Environmental proteomics: A new, more reliable method of measuring the effects of chemical pollution on Australia's coastal ecosystems. Our research will provide a new, more sensitive method of detecting the effects of pollution on animals living in coastal waterways, and allows contamination to be managed before it does permanent biological damage. Australia is one of the most urbanized nations in the world, with most of its population living on the coast and many of the nation's coastal waterw ....Environmental proteomics: A new, more reliable method of measuring the effects of chemical pollution on Australia's coastal ecosystems. Our research will provide a new, more sensitive method of detecting the effects of pollution on animals living in coastal waterways, and allows contamination to be managed before it does permanent biological damage. Australia is one of the most urbanized nations in the world, with most of its population living on the coast and many of the nation's coastal waterways are under unsustainable pressure from pollutants. There is an urgent need for new technologies to help protect Australia's biodiversity, while sustaining the continued human use of our iconic coastal environments. Our work will establish proteomics as new environmental monitoring system.Read moreRead less
Improving the Accuracy and Intelligibility of Decisions for Conservation using the Informed Regulator Rule. Standard conservation biology uses some obsolete statistical and experimental design methods that may damage conservation biology, the environment and the economy. This project intends to refine and test a methodology (the Informed Regulator Rule) to improve the quality and transparency of conservation studies, compliance monitoring and auditing. Building on research in the psychology of ....Improving the Accuracy and Intelligibility of Decisions for Conservation using the Informed Regulator Rule. Standard conservation biology uses some obsolete statistical and experimental design methods that may damage conservation biology, the environment and the economy. This project intends to refine and test a methodology (the Informed Regulator Rule) to improve the quality and transparency of conservation studies, compliance monitoring and auditing. Building on research in the psychology of statistical (mis)understanding, the project will test the Informed Regulator Rule by computer simulation and empirical tests of impact scenarios with emphasis on data from recent studies. The cognitive accessibility and utility of the rule will be assessed theoretically and in practice.Read moreRead less
Spatial prioritization in the context of climate change and unforeseen opportunities: maximizing conservation outcomes in Gondwana Link. The economic wealth of Australia is underpinned by its remarkable biological diversity. However, land and water degradation are eroding Australia's natural asset base and climate change is expected to magnify these impacts. Given limited funds for biodiversity conservation, we need to maximise the benefits of our investment in natural resource management. This ....Spatial prioritization in the context of climate change and unforeseen opportunities: maximizing conservation outcomes in Gondwana Link. The economic wealth of Australia is underpinned by its remarkable biological diversity. However, land and water degradation are eroding Australia's natural asset base and climate change is expected to magnify these impacts. Given limited funds for biodiversity conservation, we need to maximise the benefits of our investment in natural resource management. This research will deliver approaches and tools to ensure that we maximise the protection of biological diversity in the context of a changing world climate and a limited budget. We will share the results of our research with decision makers, scientists, and the general public.Read moreRead less
Biology and Integrated conservation of temperate Australian orchids. To successfully conserve rare and endangered orchids an integrated approach to translocation must be adopted. The orchid species and associated fungal symbionts must be succesfully established at a site to achieve a self-sustaining population. Currently little is know about the in situ interactions of orchid and fungal endophytes. Research here will determine essential field interactions and requirements of both partners. The e ....Biology and Integrated conservation of temperate Australian orchids. To successfully conserve rare and endangered orchids an integrated approach to translocation must be adopted. The orchid species and associated fungal symbionts must be succesfully established at a site to achieve a self-sustaining population. Currently little is know about the in situ interactions of orchid and fungal endophytes. Research here will determine essential field interactions and requirements of both partners. The ex situ conservation of rare and endangered species should included reliable long-term storage of propagation material such as seed. Information obtained will be used to develop orchid conservation packages for implementation by landmanagers.Read moreRead less
Management guidelines for the threatened Heath Mouse and other rodent species in mining lease areas of southern Western Australia. This project will measure the conservation biology of rodents, including threatened Heath Mice, in areas of mining lease and natural ecosystems in southern Western Australia. It will establish the distribution, habitat requirements and ecology of the threatened Heath Mouse, its interactions with other rodent species (Bush Rat, Ash-grey Mouse, Western Mouse, Mitchell' ....Management guidelines for the threatened Heath Mouse and other rodent species in mining lease areas of southern Western Australia. This project will measure the conservation biology of rodents, including threatened Heath Mice, in areas of mining lease and natural ecosystems in southern Western Australia. It will establish the distribution, habitat requirements and ecology of the threatened Heath Mouse, its interactions with other rodent species (Bush Rat, Ash-grey Mouse, Western Mouse, Mitchell's Hopping Mouse), and determine the impact of floral changes due to plant disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi on the conservation of Heath Mice. Landscape models will be developed to assist in the management of mining leases where Heath Mice occur.Read moreRead less
