Transport risk pathways for emerging invasive species. Our Australian economy depends on tourism and trade and this carries unavoidable risks for the introduction and establishment of new invasive pests and diseases. This project will build datasets from four real-world problem agenda in global invasion biology. Informed by these data, this project will develop and apply state-of-the-art mathematical transport models to predict the risks and frequency of future biological invasion events. The pr ....Transport risk pathways for emerging invasive species. Our Australian economy depends on tourism and trade and this carries unavoidable risks for the introduction and establishment of new invasive pests and diseases. This project will build datasets from four real-world problem agenda in global invasion biology. Informed by these data, this project will develop and apply state-of-the-art mathematical transport models to predict the risks and frequency of future biological invasion events. The project will contribute directly to safeguarding Australia from invasive pests and diseases.Read moreRead less
Drivers of the live pet trade in Australian reptiles. This project aims to understand the complex trade in live Australian reptiles. The global pet trade is a major threat to biodiversity. This project expects to generate critical new knowledge for combatting the current and future illegal trade in Australian wildlife. Using surveillance of domestic and overseas online markets, and innovative statistical and simulation-based approaches to inform conservation decision-making, the expected outcome ....Drivers of the live pet trade in Australian reptiles. This project aims to understand the complex trade in live Australian reptiles. The global pet trade is a major threat to biodiversity. This project expects to generate critical new knowledge for combatting the current and future illegal trade in Australian wildlife. Using surveillance of domestic and overseas online markets, and innovative statistical and simulation-based approaches to inform conservation decision-making, the expected outcomes of this project include an enhanced capacity to conserve native species and to monitor and disrupt the complex illegal wildlife trade. This should provide significant benefits in terms of biodiversity conservation and safeguarding Australia’s unique and ecologically important native reptile species.Read moreRead less
Discovering the pathways and mechanisms underlying bio-insecticide control of the global migratory pest, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Sustaining crop yield and maintaining food security is a significant worldwide concern. This project aims to strengthen insect pest control strategies and improve bio-insecticide use in agriculture through better understanding of the mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticides. It aims to improve their efficacy and evaluate opportunities t ....Discovering the pathways and mechanisms underlying bio-insecticide control of the global migratory pest, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Sustaining crop yield and maintaining food security is a significant worldwide concern. This project aims to strengthen insect pest control strategies and improve bio-insecticide use in agriculture through better understanding of the mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticides. It aims to improve their efficacy and evaluate opportunities to develop bio-insecticides based on plant saponins. This will assist in determining the risk of insecticide resistant moths migrating to Australia, and within our borders. This project aims to provide opportunities to improve transgenic Bt-crops and Bt-sprays, provide commercial development of new bio-insecticides, and develop optimal control strategies for major Australian migratory pests.Read moreRead less