POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS RESEARCH IN ALBANY

2015 AND BEYOND

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HONOURS AND POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH IN ALBANY

The University of Western Australia’s Centre of Excellence in

Natural Resource Management in Albany offers exciting opportunities to undertake both Postgraduate and Honours research projects. The Centre undertakes applied and fundamental research on natural, agricultural and urban landscapes and their biodiversity. Staff at the Centre offer student research opportunities in a variety of disciplines including, terrestrial animal and plant ecology, biodiversity, freshwater and estuarine ecology, fish ecology, conservation ecology, ecosystem and population health, and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge.

The Albany campus of UWA offers students excellent laboratory facilities within the new, state-of-the-art ‘Sciences Building’. The UWA Albany campus and the Centre provide well-equipped student offices, accessible administrative assistance and extensive resources for field-based studies (4WD vehicles, boats, and sampling equipment).

This document contains potential research projects and potential supervisors for either Postgraduate or Honours students. The Centre welcomes enquiries from interested Postgraduate students at any time. Honours students can enrol with the Centre in Albany, or approach relevant Albany-based researchers for co-supervision if enrolled through a Perth-based school.

Students can enrol to do honours in either Conservation Biology or Environmental Science, based in Albany. Both these options comprise 48 points, divided equally between course work and the research thesis (24 points each). Students can undertake their Honours course full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) and can start their degree either in the first or second semester (mid-year start). More information on the course structure for Honours in Albany in Conservation Biology and Environmental Science can be found in the University handbook, on the UWA Albany and CENRM websites or from potential supervisors.

The contact details for Postgraduate and Honours coordinators, potential supervisors and sources of further information are provided at the end of this document.

UWA Albany Centre

Albany Sciences Building

Conservation ecology

Freshwater biodiversity

Terrestrial biodiversity

Student-supervisor interaction

Aquatic ecology..................................................................................................................................7

Do gnammas on granite outcrops have micro-habitats that serve as localised refuges from higher temperatures in the face of climate change?......................................................................7

Stock watering (troughs/ dams) refuges........................................................................................7

River pools as “islands”..................................................................................................................7

Calibrating EPT index for detecting disturbance gradients.............................................................8

Using Chironomids as biological indicators of environmental degradation...................................8

Sensitivity of macroinvertebrates to acidity...................................................................................8

Distribution of Gondwanan relicts endemic to the Stirling Ranges................................................8

Riparian production and organic matter contributions to stream biota.........................................9

Aquatic plant ecology and molecular phylogenetics in granite outcrop gnammas........................9

Estuarine and Marine Ecology..........................................................................................................10

Aquatic microbial food webs........................................................................................................10

Currents and sediment transport.................................................................................................10

Seagrass ecology..........................................................................................................................10

Fish Ecology......................................................................................................................................11

Marine fish nurseries....................................................................................................................11

Importance of upstream permanent refugia for recolonisation of ephemeral wetlands.............11

Identify individual Mulloway fish using passive acoustic recording.............................................11

Recruitment dynamics and habitat requirements of night fish, Bostockia porosa.......................11

Identify critical habitats of Mulloway using passive acoustic recording.......................................11

Advection of larval fish during aseasonal breaching of estuarine sandbars.................................11

Developing a decision support tool for sand bar management....................................................12

Movement dynamics of freshwater cobbler, Tandanus bostocki.................................................12

The effectiveness of a fisheries exclusion zone for management of Estuary Cobbler, Cnidoglanis macrocephalus.............................................................................................................................12

Climate change impact on native fish (temperature sensitivity)..................................................12

Impact of instream barriers on the migration of Australia’s only critically endangered freshwater fish................................................................................................................................................13

Terrestrial Ecology – plants..............................................................................................................14

Biodiversity benefits of revegetation (various projects at Honours or PhD level)........................14

Understanding rarity, endemism and local dispersal in Conostylis or the kangaroo paws...........14

Biological specialisation and restoration of herb fields of granite outcrops.................................14

The James Effect tested in eucalypts on OCBILs...........................................................................14

Conservation, ethnobotany and land management on OCBILs....................................................14

Accentuated persistence of old herbaceous lineages in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region.....................................................................................................................................................14

The Semiarid Cradle hypothesis tested with Haemodoraceae and eucalypts..............................15

Pollination ecology and the accentuated persistence of old herbaceous lineages in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region..........................................................................................15

Community pollination ecology on granite outcrops in Torndirrup National Park.......................15

Pollination by vertebrates of disputed subspecies in two Banksia species of the south coast of Western Australia.........................................................................................................................15

Comparative pollination ecology of generalist-pollinated versus vertebrate-pollinated eucalypts.....................................................................................................................................................15

Regional pollination ecology of Hakea laurina as a keystone species in the Great Southern.......16

Urban pollination ecology: interactions of native and exotic players...........................................16

Seed biology and pollination ecology of the Albany Catspaw (Anigozanthos preissii).................16

Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy of Eucalyptus tetraptera and related species...............16

Species relationships and biology of the south coast endemic red and green kangaroo paws....16

Taxonomy and biology of edible Haemodorum species, staple plants of traditional Noongar diets.....................................................................................................................................................16

Floristics and seed biology of gnamma (rock pool) plants............................................................17

The impact of spraying phosphite to manage dieback in plant communities..............................17

The effect of Phytophthora dieback on species richness and vegetation structure.....................17

The role of inter-fire recruitment in maintaining populations of long-unburnt obligate seeding serotinous species........................................................................................................................17

Pollination biology of the critically endangered Banksia montana..............................................17

Pollination biology of three sympatric species and a hybrid of Adenanthos (Proteaceae) in Torndirrup National Park..............................................................................................................18

Island biogeography of granite outcrop plants in Torndirrup National Park................................18

Are banksias born to burn?..........................................................................................................18

Species’ disparity as a feature of old, climatically-buffered infertile landscapes (OCBILs)...........18

Is Conostylis argentea on banded ironstone inselbergs genetically divergent from populations on other landforms?..........................................................................................................................18

