The regeneration niche of invasive plants: managing the weed-shaped hole. In Australia $20 million was spent on weed control in natural areas in 2001-02 and is indicative of the level of funding for weed control programs each year. An understanding of how current weed control programs affect the regeneration of weeds in the system will give us novel insights into the persistence of weed populations despite sustained investment in control. Environmental weeds threaten biodiversity and ecosystem ....The regeneration niche of invasive plants: managing the weed-shaped hole. In Australia $20 million was spent on weed control in natural areas in 2001-02 and is indicative of the level of funding for weed control programs each year. An understanding of how current weed control programs affect the regeneration of weeds in the system will give us novel insights into the persistence of weed populations despite sustained investment in control. Environmental weeds threaten biodiversity and ecosystem function in unique Australian communities, better management of weeds will have conservation, ecosystem service provision and amenity values nationally. This project highlights the importance of understanding the weed regeneration niche for successful long-term and sustainable control.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
Prediction and Management Strategies for Blooms of the Toxic Cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula in Coastal Australian Waters. Blooms of the toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula in Australia coastal waters are resulting in severe ecological and economic impacts, including significant human health problems. What is urgently needed is the capacity to predict the onset of a Lyngbya bloom and the development of management strategies to reduce or control blooms. We have assembled a dynamic team of a ....Prediction and Management Strategies for Blooms of the Toxic Cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula in Coastal Australian Waters. Blooms of the toxic cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula in Australia coastal waters are resulting in severe ecological and economic impacts, including significant human health problems. What is urgently needed is the capacity to predict the onset of a Lyngbya bloom and the development of management strategies to reduce or control blooms. We have assembled a dynamic team of active and experienced researchers using various state-of-the-art technologies to elucidate the key factors contributing to Lyngbya blooms and have industry partners willing to implement large scale testing of various controls. We have a unique opportunity to potentially solve a pressing environmental problem.Read moreRead less
Extrinsic threats and biological predisposition in animal extinction and rediscovery. A global extinction crisis looms, and Australia has a shocking record, especially of mammal extinctions. The results of this project to find how different threats affect each species will lead to management that focusses on species- and region-specific causes. This will help to prevent further extinctions of Australian mammals and other fauna. Many people hope that species of particular importance to us such as ....Extrinsic threats and biological predisposition in animal extinction and rediscovery. A global extinction crisis looms, and Australia has a shocking record, especially of mammal extinctions. The results of this project to find how different threats affect each species will lead to management that focusses on species- and region-specific causes. This will help to prevent further extinctions of Australian mammals and other fauna. Many people hope that species of particular importance to us such as the thylacine have defied extinction, and will be rediscovered. This project will test which predictive factors can increase the chance of species rediscovery, and help management agencies plan for the expected number of future rediscoveries.Read moreRead less
Enhancing coral reef resilience to climate change. Coral reefs provide enormous economic, cultural and environmental benefits to Australia and its near neighbours. For reefs to remain healthy in the face of climate change and other stresses, they must be managed using best practices. Measuring how reef populations are connected and developing new tools to translate this knowledge into improved management can enhance fisheries, ensure reef health, and protect the livelihoods that reefs sustain. T ....Enhancing coral reef resilience to climate change. Coral reefs provide enormous economic, cultural and environmental benefits to Australia and its near neighbours. For reefs to remain healthy in the face of climate change and other stresses, they must be managed using best practices. Measuring how reef populations are connected and developing new tools to translate this knowledge into improved management can enhance fisheries, ensure reef health, and protect the livelihoods that reefs sustain. This research with partners from Europe, the United States of America, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia places Australia at the forefront of addressing the impacts of climate change and enhances its international reputation as the world leader in coral reef science and management.Read moreRead less
Impact of natural organic matter and nutrients on water quality: identification of catchment sources and attenuation processes. Development of a decision support model for land-use selection that protects water resources will be of significant benefit to the water industry. The outcomes of this project will provide water and catchment managers with a technology that significantly secures the supply of resources for high quality drinking water.
