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.
Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. This project aims to test genetic rescue as an efficient recovery technique for threatened plants and animals. Genetic rescue is under-utilised, even though it is overwhelmingly beneficial. This project will convert management actions on five Endangered/Critically Endangered species into rigorous experiments that measure the fitness benefits of genetic rescue, and demonstrate genome-wide consequences. Anticipated outco ....Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. Genetic rescue of Australian wildlife. This project aims to test genetic rescue as an efficient recovery technique for threatened plants and animals. Genetic rescue is under-utilised, even though it is overwhelmingly beneficial. This project will convert management actions on five Endangered/Critically Endangered species into rigorous experiments that measure the fitness benefits of genetic rescue, and demonstrate genome-wide consequences. Anticipated outcomes include innovative genetic rescue protocols, a framework for genetic rescue, and leading-edge conservation training. Expected benefits are increased persistence of species that are otherwise unresponsive to management, and a new path to saving endangered species.Read moreRead less
Bringing back Australia's lost woodland biodiversity: towards strategic multi-species reintroductions. Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction of any continent on the planet. This has reduced biodiversity and compromised many important ecological processes. What is the best way to re-build depauperate mammal communities with multi-species reintroductions? What effects do multi-species reintroductions have on recipient ecosystems? This project aims to explore these questions by reintr ....Bringing back Australia's lost woodland biodiversity: towards strategic multi-species reintroductions. Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction of any continent on the planet. This has reduced biodiversity and compromised many important ecological processes. What is the best way to re-build depauperate mammal communities with multi-species reintroductions? What effects do multi-species reintroductions have on recipient ecosystems? This project aims to explore these questions by reintroducing three mammal species to a critically endangered temperate woodland: a carnivore (the eastern quoll), an insectivore (yellow-footed antechinus), and a herbivore (the eastern chestnut mouse). Results from this sequenced multi-species reintroduction experiment will have broad applicability to ecosystem restoration in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary and conservation implications of extreme predation on female endangered swift parrots. Introduced predators have wrought havoc on native species worldwide. The impacts on prey species may be exacerbated when they are subject to sex-selective predation, leading to biased adult sex ratios. In Tasmania, introduced sugar gliders are killing up to 100 per cent of nesting female endangered swift parrots at many of their breeding sites. This project integrates evolutionary theory, state-of ....Evolutionary and conservation implications of extreme predation on female endangered swift parrots. Introduced predators have wrought havoc on native species worldwide. The impacts on prey species may be exacerbated when they are subject to sex-selective predation, leading to biased adult sex ratios. In Tasmania, introduced sugar gliders are killing up to 100 per cent of nesting female endangered swift parrots at many of their breeding sites. This project integrates evolutionary theory, state-of-the-art population meta-models and field experiments to: achieve practical conservation outcomes; assess the evolutionary and ecological consequences of sex-selective predation on population dynamics; and determine whether swift parrots are modifying their behaviour adaptively through learned or genetic change. Read moreRead less
How isolated is Antarctica? Assessing past and present plant colonisations. The project aims to assess how biologically isolated Antarctica is by discovering how, when and where natural colonisations of the continent have occurred. The research will focus on mosses, the dominant plant group in the Antarctic. genomic tools will be combined with environmental, spatial, and ecological data to assess mechanisms and directions of dispersal to and around Antarctica, and to predict areas most likely to ....How isolated is Antarctica? Assessing past and present plant colonisations. The project aims to assess how biologically isolated Antarctica is by discovering how, when and where natural colonisations of the continent have occurred. The research will focus on mosses, the dominant plant group in the Antarctic. genomic tools will be combined with environmental, spatial, and ecological data to assess mechanisms and directions of dispersal to and around Antarctica, and to predict areas most likely to be colonised in the future. This will help understand the processes underpinning the evolution and diversity of Antarctic species, and the vulnerability and adaptability of Antarctic ecosystems. Read moreRead less
Integrating fire and predator management to conserve threatened species. This project aims to empower land managers to better conserve Australia’s threatened native animals by developing decision-support approaches that facilitate integrated management of threatening processes. The project will use a combination of novel predictive models, field experiments and data syntheses to assist land managers to better conserve Australia’s threatened native fauna. This project will benefit biodiversity co ....Integrating fire and predator management to conserve threatened species. This project aims to empower land managers to better conserve Australia’s threatened native animals by developing decision-support approaches that facilitate integrated management of threatening processes. The project will use a combination of novel predictive models, field experiments and data syntheses to assist land managers to better conserve Australia’s threatened native fauna. This project will benefit biodiversity conservation by enabling more effective allocation of limited conservation resources.Read moreRead less
Have we already lost the Australian lungfish? This project aims to use radiocarbon ageing, conservation genetics and modelling to identify threats to the long-term survival of the Australian lungfish, the world's oldest living vertebrate. This project will provide managers with a powerful tool to prioritise management interventions to ensure the conservation of the species and to pull it back from extinction.
Using pollinators to optimise plant conservation translocation. This project aims to address the low success rate of conservation translocations of threatened orchids. While pollinators are critical for plant reproduction, they are very rarely considered when establishing new populations of endangered species. Our innovative approach to conservation translocation involves using pollinators in site selection, developing strategies to mitigate risks of hybridisation, and optimising plant reproduct ....Using pollinators to optimise plant conservation translocation. This project aims to address the low success rate of conservation translocations of threatened orchids. While pollinators are critical for plant reproduction, they are very rarely considered when establishing new populations of endangered species. Our innovative approach to conservation translocation involves using pollinators in site selection, developing strategies to mitigate risks of hybridisation, and optimising plant reproduction through planting design. The key outcome will be best-practice protocols to fast-track the establishment of self-sustaining populations. Due to their novelty, the approaches we develop will benefit plant translocations worldwide, and lead to enhanced conservation outcomes at reduced financial cost. Read moreRead less
Reintroduction of ecosystem engineers as a woodland restoration tool. Can we help restore woodlands by reintroducing extinct native mammals? Through a strategic partnership combining innovative research and conservation action, this project will investigate how returning extinct 'ecosystem engineers' could be used as a tool for restoring healthy temperate woodland ecosystems.
Understanding grassy woodlands as whole ecosystems. Restoring Australia's once vast grassy woodlands needs a sound understanding of the whole ecosystem and robust scientific evidence to inform conservation action. This project will generate such evidence by establishing a National Outdoor Laboratory to inform the sustainable management of our nation's precious remaining woodlands.