Improved methods for predicting species' distributions under environmental change. Understanding the impacts of climate change and invasive species on the distribution and persistence of species is an issue of global and national significance and concern. This project will provide tools essential for the effective management of Australia's ecosystems by delivering clear guidelines and practical methods that will substantially improve the modelling of future species distributions.
Robust prediction and decision strategies for managing extinction risks under climate change. Climate change is a principal threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health. The loss of ecosystem services from loss of species and ecosystem change may have serious social and economic repercussions. Unreliable predictions of climate change impacts and inefficient adaptation decisions result in wasted public resources and unnecessary loss of natural assets. In addition to direct benefits of efficient ad ....Robust prediction and decision strategies for managing extinction risks under climate change. Climate change is a principal threat to biodiversity and ecosystem health. The loss of ecosystem services from loss of species and ecosystem change may have serious social and economic repercussions. Unreliable predictions of climate change impacts and inefficient adaptation decisions result in wasted public resources and unnecessary loss of natural assets. In addition to direct benefits of efficient adaptation strategies for case-study ecosystems, techniques arising from this research will improve the way we respond to uncertain, but potentially catastrophic consequences of climate change. Bringing state-of-the-art modelling and formal decision methods to climate change adaptation is a central aim of this research.Read moreRead less
The impact of noise and vibration from road traffic on the community composition and acoustic communication of birds and frogs. Roads cover a significant and increasing proportion of the Australian landscape, but their ecological impact is poorly understood. Traffic noise from busy roads can disturb animals over long distances, and may interfere with acoustic communication. In addition, ground vibration caused by passing traffic may disturb sensitive terrestrial animals. This project aims to ass ....The impact of noise and vibration from road traffic on the community composition and acoustic communication of birds and frogs. Roads cover a significant and increasing proportion of the Australian landscape, but their ecological impact is poorly understood. Traffic noise from busy roads can disturb animals over long distances, and may interfere with acoustic communication. In addition, ground vibration caused by passing traffic may disturb sensitive terrestrial animals. This project aims to assess the impact of traffic noise and vibration on communities of birds and frogs. Results of this research will provide vital information on the effects of roads on vulnerable wildlife, and the potential benefits to conservation of noise mitigation measures such as construction of tunnels and sound barriers.Read moreRead less
Optimal management of threatened amphibian metapopulations in urbanising landscapes. This project will enable the identification of optimal management strategies for many species threatened by the loss and fragmentation of their habitat, both in Australia and internationally. Our research will contribute to the recovery of the endangered Growling Grass Frog, and drive the conservation of wetland biodiversity on the fringe of Australia's fastest growing city. Both the methods and specific recomme ....Optimal management of threatened amphibian metapopulations in urbanising landscapes. This project will enable the identification of optimal management strategies for many species threatened by the loss and fragmentation of their habitat, both in Australia and internationally. Our research will contribute to the recovery of the endangered Growling Grass Frog, and drive the conservation of wetland biodiversity on the fringe of Australia's fastest growing city. Both the methods and specific recommendations for management that we develop will contribute to the goal of an environmentally-sustainable Australia. This project will expand Australia's capacity to solve conservation problems, and will promote biological diversity in urban environments, to the benefit of their human inhabitants.Read moreRead less
General theory for eradicating multiple invasive species from threatened island ecosystems. Invasive species threaten many of Australia's unique flora and fauna. Our island ecosystems have evolved in the absence of mammalian predators, and are therefore particularly vulnerable. When both cats and rats invade an island, they can quickly decimate the populations of native species, particularly seabirds, and threaten them with extinction. Unfortunately, poorly planned eradication of these invasive ....General theory for eradicating multiple invasive species from threatened island ecosystems. Invasive species threaten many of Australia's unique flora and fauna. Our island ecosystems have evolved in the absence of mammalian predators, and are therefore particularly vulnerable. When both cats and rats invade an island, they can quickly decimate the populations of native species, particularly seabirds, and threaten them with extinction. Unfortunately, poorly planned eradication of these invasive species can destabilise the complex island ecosystems, further endangering the native species. The results of this project will help conservation managers to plan eradication strategies that cost-effectively eradicate populations of two introduced species, without threatening native wildlife.Read moreRead less
Modelling species distributions for a changing world. Understanding the impacts of climate change and invasive species on the distribution and persistence of species is an issue of global and national significance and concern. This project will provide tools essential for the effective management of Australia's ecosystems by delivering clear guidelines and practical methods that will substantially improve the modelling of future species distributions.