The role of plant chemical defences in the population ecology of mammal herbivores. Plants defend themselves against herbivores by producing toxic compounds in their leaves. Many studies show that such compounds influence diet selection by mammal herbivores, but we understand much less about their effects on populations of such species. This project will investigate how concentrations of leaf toxins in eucalypts affect reproductive success, distribution and abundance of the marsupials that feed ....The role of plant chemical defences in the population ecology of mammal herbivores. Plants defend themselves against herbivores by producing toxic compounds in their leaves. Many studies show that such compounds influence diet selection by mammal herbivores, but we understand much less about their effects on populations of such species. This project will investigate how concentrations of leaf toxins in eucalypts affect reproductive success, distribution and abundance of the marsupials that feed on them. The knowledge gained by this study will be important in modelling populations of these marsupial species and predicting their responses to environmental change.Read moreRead less
Australian alpine seed ecology: Plant conservation and adaptation to climate change. The Australian alpine region is critically vulnerable to climate change. Many alpine plant species are already threatened. Our project facilitates effective management of Australian alpine flora, enabling us to preserve alpine biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience to climate change. Seed banking provides conservation of nationally vulnerable and threatened flora, providing insurance against extinction. O ....Australian alpine seed ecology: Plant conservation and adaptation to climate change. The Australian alpine region is critically vulnerable to climate change. Many alpine plant species are already threatened. Our project facilitates effective management of Australian alpine flora, enabling us to preserve alpine biodiversity and improve ecosystem resilience to climate change. Seed banking provides conservation of nationally vulnerable and threatened flora, providing insurance against extinction. Our exemplary contribution to global seed conservation provides a national resource of alpine seeds for revegetation and research and interpretive resources at the Australian National Botanic Gardens facilitate public awareness of the ecological significance and fragility of Australian alpine ecology in response to climate change.Read moreRead less
Ecology, impacts and management of wild dogs in urbanising coastal landscapes of the wet tropics, Queensland. All management agencies and local governments in north Queensland identify wild dogs as a significant threat and a complex problem for management, and are in the process of developing wild dog management plans. However, these plans tend to be reactive and short-term, because too little is known to develop effective long-term management strategies. This project will provide a sound basis ....Ecology, impacts and management of wild dogs in urbanising coastal landscapes of the wet tropics, Queensland. All management agencies and local governments in north Queensland identify wild dogs as a significant threat and a complex problem for management, and are in the process of developing wild dog management plans. However, these plans tend to be reactive and short-term, because too little is known to develop effective long-term management strategies. This project will provide a sound basis for the development of such strategies. The results of the study will also inform wild dog management in many other parts of Australia that face similar problems.Read moreRead less
Are frogs in fragmented lowland rainforest especially susceptible to both disease and climate change? On a world scale, amphibian declines have been especially severe in Australia. Major causes of amphibian declines here are disease and habitat destruction. Our project will significantly advance our knowledge of frogs in coastal lowland rainforest. These frogs are a key to understanding the evolution of disease resistance to the amphibian disease fungus, and they are also likely to experience ....Are frogs in fragmented lowland rainforest especially susceptible to both disease and climate change? On a world scale, amphibian declines have been especially severe in Australia. Major causes of amphibian declines here are disease and habitat destruction. Our project will significantly advance our knowledge of frogs in coastal lowland rainforest. These frogs are a key to understanding the evolution of disease resistance to the amphibian disease fungus, and they are also likely to experience severe impacts from climate change. Thus, studies in this region will allow us to better understand the mechanisms responsible for frog declines in Australia. Also, this project will be useful to industries constructing infrastructure in rainforest, allowing an assessment of the impacts of works on already stressed frog populations. Read moreRead less