A5043679472- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Geographies of human-animal interactions
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Veterinary Equine Medical Research
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
University of Technology Sydney
2016-2025
Aarhus University
2021
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2019-2020
Hudson Institute
2019
UNSW Sydney
2006-2017
Environmental Earth Sciences
2005-2016
University of Wollongong
2012
Griffith University
2010
The University of Melbourne
2004-2006
Abstract Ecologists are increasingly recognizing the conservation significance of microrefugia, but it is inherently difficult to locate these small patches with unusual climates, and hence they also referred as cryptic refugia. Here we introduce a new methodology quantify potential microrefugia using fine‐scale topoclimatic grids that capture extreme conditions, stable distinct differences from surrounding matrix. We collected hourly temperature data 150 sites in large (200 km by 300 km)...
Conservation practice is informed by science, but it also reflects ethical beliefs about how humanity ought to value and interact with Earth's biota. As human activities continue drive extinctions diminish critical life-sustaining ecosystem processes, achieving conservation goals becomes increasingly urgent. However, the determination react decisively can conservationists handle complex challenges without due deliberation, particularly when wildlife individuals are sacrificed for so-called...
Presence-only data, where information is available concerning species presence but not absence, are subject to bias due observers being more likely visit and record sightings at some locations than others (hereafter "observer bias"). In this paper, we describe evaluate a model-based approach accounting for observer directly--by modelling as function of known variables (such accessibility variables) in addition environmental variables, then conditioning on common level make predictions...
Abstract Human–wildlife conflicts are commonly addressed by excluding, relocating, or lethally controlling animals with the goal of preserving public health and safety, protecting property, conserving other valued wildlife. However, declining wildlife populations, a lack efficacy control methods in achieving desired outcomes, changes how people value have triggered widespread acknowledgment need for ethical evidence‐based approaches to managing such conflicts. We explored international...
The ethical position underpinning decisionmaking is an important concern for conservation biologists when setting priorities interventions. recent debate on how best to protect nature has centered contrasting intrinsic and aesthetic values against utilitarian economic values, driven by inevitable global rise in conflicts. These discussions have primarily been targeted at species ecosystems success, without explicitly expressing the value welfare of individual animals. In part, this because...
Large-bodied mammalian herbivores dominated Earth's terrestrial ecosystems for several million years before undergoing substantial extinctions and declines during the Late Pleistocene (LP) due to prehistoric human impacts. The decline of large led widespread ecological changes loss their functions, as driven by unique combinations traits. However, recently, humans have significantly increased herbivore species richness through introductions in many parts world, potentially counteracting LP...
Abstract Compassionate conservation is based on the ethical position that actions taken to protect biodiversity should be guided by compassion for all sentient beings. Critics argue there are 3 core reasons harming animals acceptable in programs: primary purpose of protection; already compassionate animals; and prioritize humans. We used argument analysis clarify values logics underlying debate around conservation. found objections expressions human exceptionalism, view humans a...
Megafauna play important roles in the biosphere, yet little is known about how they shape dryland ecosystems. We report on an overlooked form of ecosystem engineering by donkeys and horses. In deserts North America, digging ≤2-meter wells to groundwater feral equids increased density water features, reduced distances between waters, and, at times, provided only present. Vertebrate richness activity were higher equid than adjacent dry sites, mimicking flood disturbance, became nurseries for...
Summary 1. The dispersal capabilities of most plant species remain unknown. However, gaining basic information is a critical step for understanding species’ geographical distributions and predicting the likely impacts future climate change. Dispersal mechanisms can indicate short‐ or long‐distance dispersers, highlight important biological interactions. 2. To predict where limited, we used generalized linear mixed models with life‐history ecological traits. Sets were created (using...
Abstract Aim We analyse how and why ‘topoclimate’ mapping methodologies improve on macroclimatic variables in modelling the distribution of biodiversity. Further, we consider implications for climate change projections. Location Greater Hunter Valley region ( c . 60,000 km 2 ), New South Wales, Australia. Methods fitted generalised linear models to 295 species grasses ferns at fine resolutions (< 50 m ) using (a) variables, interpolated from weather station data altitude location only,...
Large herbivorous mammals, already greatly reduced by the late‐Pleistocene extinctions, continue to be threatened with decline. However, many megafauna (body mass ≥ 100 kg) have populations outside their native ranges. We evaluate distribution, diversity and threat status of introduced terrestrial worldwide contribution towards lost Pleistocene species richness. Of 76 species, 22 (∼29%) populations; these eleven (50%) are or extinct in Introductions increased richness between 10% (Africa)...
Recent debates around the meaning and implications of compassionate conservation suggest that some conservationists consider emotion a false misleading basis for moral judgment decision making. We trace these beliefs to long-standing, gendered sociocultural convention argue disparagement as source understanding is both empirically morally problematic. According current scientific philosophical understanding, reason are better understood partners, rather than opposites. Nonetheless, two have...
Abstract The conservation of wildlife populations living adjacent to roads is gaining international recognition as a worldwide concern. Populations in road‐impacted environments are influenced by spatial parameters including the amount and arrangement suitable habitat. Similarly, heterogeneity threatening processes can act at variety scales be crucial affecting population persistence. Common wombats ( Vombatus ursinus ) considered both widespread abundant throughout their eastern Australian...
Vegetation structure is an important determinant of species habitats and diversity. It often represented by simple metrics, such as canopy cover, height leaf area index, which do not fully capture three-dimensional variations in density. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) a technology that can better vegetation structure, but methods developed to process scans have been biased towards forestry applications. The aim this study was develop methodology for processing TLS data produce density...
Conservation science involves the collection and analysis of data. These scientific practices emerge from values that shape who what is counted. Currently, conservation data are filtered through a value system considers native life only appropriate subject concern. We examined how trends in species richness, distribution, threats change when all wildlife count by adding so-called non-native feral populations to International Union for Nature Red List local richness assessments. focused on...
Abstract Introduced large herbivores have partly filled ecological gaps formed in the late Pleistocene, when many of Earth's megafauna were driven extinct. However, extant predators are generally considered incapable exerting top‐down influences on introduced megafauna, leading to unusually strong disturbance and herbivory relative native herbivores. We report first documented predation juvenile feral donkeys Equus africanus asinus by cougars Puma concolor Mojave Sonoran Deserts North...
Abstract International and national conservation policies almost exclusively focus on conserving species in their historic native ranges, thus excluding that have been introduced by people some of those extended ranges own accord. Given many such migrants are threatened goals explicitly exclude these populations may overlook opportunities to prevent extinctions respond dynamically rapidly changing environmental climatic conditions. Focusing terrestrial mammals, we quantified the number...
Kangaroo–vehicle collisions are frequent on Australian highways. Despite high economic costs, detrimental effects animal welfare, and potential impacts population viability, little research has been done to investigate the impact of road mortality kangaroo populations, where why accidents occur, how can be mitigated. We therefore collected data species (Macropus rufus, M. giganteus, fuliginosus, robustus), sex age kangaroos killed a 21.2-km bitumenised section outback highway over 6 months...