Testing for ecological convergence v/s phylogenetic divergence among plant communities on climatically-matched granite outcrops in South Africa v/s southwest Australia..........................18

Biology and Noongar use of peppermints (Agonis flexuosa) and Taxandria juniperina...............19

Xanthorrhoea resins, phylogeny and Noongar thermoplastics....................................................19

Composition of the seedbank across a salinity gradient on a tropical floodplain.........................19

The effect of secondary salinization on diversity and productivity of riparian vegetation...........19

Vertebrate pollination of banksias...............................................................................................19

Terrestrial Ecology – animals............................................................................................................21

Honey possums, dieback disease and local extinction.................................................................21

Animal behaviour around traps....................................................................................................21

Mammal use of Stirling-Porongorup wildlife corridors................................................................21

Trapdoor spiders: distribution and biology..................................................................................21

Seasonal variation in the visitation of waterbirds to tropical floodplain waterholes...................21

Call variation in the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot Pezoporus flaviventris..........22

Social, cultural and environmental research....................................................................................23

Place naming and Noongar cosmology on granite outcrops........................................................23

Was Eucalyptus wandoo dispersed by Noongars to inland granite rocks?...................................23

Evaluating effectiveness of weed control (or feral animal control)..............................................23

Modelling the impact of climate change on mosquito borne disease..........................................23

Remapping Yingilit’s boodja (country) between Denmark and Albany........................................23

Ecosystem restoration and health- can you restore a vital ecosystem service?...........................23

Impact of ecotourism on the environment..................................................................................24

Utilisation of ecotourism sites......................................................................................................24

Fishing and Noongar cultural continuity.......................................................................................24

Gnammas on granite outcrops: abundance, origins, maintenance, restoration and biodiversity conservation.................................................................................................................................24

R and K selection on OCBILs and its relevance to Noongar cultural adaptation...........................24

Noongar cultural adaptation and testing OCBIL theory hypotheses............................................25

Noongar lifeways and niche construction theory.........................................................................25

Research projects 2015 and beyond

Aquatic ecology

Do gnammas on granite outcrops have micro-habitats that serve as localised refuges from higher temperatures in the face of climate change?Barbara Cook, Dale Roberts

Granite outcrops are distributed widely throughout Western Australia, often appearing physically as 'islands' in the surrounding, cleared, agricultural landscape. Acting as refugia for biodiversity previously more widespread, these outcrops preserve a relictual, contracted and fragmented biota . The presence of a range of temporary aquatic habitats on these outcrops has resulted in a rich and diverse aquatic fauna that contributes to high diversity and endemism in the Wheatbelt of southwestern Australia. Over 230 invertebrate species, including over 50 endemic species have been recorded from the gnammas that form in depressions on the rock surfaces. Many of these are strictly freshwater species, and thus granite outcrops are important for their conservation in the Wheatbelt, an area where many waterbodies have become salinised due to widespread landclearing. A recent bioclimatic modelling study has predicted that climatically suitable habitat for granite outcrop crustacean species in SW Australia will decline over time in response to climate change, suggesting that as much as 54% of suitable habitat to the north and east of current distributional potential could be lost by 2080. One of the shortcomings of using bioclimatic modelling for predicting the impacts of climate change on biodiversity is that this coarse spatial scale approach does not take into account micro-scale processes. It is possible that variation in shape, depth and aspect of pools, particularly pit gnammas, provide micro-habitats that can serve as localised refuges from high temperatures, resulting in species being able to persist on granite outcrops, despite modelling predictions that these species will be lost from these areas. Given the apparent limited dispersal capabilities of many species, making it difficult for them to track future changes in climate change, these refuges could be critical to their survival. Aimed at informing management of these biodiversity hotspots, this project will explore how variation in size, shape and location of pools on granite outcrops can provide refuges from increasing temperatures and reduced rainfall associated with climate change.

Stock watering (troughs/ dams) refugesBarbara Cook

Many waterways and wetlands in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia have become salinised, mainly as a consequence of past land clearing. The salinisation of these systems would have led to major shifts in aquatic invertebrate community composition, including the loss of many freshwater species, which are unable to tolerate high salinities. These freshwater troughs and dams are ‘islands’ of suitable habitat surrounded by inhospitable environments, and are likely to be the only refuges remaining for these obligate freshwater species. This project will investigate the distribution of aquatic invertebrates in stock watering troughs and dams in the light of habitat size and degree of isolation.

River pools as “islands” Barbara Cook

Pools in temporally flowing rivers on the south coast act as impact refugia for aquatic biota. Fauna in these pools typically over-summers in these habitats to reinvade other river reaches when flows recommence. Consequently pools are the most important habitat in non-permanent rivers. The spatial distribution of pools is not well documented and pool characteristics (e.g. size, water volume, water temperature, dissolved oxygen) that underpin their values as refugia need

to be determined.

Calibrating EPT index for detecting disturbance gradientsBarbara Cook

Biomonitoring has become a standard tool for assessing the ‘health’ of rivers worldwide. Macroinvertebrates are of particular interest, and the use of mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera) and caddis flies (Trichoptera) to create the ‘EPT’ index is well documented. Systematic sampling of an array of waterways across the South Coast Region has revealed that these animals are found in the systems of the South Coast, but often at much lower numbers than in the rivers of eastern Australia. The aim of this project is to evaluate the responses of the EPT index to environmental degradation in order to assess whether this index can be used as an indicator of waterway degradation in south-western Australia.

Using Chironomids as biological indicators of environmental degradationBarbara Cook

Biomonitoring has become a standard tool for assessing the ‘health’ of rivers worldwide. Macroinvertebrates are of particular interest, and the use of groups such as mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies is well documented. Systematic sampling of an array of waterways across the South Coast Region has shown chironomids to be one of the most abundant macroinvertebrate groups in the region. The aim of this project is to evaluate the responses of Chironomidae species to environmental degradation in order to assess their potential capacity as indicators of waterway degradation in south-western Australia.

