Research

Bringing back biodiversity

Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction of any continent. How can we rebuild these depauperate mammal communities? What effects do reintroductions have on recipient ecosystems?

The need to conserve remaining natural areas is clear, but can we use 'refaunation' to restore the structure and function of our ecosystems and turn the tide on the biodiversity crisis?

The eastern quoll

Murunguny (in the Indigenous Ngunnawal language, illustrations by Cat Cotsell) is a small carnivorous marsupial that was once widespread in south-eastern Australia. It became extinct on the mainland in the 1960s, due to predation by introduced predators, human encroachment on their habitat, disease, and deliberate persecution.

The last stronghold for the species was Tasmania, although climate change and deforestation are putting these populations at risk. To avoid losing this species entirely, we need to create insurance populations.

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary

During my PhD I aimed to experimentally restore the eastern quoll to its Country in Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, in the Australian Capital Territory.

This research is part of the Australian Research Council-funded Bringing Back Biodiversity project, which has already reintroduced a number of species into this sanctuary, including the eastern bettong.

An experimental reintroduction

This project is part of a rare example of sequenced, multi-species reintroductions within a long-term designed experimental framework in Australia. This is the first time such a multi-species reintroduction has been attempted within such an integrated experimental framework.

The results will have enormous implications for both fundamental and applied ecology, providing critical insights into how to combine species reintroductions with ecosystem restoration to improve management and resilience of Australia’s woodlands.

Paving the road to recovery

During my now-completed PhD, I explored how tactics, trials, behaviour, and movement in the eastern quoll could be used to inform adaptive management for species recovery of the eastern quoll. By developing frameworks using this case study species, I hope that other practitioners can make progress towards their conservation goals.

My final seminar is available on YouTube, and my thesis is hosted on ANU Open Research and Research Gate.

Partnership

The eastern quoll reintroduction is a part of the long-term Mulligans Flat–Goorooyarroo Woodland Experiment, and is one of the major collaborative research projects between:

Illustration by Madeleine Tranter Creative