ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6179-8402
Current Organisation
Monash University
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Terrestrial Ecology | Other Earth Sciences | Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified | Land Capability and Soil Degradation
Land and Water Management of environments not elsewhere classified | Expanding Knowledge in the Earth Sciences | Soils not elsewhere classified |
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-06-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-03-2023
DOI: 10.1111/GEB.13651
Abstract: The increasing spread of vector‐borne diseases has resulted in severe health concerns for humans, domestic animals and wildlife, with changes in land use and the introduction of invasive species being among the main possible causes for this increase. We explored several ecological drivers potentially affecting the local prevalence and richness of avian malaria parasite lineages in native and introduced house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) populations. Global. 2002–2019. Avian Plasmodium parasites in house sparrows. We analysed data from 2,220 s les from 69 localities across all continents, except Antarctica. The influence of environment (urbanization index and human density), geography (altitude, latitude, hemisphere) and time (bird breeding season and years since introduction) were analysed using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) and random forests. Overall, 670 sparrows (30.2%) were infected with 22 Plasmodium lineages. In native populations, parasite prevalence was positively related to urbanization index, with the highest prevalence values in areas with intermediate urbanization levels. Likewise, in introduced populations, prevalence was positively associated with urbanization index however, higher infection occurred in areas with either extreme high or low levels of urbanization. In introduced populations, the number of parasite lineages increased with altitude and with the years elapsed since the establishment of sparrows in a new locality. Here, after a decline in the number of parasite lineages in the first 30 years, an increase from 40 years onwards was detected. Urbanization was related to parasite prevalence in both native and introduced bird populations. In invaded areas, altitude and time since bird introduction were related to the number of Plasmodium lineages found to be infecting sparrows.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2018.11.010
Abstract: Feather fouling is a primary cause of seabird mortality during marine hydrocarbon oil spills. Understanding how oils interact with feathers is an important step in mitigating this threat. Seabird feathers from 12 taxa, representing most seabird families from the tropics and southern latitudes, were exposed to crude and condensate oil films under laboratory settings. Feathers were measured for changes in mass proportional to feather size, and for barbule clumping. Seabird feathers from six distinct families exposed to very thin oil sheens (<0.3 μm) showed no significant change in proportional mass relative to control treatments, and 10 of the 12 species exposed to these films revealed no significant difference in barbule clumping. By contrast, exposure to both crude and condensate oil films ≥3 μm resulted in significant increases in feather mass and clumping. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the influence of oil on feather structure when compiling threat assessments involving seabirds.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1002/ECS2.2812
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-04-2019
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-07-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-023-38900-Z
Abstract: Plastic pollution is distributed patchily around the world’s oceans. Likewise, marine organisms that are vulnerable to plastic ingestion or entanglement have uneven distributions. Understanding where wildlife encounters plastic is crucial for targeting research and mitigation. Oceanic seabirds, particularly petrels, frequently ingest plastic, are highly threatened, and cover vast distances during foraging and migration. However, the spatial overlap between petrels and plastics is poorly understood. Here we combine marine plastic density estimates with in idual movement data for 7137 birds of 77 petrel species to estimate relative exposure risk. We identify high exposure risk areas in the Mediterranean and Black seas, and the northeast Pacific, northwest Pacific, South Atlantic and southwest Indian oceans. Plastic exposure risk varies greatly among species and populations, and between breeding and non-breeding seasons. Exposure risk is disproportionately high for Threatened species. Outside the Mediterranean and Black seas, exposure risk is highest in the high seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of the USA, Japan, and the UK. Birds generally had higher plastic exposure risk outside the EEZ of the country where they breed. We identify conservation and research priorities, and highlight that international collaboration is key to addressing the impacts of marine plastic on wide-ranging species.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-08-2021
