210 research outputs found
Interview with Professor Michael Calver
No full textOral history interview with Professor Michael Calver, former staff member at Murdoch University.
This sound recording is part of the History of Murdoch University Collection
Recommended from our members
Students On Screen Special Collection
No full textThis special issue focuses on representations of students on scree
Why 'a forest conscienceness'?
No full textThe phrase 'a forest conscienceness' was used in a major statement made by Charles Lane Poole, Western Australia's Conservator of Forests from 1916-1921, for the 1920 British Empire Forestry Conference. It is both relevant and contemporary at the beginning of the 21st century. We chose it as the conference theme to encourage engagement with both a conscious awareness of forests and their values, and a sense of moral responsibility toward forest management. It stimulated a broad range of lively contributions that emphasized mainly the 'awareness' aspect, although some authors addressed 'moral responsibility'. Perhaps 'conscienceness', like sustainability, is an evolving concept not yet fully mature. It warrants further engagement
Toward sustainable management: Southern Africa's Afromontane, and Western Australia's jarrah forests
No full textWe review the history of forest management in two southern hemisphere foresttypes: Western Australia’s jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forests and the Afromontane forests ofsouthern Africa to determine approaches for achieving sustainable forest management. We arguethat despite major differences in the ecology and biogeography of these two forest types, a sharedpattern in the history of exploitation may provide lessons for achieving sustainable managementacross forest types. While advanced silvicultural understanding has long been achieved in both for-est types, this in itself has not led to either sustainable management or to public acceptance of forestmanagement regimes. In both areas an early, rapid expansion of uncontrolled timber removal and inthe number of operating timber mills was followed by controlled exploitation, a rapid decline in thenumbers of mills and, more recently, a general decline in yield. In neither case was increased con-cern about conservation responsible for the reduction in either yield or in employment in the indus-try. Rather, in WA jarrah forests, amendments in purpose and tenure were subsequent to the loss ofmost mills and towns, while in southern Africa’s Afromontane forests, timber workers were pen-sioned by 1939 because of scanty remaining merchantable timber. In the jarrah forests, we believethat the conflict generated by conservation concerns, reduced timber industry employment, and re-duced benefits flowing to the communities adjacent to the logged forests, has fueled dissatisfactionwith forest management outcomes. This has led to a new process in the preparation of forest man-agement plans. Increased accountability and more realistic expectations of timber yield followingproductivity declines may mean the current plan for the forests of Western Australia can be used asan example to achieve sustainability in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. However, general accep-tance of management regimes may not be achieved until the scale of logging operations is matchedwith local sustainability criteria. Increasing the area of reserves will not accelerate this process, butrather may impede it. Setting conservative overall yield estimates, and achieving local sustainabil-ity seem both to be necessary to achieve general acceptance of management regimes. A sustainablemanagement system appears to have been achieved in the Afromontane forests and has led to thedevelopment and maintenance of support for small-scale operations to supply local timber needsfrom State managed forests. In both environments such a process is achievable because of the highvalue and specialized nature of the native forest timber resource, and because of the increasingavailability of general purpose timber from plantations
Sustained unsustainability? An evaluation of evidence for a history of overcutting in the jarrah forests of Western Australia and its consequences for fauna conservation
No full textIn 1996, Government directives began a transition to conform logging in Western Australia’s State forests to principles of ecologically sustainable forest management (ESFM). To place this in a historical context, we reviewed the history of the logging of jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forests to determine whether the volume of timber extracted and the main forest management practices employed was consistent with components of ESFM. While quantitative assessment proved difficult, usually the timber cut considerably exceeded the estimated annual increment of forested lands. Overcutting often distressed professionals, who strove to regulate logging despite social, political and economic pressures. Furthermore, despite recent major reductions in permissible timber cut, areas of productive State forest have declined after conversion to alternative vestings. Thus it is important to prevent overcutting continuing in the remaining production forests.
Too few data exist on the health or condition of forest ecosystems before logging to document subtle impacts. However, overcutting has interacted with broad-scale threatening processes in their impacts on forest fauna. These changes are all associated with reluctance to invoke effective adaptive management in association with the precautionary principle. The historical survey suggests that ESFM cannot be achieved without a socio-political will to assert long-term sustainable practice in the face of short-term goals. This could be achieved in the current preparation of a new forest management plan for Western Australia
Ecological impacts of Australian Ravens on bush bird communities on Rottnest Island
No full textThe Australian Raven Corvus coronoides is a predator of the eggs and nestlings of bush birds on Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Nest predation is a threatening process of island birds, and when combined with other threatening processes, such as habitat fragmentation and degradation, sustained nest predation can cause declines in bush bird communities. The terrestrial habitats on Rottnest Island have been historically fragmented through land clearing, so concern was raised by the Rottnest Island Authority regarding the impact of the Australian Raven on bush bird communities. The aims of this study were to describe the ecology of the Australian Raven on Rottnest Island, in particular the feeding ecology, and to evaluate how important bush birds are in the diet of the Australian Raven.
