Explaining biodiversity. Why are there many species in some places and not in others? The aim of this project is to understand this in order to protect species, understand invasion and restore ecological systems. Using published food webs, this project will determine what factors underlie biodiversity, then use experiments to understand effects of habitat loss and climate change on food web structure.
Adaptive evolution of coleoid (cuttlefish, octopus, squid) venoms. This project represents an opportunity for biodiscovery from the venoms of cuttlefish, octopuses and squids. The independent adaptation for venom active at the subzero Arctic and Antarctic polar waters is of particular evolutionary interest. However, their divergent, bioactive compounds are also a rich drug design resource.
Islands of rocks: geckos as a model system to understand patterns of biodiversity, endemism and speciation in the Kimberley. Australia is renowned for its diversity of lizards, yet a plethora of new "cryptic" gecko species continue to be discovered. The project will densely sample the complex Kimberley to understand the evolution of its geckos, which will shed light on true levels of species diversity and the geological and environmental history of this biodiversity hotspot.
Understanding mycorrhizal phenotypes using functional traits. This project aims to develop a new framework linked to tangible, measurable traits of beneficial plant-fungal partnerships that lead to empirical predictions. The project expects to deliver an understanding of how ecological strategies of plant-fungal partnerships control plant productivity and soil nutrient cycling. Expected outcomes include new methods for predicting whether beneficial partnerships can be realised and knowledge that ....Understanding mycorrhizal phenotypes using functional traits. This project aims to develop a new framework linked to tangible, measurable traits of beneficial plant-fungal partnerships that lead to empirical predictions. The project expects to deliver an understanding of how ecological strategies of plant-fungal partnerships control plant productivity and soil nutrient cycling. Expected outcomes include new methods for predicting whether beneficial partnerships can be realised and knowledge that can be transformed into recommendations for practitioners. This should lead to significant impact associated with trustworthy assessments of commercial products and of management recommendations, supporting economic and environmental benefits linked with more productive soils and improved ecosystem health.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
Movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei Rowland. The project aims to quantify the movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei) at a larval, juvenile, adult and historical level. Most previous studies regarding the life-history of fish species have failed to adopt this holistic approach, with management often based on fragmented information. The project will also provide an ....Movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei Rowland. The project aims to quantify the movement patterns and habitat utilisation of the endangered eastern freshwater cod (Maccullochella ikei) at a larval, juvenile, adult and historical level. Most previous studies regarding the life-history of fish species have failed to adopt this holistic approach, with management often based on fragmented information. The project will also provide an insight into the biology of one of the most poorly understood coastal stream fishes of eastern-Australia and assist in ensuring the conservation of this endangered species, and offer a framework from which future studies into the life history of freshwater fish species worldwide can be based.Read moreRead less
Conservation genetics of the Endangered Oxleyan Pygmy Perch Nannoperca oxleyana. The aim of this study is to determine how isolation of populations of the endangered Oxleyan Pygmy Perch Nannoperca Oxleyana affects their genetic composition. The significance of the study is that it will enhance our ability to conserve the species, and enhance our understanding of the genetics of isolated populations of freshwater fish generally.
Restoring resilience in wildlife populations. This project will be the first to develop landscape models of habitat quality for wildlife that are based on a mechanistic, animal-centric approach to quantifying habitat. This will be an important step in understanding the habitat elements that wildlife need to live in altered landscapes, with implications central to restoration and revegetation.
The role of life history and food supply in the extinction of carnivorous marsupials. This project will test why marsupial predators show exceptionally diverse species lifespan and reproductive traits, reveal how these are affected by prey supply and climate change, and how they are linked to alarming species declines in our north. Understanding causes of vulnerability will help to focus conservation efforts to avert extinctions
Biotic connectivity within the temperate Australian marine protected area network at three levels of biodiversity, communities, populations and genes. Project outcomes will improve management of coastal biodiversity through a multi-state collaboration of managers, marine ecologists, population geneticists and taxonomists. Sites most needed within marine protected area (MPA) networks for maintaining resilience of populations across seascapes will be identified, including sites with exceptional en ....Biotic connectivity within the temperate Australian marine protected area network at three levels of biodiversity, communities, populations and genes. Project outcomes will improve management of coastal biodiversity through a multi-state collaboration of managers, marine ecologists, population geneticists and taxonomists. Sites most needed within marine protected area (MPA) networks for maintaining resilience of populations across seascapes will be identified, including sites with exceptional endemism or key roles in dispersal of larvae. The ecological efficacy of the temperate Australian MPA network will be assessed through analysis of long-term ecological datasets and further development of a novel 'remote sensing' methodology, whereby surveys are undertaken by volunteer divers across much greater spatial and temporal scales than could be studied by dedicated scientific dive teams.Read moreRead less