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
Leader of the pack: social structure and predator management. This project aims to quantify the importance of the individual in behaviour and social structures when managing social predator populations to protect economic and environmental assets. Using dingoes as a model system this project will characterise social structure and behaviour under varying management scenarios. This information will be embedded within models of ecological networks to examine the effects of disrupting dingo packs on ....Leader of the pack: social structure and predator management. This project aims to quantify the importance of the individual in behaviour and social structures when managing social predator populations to protect economic and environmental assets. Using dingoes as a model system this project will characterise social structure and behaviour under varying management scenarios. This information will be embedded within models of ecological networks to examine the effects of disrupting dingo packs on biological communities. The project expects to improve understanding of how behaviour and social interactions influence ecological outcomes, improving conservation and management.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,534.00
Summary
Why do some declining species persist while others go extinct? Global change is driving thousands of species towards extinction. Legislation requires the protection of biodiversity, but current scientific understanding of species declines limits effective action. By taking a new approach to studying species declines, this integrative research aims to identify why some species persist, while others decline. This project is expected to improve understanding of species vulnerability to extinction, ....Why do some declining species persist while others go extinct? Global change is driving thousands of species towards extinction. Legislation requires the protection of biodiversity, but current scientific understanding of species declines limits effective action. By taking a new approach to studying species declines, this integrative research aims to identify why some species persist, while others decline. This project is expected to improve understanding of species vulnerability to extinction, and the conditions which allow species to coexist with threats. Anticipated benefits include advancing ecological theory, improving conservation planning, and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of policy and management to prevent species extinctions.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100352
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Understanding the origin and maintenance of megadiverse plant communities. South-western Australia hosts some of the most biologically diverse plant communities on Earth, and these occur on the most ancient, nutrient-impoverished soils. By studying coastal dunes of increasing age, this project will determine how megadiverse plant communities originate during long-term ecosystem development, and how they are maintained.
Phyloinformatics and biodiversity: developing bioinformatic tools for understanding the dynamics of extinction and invasion within species assemblages. DNA sequence data provides an exciting new way to study biodiversity, because the genome of each organism records its evolutionary history. By analysing DNA sequences co-existing species, we can reconstruct the ecological and evolutionary history of a biological community. This allows us to track biodiversity changes over time, and examine how th ....Phyloinformatics and biodiversity: developing bioinformatic tools for understanding the dynamics of extinction and invasion within species assemblages. DNA sequence data provides an exciting new way to study biodiversity, because the genome of each organism records its evolutionary history. By analysing DNA sequences co-existing species, we can reconstruct the ecological and evolutionary history of a biological community. This allows us to track biodiversity changes over time, and examine how the state of a species assemblage determines which species are lost through extinction or gained through the invasion of exotic species. Understanding the factors that govern changes in biodiversity over time is essential for planning for future conservation in the face of a rapidly changing environment. Read moreRead less
How do ecologically significant complex traits evolve in natural populations? Evolution and selection on plant chemistry in Eucalyptus. The scent of Eucalyptus oil is one of the signatures of Australia but we actually import large amounts of these oils. As well as being valuable industrially, Eucalyptus oils also influence many aspects of our environment ranging from icons such as the koala to the occurrence of smog in cities. Understanding how plants make these oils helps us to understand eco ....How do ecologically significant complex traits evolve in natural populations? Evolution and selection on plant chemistry in Eucalyptus. The scent of Eucalyptus oil is one of the signatures of Australia but we actually import large amounts of these oils. As well as being valuable industrially, Eucalyptus oils also influence many aspects of our environment ranging from icons such as the koala to the occurrence of smog in cities. Understanding how plants make these oils helps us to understand ecological processes and also to improve the financial incentives for land restoration through the planting of valuable oil-bearing trees. We aim to use recent new techniques in genetics to explain why the quantity and types of Eucalyptus oils vary so widely and to apply this information to improving land management and conservation.Read moreRead less
Linking individual traits, the gut microbiome and parasite load in wildlife. This project aims to apply principles of community ecology to the gut microbiome of an urban exploiter – the common brushtail possum - to reveal how animal traits influence individual variation in the load of gut parasites that cause disease in both humans and wildlife. By combining assays defining the behavioural and physiological states of individuals with sophisticated analyses of their gut microbiome, our project wi ....Linking individual traits, the gut microbiome and parasite load in wildlife. This project aims to apply principles of community ecology to the gut microbiome of an urban exploiter – the common brushtail possum - to reveal how animal traits influence individual variation in the load of gut parasites that cause disease in both humans and wildlife. By combining assays defining the behavioural and physiological states of individuals with sophisticated analyses of their gut microbiome, our project will provide a new, yet crucial, perspective on how and why diseases spread. Our discoveries will help understand and manage the burden of infectious diseases from parasites in and beyond our cities and across the human-wildlife interface; essential for improving human and wildlife health in an increasingly urbanised Australia.Read moreRead less
Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management. The project leverages recent research and infrastructure investments and our determined and collaborative team as it aims to: 1) assess the future geography of snow gum dieback in the high country and identify priority locations for pro-active management, 2) quantify the impact of snow gums on high country water and carbon budgets and thus the socio- economic and biodiversity values, and 3) determine options for mitigation. ....Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management. The project leverages recent research and infrastructure investments and our determined and collaborative team as it aims to: 1) assess the future geography of snow gum dieback in the high country and identify priority locations for pro-active management, 2) quantify the impact of snow gums on high country water and carbon budgets and thus the socio- economic and biodiversity values, and 3) determine options for mitigation. Dieback of our iconic snow gum forests is diminishing the ecological, hydrological and cultural values of the Australian Alps and will impact state and national water-supply and power-generation systems. Our research will inform Alps-wide management efforts designed for long-term success.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100208
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
How species interactions shape range boundaries. This project aims to discover how biotic interactions limit plant species distributions. This knowledge is crucial for improving models of plant response to climate and land-use change. Current modelling techniques routinely ignore interactions such as competition, focusing solely on the environment as a predictor of species range. Using trait-based analyses at a continental scale and targeted transplant experiments, this project aims to better un ....How species interactions shape range boundaries. This project aims to discover how biotic interactions limit plant species distributions. This knowledge is crucial for improving models of plant response to climate and land-use change. Current modelling techniques routinely ignore interactions such as competition, focusing solely on the environment as a predictor of species range. Using trait-based analyses at a continental scale and targeted transplant experiments, this project aims to better understand range limits of Australian plant species. This approach is expected to improve the ability to identify which plants will be the 'winners and losers' as the climate changes and to manage the risk to Australia’s flora.Read moreRead less
Conserving biodiversity in timber production forests. Intensified forestry to meet rising demand for timber is placing biodiversity at risk. The aim of this project is to develop and field-test a novel framework to reconcile forest conservation with production. The project seeks to resolve whether intensive forestry coupled with a large reserve network produces better biodiversity outcomes than less intensive forestry with fewer reserves. I will integrate abundances of plant and animal species w ....Conserving biodiversity in timber production forests. Intensified forestry to meet rising demand for timber is placing biodiversity at risk. The aim of this project is to develop and field-test a novel framework to reconcile forest conservation with production. The project seeks to resolve whether intensive forestry coupled with a large reserve network produces better biodiversity outcomes than less intensive forestry with fewer reserves. I will integrate abundances of plant and animal species with forest industry timber yield data in a uniquely suited landscape. Survey results will be synthesised with global data on biodiversity responses to forestry. This research will benefit the forest industry by providing guidelines that improve conservation outcomes while maintaining timber yield.Read moreRead less