Sensitivity of macroinvertebrates to acidityBarbara Cook

Extensive networks of deep drains are being built in Western Australia to reduce the effects of dryland salinity on agricultural lands. Most of these drains discharge into natural river and wetland systems, with little consideration given to the environmental impacts. Although invertebrate species richness will continue to decline, and community composition will be simplified, as streams become increasingly hypersaline, the most significant impact from discharge waters from deep drains is likely to be from the low pH of these waters. As yet, limited research has been undertaken in Australia on the sensitivity of invertebrates to pH. In contrast, recent research has provided data on ‘threshold levels’ for salinity. Knowledge of such threshold levels can be used to set acceptable targets for the disposal and potential treatment of highly acidic waters resulting from deep drainage. This project will investigate pH tolerances of aquatic biota in order to identify threshold levels associated with significant changes in species richness and community composition in Wheatbelt streams.

Distribution of Gondwanan relicts endemic to the Stirling Ranges Barbara Cook, Sarah Comer

In addition to harbouring an amazing diverse flora, south-western Australia is also known for its high level of faunal endemicity. Of particular interest is the Gondwanan relictual fauna that is often very restricted in distribution. Examples include the phreatoicidean isopod Platypyga subpetrae, and the crangonyctoidean amphipod Toulrabia willsi, both restricted to the Stirling Ranges in Western Australia. Concerned about future threats to these species, the Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC) intends to nominate these species for listing as rare and endangered. This project aims to distinguish patterns in the distribution of these species, and to identify the environmental factors that most determine the distribution patterns of these species, as well as explore aspects of their population biology and distribution patterns.

Riparian production and organic matter contributions to stream biotaNeil Pettit

This project focuses on leaf litter productivity and inputs to the rivers. Riparian productivity is variable across the year, leading to variable inputs to rivers. This project would aim to quantify litter inputs between in rivers of different disturbance regimes include effects of agriculture and secondary salinity, and to investigate the conditions under which litter inputs become important habitats and/or food sources for instream biota.

Aquatic plant ecology and molecular phylogenetics in granite outcrop gnammasSteve Hopper

Granite outcrops in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region contain small radiations of plants in the genera Isoetes, Myriophyllum, Glossostigma, Centrolepis and Trithuria. This project explores the ecology of these genera in gnammas, and aims to use molecular phylogenetic techniques to explore patterns of speciation and the estimate the age of the habitat on these ancient landscapes.

Estuarine and Marine Ecology

Aquatic microbial food websHarriet Paterson

Understanding aquatic microbial food webs is critical component of managing aquatic systems. Little is known about the composition and abundance of microbes in the south coast region. This includes every size category from viruses to mesozooplankton. Enumerating their abundance, productivity and grazing impact will facilitate an understanding of the food webs that support larger organisms including commercial species.

Currents and sediment transportHarriet Paterson

Albany has two large natural estuaries that are of significant cultural, economic and biological value. Understanding issues such as erosion and general habitat destruction and creation are vital in managing the region in a sustainable manner. A better understanding of water movement, sediment transport and changes in beach structure within these estuaries is required. 

Seagrass ecologyHarriet Paterson

Over the last 50 years Albany has witnessed changes in the abundance of seagrass beds and their associated biota. Changes in management practices have improved the conditions around the beds and stimulated growth. Identifying the mechanisms that have promoted/ inhibited seagrass recovery will facilitate future restoration projects. 

Fish Ecology

Marine fish nurseriesPaul Close

Sheltered embayments and estuaries are known to provide a safe environment for early life stages of marine fish. However, on the South Coast of WA many estuaries remain isolated from the ocean for months to years and near-shore environments are frequently high-energy, and therefore they do not always provide accessible nursery areas. This project will investigate the importance of harbours and sheltered marine embayments as nursery areas for fish breeding.

Importance of upstream permanent refugia for recolonisation of ephemeral wetlandsPaul Close, Rebecca Dobbs

This project would consider fish assemblage structure in permanent riverine pools and the terminal wetlands in the Paraku Catchment. Paraku is an inter-annually draining catchment in the Tanami desert, which is an important site for local aboriginal communities. The project is subject to the availability of local Indigenous ranger groups and involves fieldwork in remote locations in northern Western Australia.

Identify individual Mulloway fish using passive acoustic recordingPaul Close

Animal vocalisation has been demonstrated as an alternative method to track, or located, a variety of animals including frogs, turtles and also fish. Mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, is a soniferous fish species and a recent study demonstrated successful identification of the species and potentially individual identity using Passive Acoustic Recording (PAR) of vocalisation.The aim of the project is to assess whether individual fish can be identified based on unique vocalisations. This project will involve fieldwork to collect PARs of Mulloway vocalisations from the Kalgan River (Albany) as well as analysis of these recordings using call analysis software.

Recruitment dynamics and habitat requirements of night fish, Bostockia porosaPaul Close

Night fish are a relatively widespread and common small bodied freshwater fish species of south-western Australia. Only limited information is available on the biology of this species and knowledge of early life history stages is particularly scarce. This project will examine environmental influence on larval survival and recruitment dynamics.

Identify critical habitats of Mulloway using passive acoustic recordingPaul Close

The identification of critical habitats of iconic species like the Mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, is essential for the management of (their) aquatic habitats. Passive Acoustic Recording of animal vocalisations is a non-invasive technique that may be used to accurately locate individual fish. Mulloway belong to the sciaenid family and are known to use acoustic communication prior to spawning. The species, and possibly individuals, have been successfully identified during reproductive periods in Mosman Bay, Swan River by recording of vocalisation. This project will explore the use of PAR to identify critical habitats of Mulloway in the Kalgan River (Albany).

Advection of larval fish during aseasonal breaching of estuarine sandbarsPaul Close

The south coast of western Australia is dominated by relatively small estuaries that are isolated from the ocean for variable periods of time (months to years). The sandbar of many of these

Intermittently open estuaries is actively managed to control water levels and prevent flooding of surrounding low lying agricultural land and associated infrastructure. The nature of marine connection with the estuary and its influence on salinity concentrations strongly influences the structure of fish assemblages. While the importance of the seasonal timing and duration of marine connection on recruitment of estuary dependant marine species is well known, the influence of these events on early life history stages of estuarine fish species is less well understood. This project will investigate whether larval fish are advocated from estuarine habitats during both natural and artificial breaching of sandbars in several south coast estuaries.

Developing a decision support tool for sand bar managementPaul Close

Many temperate Australian estuaries, particularly those located on Australia’s south coast, have intermittent connection with the ocean. Strongly seasonal river flows, high-energy coastlines and small tidal amplitude result in the establishment of sandbars across estuary mouths. Many of these sandbars are actively managed, primarily to maintain suitable water levels in the estuary and avoid flooding of surrounding agricultural and urban areas. Management of the sandbar has important ecological implications and represents a contentious issue for local communities through its combined impacts on local social and economic values. This project would investigate the application of Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN’s) as decision support tools for management of the Wilson Inlet sandbar. The project would rely on substantial existing data on water quality, fish assemblages, water levels, seagrass and historical artificial breaching to construct a quantitative BBN to predict the effects of sand bar management options on local estuarine values. 

Movement dynamics of freshwater cobbler, Tandanus bostockiPaul Close

Freshwater cobbler is the largest freshwater fish in South-western Australia. Evidence suggest that this species moves within river systems, however the reasons behind these movements is poorly understood, as is their spatial extent. This project will investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of movement in the Blackwood River (south-western Australia) using acoustic telemetry techniques. The project will involve field sampling to collect adult and juvenile fish for the tracking study, surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters, and the deployment/download of acoustic receivers. This project is dependent on external funding.

The effectiveness of a fisheries exclusion zone for management of Estuary Cobbler, Cnidoglanis macrocephalusPaul Close

Wilson Inlet is the last remaining commercial fishery for Estuary Cobbler in WA, since those in the Swan-Canning, Peel-Harvey and Leschenault Estuaries have rapidly declined. A range of fishery management measures and environmental factors may have contributed to this ongoing sustainability, including a Fishery Exclusion Zone (FEZ) implemented to protect other commercial species. This project will: determine use of habitats within the FEZ by adult and juvenile life stages; establish the effectiveness of the FEZ in contributing to the sustainable management of the fishery; identify other important habitats for adult and juvenile stages outside of the FEZ; and determine environmental influence on habitat use, including those associated with the FEZ. This project is dependent on external funding.

Climate change impact on native fish (temperature sensitivity)Paul Close

South-western Australia fish assemblages are characterized by a high level of endemism and are therefore of significant conservation value. Increases in water temperature and salinity resulting from climate change and catchment disturbance represent a significant risk to these fish assemblages. Many of the regions endemic fish species have already exhibited substantial

reductions in historical range that have been attributed to these effects. Management of climate change effects on the regions aquatic biota is constrained by limited knowledge on the tolerance of native freshwater fish to salinity and temperature rises associated with climate change. This project will determine salinity related preferences and tolerance thresholds for water temperature of key freshwater fish species. The project will involve field collection of experimental fish and aquaria based experiments to determine salinity related temperature thresholds.

Impact of instream barriers on the migration of Australia’s only critically endangered freshwater fishPaul Close

Instream barriers, such as weirs, culverts and road crossings interrupt migration pathways of Australia’s only critically endangered freshwater fish. The spotted minnow (Galaxias truttaceus), undertakes both upstream and downstream migrations associated with reproduction and recruitment. This project will examine aspects of larval, juvenile and adult migrations of this species in several south coast river systems.

Terrestrial Ecology – plants

Biodiversity benefits of revegetation (various projects at Honours or PhD level)Paul Close, Barbara Cook, Geoff Woodall et al

Revegetation of degraded agricultural landscapes throughout WA is designed to provide both economic and environmental benefits. The extent of the biodiversity benefits is not well known. Opportunities exist for various Honours and PhD level projects to assess animal, plant, or freshwater biodiversity values in a range of revegetated landscapes throughout WA. 

Understanding rarity, endemism and local dispersal in Conostylis or the kangaroo pawsSteve Hopper

The occurrence of narrow range endemic rare plants and animals is a feature of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region, which has more threatened species than most places on Earth. This project aims to devise and implement research that will test hypotheses explaining rarity, endemism and local dispersal in Conostylis or the kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos: Haemodoraceae) on OCBILS (old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes - Hopper 2009 Plant & Soil 322: 49–86).

Biological specialisation and restoration of herb fields of granite outcropsSteve Hopper

Can weed invasion be reversed on granite outcrops herb fields in old, climatically-buffered, infertile landscapes? What are the biophysical thresholds that need to be overcome? This project will address such fundamental questions and conduct experiments that advance knowledge of how best to care for such important island-like habitats.

The James Effect tested in eucalypts on OCBILsSteve Hopper

High numbers of localised rare endemics and strongly differentiated population systems characterise the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. To counter such natural fragmentation and inbreeding due to small population size, ecological, cytogenetic and genetic mechanisms selecting for the retention of heterozygosity should feature (the James Effect). This project will test for evidence of the James Effect in eucalypts, focussing on the bird-pollinated granite outcrop endemic Eucalyptus caesia and other species confined to OCBILs (old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes - Hopper 2009 Plant & Soil 322: 49–86).

Conservation, ethnobotany and land management on OCBILsSteve Hopper

What are the merits for conservation of understanding Noongar perspectives on plant life in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region? This project will promote cross-cultural awareness and involve working under the direction of elders and academics. It will involve devising a tractable hypothesis to test and subsequent investigations to furnish pertinent evidence.

Accentuated persistence of old herbaceous lineages in the Southwest Australian Floristic RegionSteve Hopper

Molecular phylogenetics demonstrates that there are several groups of southwest Australian plants that have evolved in the region over tens of millions of years, e.g. Dasypogonales, Cephalotaceae, Emblingiaceae, Eremosynanceae, Ecdeiocoleaceae, Anarthriaceae,

Haemodoraceae subfamily Conostylidoideae. This project will search for attributes of such old plant lineages that might explain their accentuated persistence, and enlighten efforts to ensure conservation.

