New methods for improving active adaptive management in biological systems. Understanding population dynamics is critical in many areas of national importance to Australia, such as protection of biodiversity, management of invasive species and prediction of the possible effects of climate change. This project will develop a collection of state-of-the-art methods enabling optimal ecological management.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100154
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
The Advanced DNA Identification and Forensics Facility. The advanced DNA identification and forensics facility:
The project aims to establish a national integrated facility for cutting-edge forensic genetic research, resources and expertise in wildlife, forest and environmental DNA identification to improve our capacity to identify unknown biological material. The project’s goal will be to enhance synergies between academic research, service delivery and forensic application of DNA identificati ....The Advanced DNA Identification and Forensics Facility. The advanced DNA identification and forensics facility:
The project aims to establish a national integrated facility for cutting-edge forensic genetic research, resources and expertise in wildlife, forest and environmental DNA identification to improve our capacity to identify unknown biological material. The project’s goal will be to enhance synergies between academic research, service delivery and forensic application of DNA identification technologies, addressing vital questions such as: From which individual or species did this material originate? Where in the world is it from? Is it legal? The proposed facility may deliver applied outcomes for government, the criminal justice system, and industry, such as improved pest and threatened species identification; biosecurity, prosecutions of wildlife crime and illegal logging; and missing person and disaster victim identification.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100118
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$159,450.00
Summary
Sensor calibration facility for spectral and thermal remote sensing. This project aims to establish a calibration facility for the radiometric and spectral correction of hyperspectral and thermal sensors for ultrahigh-resolution remote sensing. Sensor calibration and characterisation is critical to the accuracy of hyperspectral and thermal data products, however, there is no central facility in Australia for this purpose. This project will provide significant benefits, such as growing our capaci ....Sensor calibration facility for spectral and thermal remote sensing. This project aims to establish a calibration facility for the radiometric and spectral correction of hyperspectral and thermal sensors for ultrahigh-resolution remote sensing. Sensor calibration and characterisation is critical to the accuracy of hyperspectral and thermal data products, however, there is no central facility in Australia for this purpose. This project will provide significant benefits, such as growing our capacity in ultrahigh-resolution remote sensing for ecosystem science, biosecurity, and disaster response.Read moreRead less
Deep time extinctions and environments in Australian underwater caves. This project aims to investigate the unique submerged Mt Gambier fossil deposits to determine the role environmental change had on large Australian mammal extinctions. By using a combination of technical diving and scientific expertise to study untouched fossil deposits from underwater caves, this project expects to provide greater understanding of past ecosystems and animals, advancements in geochronological techniques, and ....Deep time extinctions and environments in Australian underwater caves. This project aims to investigate the unique submerged Mt Gambier fossil deposits to determine the role environmental change had on large Australian mammal extinctions. By using a combination of technical diving and scientific expertise to study untouched fossil deposits from underwater caves, this project expects to provide greater understanding of past ecosystems and animals, advancements in geochronological techniques, and data critical to prepare Australians for action in protecting our biological heritage. Expected outcomes include insights into cave conservation and protection of underwater cave systems, updated policies on cave management, and promotion of our understanding of Australian geo-heritage through education and displays.Read moreRead less
Naracoorte caves: a critical window on faunal extinctions and past climates. This project aims to establish an unprecedented record of biodiversity and environmental change at Australia’s richest Quaternary fossil site – Naracoorte Caves. The study will integrate all aspects of the preserved deposits, employing new approaches in geochronology, palaeontology and geochemistry to develop truly comprehensive palaeoecological and palaeoclimate histories. This project will establish a benchmark datase ....Naracoorte caves: a critical window on faunal extinctions and past climates. This project aims to establish an unprecedented record of biodiversity and environmental change at Australia’s richest Quaternary fossil site – Naracoorte Caves. The study will integrate all aspects of the preserved deposits, employing new approaches in geochronology, palaeontology and geochemistry to develop truly comprehensive palaeoecological and palaeoclimate histories. This project will establish a benchmark dataset on past ecological and environmental change, strengthening scientific innovation in key research priority areas. It will have significant implications for understanding megafauna extinctions and past biodiversity responses, and will inform future conservation and climate change adaptation strategies. The project will transform the scientific profile of Naracoorte Caves, ensuring socioeconomic benefits to regional communities through education, ecotourism and knowledge marketing.Read moreRead less