Abstract: Light‐level geolocators are popular bio‐logging tools, with advantageous sizes, longevity and affordability. Biologists tracking seabirds often presume geolocator spatial accuracies between 186 and 202 km from previously innovative, yet taxonomically, spatially and computationally limited, studies. Using recently developed methods, we investigated whether assumed uncertainty norms held across a larger‐scale, multispecies study. We field‐tested geolocator spatial accuracy by synchronously deploying these with GPS loggers on scores of seabirds across five species and 11 Mediterranean Sea, east Atlantic and south Pacific breeding colonies. We first interpolated geolocations using the geolocation package FLightR without prior knowledge of GPS tracked routes. We likewise applied another package, probGLS , additionally testing whether sea‐surface temperatures could improve route accuracy. Geolocator spatial accuracy was lower than the ~200 km often assumed. probGL S produced the best accuracy (mean ± SD = 304 ± 413 km, n = 185 deployments) with 84.5% of GPS‐derived latitudes and 88.8% of longitudes falling within resulting uncertainty estimates. FLightR produced lower spatial accuracy (408 ± 473 km, n = 171 deployments) with 38.6% of GPS‐derived latitudes and 23.7% of longitudes within package‐specific uncertainty estimates. Expected inter‐twilight period (from GPS position and date) was the strongest predictor of accuracy, with increasingly equatorial solar profiles (i.e. closer temporally to equinoxes and/or spatially to the Equator) inducing more error. In iduals, species and geolocator model also significantly affected accuracy, while the impact of distance travelled between successive twilights depended on the geolocation package. Geolocation accuracy is not uniform among seabird species and can be considerably lower than assumed. In idual idiosyncrasies and spatiotemporal dynamics (i.e. shallower inter‐twilight shifts by date and latitude) mean that practitioners should exercise greater caution in interpreting geolocator data and avoid universal uncertainty estimates. We provide a function capable of estimating relative accuracy of positions based on geolocator‐observed inter‐twilight period.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-08-2021
Abstract: Small‐scale revegetation plantings on farms are common to restoration efforts in agricultural regions worldwide. Such plantings provide habitat for erse faunal groups. A key question concerns the degree to which their value for bio ersity is influenced by the features of in idual plantings, which can be controlled by local land managers, or by broader‐scale drivers in the wider landscape. We developed a conceptual model of factors of potential influence on birds in revegetation plantings at different spatial scales. To test this model, we surveyed native birds in 133 plantings in south‐eastern Australia. Regression models were used to compare the effect of ‘habitat‐’, ‘patch‐’, ‘farm‐’ and ‘landscape‐’ scale variables on species richness (of woodland and open country birds) and the occurrence of in idual species in plantings. We further tested whether the influence of variables representing local actions was sw ed by larger‐scale variables. Birds that occupied plantings were influenced by variables at all scales. Woodland birds were consistently richer and more likely to use older plantings (patch scale) with higher floristic richness (habitat scale), and surrounded by more wooded vegetation (at patch, farm and landscape scales). Open country species responded positively to the density of live trees (habitat scale) and the presence of large remnant tree/s (patch scale) in plantings. Variables representing local management actions generally maintained a strong influence on birds in plantings irrespective of the influence of broader drivers. Few relationships between bird species and planting attributes were contingent on features of the surrounding landscape those that were suggested woodland birds are more responsive to local actions when broad‐scale vegetation cover is greater. Synthesis and applications . Land managers can enhance the conservation value of plantings by (a) planting a greater ersity of trees and shrubs and (b) locating revegetation near other vegetation or around mature remnant tree/s. These actions will measurably increase the value of plantings for birds, irrespective of larger‐scale drivers. Nonetheless, the important role of increased vegetation cover across broader agricultural landscapes emphasises that the collective efforts of in iduals and larger initiatives are critical for conservation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2021
DOI: 10.1111/CSP2.416
Abstract: Artificial tree hollows (e.g., nest‐boxes) are commonly deployed to mitigate the loss of mature trees within human‐disturbed landscapes. Their effectiveness as a habitat resource, and thus conservation management tool, is strongly influenced by the suitability of internal microclimate conditions. In south‐eastern Australia, spout hollows are a nesting resource used by a erse community of vertebrate species. We tested the suitability of a novel nest box design (spout boxes) that mimicked the physical characteristics of spout hollows. We monitored the occupancy ( n = 193) and internal microclimate ( n = 131) of natural hollows and spout boxes within a woodland where natural tree hollows were once abundant. Both natural hollows and spout boxes were occupied and used for breeding by birds and mammals. Natural hollows had consistently higher humidity, and thermal maxima and minima were buffered, when compared with spout boxes. These differences were largely explained by wall thickness. Spout boxes displayed even more extreme temperature variation and lower humidity when not shaded. While more extreme microclimate conditions did not prevent usage, tolerable thresholds for hollow‐dependent species may soon be exceeded under current climate change projections. Managers need to carefully consider nest box design and positioning to ensure the suitability of these supplementary resources for conservation purposes.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.1071/PC23011
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-07-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/CSP2.569
