Reconstructing past population dynamics to understand human and climatic impacts in prehistory. More than 100 species have become extinct since humans first colonised Australia, and over 1000 are considered threatened. This research will determine the factors most strongly governing the interaction between humans and native fauna in Australia over the last 46 millennia. Our approach is powerful and novel because it will effectively draw together multidisciplinary evidence on natural resource exp ....Reconstructing past population dynamics to understand human and climatic impacts in prehistory. More than 100 species have become extinct since humans first colonised Australia, and over 1000 are considered threatened. This research will determine the factors most strongly governing the interaction between humans and native fauna in Australia over the last 46 millennia. Our approach is powerful and novel because it will effectively draw together multidisciplinary evidence on natural resource exploitation and habitat alteration by ancient people, and the influence of dramatic climatic shifts on the Australian biota. Information on past biological responses to environmental change is critical to properly contextualising the current impact, and long-term consequences of, threats such as global warming, habitat loss and invasive species.Read moreRead less
The evolution of egg retention and sex allocation: a phylogenetic contrasts study using facultatively ovoviviparous thrips. Australian idolothripine thrips provide an unparalleled opportunity for investigating the evolution of reproduction. They constitute the only group to contain many species in which the females choose among live birth, egg laying or both. They also choose the sex of each offspring. We will use phylogenetics and experimentation to understand the evolutionary pressures that le ....The evolution of egg retention and sex allocation: a phylogenetic contrasts study using facultatively ovoviviparous thrips. Australian idolothripine thrips provide an unparalleled opportunity for investigating the evolution of reproduction. They constitute the only group to contain many species in which the females choose among live birth, egg laying or both. They also choose the sex of each offspring. We will use phylogenetics and experimentation to understand the evolutionary pressures that led to and maintain live birth and the allocation of sex. This will produce new insights into fundamental questions about the evolution of animal reproduction. Our collaborative approach will make Australian thrips and research an international cornerstone in the biology of reproductive evolution.Read moreRead less
Regime change: when and how do ecological subordinates turn dominant? This project aims to bridge the gap between physiology and ecology in kelp forest species by developing mechanistic models to predict change and, in an unprecedented step, test them in long-term experiments at naturally acidified sites to understand the consequences of ocean acidification (OA) and warming for kelp forests. Ecosystem change is a frequent outcome of decadal modifications of the physical and chemical environment. ....Regime change: when and how do ecological subordinates turn dominant? This project aims to bridge the gap between physiology and ecology in kelp forest species by developing mechanistic models to predict change and, in an unprecedented step, test them in long-term experiments at naturally acidified sites to understand the consequences of ocean acidification (OA) and warming for kelp forests. Ecosystem change is a frequent outcome of decadal modifications of the physical and chemical environment. Whilst these changes often involve degradation from productive states, we have a poor understanding of the mechanisms which drive change. Key stressors in marine systems, OA and warming are predicted to drive loss of kelp forests but we still don't understand the reality of these predictions.Read moreRead less
Forecasting change in subtidal habitats: connecting local pollution with global climate in temperate Australia. The current narrow focus of management on local and contemporary environmental conditions (e.g. water quality) has indeterminate outcomes in the face of climate change. This proposal seeks to forecast marine habitats under realistic scenarios of climate change and continuing local population growth and activity. This information provides managers with information needed to understand t ....Forecasting change in subtidal habitats: connecting local pollution with global climate in temperate Australia. The current narrow focus of management on local and contemporary environmental conditions (e.g. water quality) has indeterminate outcomes in the face of climate change. This proposal seeks to forecast marine habitats under realistic scenarios of climate change and continuing local population growth and activity. This information provides managers with information needed to understand the consequences of current policy and debates about its improvement.Read moreRead less
Effects of fire on the reproductive ecology of terrestrial orchids and on their pollinators in fragmented landscapes of southern Australia. This project will combine traditional plant and insect ecology with advanced molecular techniques to ascertain the effects of fire management on terrestrial orchids and their pollinators in fragmented landscapes. This will improve our understanding of the Australian biota and improve management and conservation of terrestrial orchids.
Ocean acidification and rising sea temperature effect on fish. Predictions of climate change effects on marine biodiversity often do not include species interactions. This project will study the effects of climate change stressors on the behaviour and competitive abilities of fishes and build models that predict how these affect their survival and persistence in marine ecosystems under future climate scenarios.
Using ancient fish ear bones to overcome the shifting baseline syndrome in freshwater fish populations. Chemical tracers in fish ear bones from 5,500 years ago through to modern times will provide information on changes in fish ecology over centuries and identify why freshwater fish populations have declined. Outcomes will provide knowledge of how fish populations would react to altered fishing pressure and restoration of environments.
Establishing a global framework to trace the provenance of seafood. The global importance and demand for seafood is higher than ever; yet, sustainable seafood production is threatened by seafood fraud. This research will develop a new technology that will trace the geographic origins of seafood from catch to table and empower authorities to combat fraud. In doing so, this research will use natural chemical variation in biominerals to build maps of ocean chemistry and create universal markers of ....Establishing a global framework to trace the provenance of seafood. The global importance and demand for seafood is higher than ever; yet, sustainable seafood production is threatened by seafood fraud. This research will develop a new technology that will trace the geographic origins of seafood from catch to table and empower authorities to combat fraud. In doing so, this research will use natural chemical variation in biominerals to build maps of ocean chemistry and create universal markers of seafood provenance. These markers will be intrinsically tamper-proof: enabling the chemical geolocation of seafood across international trade routes. The outcome of this research will address a global environmental challenge and, in doing so, deliver benefits to the Australian economy, consumer and environment. Read moreRead less
Early warning of cyanobacteria blooms in drinking water reservoirs by means of evolutionary algorithms. Estimated economic cost of cyanobacteria blooms to Australia are at $150 million p.a. Early warning for cyanobacteria blooms will inform water managers to conduct preventive and operational control in reservoirs and water works, and significantly lower risks for public health and costs for monitoring and treatment. Resulting early warning systems will be novel prototypes for cyanobacteria bloo ....Early warning of cyanobacteria blooms in drinking water reservoirs by means of evolutionary algorithms. Estimated economic cost of cyanobacteria blooms to Australia are at $150 million p.a. Early warning for cyanobacteria blooms will inform water managers to conduct preventive and operational control in reservoirs and water works, and significantly lower risks for public health and costs for monitoring and treatment. Resulting early warning systems will be novel prototypes for cyanobacteria blooms in drinking water reservoirs based on forecasting models adaptable to environmental and climate change. Model-based scenario analysis will also assist in informed decisions on effects of drought, injection of recycled water and global warming to cyanobacteria growth.Read moreRead less
Investing in ecological portfolios: retaining migratory strategies of fish. In finance, investors minimize risk and optimize long term returns by building stock portfolios with different attributes. This contingency strategy also occurs in ecological systems. We will use portfolio effects as a conceptual model to characterise the poorly known sub-population variations in migratory strategies of estuarine fish and their response to environmental conditions. In doing so, we will determine how envi ....Investing in ecological portfolios: retaining migratory strategies of fish. In finance, investors minimize risk and optimize long term returns by building stock portfolios with different attributes. This contingency strategy also occurs in ecological systems. We will use portfolio effects as a conceptual model to characterise the poorly known sub-population variations in migratory strategies of estuarine fish and their response to environmental conditions. In doing so, we will determine how environmental change drives variations in migratory strategies, impacts long-term growth and population trophic web dynamics. Outcomes will foster novel and dynamic management frameworks that enhance population stability despite the predicted volatility of environmental conditions.Read moreRead less