Potential Research Projects

Staff from the West Region of the Department for Environment and Heritage and local volunteers are keen to work in partnership with postgraduate students and other groups on research projects aimed at increasing our knowledge about the biology and ecology of native species, and biodiversity conservation.

General Biodiversity Conservation

Potential general biodiversity-related research projects on Eyre Peninsula and the Far West include:

• the effect of previous climate change events on species and ecological communities
• the potential impacts of climate change on ecological processes and core protected areas
• baseline information and ongoing monitoring to identify declining species and communities
• the economic and business impacts of improved native vegetation management, and integrated feral animal and pest plant control
• the potential benefits for product differentiation for land-holders who are actively involved in integrated natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.

For more information about these projects please contact the West Region Conservation Programs Manager.

Common Brush-tailed Possum

Metallic Sun-orchid

Threatened Animals

Potential threatened animal research projects on Eyre Peninsula and the Far West include:

• further research on habitat use and distribution of the Common Brushtail Possum
• feeding ecology of Eyre Peninsula Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos
• nutritional analysis of Aleppo Pines and use of Aleppo Pines as a food resource for Eyre Peninsula Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos.

For more information about these projects please contact the West Region Threatened Fauna Officer.

Threatened Plants

Potential threatened plant research projects on Eyre Peninsula and the Far West include:

• plant-breeding systems
• genetic relationships within and between sub-populations
• germination and translocation requirements
• identification of minimum viable populations for species
• the role of fire on threatened flora life cycles
• the role of canopy cover on threatened flora life cycles
• herbivore and plant interactions
• the impact of chemical drift on threatened flora populations, critical habitat and pollinators.

For more information about these projects please contact the West Region Threatened Flora Officer.