Abstract: Translocation, the human‐mediated movement of organisms from one area to another, is a popular tool in conservation management. Wild‐caught in iduals are more likely to persist following release than those sourced from captive breeding. However, this benefit of obtaining in iduals from wild populations must be carefully weighed against the potential harm to the viability of source populations. In this structured review, we assess the peer‐reviewed primary literature that addresses wild‐sourced translocation programs. We aim to determine what proportion of studies make a priori estimates of the impact of harvesting on source populations, what proportion provide quantitative evidence of demographic trends in source populations following harvest, and which methods are being used to assess impacts of harvesting on source populations. Of 292 articles reviewed, we identified just 32 instances (11%) where impact on the source population was estimated. The proportion of studies that assess impacts on source populations in a given year has not increased over time. However, studies that make explicit a priori comparisons of alternative harvesting strategies are becoming more frequent. We propose a standardized framework for reporting on management of translocation source populations. Published summaries of wild‐sourced translocations should include clear conservation goals, a description of the methods used to assess potential impact, an a priori justification based on evidence for the chosen harvesting strategy, an estimated timeline for recovery and a summary of postremoval population trends to assess the efficacy of a priori impact assessment. Routinely reporting impacts of harvesting on source populations will inform management when source sustainability is uncertain, improve transparency and increase the likelihood of successful conservation for many threatened species.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-04-2022
Abstract: Ecological restoration in rural environments is a global challenge for the 21st century. Restoration measures—such as agri‐environment activities, woodlots, natural regeneration and conservation plantings—collectively alter landscape structure with the aim of restoring conservation values that are characteristic of natural ecosystems. We tested the landscape‐scale benefits of restoration for woodland birds, species of conservation concern in southern Australia, by assessing the richness and composition of avian communities in rural landscapes along a gradient in habitat restoration, benchmarked against landscapes with comparable extent of native vegetation. We selected 43 landscapes (each 8 km 2 ) in Victoria, Australia, representing: (a) a trajectory of decline in the extent of remnant native wooded vegetation (‘remnant’ landscapes), (b) a trajectory of gain in planted vegetation (‘revegetation’ landscapes) and (c) a similar gradient comprising a mix of remnants and planted vegetation (‘mixed’ landscapes). In each landscape, repeat surveys of birds were undertaken at 12 sites, stratified in relation to land cover. Species richness of all terrestrial and woodland birds showed similar positive responses to total wooded cover in each landscape type, but woodland birds had reduced richness in ‘revegetation’ relative to ‘remnant’ and ‘mixed’ landscapes. Across all landscapes, key factors influencing richness were the extent of wooded cover and proportion comprised of plantings, scattered trees in farmland and mean annual rainfall. The composition of woodland bird assemblages differed between ‘remnant’ and ‘revegetation’ landscapes with predictable differences associated with foraging traits. Synthesis and applications . Restoration plantings stimulate recolonisation of otherwise‐depleted landscapes, effectively reversing a decline in woodland birds. Key insights include: (a) benchmarking ‘revegetation’ against ‘remnant’ landscapes provides a valuable means to quantify restoration outcomes at the landscape scale (b) time‐lags in vegetation maturation contribute to a trajectory of recovery that differs from a trajectory of decline, in both richness and composition of the avifauna (c) scattered trees have a critical role for avifaunal conservation in farm landscapes (d) restoration plantings are most effective in ‘mixed’ landscapes, where complementary resources from remnant and planted vegetation are juxtaposed and (e) restoration plantings on in idual farms contribute to landscape‐scale bio ersity gains while also having socio‐ecological and production benefits.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-12-2021
DOI: 10.1111/CSP2.606
Abstract: Emergency conservation interventions will be increasingly necessary to prevent extinctions or severe population bottlenecks as extreme events become more frequent. We detail the emergency extraction of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird ( Dasyornis brachpterus ) during the unprecedented 2019–2020 Australian Black Summer bushfires, an intervention that led to the rapid establishment of a temporary ex situ insurance population sourced from an area under immediate threat from bushfire (Croajingolong National Park, Victoria). The intervention was triggered, coordinated, and implemented within a 4‐week period, with re‐release to the wild within 2 months. We present this case study within a framework for emergency conservation interventions, based on the emergency management phases of preparation, response, and recovery, with the addition of an evaluation phase. The preparation phase involved compiling existing knowledge and capacity to facilitate the operation. The response phase consisted of (a) initiation and planning of the intervention (coordination) and (b) implementation, that is, the translocation of 15 birds from an area under threat of bushfire to a captive institution ( km). The recovery phase saw the insurance population re‐released to unburnt habitat after the bushfire had ceased. The evaluation phase incorporated lessons learnt from the other three phases as part of an adaptive management approach. We reflect on the Eastern Bristlebird emergency conservation intervention to explore how we can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from the large range of emergencies faced by bio ersity around the world.
