Aboriginal patch burning and the quest for sustainable fire management. This project aims to document historical changes in the spatial grain of the patch burning mosaic in an Arnhem Land savannah with an unbroken history of management by Aboriginal people, and in adjacent areas where traditional management has ceased. The mosaic's spatial grain will be inferred by mapping the individual ages of the long-lived conifer Callitris intratropica. Prior research has shown that Callitris individuals c ....Aboriginal patch burning and the quest for sustainable fire management. This project aims to document historical changes in the spatial grain of the patch burning mosaic in an Arnhem Land savannah with an unbroken history of management by Aboriginal people, and in adjacent areas where traditional management has ceased. The mosaic's spatial grain will be inferred by mapping the individual ages of the long-lived conifer Callitris intratropica. Prior research has shown that Callitris individuals can be reliably aged, and population structures are very sensitive to fire regimes: saplings only establish if unburnt for 10 years. This research is expected to provide the first direct test of the hypothesis that Aboriginal people maintained fine-grained fire mosaics in savannas, and inform bushfire policy debates.Read moreRead less
A new integrated approach for ecologically sustainable forest management. As harvested regions can maintain high levels of biodiversity, forestry has moved away from conservation in large reserves, and instead focuses on creating a dynamic mosaic of harvested and unharvested forest. However, designing this mosaic poses complex problems. This project aims to identify underlying patterns and processes determining how forest biodiversity is distributed and use this information to develop decision m ....A new integrated approach for ecologically sustainable forest management. As harvested regions can maintain high levels of biodiversity, forestry has moved away from conservation in large reserves, and instead focuses on creating a dynamic mosaic of harvested and unharvested forest. However, designing this mosaic poses complex problems. This project aims to identify underlying patterns and processes determining how forest biodiversity is distributed and use this information to develop decision models to underpin sustainable forest management plans. Existing and new evidence will be used, the latter derived from three innovative approaches for more efficient and cost effective biodiversity assessment: remote sensing of plants, next generation DNA technology of beetles and analysis of acoustic recording of birds.Read moreRead less
The endangered swift parrot as a model for managing small migratory birds. Endangered swift parrots use variable locations while breeding in eastern Tasmania and over winter on the Australian mainland. This project aims to develop effective conservation strategies for swift parrots and other migrants using new and long term data and innovative technological solutions to tracking small birds across vast landscapes.
Reversing the loss of Leadbeater’s Possum habitat: An integrated stand- and landscape-scale approach to accelerating habitat development. Rapid loss of habitat threatens the Leadbeater's possum with extinction before the end of this century. This project aims to develop a range of stand-scale silvicultural prescriptions to accelerate the development of the key features of Leadbeater's possum habitat: large, hollow-bearing trees and a relatively dense Acacia mid-storey. These aim to then inform l ....Reversing the loss of Leadbeater’s Possum habitat: An integrated stand- and landscape-scale approach to accelerating habitat development. Rapid loss of habitat threatens the Leadbeater's possum with extinction before the end of this century. This project aims to develop a range of stand-scale silvicultural prescriptions to accelerate the development of the key features of Leadbeater's possum habitat: large, hollow-bearing trees and a relatively dense Acacia mid-storey. These aim to then inform landscape-scale management planning scenarios developed in conjunction with the Partner Organisations, DEPI and VicForests, to identify spatially and temporally explicit strategies for modifying forest management practices in the key areas of Leadbeater's possum habitat. The outcome aims to be an empirically based landscape-scale management plan to maximise the long-term viability of Leadbeater's possum.Read moreRead less
Movement ecology of granivores: informing fire management of savannas. This project aims to examine the decline in granivorous finches across north Australia and test the hypothesis that an increasingly nomadic lifestyle, associated with tracking grass seed availability over larger spatial scales, is the cause. The project also aims to evaluate how fire affects rangeland functioning, particularly grass diversity, to improve fire management of tropical savannas in northern Australia. This project ....Movement ecology of granivores: informing fire management of savannas. This project aims to examine the decline in granivorous finches across north Australia and test the hypothesis that an increasingly nomadic lifestyle, associated with tracking grass seed availability over larger spatial scales, is the cause. The project also aims to evaluate how fire affects rangeland functioning, particularly grass diversity, to improve fire management of tropical savannas in northern Australia. This project will provide new tools and technologies that will monitor mobile small vertebrates. Expected outcomes will improve the understanding of tropical savanna functioning and fire management. The research aligns with ‘savanna burning’ methodologies and carbon sequestration goals in north Australia.
Read moreRead less
Overcoming multiple constraints to wetland forest restoration. This project aims to determine the efficacy of different approaches for restoring wetland forests at the landscape scale. The death and decline of Victoria’s wetland forests, crucial habitat for the endangered helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater's possum, most likely result from modified flooding patterns, low native tree and shrub recruitment and increased competition from understorey plants. The project intends to reinstate a more n ....Overcoming multiple constraints to wetland forest restoration. This project aims to determine the efficacy of different approaches for restoring wetland forests at the landscape scale. The death and decline of Victoria’s wetland forests, crucial habitat for the endangered helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater's possum, most likely result from modified flooding patterns, low native tree and shrub recruitment and increased competition from understorey plants. The project intends to reinstate a more natural flood regime, planting native species and reducing competition from dense understorey vegetation. In this way, the project aims to test and advance ecological theory, guide wetland restoration and inform management plans for saving Victoria’s iconic fauna.Read moreRead less
Managing fire and ecology in northern Australia. This project aims to understand how fire affects the northern Australian savannah. European arrival changed how fire was used in Australia. This project will use ecology, palaeoecology and model development to develop pre-European ecological baselines in northern Australia and to reconstruct changes in plant cover in response to changes in fire regime. By understanding the effect of fire, the project will support the effective maintenance of the e ....Managing fire and ecology in northern Australia. This project aims to understand how fire affects the northern Australian savannah. European arrival changed how fire was used in Australia. This project will use ecology, palaeoecology and model development to develop pre-European ecological baselines in northern Australia and to reconstruct changes in plant cover in response to changes in fire regime. By understanding the effect of fire, the project will support the effective maintenance of the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the savannah landscapes.Read moreRead less
Incorporating contested social values into native forest management. This project aims to relate social values to forest management criteria and indicators, and to incorporate social values in ecological modelling of management scenarios. For agencies, like the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, it will predict the likely ecological outcomes and public acceptance of diverse management scenarios.
Arresting declines of arboreal mammals in the tropical savannas. This project aims to evaluate the hypothesis that arboreal species are limited by the abundance of tree hollows, and that historical increases in the frequency of intense fires may be reducing hollow abundance. Northern Australia’s mammals are in severe decline, and arboreal species are among those that have fared worst. There is abundant anecdotal evidence that a decline in hollow abundance is the cause. Working with the Western A ....Arresting declines of arboreal mammals in the tropical savannas. This project aims to evaluate the hypothesis that arboreal species are limited by the abundance of tree hollows, and that historical increases in the frequency of intense fires may be reducing hollow abundance. Northern Australia’s mammals are in severe decline, and arboreal species are among those that have fared worst. There is abundant anecdotal evidence that a decline in hollow abundance is the cause. Working with the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife in the Kimberley, the last region on the Australian mainland with an intact mammal fauna, the project aims to explore management options for increasing the availability of hollow denning sites for arboreal mammals (e.g. fire management, artificial nest boxes), and evaluate the likely impact of such actions on mammal populations across northern Australia.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.