Output list
Other
Published 2017
2017 Research Findings: Bulletin 5.12 Ecology, People & Environment
Like many of Australia’s digging mammals, the southern-brown bandicoot (known locally in the southwest of WA as the quenda) is considered an ecosystem engineer — their digging activities alter their physical surroundings, changing resource availability for other plants and animals. The ‘ecosystem services’ provided by quenda are likely to be crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Other
Biosecurity and invasive animal research
Published 2017
2017 Research Findings: Bulletin 4.07 Sustainable Harvests
Murdoch University prides itself on its fundamental and applied research, as demonstrated by our work in biosecurity and invasive animals. Our researchers work across terrestrial and aquatic systems directly with industry and community partners.
Other
Reducing wild dog impacts on livestock production industries
Published 2017
2017 Research Findings: Bulletin 4.09 Sustainable Harvests
Wild dogs are a huge problem for Australian livestock producers, costing farmers an estimated $50 million annually in livestock losses and for their control. Here we describe outcomes of a recent project that has examined aspects of wild dog control in WA.
Other
Animal behaviour as a measure of animal welfare
Published 2015
2015 Research Findings: Bulletin 2.01 Animal Production, Health & Welfare
Animal welfare is increasingly important for the Australian livestock industries, to maintain the social licence to practice, as well as ensuring market share overseas.
Other
Turtles in the firing line: Red foxes caught red-handed
Published 2015
2015 Research Findings: Bulletin 6.02 Wildlife Biology & Conservation
The oblong turtle (Chelodina colliei) is native to freshwater systems throughout the south west of Western Australia.
Other
Shelter me, feed me! Quokkas using plants for shelter and food
Published 2015
2015 Research Findings: Bulletin 6.05 Wildlife Biology & Conservation
Quokkas have been isolated on Rottnest Island over the last 7,000 years, since sea levels rose and cut off connectivity with the mainland. The island has a high density of animals. In autumn, after a hot and dry summer, if animals do not have sufficient body reserves, they can be particularly challenged to survive.
Other
Losing Australia’s diggers is hurting our ecosystems
Published 2013
The Conversation, 25 September
Despite once being described as common, mammals have been lost across the Australian landscape over the last 200 years. The impact has been particularly severe on Australia’s digging mammals, including iconic species like echidnas, bilbies and bandicoots. New research shows that the decline is not just bad for mammals, but for Australia’s ecosystems too. Through introduction of predators, land clearing, and disease, six of the 29 digging mammal species that were present 200 years ago are now extinct. Nearly all the living species show massive range contractions – many are gone from the Australian mainland completely or exist only in predator-proof fenced reserves. Our new study from Murdoch University, published today in Mammal Review, has highlighted the relationship between the loss of Australian digging mammals, and ecosystem decline.
Other
Honey possum diets in banksia heathland infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi
Published 2012
Research Findings 2012: Bulletin No. 2
The aim of this study was to identify plant species visited by honey possums, and compare this menu with our current understanding of plant susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Greater understanding of the diet of honey possums in the presence of this pervasive pathogen gives us a better chance of assessing potential impacts of further spread of the pathogen on honey possums.
Other
Is tree health a determinant of reptile species richness and abundance in wandoo woodlands?
Published 2011
Research Findings 2011: Bulletin No. 10
Large portions of the world's forests and woodlands are currently affected by declining tree health, however the effects of these tree declines on fauna communities is largely unknown.
Other
Carnaby's black-cockatoo, food resources and time since last fire.
Published 2011
Research Findings 2011: Bulletin No. 19
Habitat loss is often the primary factor contributing to a decline in the range or abundance of threatened species. Management of threatened or endangered species is often focused on acquisition of remnant habitat, with little focus on habitat quality, in terms of resource provisioning. We investigated the influence of time since last fire on food resources in banksia woodlands for the endangered Carnaby's black-cockatoo.