Publisher: BirdLife Australia, Ltd.
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.20938/AFO39160166
Abstract: Advances in technology are changing the way that ecological monitoring is carried out, especially for those species with ecological characteristics that have traditionally made monitoring difficult. Autonomous acoustic recorders coupled with automated signal detection software is one such approach where technological advances are delivering rapid improvements in the passive monitoring of vocal fauna. Here we characterise the three common call types of the endangered Mallee Emu-wren Stipiturus mallee and present a signal detection template, or call recogniser, for the species. We evaluate the performance of this tool against an independent dataset of field recordings containing Mallee Emu-wren vocalisations. The recogniser performed well with mean precision and recall metrics ranging between 0.55–0.97 and 0.70–0.95, respectively, depending on user parameters. This tool is widely applicable in the ongoing conservation of the Mallee Emu-wren, particularly as a low-cost method for post-release monitoring following a future Mallee Emu-wren translocation.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 29-01-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-08-2021
Abstract: Conservation breeding management aims to reduce inbreeding and maximize the retention of genetic ersity in endangered populations. However, breeding management of wild populations is still rare, and there is a need for approaches that provide data‐driven evidence of the likelihood of success of alternative in situ strategies. Here, we provide an analytical framework that uses in silico simulations to evaluate, for real wild populations, (i) the degree of population‐level inbreeding avoidance, (ii) the genetic quality of mating pairs, and (iii) the potential genetic benefits of implementing two breeding management strategies. The proposed strategies aim to improve the genetic quality of breeding pairs by splitting detrimental pairs and allowing the members to re‐pair in different ways. We apply the framework to the wild population of the Critically Endangered helmeted honeyeater by combining genomic data and field observations to estimate the inbreeding (i.e., pair‐kinship) and genetic quality (i.e., Mate Suitability Index) of all mating pairs for seven consecutive breeding seasons. We found no evidence of population‐level inbreeding avoidance and that ~91.6% of breeding pairs were detrimental to the genetic health of the population. Furthermore, the framework revealed that neither proposed management strategy would significantly improve the genetic quality or reduce inbreeding of the mating pairs in this population. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of our analytical framework for testing the efficacy of different in situ breeding management strategies and for making evidence‐based management decisions.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-12-2017
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1093/GIGASCIENCE/GIAC025
Abstract: The helmeted honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix) is a Critically Endangered bird endemic to Victoria, Australia. To aid its conservation, the population is the subject of genetic rescue. To understand, monitor, and modulate the effects of genetic rescue on the helmeted honeyeater genome, a chromosome-length genome and a high-density linkage map are required. We used a combination of Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies to assemble a chromosome-length genome of the helmeted honeyeater, comprising 906 scaffolds, with length of 1.1 Gb and scaffold N50 of 63.8 Mb. Annotation comprised 57,181 gene models. Using a pedigree of 257 birds and 53,111 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, we obtained high-density linkage and recombination maps for 25 autosomes and Z chromosome. The total sex-averaged linkage map was 1,347 cM long, with the male map being 6.7% longer than the female map. Recombination maps revealed sexually dimorphic recombination rates (overall higher in males), with average recombination rate of 1.8 cM/Mb. Comparative analyses revealed high synteny of the helmeted honeyeater genome with that of 3 passerine species (e.g., 32 Hi-C scaffolds mapped to 30 zebra finch autosomes and Z chromosome). The genome assembly and linkage map suggest that the helmeted honeyeater exhibits a fission of chromosome 1A into 2 chromosomes relative to zebra finch. PSMC analysis showed a ∼15-fold decline in effective population size to ∼60,000 from mid- to late Pleistocene. The annotated chromosome-length genome and high-density linkage map provide rich resources for evolutionary studies and will be fundamental in guiding conservation efforts for the helmeted honeyeater.
Start Date: 2018
End Date: 12-2018
Amount: $659,060.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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