The ARC Earth System Science Research Network. The ARC Earth System Science Network incorporates data collectors, modellers and impacts researchers to address the impacts of climate change and variability on Human, biological and physical systems. Our capacity to adapt to changes in water availability, agricultural productivity, the likelihood of species extinctions, and risks to human health will be enhanced through the Network's use of frontier technologies. The enhanced capacity to use data a ....The ARC Earth System Science Research Network. The ARC Earth System Science Network incorporates data collectors, modellers and impacts researchers to address the impacts of climate change and variability on Human, biological and physical systems. Our capacity to adapt to changes in water availability, agricultural productivity, the likelihood of species extinctions, and risks to human health will be enhanced through the Network's use of frontier technologies. The enhanced capacity to use data and model the Earth System will allow policymakers to make more informed decisions with regard to water, biodiversity, human health, industry and agriculture sustainability; thereby enhancing the national capacity to respond to climate change and variability and securing our common interest.Read moreRead less
Responses of southern Australian mammal faunas to climate change before and after human arrival. In the past 170 years, southern Australia mammals have suffered one of the worst extinction rates in the world. More losses are predicted in the face of global warming. This recent extinction wave follows a major extinction event that saw 90% of Australia's large animals disappear 60,000-40,000 years ago. The causes are hotly debated. Some researchers argue for a human cause, others suggest that clim ....Responses of southern Australian mammal faunas to climate change before and after human arrival. In the past 170 years, southern Australia mammals have suffered one of the worst extinction rates in the world. More losses are predicted in the face of global warming. This recent extinction wave follows a major extinction event that saw 90% of Australia's large animals disappear 60,000-40,000 years ago. The causes are hotly debated. Some researchers argue for a human cause, others suggest that climate change was to blame. This study will refine our knowledge of the timing and causes of these extinctions in southern Australia by assessing how communities responded to climate change in the lead-up to human arrival. It will provide vital information for managing the conservation of many modern species and guide us in limiting future losses.Read moreRead less
Dispersal and gene flow in habitat-forming algae. The temperate coast of Australia has a unique and diverse algal flora. Many of these algae play a central role in subtidal ecology by providing habitat to an astonishing diversity of taxa. Despite this, we have no understanding of levels of gene flow within and among populations of habitat forming algae or how such populations persist in nature. By addressing this lack of knowledge, my research will contribute information that is critical for the ....Dispersal and gene flow in habitat-forming algae. The temperate coast of Australia has a unique and diverse algal flora. Many of these algae play a central role in subtidal ecology by providing habitat to an astonishing diversity of taxa. Despite this, we have no understanding of levels of gene flow within and among populations of habitat forming algae or how such populations persist in nature. By addressing this lack of knowledge, my research will contribute information that is critical for the conservation and management of algal habitats. This is particularly pertinent because anthropogentic stressors are beginning to precipitate significant changes in algal forests along Australia's coastline. Read moreRead less
Assessing the impact of a native parasitic plant, Cassytha pubescens, on the weeds gorse (Ulex europaeus) and English broom (Cytisus scoparius). Each year invasive plants cost Australia billions of dollars through costs associated with their control and through lost agricultural production and degradation of native ecosystems. Two particularly damaging plants are gorse and broom. The problems gorse causes are so serious that it has been recognized as a Weed of National Significance (Federal Depa ....Assessing the impact of a native parasitic plant, Cassytha pubescens, on the weeds gorse (Ulex europaeus) and English broom (Cytisus scoparius). Each year invasive plants cost Australia billions of dollars through costs associated with their control and through lost agricultural production and degradation of native ecosystems. Two particularly damaging plants are gorse and broom. The problems gorse causes are so serious that it has been recognized as a Weed of National Significance (Federal Department of Environment and Heritage). Biological control efforts have seldom use native agents, and even less often, parasitic plants. This project will help to develop strategies for the control of two noxious species using a native parsitic plant.Read moreRead less
Assessment of the diversity, distribution and uniqueness of subterranean animals from calcrete aquifers in central western Australia. Recently a rich and diverse subterranean invertebrate fauna (stygofauna) was unexpectedly discovered from numerous isolated calcrete aquifers associated with palaeodrainage channels in central Western Australia. Our recent taxonomic and molecular studies have suggested that stygofaunas within each aquifer may be highly endemic. We aim to test this hypothesis by in ....Assessment of the diversity, distribution and uniqueness of subterranean animals from calcrete aquifers in central western Australia. Recently a rich and diverse subterranean invertebrate fauna (stygofauna) was unexpectedly discovered from numerous isolated calcrete aquifers associated with palaeodrainage channels in central Western Australia. Our recent taxonomic and molecular studies have suggested that stygofaunas within each aquifer may be highly endemic. We aim to test this hypothesis by investigating the diversity, distribution and uniqueness of stygofauna from three major calcrete regions. We further aim to document the environmental conditions and variability within the aquifers and to develop rigorous sampling protocols. Such data are essential for the development of appropriate strategies for sustainable management of subterranean water and their ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Population structure in the giant Australian cuttlefish - implications for management of a unique eco-tourism and fishery resource in regional Australia. A management strategy for the giant Australian cuttlefish in regional South Australia is required urgently because of potential conflict between ecotourism and fishery sectors. At present, development of a management strategy is stymied by lack of information on stock structure and movements. Analyses of variation in gene frequencies, morphom ....Population structure in the giant Australian cuttlefish - implications for management of a unique eco-tourism and fishery resource in regional Australia. A management strategy for the giant Australian cuttlefish in regional South Australia is required urgently because of potential conflict between ecotourism and fishery sectors. At present, development of a management strategy is stymied by lack of information on stock structure and movements. Analyses of variation in gene frequencies, morphometric and chemical trace element profiles in calcified structures among locations and years will enable the geographic extent of populations or stocks to be determined, including whether natal homing occurs. Such information is critical to sustainable management of the species and design of a marine protected area in the upper Spencer Gulf.Read moreRead less
Density regulation as a major determinant of population persistence: advancing empirical and theoretical approaches to conserve biodiversity. Without efficient application of limited conservation resources, more species will go extinct and invasive species will continue to proliferate. With a better understanding of extinction processes, a higher benefit:cost ratio will ensure better outcomes for biodiversity. We will directly address (1) the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity by provid ....Density regulation as a major determinant of population persistence: advancing empirical and theoretical approaches to conserve biodiversity. Without efficient application of limited conservation resources, more species will go extinct and invasive species will continue to proliferate. With a better understanding of extinction processes, a higher benefit:cost ratio will ensure better outcomes for biodiversity. We will directly address (1) the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity by providing evidence-based support for minimum viable population size targets to avoid extinction; (2) responding to climate change by determining the species- and environmentally specific contexts leading to elevated risks of extinction; and (3) protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests by determining density targets that maximise eradication success.Read moreRead less
Population genetics and dynamics of orchids and their pollinators in fragmented landscapes of South Australia. Many species of orchids in fragmented landscapes need active management to secure their persistence. The effects of fragmentation can be direct (e.g. reduction in population sizes, environmental quality, increased inbreeding, reduced dispersal ability), or indirect through negative effects on pollinators. Little information exists on the complex interactions between effects of fragmenta ....Population genetics and dynamics of orchids and their pollinators in fragmented landscapes of South Australia. Many species of orchids in fragmented landscapes need active management to secure their persistence. The effects of fragmentation can be direct (e.g. reduction in population sizes, environmental quality, increased inbreeding, reduced dispersal ability), or indirect through negative effects on pollinators. Little information exists on the complex interactions between effects of fragmentation on plants and their pollinators. This project aims to understand how fragmentation affects the genetic diversity and demography of selected populations of orchids and their pollinators in the Mt.Lofty/Flerieu Peninsula area. This information will help to develop and implement more effective conservation plans.Read moreRead less
Matching of gas exchanger structure and function with activity and environment in air-breathing fishes. This project will investigate the physiology and structure of Australian fishes that use gills and breathe air. It will measure the partitioning of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange between the aquatic (gills) and aerial (lung, swim-bladder or mouth) respiratory organs, in relation to dissolved oxygen in the water and metabolic energy demands by the fish. Rates of gas exchange, biochemical ....Matching of gas exchanger structure and function with activity and environment in air-breathing fishes. This project will investigate the physiology and structure of Australian fishes that use gills and breathe air. It will measure the partitioning of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange between the aquatic (gills) and aerial (lung, swim-bladder or mouth) respiratory organs, in relation to dissolved oxygen in the water and metabolic energy demands by the fish. Rates of gas exchange, biochemical characteristics of the blood, anatomy and physiology of the exchange organs, and respiratory/locomotory coupling will be measured in three selected species during graded exercise. The results will help us understand the factors influencing the evolution of air-breathing.Read moreRead less
Translocation as a Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. This project contributes to the body of research guiding efforts to conserve the biodiversity of Australia. It will benefit the broader scientific community by advancing knowledge of the dynamics of endangered species, and the role of recruits to the population. It has particular potential benefits for the local conservation activities of the community of the Burra area, by informing landholders of best conservation practi ....Translocation as a Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. This project contributes to the body of research guiding efforts to conserve the biodiversity of Australia. It will benefit the broader scientific community by advancing knowledge of the dynamics of endangered species, and the role of recruits to the population. It has particular potential benefits for the local conservation activities of the community of the Burra area, by informing landholders of best conservation practices and by providing a firm basis for actions by the pygmy bluetongue recovery programRead moreRead less