycling
- Water quality
- Blue carbon
- Biodiversity mapping of NSW estuaries
- Community education and empowerment on coastal and catchment zone issues
World class facilities and infrastructure
Analytical lab and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer facilities
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Addressing #6 Clean water and sanitation, #11 Sustainable cities and communities, #14 Life below water & #15 Life on land
Collaborative research
We take a collaborative approach to research with government, industry and community
Latest news
Our Researchers
Damien Maher
Professor Hydrobiogeochemistry
Carbon cycling, Ecohydrology, Blue carbon, Greenhouse gas dynamics, Biogeochemistry
Scott Johnston
Professor
Environmental geochemistry, Coastal Floodplain hydrology, Acid sulfate soil remediation, Wetland methane, Water quality
Kirsten Benkendorff
Professor
Marine natural products, Marine biotechnology, Seafood, Environmental science, Aquatic animal health
Joanne Oakes
Associate Professor
Biogeochemistry, Carbon cycling, Stable isotopes, Coastal ecosystems, Nitrogen cycling
Ms Mona Andskog
Dr Liam Bolitho
Dr Mitchell Call
Dr Maarten de Brauwer
Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau
Associate Professor David Newell
Ms Aurora Pinto
Professor Amanda Reichelt-Brushett
Associate Professor Judith Rosentreter
Associate Professor Kai Schulz
Dr Feifei Tong