To determine the rate of nest predation by the Australian Raven, an artificial nest experiment was conducted over four months from August to November, over six study sites. The diet of the Australian Raven was analysed by laboratory examination of raven stomach samples. In addition, observational data collected at the study sites during the study period was used to quantify the behaviour, abundance and distribution of ravens, and compared to bush bird distribution on Rottnest Island.
During this study, ravens predated 20% of the artificial nests, indicating a high capacity for potential population impacts. Nest predation was confirmed by the presence of birds in the stomach contents of ravens from Rottnest, but plant material and invertebrates were found to be more important in the diet. The Australian Raven prefers the disturbed and urban habitat areas of Rottnest Island for feeding, roosting and breeding. Bush birds avoid these areas, and prefer remnant and revegetated areas.
The results of this study have identified the Australian Raven as a potential predator of nesting bush birds on Rottnest Island. However, restoration of island vegetation may be having a positive effect on bush bird communities that outweighs losses of eggs and nestlings to ravens. In view of these results, continued management of the raven population is recommended as a precautionary approach so that the impacts of nest predation on bush birds are limited. Meanwhile, the population dynamics of selected bush birds can be assessed to confirm that they are recovering in response to habitat restoration programs
Towards sustainable management: Southern Africa's Afromontane, and Western Australia's Jarrah forests
No full textWe review the history of forest management in two southern hemisphere forest types: Western Australia's jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forests and the Afromontane forests of southern Africa to determine approaches for achieving sustainable forest management. We argue that despite major differences in the ecology and biogeography of these two forest types, a shared pattern in the history of exploitation may provide lessons for achieving sustainable management across forest types. While advanced silvicultural understanding has long been achieved in both forest types, this in itself has not led to either sustainable management or to public acceptance of forest management regimes. In both areas an early, rapid expansion of uncontrolled timber removal and in the number of operating timber mills was followed by controlled exploitation, a rapid decline in the numbers of mills and, more recently, a general decline in yield. In neither case was increased concern about conservation responsible for the reduction in either yield or in employment in the industry. Rather, in WA jarrah forests, amendments in purpose and tenure were subsequent to the loss of most mills and towns, while in southern Africa's Afromontane forests, timber workers were pensioned by 1939 because of scanty remaining merchantable timber. In the jarrah forests, we believe that the conflict generated by conservation concerns, reduced timber industry employment, and reduced benefits flowing to the communities adjacent to the logged forests, has fueled dissatisfaction with forest management outcomes. This has led to a new process in the preparation of forest management plans. Increased accountability and more realistic expectations of timber yield following productivity declines may mean the current plan for the forests of Western Australia can be used as an example to achieve sustainability in Mediterranean forest ecosystems. However, general acceptance of management regimes may not be achieved until the scale of logging operations is matched with local sustainability criteria. Increasing the area of reserves will not accelerate this process, but rather may impede it. Setting conservative overall yield estimates, and achieving local sustainability seem both to be necessary to achieve general acceptance of management regimes. A sustainable management system appears to have been achieved in the Afromontane forests and has led to the development and maintenance of support for small-scale operations to supply local timber needs from State managed forests. In both environments such a process is achievable because of the high value and specialized nature of the native forest timber resource, and because of the increasing availability of general purpose timber from plantations
Postage stamps as teaching aids in biology
No full textCollections of 50-100 postage stamps illustrating many organisms or biomedical topics are available widely and cheaply. They are valuable stimulus material for exercises as diverse as observing and describing, studying biological classification, substituting for collecting and preserving real specimens, describing health education campaigns, and introducing ethical topics such as scientific fraud
Song sharing and repertoire change as indicators of social structure in the Noisy Scrub-bird
No full textThe Endangered Noisy Scrub-bird is a small passerine that is seldom seen but often heard in its range on the south coast of Western Australia. The difficulties in observing this cryptic bird mean that little is known about its social system. The loud, conspicuous territorial song of the male provides a convenient, non-intrusive means by which to study this species.
The aim of this project was to investigate the patterns of song sharing and repertoire change in the Noisy Scrub-bird to provide indications of the social structure. It was found that groups of up to ten territorial males shared the same set of about five song types. Song groups were discrete, with members of a song group sharing most, if not all, of their song types. Males from different song groups had no song types in common.
Repertoire change was rapid and, with the exception of one individual, was found in every territorial male studied in the Mt Gardner population. It occurred simultaneously in all members of a song group, with males making the same changes to their shared songs. The source of repertoire change was mainly modification of existing song types with occasional divergence of a single song type into two distinct song types, as well as some innovation providing new song types. The average life of a song type was approximately 6 months. Although some song types persisted for the entire 16 month sampling period, they were continually modified and a year later could no longer be recognised as the same type.
