Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101281
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,589.00
Summary
Mechanisms influencing the evolutionary trajectories of extended phenotypes. Although we know how the environment and predator-prey interactions shape traits, we have a poor grasp of the evolution of extended phenotypes. The webs of spiders have switched repeatedly between two- and three-dimensional forms over time, so are excellent models for assessing extended phenotype evolution. This project will use innovative experiments to assess whether the prey capture performance of webs or their visib ....Mechanisms influencing the evolutionary trajectories of extended phenotypes. Although we know how the environment and predator-prey interactions shape traits, we have a poor grasp of the evolution of extended phenotypes. The webs of spiders have switched repeatedly between two- and three-dimensional forms over time, so are excellent models for assessing extended phenotype evolution. This project will use innovative experiments to assess whether the prey capture performance of webs or their visibility to insects drove the repeated This project will provide insights into the interactive roles of the environment and prey in shaping extended phenotype diversification. Read moreRead less
Solar radiation, coral bleaching and climate change. Corals reefs like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) underpin approximately $2 billion annually in sustainable tourism and fisheries. Warming of Australia's tropical seas, however, has increased mass coral bleaching/mortality and is placing reefs like the GBR at increasing risk. Solar radiation (PAR, UVR) plays an important influence on the biological outcome of thermal stress. Understanding the role of solar radiation is critical if we are to unde ....Solar radiation, coral bleaching and climate change. Corals reefs like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) underpin approximately $2 billion annually in sustainable tourism and fisheries. Warming of Australia's tropical seas, however, has increased mass coral bleaching/mortality and is placing reefs like the GBR at increasing risk. Solar radiation (PAR, UVR) plays an important influence on the biological outcome of thermal stress. Understanding the role of solar radiation is critical if we are to understand the changes that will occur on coral reefs as temperatures increase. This multidisciplinary international team will define and model the role of solar radiation on thermal stress at local, regional and global scales. Read moreRead less
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.