The Semiarid Cradle hypothesis tested with Haemodoraceae and eucalyptsSteve Hopper

Why are there more species of kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos), Conostylis, Eucalyptus and other plant genera in semiarid habitats of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region than in the adjacent forests of arid zone? This project will involve identifying a model group to study and devising a project that enables the testing of the Semiarid Cradle Hypothesis.

Pollination ecology and the accentuated persistence of old herbaceous lineages in the Southwest Australian Floristic RegionSteve Hopper

As yet, apart from bird-pollination of kangaroo paws, the pollination ecology of biologically unique relictual plant clades in southwest Australia (e.g. Dasypogonales, Cephalotaceae, Ecdeiocoleaceae, Emblingiaceae, Eremosynanceae, Anarthriaceae, Haemodoraceae subfamily Conostylidoideae) remains virtually unexplored. Most are likely to be insect-pollinated and/or wind-pollinated. This project will search for attributes of such old plant lineages that might explain their accentuated persistence, and enlighten efforts to ensure conservation. Special focus will be on genera flowering late summer through to early spring. Extensive field observations and experiments will be involved.

Community pollination ecology on granite outcrops in Torndirrup National ParkSteve Hopper

How do pollinators partition floral resources in insular terrestrial communities like granite outcrops during the late summer-early spring on the south coast of Western Australia? How significant is nectar thieving by parrots and European honeybees? This project aims to look at pollination as a process involving many players, animal and plant, and seek patterns and possible explanations for behaviours observed. Both insect-pollinated and vertebrate-pollinated plants (by honeyeaters, honey possums), all poorly studied, will be investigated.

Pollination by vertebrates of disputed subspecies in two Banksia species of the south coast of Western AustraliaSteve Hopper

Banksia occidentalis (autumn flowering) and Banksia littoralis (winter-flowering) each have rare south coast subspecies (formosa and remanens respectively) whose taxonomic status remains in dispute. This project will explore the pollination ecology of four populations representing the disputed subspecies to test for differences in pollination ecology, suspected to be primarily executed by honeyeaters, parrots and honey possums, although insects may also play a role.

Comparative pollination ecology of generalist-pollinated versus vertebrate-pollinated eucalyptsSteve Hopper

Knowledge of the evolutionary transition from generalist-pollination (by insects, birds and mammals) to vertebrate pollination (only by birds and mammals) in eucalypts is fragmentary. This project will focus on co-flowering eucalypt species pairs on the south coast to better understand pollinator behaviours and develop theory accounting for this important evolutionary transition.

Regional pollination ecology of Hakea laurina as a keystone species in the Great SouthernSteve Hopper

Few plants flower prolifically across the Great Southern in the autumn. Hakea laurina is exceptional, and appears vitally important to the regional pool of vertebrate nectar feeders. This study will test the hypothesis that Hakea laurina is a keystone species for pollinators, and explore aspects of its pollination ecology that are presently undocumented.

Urban pollination ecology: interactions of native and exotic playersSteve Hopper

Urbanization now accounts for more land clearing than agriculture. How can urban development be done in a way that helps conservation of biodiversity? This project investigates the interface between urban horticulture and pollinators, native and exotic, around Albany. Are there plant species that are especially important for native pollinators, vertebrate and invertebrate, at particular times of the year? How do European honey bees influence behaviour of native pollinators? What recommendations can be made about urban planting designs to maximize native biodiversity conservation?

Seed biology and pollination ecology of the Albany Catspaw (Anigozanthos preissii)Steve Hopper

The Albany Catspaw is an iconic endemic of the Albany-Walpole region. Preliminary data suggest it is a post-fire opportunist, pollinated by Wester Spinebills. This project, suitable for a mid-year commencement, will explore the reproductive biology of the Albany Catspaw to assist with its conservation.

Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy of Eucalyptus tetraptera and related species Steve Hopper

The spectacular Four-winged mallee (E. tetraptera) group has a possible undescribed species and two recently named species (E. brandiana, E. sweedmaniana), as well as some rare hybrids, whose relationships have yet to be clarified using DNA sequence analysis. This project aims to test species relationships and develop a taxonomic revision of the group.

Species relationships and biology of the south coast endemic red and green kangaroo pawsSteve Hopper

Two new species and a new subspecies of diminutive red and green kangaroo paws have recently been identified through DNA sequence studies. As yet little is known about population variation, ecology, seed biology and pollination ecology of this small group. This project will explore the group as a model of plant speciation on the south coast.

Taxonomy and biology of edible Haemodorum species, staple plants of traditional Noongar dietsSteve Hopper

At least six species of Haemodorum produce large root bulbs that were important in traditional Noongar diets. As yet their biology, ecology and taxonomy remain poorly investigated. This project aims to rectify knowledge gaps and better resolve the patterns of Noongar use of this plant group.

Floristics and seed biology of gnamma (rock pool) plantsSteve Hopper

Gnammas are common on the Yilgarn Block covering most of southwest Australia. They are less common on south coast Albany-Fraser Orogen granites. This project will assemble what is known about plants found in gnammas, and explore the biology of select genera such as quill worts (Isoetes), mud mats (Glossostigma) or water milfoils (Myriophyllum).

The impact of spraying phosphite to manage dieback in plant communitiesSteve Hopper, Sarah Barrett

The Stirling Range has unique plant communities with high levels of plant endemism. Many of these communities are significantly threatened by the introduced root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi and have been sprayed with the fungicide phosphite since the late 1990s to slow the spread of the disease and reduce its impact. While monitoring of individual plant species and overall observations has shown that the treatment has been largely effective, there has been little detailed monitoring of community floristics. This project will investigate plant species richness and structure in plant communities sprayed with phosphite compared non-sprayed vegetation in the Stirling Range NP, within threatened flora / or threatened plant communities.

The effect of Phytophthora dieback on species richness and vegetation structureSteve Hopper, Sarah Barrett

The Stirling Range has unique plant communities with high levels of plant endemism. Many of these communities have been poorly documented and are highly threatened by the introduced root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. This project will investigate the changes brought about by Phytophthora dieback and document the plant biodiversity before it is irrevocably altered. The project will document floristics, species richness and plant structure in a healthy plant community/s compared with the same habitat infested by Phytophthora dieback, with a focus on threatened flora habitat and threatened plant communities. 