Translocation of eight male scrub-birds to the Porongurup National Park provided an opportunity to combine individuals that initially did not share any songs. This allowed the process of song group formation to be studied. Within a one to two month period these males altered their songs so that they shared with their new neighbours. There was some evidence that the songs of dominant males were copied. Observation of the population established on Bald Island by translocation confirmed that there were no appreciable long-term effects on the songs of translocated Noisy Scrub-birds. Song group size, repertoire size and levels of song sharing were very similar to those found in the Mt Gardner population.
The striking feature of Noisy Scrub-bird song groupings was their discreteness and cohesiveness even in the presence of continual repertoire change. It is suggested that each song group consists of a dominant male whose songs are more attractive to females and/or effective in territory defence. This dominant male is surrounded by subordinate males that copy his effective songs. Repertoire change can be explained by the dominant male continually making changes to his songs, with the other males copying these changes to retain their mimicked effectiveness. Each song group may in fact represent a dispersed lek. The scenario suggested to explain Noisy Scrub-bird song groupings bears striking similarities to the hotshot hypothesis to explain lek formation whereby males cluster around a successful male.
This study demonstrates the potential of using song to investigate aspects of the social system of a species which is otherwise very difficult to observe. Management of an Endangered species such as the Noisy Scrub-bird will always benefit from increased knowledge about their social system. For example, this study showed that taking males from different song groups for translocation probably has little impact on their success at the new site because of their ability to rapidly alter their songs to form new song groups. An additional benefit of regularly monitoring the songs of translocated males was that it allowed ongoing identification of individuals, even though their songs were continually changing
Evaluating the research impact of Australia’s state natural history museums
No full textThis study is a bibliometric assessment of the research output of Australia’s mainland State Natural History Museums (ASNHMs), covering all literature published by these museums within the Scopus database from 1981 – 2020. ASNHMs include the Australian Museum (Sydney), Western Australian Museum (Perth), South Australian Museum (Adelaide), Queensland Museum (Brisbane), and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (Darwin). The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery was excluded because of its modest size and research output. The National Museum of Australia is also excluded because it is concerned primarily with social history.
ASNHMs are a vital repository of the range of Australia's unique biodiversity.
They hold invaluable collections of natural history specimens that are major contributors to the taxonomic and systematic research of national and global biodiversity. Conserving biodiversity is a great challenge, and ASNHMs play a vital role in contributing to research and the implementation of plans to conserve Australia’s flora and fauna, known often for its high level of endemism and vulnerability in the face of climate change, habitat destruction, and threats from introduced pests and diseases.
This research reveals that ASNHM research is prolific, covers many topics, and is amongst some of the most influential literature in the world. The ASNHM’s published 9,770 papers over the study period, rising from 38 in 1981 to 529 in 2020. Four areas predominated, comprising in total almost 80% of the entries in all year blocks: Agricultural and Biological Sciences – 1981-1985 (n = 171, 44.42%) through to 2016- 2020 (n = 1960, 47.85%).
Earth and Planetary Sciences - 1981-1985 (n = 83, 21.56%) through to 2016-2020 (n = 439, 10.72%).
Environmental Science – 1981-1985 (n = 56, 14.55%) through to 2016-2020 (n = 553, 13.50%).
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology – (1981-1985 n = 15, 3.90%) through to 2016-2020 n = 358, 8.74%).
The rise in publications in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology reflects the growing significance of this discipline in museum work.
Analysis of the 50 most highly cited papers over this period revealed that the number of citations ranged from 299 – 1,793, with most papers coming from the subject areas Agricultural and Biological Sciences (39%) and Multidisciplinary (27%). A Field- Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) was available for 46 of the top 50 papers, with a range of 1.35 to 80.95 (mean 13.45). A FWCI of 1 indicates a paper performing at the average for its discipline, so these papers clearly outperformed others in their field.
All preceding analyses assume that all museum work is being captured through conventional searches of Scopus. By searching for the records of two long-standing museum researchers in Scopus secondary documents (documents not listed in Scopus but cited by documents are in Scopus), the comprehensiveness of a conventional search could be checked. The secondary document searches revealed a large body of scholarship that was not detected by conventional database searches. One author had nearly 300 entries in secondary documents and the other over 200. These large bodies of scholarship generated h-indices of 23 and 17 respectively. Thus, conventional searches underestimate the extent of research publications from ASNHM researchers.
ASNHM researchers have achieved their strong record through high collaboration with universities, government agencies, conservation organisations and other leading authorities in protecting ecosystems and wildlife, hitting high notes in topics of great social, environmental and economic importance.
This research highlights the importance of research conducted by ASNHMs, their scientists and their affiliates, their collaboration within Australia and internationally. In documenting the range of research conducted by ASNHMs, this study heroes the significance of this collective research in the face of ever-increasing budget constraints that threaten the existence of museum research
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