Dr Kimberley James
  Phone   +61 3 925 17610
Email   kimberley.james@deakin.edu.au
Position   Senior Lecturer
Campus   Burwood
Research grouping   Marine and Freshwater Science

The broad objective of my research is to provide sound scientific information that can underpin
better management and conservation of wetland and riverine systems in saline landscapes. My research
contributes to our understanding of the impacts of salinity on freshwater biota in terms of
sensitivity, biodiversity, recognition of sensitive life stages, mechanisms for avoidance, capacity
for adaptation, and resilience following episodes of salinisation.

Research interests

  1. The effect of salinity on freshwater biota
  2. Management of saline aquatic systems
  3. Estuarine management


Career

Co-ordinator of the B.Env.Sci. (Environmental Management), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University (2007 - present)
Senior Lecturer/Lecturer/Associate Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University (1997 - present)
Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, University College Chester, Chester, UK. (1994 - 1996)
Research Fellow, Water Studies Centre, Monash University (1987 - 1993)
PhD Monash University (1993)

Key publications

James, K., Hart, B., Bailey, P. and Blinn, D. (2009) Impact of secondary salinisation freshwater ecosystems: Effect of experimentally increasing salinity on an intermittent floodplain wetland – water chemistry, aquatic plants and epiphytic diatoms. Marine and Freshwater Research In press, CSIRO Publishing

Robertson, H. & James, K. (2006) Plant establishment from the seed bank of a degraded floodplain wetland: a comparison of two alternative management scenarios. Plant Ecology Vol. 188, pp. 145-164 Springer Netherlands

James, K., Cant, B., & Ryan, T. (2003) Responses of freshwater biota to rising salinity levels and implications for saline water management. Australian Journal of Botany Vol. 51, pp. 703-713 CSIRO Publishing

James, K.R. and Hart B.T. (1993) The effect of elevated salinity on four freshwater macrophyte species. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research Vol. 44, pp. 769-777 CSIRO Publishing

Hart, B.T., Bailey, P., Edwards, R., James, K., Swadling, K. Meredith, C., McMahon, A. & Hortle, K. (1990) Effects of salinity on river, stream and wetland ecosystems in Victoria, Australia Water Research Vol. 24, No 9, pp.1103-1117 Elsevier

View entire list of audited publications

 

PhD students

Student nameThesis title
Luke Shelley (Graduated 2008)Water regime and salinity changes in wetland macroinvertebrate communities Hugh Robertson (Graduated 2006)Environmental water requirements of isolated floodplain wetlands: Kanyapella Basin, Australia Greg Turner (Graduated 2006)The need for effective community participation in catchment planning in Australia Sarah BradburyThe resilience of biota in wetlands of intermediate salinity Keely OughThe management of salinity levels to minimise the impact of saline water on the sensitive life stages of freshwater aquatic macrophytes Sara WilkinsonAdaptive reuse of commercial buildings within Melbourne's CBD  

 

Honours students

Student nameThesis title Melanie Keyzer 2008Landholder knowledge and interpretations of secondary salinisation in the Kerang region of Victoria Matt Harpantidis 2005A decision making tool for the implementation of environmental flows for the purpose of rehabilitation of saline wetlands Anna Chatfield 2005The response of wetland vegetation of Black Box wetlands to different flood regimes Tara Horsnell 2003The development of a methodological tool to uncover sources of conflict in Landcare groups Sarah Bradbury 2002 An investigation of the effects of salinity on the aquatic vegetation of the Cullen's Lake, Kerang Janice Williams 2001The saline environment of Cullen's Lake, an ephemeral wetland in the Kerang Lakes system, Victoria Karen Bosomworth 2000An investigation of the soil seedbank potential of a degraded freshwater meadow Dina Baxter 1999Towards a biophysical monitoring program for the Kanyapella Basin Mandy Joyce 1998Determining a salinity appraisal model for the Yarram region, Victoria Anja Steiner 1998Incorporating Natural Resource Management objectives into Irrigation Whole Farm Planning in the Boort West of Loddon Salinity Management Plan  

 

Teaching areas

Catchment and coastal management
Hydrology and water resource management
Environmental monitoring
Policy instruments for sustainability


Deakin University acknowledges the traditional land owners of present campus sites.

22nd September 2011