The role of inter-fire recruitment in maintaining populations of long-unburnt obligate seeding serotinous speciesSteve Hopper, Sarah Barrett

Fire is an integral part of the Australian landscape and plays a significant role in plant community dynamics and regeneration. Obligate seeding species with woody canopy-stored (serotinous species) typically release seed with the passing of a fire which subsequently germinates. However, many serotinous species are capable of low levels of recruitment between fire as small amounts of seed are released. It is unclear for many Kwongan plant communities whether inter-fire recruitment is sufficient to prevent local extinction of serotinous obligate seeders due to senescence. This project will investigate the role of inter-fire recruitment on plant community dynamics in long-unburnt vegetation on the South Coast.

Pollination biology of the critically endangered Banksia montanaSteve Hopper, Sarah Barrett

The critically endangered Stirling Range endemic Banksia montana is known from less than 40 individuals in the wild but has been successfully translocated to a seed orchard south of the Stirling Range. However, little is known of the pollination biology of this species. This project aims to determine and investigate pollinators as well as their behaviour and visitation rates in in-situ and ex-situ populations. The study will determine whether pollination is limiting reproductive success and whether the species is self-compatible.

Pollination biology of three sympatric species and a hybrid of Adenanthos (Proteaceae) in Torndirrup National ParkSteve Hopper

Preliminary data suggest that Adenanthos species provide vital and continuous nectar supplies for birds and mammals in Torndirrup National Park. This project aims to determine and investigate pollinators as well as their behaviour and visitation rates. The study will determine whether pollination is limiting reproductive success of the species, and their hybrids.

Island biogeography of granite outcrop plants in Torndirrup National ParkSteve Hopper

Island biogeography provides a body of theory helping to explain species richness and endemism under varying circumstances. Granite outcrops in Torndirrup National Park effectively function as arid islands in a sea of taller terrestrial vegetation.. This project aims to test some of the tenets of island biogeography on granite outcrops of varying size, habitat diversity and histories of disturbance. The study will assist in planning conservation strategies for these relatively rare endemic plant communities.

Are banksias born to burn?Steve Hopper

Fire regimes as selective forces in the evolution of plant traits remain a controversial subject. Some authors claim that attributes of plants such as resprouting after fires are adaptations to fire regimes. Others suggest they are traits assisting plants to cope with a range of disturbances such as drought, flooding, grazing, land-slides etc. This project will test experimentally traits of Banksia hypothesized to be adaptations to fire regimes to ascertain if they may function as coping mechanisms for other disturbances.

Species’ disparity as a feature of old, climatically-buffered infertile landscapes (OCBILs)Steve Hopper

Stephen J. Gould introduced the concept of species’ disparity as a measure of body plan divergence in animals and plant communities. Sherwin Carlquist and others noted that high disparity is a feature of native plant genera in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. This project will explore the hypothesis that OCBILs are landscapes where high species’ disparity accumulates through evolutionary time.

Is Conostylis argentea on banded ironstone inselbergs genetically divergent from populations on other landforms?Steve Hopper

A small number of collections of C. argentea have been made from banded ironstone inselbergs north of Southern Cross. It has been suggested that these populations have divergent morphology from those elsewhere across the geographical range of the species. This project will use DNA markers and morphometric analysis to test how divergent the banded ironstone populations are. The project will have important conservation implications, given that ining of the banded ironstone inselbergs is being actively purusued.

Testing for ecological convergence v/s phylogenetic divergence among plant communities on climatically-matched granite outcrops in South Africa v/s southwest AustraliaSteve Hopper

After several decades of study of plant communities in Mediterranean climate regions of the

world, early ideas on ecological convergence have had to be tempered with an understanding of phylogenetic constraints to achieve insights on community assembly. This project explores key hypotheses in convergence theory v/s phylogenetic niche conservatism through a focus on climatically-matched granite outcrops on two continents. Inventory data are available for a sample of outcrops in South Africa and southwest Australia. These will be used as a foundation for a detailed comparison of plant communities that hitherto have not been subjected to detailed study.

Biology and Noongar use of peppermints (Agonis flexuosa) and Taxandria juniperinaSteve Hopper

Agonis flexuosa and Taxandria juniperina are important trees of the Great Southern and forest regions of southwest Australia. Colonial records and oral history indicate that both were used for spearwood and possibly other purposes by Noongar people. This project will explore the comparative biology and population genetics of both species to search for patterns suggestive of Noongar use. As both species have yet to be the focus of detailed biological research, the project will explore aspects of general biology as well.

Xanthorrhoea resins, phylogeny and Noongar thermoplasticsSteve Hopper

Xanthorrhoea resins have long been known to have been used as a thermoplastic by Aboriginal people across Australia. In the southwest, there are many species of grasstree, some yet to be described scientifically, and there is information on their Aboriginal use in the colonial literature and through oral history of Noongar people. This projects aims to assemble new informnation and test hypotheses on resins in grasstrees from both scientific and cross-cultural perspectives.

Composition of the seedbank across a salinity gradient on a tropical floodplainNeil Pettit

Saltwater intrusion is a increasing phenomenon on tropical floodplains in northern Australia. Little information is available on the effect of this on floodplain vegetation and particularly on the ability to regenerate as part of the annual flooding cycle. This project will investigate the germinable seedbank in floodplain soils collected from the South Alligator floodplain and look at the effect of soil salinity on the diversity and structure of germinating seed.

The effect of secondary salinization on diversity and productivity of riparian vegetationNeil Pettit

Secondary salinization has caused large increases in the many rivers in the southwest. Riparian vegetation has a vital role in the in-stream ecology of rivers but there has been little documented studies on the effect of increasing stream salinity on the productivity and community structure on riparian vegetation. This project involves fieldwork to compare the riparian vegetation community in headwater streams of a freshwater catchment and one that is affected by secondary salinization in the south-west.