Illuminating the evolutionary history of Australia’s most iconic animals. This project aims to pinpoint the nature and timing of key steps in macropod history and to test how these link with major climatic and biotic changes. Macropods (kangaroos and relatives) are widely considered the marsupial equivalents to hoofed mammals on other continents, but we have a weaker understanding of how their evolution was shaped by environmental change. This project will combine palaeontology, anatomy and gene ....Illuminating the evolutionary history of Australia’s most iconic animals. This project aims to pinpoint the nature and timing of key steps in macropod history and to test how these link with major climatic and biotic changes. Macropods (kangaroos and relatives) are widely considered the marsupial equivalents to hoofed mammals on other continents, but we have a weaker understanding of how their evolution was shaped by environmental change. This project will combine palaeontology, anatomy and genetics to address questions such as how and why ancestral macropods descended from the trees and evolved bipedal hopping, and the upper size limits of the kangaroo “body plan”. This should improve our understanding of the long-term effects of climate change on marsupials, and provide a test of key placental-based evolutionary models.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100155
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
High-Speed Particle Image Velocimetry and Laser-Induced Fluorescence Facility. This state-of-the-art laser facility will increase our scientific understanding of industrial processes by providing valuable information on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles for rapidly changing flow fields. Previously it was not possible to do this, and the knowledge gained will be applied to develop more efficient and environmentally sustainable operations. For example, many current processes have hi ....High-Speed Particle Image Velocimetry and Laser-Induced Fluorescence Facility. This state-of-the-art laser facility will increase our scientific understanding of industrial processes by providing valuable information on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles for rapidly changing flow fields. Previously it was not possible to do this, and the knowledge gained will be applied to develop more efficient and environmentally sustainable operations. For example, many current processes have high energy input but scientific evidence suggests that it can be reduced if the embodied energy of the flow is properly utilised. Importantly, this utilisation often leads to increased yields and product quality. The facility will greatly assist researchers and industry collaborators in developing processes for the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101734
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,622.00
Summary
Should I stay or should I go? Increasing natural disaster preparedness and survival through animal attachment. This project will determine the extent to which people's willingness to risk their lives to save animals during natural disasters could be reinterpreted as a protective factor by motivating preparedness. This information will be used to create effective public health campaigns designed to increase natural disaster preparedness and save lives.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage. The ARC Centre of Excellence of Australian Biodiversity and Heritage will create a world-class interdisciplinary research programme to understand Australia’s unique biodiversity and heritage. The Centre will track the changes to Australia’s environment to examine the processes responsible for the changes and the lessons that can be used to continue to adapt to Australia’s changing environment. The Centre will support connection ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage. The ARC Centre of Excellence of Australian Biodiversity and Heritage will create a world-class interdisciplinary research programme to understand Australia’s unique biodiversity and heritage. The Centre will track the changes to Australia’s environment to examine the processes responsible for the changes and the lessons that can be used to continue to adapt to Australia’s changing environment. The Centre will support connections between the sciences and humanities and train future generations of researchers to deal with future global challenges and inform policy in an interdisciplinary context. Read moreRead less
Narrative Ecologies of Warragamba Dam. We are living in a period of significant environmental and land use challenges, many of them accompanied by conflicting understandings and values. This interdisciplinary environmental humanities project focuses on the proposed raising of the Warragamba Dam wall to explore the role of narrative in analysing and responding to socio-environmental controversies: narratives of connection to place, of livelihood and economic prosperity, of deep cultural relations ....Narrative Ecologies of Warragamba Dam. We are living in a period of significant environmental and land use challenges, many of them accompanied by conflicting understandings and values. This interdisciplinary environmental humanities project focuses on the proposed raising of the Warragamba Dam wall to explore the role of narrative in analysing and responding to socio-environmental controversies: narratives of connection to place, of livelihood and economic prosperity, of deep cultural relationships to Country. Ultimately, this project aims to develop new resources for enhancing community understanding and involvement in these complex issues, utilising narrative to enable responses that are creative, inclusive, and just.Read moreRead less