Molecular tracing of spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) movements in rainforests and orchards of wet tropical Queensland. This project uses molecular markers to trace movements of spectacled flying-foxes in the wet tropics of north Queensland. The intention is to determine the origins of bats visiting orchards, determine patterns of seasonal and intra-seasonal migration of bats and to document the significance of such migrations to estimation of population numbers and trends. These ....Molecular tracing of spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) movements in rainforests and orchards of wet tropical Queensland. This project uses molecular markers to trace movements of spectacled flying-foxes in the wet tropics of north Queensland. The intention is to determine the origins of bats visiting orchards, determine patterns of seasonal and intra-seasonal migration of bats and to document the significance of such migrations to estimation of population numbers and trends. These data are critical to conservation of bat populations, to the ecologically sustainable development of fruit growing in the region and the long term sustainable management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.Read moreRead less
Designing landscapes to deliver ecosystem services to agriculture. This project addresses the Priority Goal of Sustainable Use of Biodiversity by employing a pioneering management framework that identifies situations where agriculture can gain maximum benefit from nature's services. Services like pollination are crucial; approximately 35% of global food production comes from crops pollinated by bees or birds. These services contribute billions of dollars to production. Our model will greatly enh ....Designing landscapes to deliver ecosystem services to agriculture. This project addresses the Priority Goal of Sustainable Use of Biodiversity by employing a pioneering management framework that identifies situations where agriculture can gain maximum benefit from nature's services. Services like pollination are crucial; approximately 35% of global food production comes from crops pollinated by bees or birds. These services contribute billions of dollars to production. Our model will greatly enhance the flow of services from nature to agriculture by linking land-use options with service availability. This will improve economic returns to local communities and agricultural industries, and promote protection of native species by recognising their contribution to agriculture. Read moreRead less
Aboriginal harvest of the northern long-necked turtle -- modelling population dynamics in support of a sustainable industry. The Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation wishes to establish employment opportunities that both strengthen traditional Aboriginal values and lead to economic self-sufficiency. We will use experimental approaches to model the demographic impact of Aboriginal harvest on the population dynamics of the northern long-necked turtle. The project will break new ground in studying dens ....Aboriginal harvest of the northern long-necked turtle -- modelling population dynamics in support of a sustainable industry. The Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation wishes to establish employment opportunities that both strengthen traditional Aboriginal values and lead to economic self-sufficiency. We will use experimental approaches to model the demographic impact of Aboriginal harvest on the population dynamics of the northern long-necked turtle. The project will break new ground in studying density-dependent responses to harvest in a long-lived turtle species. The project will also assist the Aboriginal rural community to decide the level of adult and egg harvest in support of a local industry to ensure that it is both ecologically and economically sustainable.Read moreRead less
Sustainable development in urban environments: maximising biodiversity conservation where people live. This project directly addresses the National Research Priority of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia. This is achieved by a pioneering approach that links socio-economic variables with settlement design and biodiversity status. Human settlements have substantial capacity to support a rich biodiversity. Developing ecologically sensitive management strategies here will not only ensure the c ....Sustainable development in urban environments: maximising biodiversity conservation where people live. This project directly addresses the National Research Priority of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia. This is achieved by a pioneering approach that links socio-economic variables with settlement design and biodiversity status. Human settlements have substantial capacity to support a rich biodiversity. Developing ecologically sensitive management strategies here will not only ensure the conservation of many native species, but also provide considerable opportunities for interaction between people and nature. This can have significant social benefits including improved health, increased community well-being and greater understanding of the environment. It also ensures ready access to a broad range of ecosystem goods and services.Read moreRead less
Avoiding Environmental Bankruptcy: the grazing impacts of red kangaroos and sheep. Overgrazing is one of the most serious environmental and economic problems in Australia. By mitigating overgrazing, our project has three major benefits. Firstly, quantification of the foraging requirements for free-ranging sheep and kangaroos will, for the first time, allow us to identify sustainable practices that prevent overgrazing and contribute to significant land recovery. Secondly, a new mechanistic model ....Avoiding Environmental Bankruptcy: the grazing impacts of red kangaroos and sheep. Overgrazing is one of the most serious environmental and economic problems in Australia. By mitigating overgrazing, our project has three major benefits. Firstly, quantification of the foraging requirements for free-ranging sheep and kangaroos will, for the first time, allow us to identify sustainable practices that prevent overgrazing and contribute to significant land recovery. Secondly, a new mechanistic model for predicting herbivore dynamics will allow us to evaluate potential impacts of climate change on future grazing pressures. Thirdly, our results will inform management plans to sustain Australia's arid rangelands as productive, bio-diverse environments, which currently provide economic returns in excess of $20 billion p.a.Read moreRead less