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Conservation of tropical forests for their carbon and biodiversity values. International efforts to save tropical forests for the carbon they store could help mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. This project will aid these efforts by developing methods to model future deforestation and extending decision theory for the new challenges presented by international carbon-payment schemes.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100854
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,761.00
Summary
An evidence-based approach to integrate evolutionary theory in conservation. This project aims to integrate evolutionary theory into conservation science to ensure management promotes the long-term resilience of biodiversity. The management of evolutionary risks and benefits is routinely left out of decision tools that identify optimal management strategies. By developing tools that integrate evolutionary theory into key conservation problems, this project is expected to significantly advance co ....An evidence-based approach to integrate evolutionary theory in conservation. This project aims to integrate evolutionary theory into conservation science to ensure management promotes the long-term resilience of biodiversity. The management of evolutionary risks and benefits is routinely left out of decision tools that identify optimal management strategies. By developing tools that integrate evolutionary theory into key conservation problems, this project is expected to significantly advance conservation science. It should provide managers with essential tools to support the persistence of biodiversity and thus long-term success of biodiversity conservation.Read moreRead less
Identifying cost-effective reforestation approaches for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in southern Australia. The project will determine the reforestation approach that maximises the native biodiversity found in bushland/shrubland regrowth in South Australia, while maximising the carbon sequestered for the lowest cost. This project will use controlled planting experiments modifying tree/shrub diversity and plant density combined with species and carbon monitoring.
Reconciling competing objectives for the design of marine reserve networks: biodiversity, food security, and local equity in benefits. This project uses a decision-theoretic framework to balance the often conflicting marine conservation objectives of preserving biodiversity and building food security for local communities in the socially and ecologically complex region of the Coral Triangle. A new reserve design will boost biodiversity conservation and better support livelihoods.
Long range toxic metal pollution in Australia and the Southern Ocean. This project aims to investigate how environmental change and human activities since industrialisation have impacted toxic metal transport and deposition on the south coast of Australia, Tasmania and Southern Ocean islands. This project expects to fill gaps in understanding of the global mercury cycle using a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary methodology including the role of sea salt aerosols and hemispheric-scale wind patte ....Long range toxic metal pollution in Australia and the Southern Ocean. This project aims to investigate how environmental change and human activities since industrialisation have impacted toxic metal transport and deposition on the south coast of Australia, Tasmania and Southern Ocean islands. This project expects to fill gaps in understanding of the global mercury cycle using a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary methodology including the role of sea salt aerosols and hemispheric-scale wind patterns . Anticipated outcomes involve a novel palaeo-atmospheric model that can be applied in other parts of the world. This should provide significant benefits, such as science-based evidence to ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury and guide new regulations to reduce environmental/health risks from metal pollution.
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Genomics and mixed source populations in wildlife translocations. Translocation is a conservation strategy to help the plight of endangered species, and is becoming increasing important to mitigate against climate change. However translocations often fail. Theory suggests mixing individuals from different source populations would benefit species' genomic diversity and potentially success rates, however this is untested in animals. Also unclear is what parts of the genome are important for mitiga ....Genomics and mixed source populations in wildlife translocations. Translocation is a conservation strategy to help the plight of endangered species, and is becoming increasing important to mitigate against climate change. However translocations often fail. Theory suggests mixing individuals from different source populations would benefit species' genomic diversity and potentially success rates, however this is untested in animals. Also unclear is what parts of the genome are important for mitigating against climate change. Using an endangered lizard model, this project aims to understand how to best start new populations by 1) providing the first empirical test in terrestrial vertebrates of using mixed source populations; and 2) uncovering regions of the genome important for considering in translocations.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100636
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,202.00
Summary
Integrating genomics into native fish management to promote persistence. This project aims to improve predictions of the effects of environmental change on the long-term survival of wildlife, using native fish as a case study. By integrating genomics into biodiversity models, this project expects to generate fundamental knowledge of processes underpinning long-term survival and is a big advance on traditional biodiversity models that consider only occurrence or abundance. Expected outcomes inclu ....Integrating genomics into native fish management to promote persistence. This project aims to improve predictions of the effects of environmental change on the long-term survival of wildlife, using native fish as a case study. By integrating genomics into biodiversity models, this project expects to generate fundamental knowledge of processes underpinning long-term survival and is a big advance on traditional biodiversity models that consider only occurrence or abundance. Expected outcomes include insights into fish responses to environmental conditions and new tools to predict long-term survival of wildlife. These tools will guide cost-effective delivery of environmental water in the Murray-Darling Basin, and wider uptake should promote the long-term effectiveness of conservation efforts for many species.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100701
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,006.00
Summary
Managing the effects of disturbance on coral reef biodiversity: modelling starfish outbreaks in a changing world
. Coral communities of the Great Barrier Reef are facing multiple disturbances, in particular the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci (A. planci) that can occur as large-scale outbreaks. This project aims to provide innovative guidance in support of the management of A. planci, based on a metapopulation modelling framework broadly applicable to the control of mar ....Managing the effects of disturbance on coral reef biodiversity: modelling starfish outbreaks in a changing world
. Coral communities of the Great Barrier Reef are facing multiple disturbances, in particular the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci (A. planci) that can occur as large-scale outbreaks. This project aims to provide innovative guidance in support of the management of A. planci, based on a metapopulation modelling framework broadly applicable to the control of marine pests. Expected outcomes include the identification of the environmental triggers of A. planci outbreaks; the identification of target reefs and critical thresholds of management intervention needed to limit the impact of A. planci under different climate and land use scenarios; and future forecasts of coral and fish biodiversity under these scenarios.Read moreRead less
Prioritising habitat restoration for biodiversity and ecosystem service outcomes. An emerging carbon market will provide funds for habitat restoration over the coming decades, but this will only be realised through careful prioritisation and planning. This research will prioritise investments in habitat restoration in order to cost-effectively achieve biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service protection goals.
Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries. This projects aims to develop models that can determine the ecological and economic impacts of land-use changes (e.g. agriculture) on fisheries and assess alternative land-use plans that seek to maximise economic opportunity while protecting fisheries. Fisheries support the livelihoods of 12 per cent of the world’s population. Land-based activities are among the most significant threats to coral reef fisheries because sediments and n ....Planning for the impacts of land-uses on coral reef fisheries. This projects aims to develop models that can determine the ecological and economic impacts of land-use changes (e.g. agriculture) on fisheries and assess alternative land-use plans that seek to maximise economic opportunity while protecting fisheries. Fisheries support the livelihoods of 12 per cent of the world’s population. Land-based activities are among the most significant threats to coral reef fisheries because sediments and nutrients degrade reefs, yet they are often ignored in fisheries management. By improving the sustainability of coastal development, biodiversity conservation, and health of fisheries, the models developed by the project could deliver socio-economic and environmental benefits for millions of people reliant upon fisheries for their livelihoods.Read moreRead less