A5042658166- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Marine and fisheries research
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
2015-2024
La Trobe University
2014-2024
Museums Victoria
2015-2022
Hudson Institute
2019
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2019
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
2016
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
2000
Parks and Wildlife Service
1989
Victoria College
1979
National Parks and Wildlife Service
1979
Abstract Failure to act quickly on evidence of rapid population decline has led the first mammal extinction in Australia last 50 years, Christmas Island Pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus murrayi ). The fate another iconic species, migratory Orange‐bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster ), monitored intensively for over 20 hangs balance. To inform future conservation management and decision making, we investigate process that plight both species. Our analysis suggests three globally relevant...
Context Many Australian mammal species are highly susceptible to predation by introduced domestic cats (Felis catus) and European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). These predators have caused many extinctions driven large distributional population declines for more species. The serendipitous occurrence of, deliberate translocations of mammals to, ‘havens’ (cat- fox-free offshore islands, mainland fenced exclosures capable excluding foxes) has helped avoid further extinction. Aims aim this study was...
Abstract Aim After environmental disasters, species with large population losses may need urgent protection to prevent extinction and support recovery. Following the 2019–2020 Australian megafires, we estimated recovery in fire‐affected fauna, inform conservation status assessments management. Location Temperate subtropical Australia. Time period 2019–2030 beyond. Major taxa terrestrial freshwater vertebrates; one invertebrate group. Methods From > 1,050 taxa, selected 173 whose...
Abstract Aim To assess whether eight factors thought to be involved in the extinction process can explain pattern of recent decline Australia's mammal fauna. Location Australia. Methods We compiled first comprehensive lists species extant at time European settlement each 76 mainland regions, and assigned a current conservation status region derive an index faunal attrition. then sought observed region‐to‐region variation attrition (the dependent variable) by building series models using...
Abstract Aim The koala is a widely distributed Australian marsupial with regional populations that are in rapid decline, stable or have increased size. This study examined whether it possible to use expert elicitation estimate abundance and trends of this species. Diverse opinions exist about estimates and, consequently, the status populations. Location Eastern south‐eastern Australia Methods Using structured, four‐step question format, panel 15 experts estimated population sizes koalas...
A critical step towards reducing the incidence of extinction is to identify and rank species at highest risk, while implementing protective measures reduce risk such species. Existing global processes provide a graded categorisation risk. Here we seek extend complement those focus more narrowly on likelihood most imperilled Australian birds mammals. We considered an extension existing IUCN NatureServe criteria, used expert elicitation species, assuming current management. On basis these...
Abstract: Regional and national surveys provide a broadscale description of the koala's present distribution in Australia. A detailed understanding its is precluded, however, by past continuing land clearing across large parts range. Koala population density increased some regions during late 1800s then declined dramatically early 1900s. The decline was associated with habitat loss, hunting, disease, fire, drought. Declines are Queensland New South Wales. In contrast, dense koala populations...
This paper attempts to identify and explain patterns in the biogeography of Australia’s indigenous terrestrial mammals at time European settlement (before modern extinctions), also compares species’ pre-European current status by region. From subfossil, historical contemporary sources, we compiled data on past geographic range present for 85 biogeographic regions. Of 305 species originally present, 91 have disappeared from least half bioregions which they occurred before settlement....
Abstract: Traditional sensitivity and elasticity analyses of matrix population models have been used to inform management decisions, but they ignore the economic costs manipulating vital rates. For example, growth rate a is often most sensitive changes in adult survival rate, this does not mean that increasing best option for managing because it may be much more expensive than other options. To explore how managers should optimize their manipulation rates, we incorporated cost changing those...
Summary A common approach to nature conservation is identify and protect natural ‘assets’ such as ecosystems threatened species. While actions are essential, protection of assets will not be effective unless the ecological processes that sustain them maintained. Here, we consider role complementary perspective for arising from an emphasis on process. Many kinds biodiversity: including climatic processes, primary productivity, hydrological formation biophysical habitats, interactions between...
Context Over the last 230 years, Australian terrestrial mammal fauna has suffered a very high rate of decline and extinction relative to other continents. Predation by introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feral cat (Felis catus) is implicated in many these extinctions, ongoing extant species. Aims To assess degree which non-volant species are susceptible at population level predation cat, allocate each category predator susceptibility. Methods We collated available evidence complemented this...
Abstract Genetic diversity is positively linked to the viability and evolutionary potential of species but often compromised in threatened taxa. rescue by gene flow from a more diverse or differentiated source population same can be an effective strategy for alleviating inbreeding depression boosting potential. The helmeted honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops cassidix critically endangered subspecies common yellow‐tufted honeyeater. Cassidix has declined single wild ~130 birds, despite being...
Twelve species of vertebrates occupied nest boxes located in foothill forest trees Gippsland, Vic., between 1977 and 1980. Boxes varied entrance diameter, height above ground, orientation. Over the study period 38% were found another 40% showed signs having been visited. Occupancies higher at site with fewer natural hollows. Seasonal use mammals birds species. small entrances preferred, low avoided by all except brown antechinus. Preference for highest was significant one only. diameter hole...
Catastrophic megafires can increase extinction risks; identifying species priorities for management and policy support is critical preparing responding to future fires. However, empirical data on population loss recovery post-fire, especially megafire, are limited taxonomically biased. These gaps could be bridged if species' morphological, behavioural, ecological life history traits indicated their fire responses. Using expert elicitation that estimated changes following the 2019–20...
Abstract Although evidence‐based approaches have become commonplace for determining the success of conservation measures management threatened taxa, there are no standard metrics assessing progress in research or management. We developed 5 to meet this need taxa and quantify further action effective alleviation threats. These (research need, achievement, percent threat reduction) can be aggregated examine trends an individual taxon threats across multiple taxa. tested utility these by...
Abstract The present study examined the occurrence and concentration of per‐ polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) measured in game ducks (13 compounds), water, sediment, soils (33 compounds) waterways Victoria, Australia. aimed to identify potential ecological human health risks from PFAS concentrations. Four species duck samples soil were collected 19 wetlands, which chosen based on their popularity as hunting locations. posed by 3 (perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid...