A5026547478- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Media Studies and Communication
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
Charles Sturt University
2021-2025
The University of Adelaide
2016
Abstract Background ‘Megafire’ is an emerging concept commonly used to describe fires that are extreme in terms of size, behaviour, and/or impacts, but the term’s meaning remains ambiguous. Approach We sought resolve ambiguity surrounding ‘megafire’ by conducting a structured review use and definition term several languages peer‐reviewed scientific literature. collated definitions descriptions megafire identified criteria frequently invoked define megafire. recorded size location megafires...
With large wildfires becoming more frequent1,2, we must rapidly learn how megafires impact biodiversity to prioritize mitigation and improve policy. A key challenge is discover interactions among fire-regime components, drought land tenure shape wildfire impacts. The globally unprecedented3,4 2019–2020 Australian burnt than 10 million hectares5, prompting major investment in monitoring. Collated data include responses of 2,000 taxa, providing an unparalleled opportunity quantify affect...
Abstract Ecosystem engineers modify their environment and influence the availability of resources for other organisms. Burrowing species, a subset allogenic engineers, are gaining recognition as ecological facilitators. Burrows created by these species provide habitat diverse array Following disturbances, burrows could also serve refuges, thereby enhancing resistance to disturbance events. We explored role Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) using camera traps in forests southeastern Australia....
Moon phase and variation in ambient light conditions can influence predator prey behaviour. Nocturnal predators locate visually, may adjust their activity to minimise predation risk. Understanding how native mammals Australia respond varying phases of the moon cloud cover (light) enhances knowledge factors affecting species’ survival inference regarding ecological population survey data. Over a two-year period within fenced conservation reserve, south-eastern Australia, with reintroduced...
Burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) reached high densities within the fenced Arid Recovery reserve. Grazing pressure was assessed by comparing vegetation inside and outside reserve during April in 2012, 2013 2014. Mean numbers of bettong tracks crossing small 10 m × 1 plots overnight main exclosure were 20 decreasing to 4 3 Similar declines present second expansion, where decreased from 7 2012 2 Perennial plant species richness significantly over study period. Acacia aneura, ligulata,...
Abstract Context Human disturbance has transformed ecosystems globally, yet studies of the ecological impact landscape modification are often confounded. Non-random patterns land clearing cause differing vegetation types and soil productivity between fragments in modified landscapes reference areas—like national parks—with which they compared. Objectives We sought to explore influence on herpetofauna small mammal communities using multiple biodiversity measures—species richness diversity,...
ABSTRACT Motivation Terrestrial predators play key roles in cycling nutrients, as well limiting prey populations, and shaping the behaviour of their prey. Prehistoric, historic ongoing declines world's have reshaped terrestrial ecosystems are a topic conservation concern. However, availability ecologically relevant predator functional traits is limited, hampering efforts to understand macroecological changes this important group. Here, we present CarniTraits , comprehensive open‐access trait...
Abstract Climate change is altering fire regimes globally, leading to an increased incidence of large and severe wildfires, including gigafires (>100,000 ha), that homogenise landscapes. Despite this, our understanding how large, wildfires affect biodiversity at the landscape scale remains limited. We investigated impact a gigafire occurred during unprecedented 2019–20 Australian ‘Black Summer’ on terrestrial fauna. selected 24 study landscapes, each 0.785 km 2 in size, represented...
Abstract ContextHuman disturbance threatens many bird species worldwide. Flight-initiation distances (FIDs) offer a scientific basis for separation between fauna and agents of disturbance, such as people. However, most available FIDs are from single-species groups. Multi-species flocks have received scant attention with regard to their FIDs; yet, they extremely common in nature. AimTo examine suitable mixed-species shorebird by comparing those the same flocks. MethodWe examined mixed- four...
Context On airports, birds often exhibit escape behaviour in response to aircraft. Avian behaviours can enable effectively avoid collisions with aircraft, although some are maladaptive and may increase the risk of collision (e.g. erratic flying). Habituation habituation-like processes among potentially mediate likelihood aircraft-bird collisions. Moreover, because managers exploit avian reduce bird–aircraft risks, habituation decrease efficiency bird-hazard management. Aims Our aim was...
Anthropogenic light pollution is increasing rapidly within urban areas around the world, causing a raft of ecological issues, including species loss. I used echolocation detectors to uncover impact artificial lighting on insectivorous bat (Chiroptera) in Melbourne’s south-east. Surveys were undertaken native vegetation at lit treatment, which was illuminated by street light, and an unlit dark. Bat activity richness treatments significantly higher when compared with treatments. The...
Summary We describe a community‐run effort to cull Common Myna ( Acridotheres tristis ) in Melbourne undertaken with modest funding (overall: $30.14 per trap day, $5.17 euthanized Myna). Trap success (overall, 0.04 birds day) peaked early the and slowly declined. specificity was high (83.8%) similar between bait types. Dry cat food captured more Myna, assemblage of animals, dry dog food. Bread baits broader animals. The community‐led trapping programme reduced mean density achieved target...
Context Sound taxonomy is the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. Without a fundamental understanding species delimitations, as well their distributions and ecological requirements, our ability to conserve them drastically impeded. Cryptic – two or more distinct currently classified single present significant challenge How do we assess conservation status address potential drivers extinction if are unaware species’ existence? Here, case where reclassification formerly considered...
Information about the ecological functional roles of native predators may help inform conservation wildlife and pest management. If show preferences for certain prey, such as invasive species, this could potentially be used a tool to restore degraded (e.g. overgrazed) ecosystems via reintroduction suppression exotic prey introduced herbivores). The diet spotted-tailed quolls was studied in fenced reserve south-eastern Australia where mammals have been reintroduced, foxes cats removed, but...