Testing metabolic theories in ecology. There are striking similarities in the way plants and animals take up and use energy (metabolism), despite enormous variation in size and life-style. This project will make the first experimental comparison of the predictions of the two major theories for these broad patterns. The results will significantly progress this controversial and exciting field.
Functional links between estuaries and their catchments: How does land use change affect estuarine ecological and bio-geochemical function? Estuaries are iconic recreational areas of high ecological and socio-economic value. Estuarine health is strongly linked to the catchments that feed them, yet we have no detailed understanding of these links. This project will use a number of state of the art approaches to better understand how land use affects estuarine health.
Movement patterns and behavioural strategies of Estuarine Crocodiles: A long-term remote monitoring study using an underwater acoustic array. The on-going recovery of the estuarine crocodile population is creating a paradox for Australians. Although a salient species, an iconic animal, and a firm tourist attraction, estuarine crocodiles pose a significant risk to the public. Knowledge of where crocodiles go, what they do when they get there, and why they select particular habitats at certain tim ....Movement patterns and behavioural strategies of Estuarine Crocodiles: A long-term remote monitoring study using an underwater acoustic array. The on-going recovery of the estuarine crocodile population is creating a paradox for Australians. Although a salient species, an iconic animal, and a firm tourist attraction, estuarine crocodiles pose a significant risk to the public. Knowledge of where crocodiles go, what they do when they get there, and why they select particular habitats at certain times is critical for sustaining the Australian crocodile population, whilst ensuring public safety. This long term study will utilise the latest advancement in underwater acoustic technology to monitor the behavioural and physiological strategies used by estuarine crocodiles in occupying critical habitats, providing vital information for resource managers and policy makers. Read moreRead less
Evolutionary roots of social bonds in female mammals. The social networks and friendships of wild female kangaroos and how these benefit individuals will be studied. This project will help us understand how the propensity of mammals to form friendships evolved; this understanding of the evolutionary roots of friendships will help in understanding why friendships affect peoples' health and mortality.
Understanding the ecological effects of genetic diversity: causes, consequences and relative importance. This project will examine the effect of genetic diversity on key demographic parameters (for example, population growth rates) for organisms from three groups, including a commercially important oyster. This project provides valuable information that can be used by managers of wild and cultivated populations to minimise impacts of human activities and maximise yields.
Extreme acid tolerance: Overcoming the challenges of life at low pH. This project aims to investigate tolerance to low pH freshwaters, focusing on the mechanisms that underpin acid tolerance, physiological plasticity, the interactions between low pH and other environmental variables (e.g. temperature), and the costs and/or trade-offs to living in such physiologically challenging environments. Low pH waters are toxic to most animals, yet some freshwater vertebrates have managed to colonise some o ....Extreme acid tolerance: Overcoming the challenges of life at low pH. This project aims to investigate tolerance to low pH freshwaters, focusing on the mechanisms that underpin acid tolerance, physiological plasticity, the interactions between low pH and other environmental variables (e.g. temperature), and the costs and/or trade-offs to living in such physiologically challenging environments. Low pH waters are toxic to most animals, yet some freshwater vertebrates have managed to colonise some of the lowest pH environments on Earth. In our rapidly changing world, this study is expected to provide an important fundamental understanding of the capacity of some organisms to flourish at environmental extremes and their ability to respond to increased variability both within and between environmental stressors.Read moreRead less
How different is different: highly contrasting colours in animal patterns. Red apples in green trees and blue berries on the ground create very different visual signals to animals. Furthermore, elaborate animal colour patterns have evolved to render them conspicuous or camouflaged against their background. Despite the ecological and evolutionary importance of animal colour patterns, little is known about how larger colour contrasts and complex patterns are perceived by animals. This project aim ....How different is different: highly contrasting colours in animal patterns. Red apples in green trees and blue berries on the ground create very different visual signals to animals. Furthermore, elaborate animal colour patterns have evolved to render them conspicuous or camouflaged against their background. Despite the ecological and evolutionary importance of animal colour patterns, little is known about how larger colour contrasts and complex patterns are perceived by animals. This project aims to fill this knowledge gap specifically it endeavours: to provide useful tools for behavioural ecologists and visual neuroscientists, and to understand for the first time the full gamut of colour signalling in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.Read moreRead less
Testing the importance of large-scale climate factors to plant community assembly following land-use change. This project will examine the native plant species and functional diversity of Australia's rain forest communities to create a predictive framework of how plant communities recover following deforestation. Such a framework is key to focusing conservation efforts in degraded and multi-use landscapes.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100709
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Assessing pollination services of honey bees in native ecosystems and threats posed by parasites. The European honeybee is our most abundant pollinator but we know little about its role in native Australian ecosystems or how its many diseases may affect its ability to pollinate. This project will determine whether honeybees are important pollinators of native plants and how a common parasite affects their pollination ability.
Living in a changing climate: the impacts of temperature during aestivation on burrowing frogs. Although arid zones of Australia are characterised by extremes of temperature, little is known about the thermal ecology of frogs inhabiting these regions. This project will determine the effects of temperature on the physiology of an arid-adapted frog and determine whether likely increases in global temperatures will impact its survival.