Vertebrate pollination of banksiasSteve Hopper, Siegy Krauss, Ryan Phillips, Dave Roberts

Banksias are most diverse in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Those of the south coast have received some attention from pollination ecologists. With the recent advent of powerful techniques using DNA markers to assign paternity, it is now possible to understand precisely who mates with who in banksia populations. Such information is vitally important for the design of restoration programs, and for caring for endangered banksias. Torndirrup National Park, 20 km south of Albany, has a rich honeyeater fauna and also has honey possums that feed on nectar

year-round. Some banksias in the Park are endangered by dieback and canker diseases (e.g. B. verticillata). This project will focus on the community of banksias in the National Park as a year-round nectar resource for vertebrates, and how vertebrates partition access to nectar and pollen.

Terrestrial Ecology – animals

Honey possums, dieback disease and local extinctionSteve Hopper

Honey Possums (Tarsipes rostratus), endemic to southwest Australia, rely almost entirely on nectar and pollen as food. Many food plants are now disappearing due to dieback disease infection. This project will examine the impact on Honey Possum populations across dieback fronts to test the hypothesis that loss of key food plants leads to local extinction.

Animal behaviour around trapsPeter Speldewinde

Cage, Elliot and pit traps are common methods of trapping mammals, but it is known that some species are easier to trap than others. So does the standard four nights of trapping really tell you what mammal species are present? This study will use night vision cameras to survey mammals on the south coast; the same area will then be resurveyed using conventional techniques to determine if camera surveys detect more mammal species than conventional techniques. The project could alternatively examine the behaviour of mammals approaching traps, using cameras to determine the ratio of animals captured to the number of animals approaching the traps.

Mammal use of Stirling-Porongorup wildlife corridorsPeter Speldewinde

Wildlife corridors are being used as a means of species conservation. Currently, a corridor is being constructed between the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges; the question is does wildlife actually use the corridor? This study will use remote cameras and trapping to monitor fauna movements to determine if the presence of a wildlife corridor actually facilitates animal movement between the two ranges.

Trapdoor spiders: distribution and biologyPeter Speldewinde, Sarah Comer

The endangered Stirling Range Trapdoor Spider, Moggridgea sp., is restricted to certain areas of the Stirling Range. This study will determine significant habitat conditions for predicting the abundance and distribution of the endangered Stirling Range Trapdoor Spider: Moggridgea sp., at both the local and regional scale. Predictions for the future distribution of the species under different climate change scenarios can then be made.Population demographics are a key to monitoring the long term viability of sub-populations, a separate project could repeat historical surveys to monitor population health in specific sub-populations

Seasonal variation in the visitation of waterbirds to tropical floodplain waterholesNeil Pettit

Time-lapse and motion detect cameras were placed at nine floodplain waterholes in the Mitchell River in northern Queensland. These photographed the presence of waterbirds at the waterholes over a 12-month period. This project will examine this photographic record of waterbirds over changing seasonal conditions and will answer the questions 1) what are the changes in water bird use with seasonal changes in water quality and conditions and 2) are there any effects of increasing cattle use in the dry season on water bird diversity and abundance at the waterholes.

Call variation in the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot Pezoporus flaviventrisDale Roberts, Sarah Comer

The critically endangered Western Ground Parrot is now only found in Cape Arid and Fitzgerald River National Parks, with very few birds remaining in the latter. In each of these parks, ground parrots currently occur (or historically occurred) at two separate sites. The aim is to investigate differences in the calls of sub-populations within each park (historical recordings for the Fitz are available) and also between the two parks. This will provide information to inform restocking/ translocation into areas once predator control has been achieved.

Social, cultural and environmental research

Place naming and Noongar cosmology on granite outcropsSteve Hopper, Len Collard

This project aims to test whether the names applied by Noongar people to granite outcrops align with the three cosmological tenets of Noongars proposed by Professor Len Collard and colleagues – boodjar (Country), moort (family) and katidjin (knowledge). A sample of granite outcrops will be investigated, using literature research, linguistic data bases, and oral history research methodologies. Independent tests of the meaning of place names will aslo be applied through landscape analysis and ritual theory.

Was Eucalyptus wandoo dispersed by Noongars to inland granite rocks?Steve Hopper

Using DNA markers, this project will test the hypothesis that three inland outlying populations of E. wandoo found on granite rocks were dispersed there by Noongars as totem trees. The project will also gain data suitable for improved taxonomic understanding of an iconic southwest Australian tree.

Evaluating effectiveness of weed control (or feral animal control)Peter Speldewinde

Considerable funds have been expended controlling weeds and/or feral animals. Without appropriate evaluation it has remained difficult to determine the success (or otherwise) of these programs.

Modelling the impact of climate change on mosquito borne diseasePeter Speldewinde

Mosquitoes carry a number of diseases that can impact on humans. This project will use current distribution data to determine climatic conditions required for mosquito vectors, such as Aedes camptorynchus, and then model potential distributions under differing climate projections.

Remapping Yingilit’s boodja (country) between Denmark and AlbanySteve Hopper, Len Collard, Minang elders, David Guilfoyle

Early last century the Minang man Yingilit guided journalist/anthropologist Daisy Bates on a walk from Albany to the Denmark area. A handwritten map with 30 place names was worked up jointly by the two. The map has never been published nor investigated in detail. This project aims to document Yingilit’s boodja and associated biodiversity and map these place names as well as explore their meanings. Some refer to animals, or geographical features, or other matters of cultural significance. The project will help elucidate aspects of Minang Noongar worldviews, and explore how knowing country through places and their names helps modern land managers gain a deeper insight into caring for country.

Ecosystem restoration and health- can you restore a vital ecosystem service?Peter Speldewinde

We know that there is a relationship between environmental degradation and disease, but does restoration of an ecosystem return the disease risk to undisturbed levels.  Given the predicable trajectory of restored ecosystems does the vital ecosystem service of disease regulation become restored? This study will examine disease rates in vertebrate fauna in disturbed, undisturbed and restored sites to examine the relationship between disease burden and ecosystem restoration.