Improving the Accuracy and Intelligibility of Decisions for Conservation using the Informed Regulator Rule. Standard conservation biology uses some obsolete statistical and experimental design methods that may damage conservation biology, the environment and the economy. This project intends to refine and test a methodology (the Informed Regulator Rule) to improve the quality and transparency of conservation studies, compliance monitoring and auditing. Building on research in the psychology of ....Improving the Accuracy and Intelligibility of Decisions for Conservation using the Informed Regulator Rule. Standard conservation biology uses some obsolete statistical and experimental design methods that may damage conservation biology, the environment and the economy. This project intends to refine and test a methodology (the Informed Regulator Rule) to improve the quality and transparency of conservation studies, compliance monitoring and auditing. Building on research in the psychology of statistical (mis)understanding, the project will test the Informed Regulator Rule by computer simulation and empirical tests of impact scenarios with emphasis on data from recent studies. The cognitive accessibility and utility of the rule will be assessed theoretically and in practice.Read moreRead less
Landscape Fragmentation and Rare Plant Species: Can We Develop a General Framework of Population Responses? The project aims to categorise threatened plant taxa on the basis of functional attributes, and choose taxa for detailed investigation on the basis of their distribution across the landscape and potential to deliver quantitative data. Models will then be developed for each functional group of how rates of pollination, seed production, genetic diversity and seed fitness are affected by popu ....Landscape Fragmentation and Rare Plant Species: Can We Develop a General Framework of Population Responses? The project aims to categorise threatened plant taxa on the basis of functional attributes, and choose taxa for detailed investigation on the basis of their distribution across the landscape and potential to deliver quantitative data. Models will then be developed for each functional group of how rates of pollination, seed production, genetic diversity and seed fitness are affected by population size and landscape context. Information from models for each functional group will then be extrapolated, where possible, to other taxa in that group to provide guidelines for flora conservation, including translocations, threatened ecological communities and restoration / revegetation programs.Read moreRead less
Minimum sizes and habitat areas for viable populations. This project will address two critical issues in conservation biology: How large do wildlife populations need to be to ensure long-term persistence? How large an area needs to be preserved? At present, no such estimates exist for most species. I will develop realistic population viability analysis (PVA) models (encompassing all threats to persistence) on many bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant species, and estimate the ....Minimum sizes and habitat areas for viable populations. This project will address two critical issues in conservation biology: How large do wildlife populations need to be to ensure long-term persistence? How large an area needs to be preserved? At present, no such estimates exist for most species. I will develop realistic population viability analysis (PVA) models (encompassing all threats to persistence) on many bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant species, and estimate the minimum population sizes and habitat areas required for long-term survival. My prior research has validated the predictive accuracy of PVA. This research will deliver practical guidelines for managing threatened species.Read moreRead less
Climate change and phenotypic divergence at a landscape scale. Birds provide key ecosystem functions like pollination, insect control, and seed dispersal in Australia. Climate change is well documented and has a pronounced effect on birds, commonly leading to range shifts. This study will quantify patterns of gene flow at a landscape scale in declining and common birds in Australia and abroad. The project builds on strong international links to the Galapagos Islands as well as a regional focus f ....Climate change and phenotypic divergence at a landscape scale. Birds provide key ecosystem functions like pollination, insect control, and seed dispersal in Australia. Climate change is well documented and has a pronounced effect on birds, commonly leading to range shifts. This study will quantify patterns of gene flow at a landscape scale in declining and common birds in Australia and abroad. The project builds on strong international links to the Galapagos Islands as well as a regional focus for South Australia. The linkage organisations are committed to implementing management outcomes for native flora and fauna, which need to be underpinned with quality baseline data. The outcomes will also inform climate modelling for the State and Australia. Read moreRead less