Norman Duke

Dr. Norman Duke is a Professorial Research Fellow at James Cook University with over 40 years of experience as a mangrove ecologist. He leads an active research group on marine tidal wetlands at JCU and heads the JCU Mangrove Hub and MangroveWatch Ltd, a not-for-profit organization focused on mangrove conservation and community science partnerships for effective monitoring and assessment of healthy mangroves and saltmarsh tidal wetlands.

• Master of Science - Botany, James Cook University (1981-1984)
• Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University (1986-1988)
• Bachelor of Science with Honours, James Cook University (1973)

Dr. Duke specializes in global mangrove floristics, biogeography, climate change adaptation, vegetation mapping, pollution and coastal habitat condition assessment. His work bridges ecology, climate science, and conservation biology, with a particular focus on understanding how mangrove ecosystems respond to environmental stressors. His research has taken him to diverse locations including the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, where he served as Scientist in Charge from 1989-1992. He has published more than 290 articles and technical reports, including his authoritative books 'Australia's Mangroves' (2006) and 'New Caledonian Mangroves' (2023).

Analysis of Dr. Duke's recent publications reveals a strong focus on climate change impacts on mangroves, particularly the 2015-2016 El Niño event that caused massive dieback in Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria. His work combines field observations with genomic studies of mangrove species, hybridization patterns, and the development of innovative monitoring techniques for mangrove health assessment. The research spans multiple disciplines including ecosystem ecology, evolutionary biology, climate science, and conservation management.

• Lifetime Achievement Award - MMM Fellow (2023)

Dr. Duke has secured substantial funding for mangrove research, currently managing 22 active projects including 'Protecting valuable shoreline mangroves of northern Australia' (2024-2026) and 'SmartCoast: Coastal management digital twin pilot in Torres Strait' (2024-2025). His research program integrates field studies, remote sensing, and community science approaches to address critical questions about mangrove resilience in the face of climate change. He has previously held positions as Principal Research Fellow at the University of Queensland (1998-2011) and Senior Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (1993-1998).

He heads the JCU Mangrove Hub, which coordinates research on marine tidal wetlands, and MangroveWatch Ltd, a not-for-profit organization that engages communities in monitoring mangrove health. His work with traditional owners and local citizens to better manage Great Barrier Reef estuarine wetlands demonstrates his commitment to collaborative approaches to coastal management.