Hotspots of endemism for invertebrate conservation in south-east Australia. The project aims to identify and predict hotspots of species endemism to guide conservation and restoration efforts. This work is significant in the current extinction crisis because endemic species (those unique to a region) are at higher risk of extinction due to human causes. The project will model the relationship of narrow range endemic species with contemporary and past environments, estimate the historical loss of ....Hotspots of endemism for invertebrate conservation in south-east Australia. The project aims to identify and predict hotspots of species endemism to guide conservation and restoration efforts. This work is significant in the current extinction crisis because endemic species (those unique to a region) are at higher risk of extinction due to human causes. The project will model the relationship of narrow range endemic species with contemporary and past environments, estimate the historical loss of species through land-clearing and fire, and predict future responses to climate change, to inform conservation planning. Lastly, it will test the efficacy of habitat transplants in restoring local invertebrate assemblages. Benefits include better informed conservation planning and new restoration approaches.Read moreRead less
Is New Guinea the missing link for understanding Australia’s rainforests? This project aims to understand the extent to which the animals in Australia have shared histories with animals from the islands of Melanesia, and especially New Guinea. Key outcomes will be identification of hotspots of unique and high evolutionary diversity across both regions, and understanding of whether New Guinea has been an overall refuge or source for rainforest animals as Australia became more arid over the last 2 ....Is New Guinea the missing link for understanding Australia’s rainforests? This project aims to understand the extent to which the animals in Australia have shared histories with animals from the islands of Melanesia, and especially New Guinea. Key outcomes will be identification of hotspots of unique and high evolutionary diversity across both regions, and understanding of whether New Guinea has been an overall refuge or source for rainforest animals as Australia became more arid over the last 20 million years. Expected benefits include addressing fundamental gaps in our knowledge of the history of both the Australian continent and its resident biota such as when landbridges first formed with New Guinea, and the identification of priority areas for conservation investment in both Australian and Melanesia.Read moreRead less
Population response to climate change in a host-parasite system. A computer model will be developed to predict the impact of climate change on geographic ranges and population densities of the sleepy lizard, the world's only lizard to be recorded to show long-term monogamy, and its associated parasitic ticks. A blood parasite, carried by the tick, and potentially harmful to the lizards, will also be included in the investigation. The study forms the next step in a 21 year research project by Fli ....Population response to climate change in a host-parasite system. A computer model will be developed to predict the impact of climate change on geographic ranges and population densities of the sleepy lizard, the world's only lizard to be recorded to show long-term monogamy, and its associated parasitic ticks. A blood parasite, carried by the tick, and potentially harmful to the lizards, will also be included in the investigation. The study forms the next step in a 21 year research project by Flinders university biologists. It will inform wildlife management about disease control and provide deeper understanding of the response of Australian fauna to climate change.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100140
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$477,237.00
Summary
Supporting Australia’s conservation agencies to control foxes & feral cats. This project aims to empower land managers to better protect Australia’s native wildlife. Introduced predators (foxes and feral cats) are a key driver of wildlife loss in Australia, and millions of dollars are invested in management annually. The project expects to advance the efficacy of introduced predator management by building robust datasets on predator densities, conducting continental-scale syntheses on predator e ....Supporting Australia’s conservation agencies to control foxes & feral cats. This project aims to empower land managers to better protect Australia’s native wildlife. Introduced predators (foxes and feral cats) are a key driver of wildlife loss in Australia, and millions of dollars are invested in management annually. The project expects to advance the efficacy of introduced predator management by building robust datasets on predator densities, conducting continental-scale syntheses on predator ecology, developing advanced simulation models to predict the effects and cost of management and monitoring, and making these accessible via free decision-support tools. The project will enhance the capacity of land managers to conduct best-practice management and substantially advance understanding of predator ecology.Read moreRead less
Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant competition: revealing underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. This project will increase understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable widespread beneficial symbiotic soil fungi to influence plant productivity and biodiversity of natural and managed plant ecosystems. It will also aid biotechnological and agronomic goals of maximizing use of scarce soil nutrients, especially phosphate. Results will be important ....Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant competition: revealing underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. This project will increase understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable widespread beneficial symbiotic soil fungi to influence plant productivity and biodiversity of natural and managed plant ecosystems. It will also aid biotechnological and agronomic goals of maximizing use of scarce soil nutrients, especially phosphate. Results will be important for agro-industry and Government groups focusing on 'healthy soil'. The project adds considerably to investment in research, infrastructure and international collaboration in this priority area. It will enhance Australia's reputation for research in soil biology and provide high standards in research education and training in an internationally recognised environment.Read moreRead less