Impact of ecotourism on the environmentPeter Speldewinde, Neil Pettit

Ecotourists travel to enjoy the natural environment, but how much negative impact do they have on the environment they have come to enjoy?  There are a range of potential studies available which can examine the impact of ecotourism on flora, fauna and water quality.

Utilisation of ecotourism sitesPeter Speldewinde, Neil Pettit

Time and effort is put into the development of ecotourism sites but how much of the developments do tourists actually use?  The study would examine a number of sites looking at how self guided tourists use sites.  Do they not wander far from their car? Do they fully utilise walk trails?  Do they actually read interpretive material?

Fishing and Noongar cultural continuityPaul Close, Steve Hopper, Noongar elders, plus an archaeologist/anthropologist

Fishing is a form of food gathering of significant cultural importance to Noongar people, unbroken right through to the present day. This project aims to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary Noongar fishing on the south coast, and will review the ethnographic and archaeological records to test the hypothesis fishing remains a vitally important cultural practice, much more than merely providing sustenance. The research may be of use in facilitating ongoing discussion between Noongars and public land managers as to how best to enable ongoing cultural interactions with marine and freshwater biodiversity.

Gnammas on granite outcrops: abundance, origins, maintenance, restoration and biodiversity conservationSteve Hopper, Barbara Cook, Noongar elders

Gnammas, especially deeper pit-forms which may be semi-permanent, are vital sources of fresh water in semi-arid southwestern Australia. Cross-cultural and biological studies are needed to better ensure the care, conservation and restoration of these iconic rock pools. It is evident that Noongar people place great cultural significance on gnammas, incorporating them into ceremonies and stories of country. Caring for gnammas is a practice of vital interest. Gnammas are also well known for having a rich invertebrate fauna, as well as some interesting plant genera specialized for an ephemeral wetland habitat. This project aims to review recorded information on gnammas, develop a better understanding of Noongar oral history about them, and devise restoration processes with Noongar elders that both protect and purify the water supply but also care for gnamma invertebrates and plant life.

R and K selection on OCBILs and its relevance to Noongar cultural adaptationSteve Hopper

R and K selection theory contrasts the evolution of life histories between fast-growing mass-reproducing organisms and slow-growing organisms that invest much more time and energy in producing fewer, high-quality offspring. How do these ideas play out on old, climatically-buffered infertile landscapes? Can plant and animal communities be partitioned into r- and K- selected components on OCBILs such as granite outcrops or high sandplains? Is there evidence that Noongar people developed special cultural adaptations to take advantage of communities rich in r- v/s k-selected organisms?

Noongar cultural adaptation and testing OCBIL theory hypotheses Steve Hopper, Noongar elders

OCBIL Theory predicts that biodiversity on old climatically-buffered landscapes (and seascapes – OCBISs) will feature prominently old lineages, often clonal, with limited dispersability, and

sophisticated evolutionary adaptations to nutrient-poor environments. Seven major hypotheses are proposed, each in need of rigorous testing. Each of these areas could be the focus of specific research projects. In this case, the focus would be on how Noongar people developed cultural adaptations that take advantage of the special attributes of biodiversity on OCBILs. Students are invited to discuss possible topics of research directly with Prof Hopper.

Noongar lifeways and niche construction theorySteve Hopper, Joe Dortch, Noongar elders

It is evident that Noongar boodja (country) in southwest Australia has a range of geomorphological and biodiversity attributes rarely found elsewhere on Earth. Yet humans worldwide modify their environments to best suit their needs. Niche construction theory is relevant here, and has begun to be applied to better understand the archaeological record of Noongar people. This project will explore the relevance of niche construction theory to Noongar lifeways in the past and today. The research may well facilitate better cross-cultural understanding of approaches to caring for country, especially for public land managers.

Evolution and cultural adaptation of humans on old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapesSteve Hopper, Joe Dortch, Dave Guilfoyle, Alison Lullfitz, Noongar elders

This project aims to explore human evolution and cultural adaptation in the context of new theory developed to better understand the origins, ecology and conservation of biodiversity on the Earth’s oldest, climatically buffered, most infertile landscapes (OCBILs). OCBIL Theory is pertinent to human evolution and cultural adaptation given recent discoveries suggesting that coastal South Africa may have been a place of central importance for the evolution of our species in an isolated Pleistocene refuge. OCBILs are common atop Table Mountain Sandstone landscapes and along the granite terranes of South Africa’s west coast. OCBILs are most common globally in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Hence it is predicted that the cultural adaptations of Khoisan and Noongar Aboriginal peoples provide the nearest analogues among living humans to how our species may have lived during its inception and early evolution. This line of thinking will be used to articulate and begin testing a series of hypotheses that may prove profitable in future research on the evolution and ongoing cultural adaptation of humans when they live on or adjacent to OCBILs.

KEY CONTACT DETAILS

Affiliation and role

Name Contact

UWA Albany Centre

Paula Phillips albany.centre@uwa.edu.au, 98420800www.albany.uwa.edu.au/

CENRM Business Manager

Dr Paul Close cenrm@uwa.edu.au, 98420833 www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/

CENRM Honours Coordinator

Dr Paul Close paul.close@uwa.edu.au, 98420833www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

CENRM Postgraduate Coordinator

Dr Neil Pettit neil.pettit@uwa.edu.au, 98420828www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

CENRM Supervisors

Prof. Barbara Cook barbara.cook@uwa.edu.au, 98420837www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

Dr Peter Speldewinde peter.speldewinde@uwa.edu.au 98420845www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

Dr Neil Pettit neil.pettit@uwa.edu.au 98420828www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

Dr Harriet Paterson harriet.paterson@uwa.edu.au. 98420868www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

Prof. Steve Hopper steve.hopper@uwa.edu.au. 98420842www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

School of Animal Biology (in Albany)

W/Prof. Dale Roberts dale.roberts@uwa.edu.au. 98420867www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au/contact/staff

Department of Parks and Wildlife

Sarah Comer

Sarah Barrett

sarah.comer@dpaw.wa.gov.au 98424500

sarah.barrett@dpaw.wa.gov.au 98424500