Preserving freshwater biodiversity: predictions to manage the effects of suspended sediment and salinity. Natural resource managers wish to minimise deleterious effects of suspended sediment and salinity on biodiversity but do not have adequate knowledge to do so. Increases in salinity and sediment are recognised as the major threats to freshwater biodiversity in Australian rivers. This research will lead to greatly enhanced information on the relative impacts of rising salinity and sediment on ....Preserving freshwater biodiversity: predictions to manage the effects of suspended sediment and salinity. Natural resource managers wish to minimise deleterious effects of suspended sediment and salinity on biodiversity but do not have adequate knowledge to do so. Increases in salinity and sediment are recognised as the major threats to freshwater biodiversity in Australian rivers. This research will lead to greatly enhanced information on the relative impacts of rising salinity and sediment on freshwater biodiversity and aid predictive modelling and scenario testing; enabling managers to make informed choices between various management actions. The project addresses several national research priority goals and it will result in significant national and community benefits by protecting freshwater biodiversity from salinity and sediment.Read moreRead less
Optical fibre dip-sensors for in-situ environmental monitoring. This project will continue to build Australia's reputation as a global leader in both the science and technology of emerging optical fibres, which is an enabling field of research with enormous number applications in medicine, defence, and sensing. It will be an excellent vehicle for educating young physicists and engineers in Australia. The new class of low-cost environmental sensors to be created here will provide benefit to Austr ....Optical fibre dip-sensors for in-situ environmental monitoring. This project will continue to build Australia's reputation as a global leader in both the science and technology of emerging optical fibres, which is an enabling field of research with enormous number applications in medicine, defence, and sensing. It will be an excellent vehicle for educating young physicists and engineers in Australia. The new class of low-cost environmental sensors to be created here will provide benefit to Australia, enabling environmental and agricultural managers to more effectively monitor and manage natural resources such as water and nutrients and will lead to a more productive and sustainable economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0775819
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,701.00
Summary
Investigating the source of arsenic contamination in the Bogong Moth and the impacts on the ecology of the Australian alps. Much of Australias alpine region is National Park and as such, is managed for the conservation of its unique fauna and flora. The recent discovery of Arsenic in the Bogong Moth and one of its key predators, the endangered Pygmy Possum, raises questions about how to manage this threat to this unique ecosystem. Two main concerns are the preservation of the Bogong Moth, as an ....Investigating the source of arsenic contamination in the Bogong Moth and the impacts on the ecology of the Australian alps. Much of Australias alpine region is National Park and as such, is managed for the conservation of its unique fauna and flora. The recent discovery of Arsenic in the Bogong Moth and one of its key predators, the endangered Pygmy Possum, raises questions about how to manage this threat to this unique ecosystem. Two main concerns are the preservation of the Bogong Moth, as an Indigenous Icon, and the conservation of the Pygmy Possum. In order to manage this threat we need to identify how, when and where the Bogong Moth is exposed to Arsenic. This information will aid in conserving the unique alpine species, including the Mountain Pygmy Possum, and protecting the Indigenous value of the Moth.
Read moreRead less
Minimum sizes and habitat areas for viable populations. This project will address two critical issues in conservation biology: How large do wildlife populations need to be to ensure long-term persistence? How large an area needs to be preserved? At present, no such estimates exist for most species. I will develop realistic population viability analysis (PVA) models (encompassing all threats to persistence) on many bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant species, and estimate the ....Minimum sizes and habitat areas for viable populations. This project will address two critical issues in conservation biology: How large do wildlife populations need to be to ensure long-term persistence? How large an area needs to be preserved? At present, no such estimates exist for most species. I will develop realistic population viability analysis (PVA) models (encompassing all threats to persistence) on many bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant species, and estimate the minimum population sizes and habitat areas required for long-term survival. My prior research has validated the predictive accuracy of PVA. This research will deliver practical guidelines for managing threatened species.Read moreRead less
Ecology and evolution in dynamic systems: a new approach to conserving Australian biodiversity. Australia has different ecosystems and different species than the rest of the world, and we need a different approach to conserve and manage our unique animals. This project will develop a new, specifically Australian-oriented approach to conservation biology.