Zoology & Ecology

Saul Chemonges

Saul Chemonges

Daniel Montesinos Torres

Daniel Montesinos Torres

Claire Gely

Claire Gely

Ben Hirsch

Ben Hirsch

Stephen Williams

Stephen Williams

Myles Menz

Myles Menz

Martijn van de Pol

Martijn van de Pol

Slade Allen-Ankins

Slade Allen-Ankins

Noel Preece

Noel Preece

Conrad Hoskin

Conrad Hoskin

Ecoacoustics Training Modules
Lin Schwarzkopf
30 Jun 2025 - 01 Jul 2026
Development of four one hour training ecoacoustic research training modules. Each module will be delivered by zoom and recorded. Materials and recordings will all be made available under a CC BY 4.0 open access licence which acknowledges DCCEEW NSW and has their logo. Deadline for delivery 1 March 2026
Listening to Country – Acoustic data storage, analysis and deployment support
Lin Schwarzkopf
19 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2028
This is a project with the Threatened Species Operations (TSO), Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, QLD government. TSO is supporting Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger organisations to undertake landscape scale acoustic montoring projects. Each team will be conducting tailored projects that focus on threatened species. Acoustic data will be used to monitor presence and absence of threatened species, population density and movement and threatening processes such as pest species. Data collected by ranger groups is to stored and analysed with reports provided to the contributors. The reporting process is to provided in a fit for purpose manner that suits the needs of the contributors. TSO, JCU and partners will provide pre and post deployment training workshops that provide participants with practical skills in deployment, data collection and monitoring project design
Understanding the ecology and behaviour of platypus in far North Queensland
Tasmin Rymer
01 Apr 2025 - 01 Apr 2028
Our study seeks to understand the ecology and behaviour of genetically isolated and understudied platypuses in far north Queensland. While platypuses were classified as “near threatened” by the IUCN in 2016, most research has been confined to populations in NSW and Victoria. Far north Queensland uniquely hosts platypuses in a predominantly rainforest environment, yet formal region-specific ecological knowledge is lacking. To address this, we aim to 1) assess the presence and relative abundance of platypuses in the Atherton Tablelands, 2) quantify population demographics, and 3) quantify local resource availability and quantify carrying capacity. These efforts will help us establish a baseline understanding of the population’s overall health and longevity and cultivate a more nuanced understanding of the population’s unique characteristics and life history. Developing such knowledge is critical to informing current and future regional management and conservation efforts of this iconic Australian species in a rainforest biome. This project will work closely with local stake holders and conservation efforts, mainly Dulguburra Yidinji traditional owners and the Yungaburra Landcare Group who share a vested interest in the project’s findings.
The ecology of endangered and widespread species in the Vincetoxicum genus.
Daniel Montesinos Torres
12 Aug 2025 - 12 Aug 2028
The study of a rare and endangered plant species ecology, information from which we can protect the species and preserve the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics.
The ecology of endangered and widespread species in the Vincetoxicum genus.
Peter Yeeles
12 Aug 2025 - 12 Aug 2028
The study of a rare and endangered plant species ecology, information from which we can protect the species and preserve the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics.
Synthesis of acoustic data streams from TERN sites
Lin Schwarzkopf
30 Jul 2025 - 02 Aug 2027
Analysing data to produce a data product for TERN synthesising audio and FLUX data streams
Adaptation to habitat fragmentation: dispersal and evolution in an Australian bird
Tasmin Rymer
01 Oct 2025 - 27 Feb 2026
I propose to examine the effect of habitat fragmentation on potential for microevolutionary responses in helping and dispersal using the iconic Australian red-winged fairy-wren as a model system.
Improving tomato commercial outcomes through enhanced vigour and grafting success
Lucas Cernusak
26 Jun 2025 - 25 Jun 2026
Our aim is to deliver faster-growing, higher-yielding, healthier tomato plants to benefit Australia’s $570M tomato horticultural industry. Leveraging university expertise and IP in seed germination, plant physiology, and bioelectricity, we are partnering with Rainstick, a globally unique startup developing electric treatments for seeds and plants. The current TRL of 3 reflects proof-of-concept experiments in which Rainstick’s Variable Electric Field (VEF) treatments in tomatoes and other species can induce significant increases in crop growth and yield. By project completion, we expect to be at TRL 5, ready for at-scale trials in commercial facilities, aided by a business plan developed with Main Sequence Ventures.
Breeding Biology, Movement Ecology, and Conservation Genetics of the Endangered Black-throated Finch
Lyanne Brouwer
21 Oct 2025 - 21 Oct 2027
This research project aims to conserve the endangered Southern Black-throated Finch by using a comprehensive methodological approach. Utilizing automated radio telemetry, the study will track the finch's movement patterns and habitat utilization. Observations of breeding behavior will identify reproductive constraints and factors influencing nesting success. Additionally, population genetics will be analyzed through whole-genome sequencing of both new and historic samples to assess genetic diversity and trends. This integrative study will provide vital ecological insights and inform effective conservation actions in the bird's remaining habitats in the Townsville Coastal Plains.
Understanding population growth time lags in invasive species: Chital deer as a model system. (Old ID 26559)
Ben Hirsch
11 Oct 2019 - 09 Oct 2025
Lags in population growth of introduced species are common, but poorly understood. Chital deer (Axis axis) are an invasive species introduced to Australia over 130 years ago, but their numbers have only increased dramatically in the past 30-40 years. We will use data collected from wild animals, landholder surveys, and computer simulation models to clarify causes of sudden population expansion in more detail. Understanding lags will allow us to understand their causes, and better control populations of invasive species. By predicting drivers of rapid population growth, we can better mitigate the associated economic and environmental costs of invasive species.
Title: NWO Rubicon Fellow, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Reseracher: Martijn van de Pol (Associate Professor, Mathematical Modelling)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2007
End Date: 01 Jan 2009
Title: Max Planck Society Visiting Scholar, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Reseracher: Martijn van de Pol (Associate Professor, Mathematical Modelling)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2007
End Date: 01 Jan 2007
Title: PhD, Groningen University
Reseracher: Martijn van de Pol (Associate Professor, Mathematical Modelling)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2001
End Date: 01 Jan 2006
Title: BSc & MSc, Utrecht University
Reseracher: Martijn van de Pol (Associate Professor, Mathematical Modelling)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1994
End Date: 01 Jan 2001
Title: EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship
Reseracher: Lyanne Brouwer (Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2018
Title: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award fellowship
Reseracher: Lyanne Brouwer (Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2013
Title: Rubicon fellowship
Reseracher: Lyanne Brouwer (Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2008
Title: Mainstream Aquaculture, Modelling of biogeochemical process present within fish-farm systems
Reseracher: Alex Cheesman (Research Fellow)
Title: Lecturer (0.4 FTE), James Cook University
Reseracher: Lyanne Brouwer (Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
End Date: 01 Jan 2023
Title: Assistant Professor, Radboud University
Reseracher: Lyanne Brouwer (Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2020
End Date: 01 Jan 2021