Detecting and deciphering extinction dynamics under environmental change. This project aims to improve knowledge of extinction processes and impacts. It will use high-performance computing and museum collections to disentangle the ecological mechanisms that were integral in the initial decline and later extinction of Australia's unique mammals. Its significance is that it will establish the historical ranges and past population trajectories of Australian threatened mammals, pinpointing the combi ....Detecting and deciphering extinction dynamics under environmental change. This project aims to improve knowledge of extinction processes and impacts. It will use high-performance computing and museum collections to disentangle the ecological mechanisms that were integral in the initial decline and later extinction of Australia's unique mammals. Its significance is that it will establish the historical ranges and past population trajectories of Australian threatened mammals, pinpointing the combinations of ecological characteristics and threats that most affect risk of extinction from environmental change. Expected outcomes and benefits are new data and verified models to enrich conservation research and inform evidence-based solutions to better protect and recover some of Australia’s most threatened species.Read moreRead less
The Macroderma initiative: conserving ghost bats and informing development. This project aims to improve methods for capturing biological information required for environmental assessments of highly mobile species and enable strategic environmental planning in Northern Australia. Using Australia’s iconic ghost bat as a focus, the project will test and apply emerging technologies to obtain key information on a species’ population status and its critical resources to inform assessments of ecologic ....The Macroderma initiative: conserving ghost bats and informing development. This project aims to improve methods for capturing biological information required for environmental assessments of highly mobile species and enable strategic environmental planning in Northern Australia. Using Australia’s iconic ghost bat as a focus, the project will test and apply emerging technologies to obtain key information on a species’ population status and its critical resources to inform assessments of ecological impacts of industry development. Important benefits of the project include information and tools for streamlining development approvals and accurately assessing risks to threatened species to improve outcomes for both our economy and our natural environment.Read moreRead less
Diversity of pollination biology in heat-producing flowers. This research is an entirely new approach to understanding pollination biology. It will highlight the value of ecological diversity in tropical ecosystems and will work toward conservation of these threatened habitats. The project is very strong in developing international links, involving Australia, Germany, France, Turkey, Brazil, Guyana, India and Malaysia. By supporting research involving the International Canopy Crane Network, A ....Diversity of pollination biology in heat-producing flowers. This research is an entirely new approach to understanding pollination biology. It will highlight the value of ecological diversity in tropical ecosystems and will work toward conservation of these threatened habitats. The project is very strong in developing international links, involving Australia, Germany, France, Turkey, Brazil, Guyana, India and Malaysia. By supporting research involving the International Canopy Crane Network, Australia will be recognised as a major contributor to the multinational effort. The project deals with energetics of scarab beetles, with work on reproductive energetics of natural and pest species. Research maintains and develops critical thought, essential for effective university teaching and training.Read moreRead less
Conservation management of the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. There is a second chance to rescue a lizard species that was recently considered extinct. This project builds on biological knowledge about the lizard to develop programs for monitoring and maintaining viable populations, to advise landholders of management options, and to inform and involve local communities in conservation action.
Translocation as a Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. This project contributes to the body of research guiding efforts to conserve the biodiversity of Australia. It will benefit the broader scientific community by advancing knowledge of the dynamics of endangered species, and the role of recruits to the population. It has particular potential benefits for the local conservation activities of the community of the Burra area, by informing landholders of best conservation practi ....Translocation as a Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. This project contributes to the body of research guiding efforts to conserve the biodiversity of Australia. It will benefit the broader scientific community by advancing knowledge of the dynamics of endangered species, and the role of recruits to the population. It has particular potential benefits for the local conservation activities of the community of the Burra area, by informing landholders of best conservation practices and by providing a firm basis for actions by the pygmy bluetongue recovery programRead moreRead less