There have been some big movements in the department over the last few months. At the beginning of 2023, we transitioned from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to the new Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The changes allow for better connections across sectors and put us in the best position to strengthen our research ties to continue delivering Science that Matters for Victoria's environment and community. 

This issue of our eNews highlights the diverse range of work that we do. Find out about our research and partnerships that are supporting the recovery of a charismatic frog, working to understand how people connect with nature, and using inventive technologies to count animals.   

Keep well,

Fern Hames 

Director | Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 

ARI researchers are leading research to understand, test and track the best ways to help Victorians value nature. This helps to uncover why people value nature, to engage people in science and biodiversity conservation, and highlight ways that we can get more people connected to nature.  

The Watson’s Tree Frog is a rare, hard to find species that is in decline across Victoria because of disease, habitat loss and climate change. To help conserve this little frog, ARI researchers have been collaborating with different groups to undertake genetic studies, habitat restoration and acoustic surveys. 

It is a very difficult task to effectively estimate the number of animals across large areas, such as the whole of Victoria. To tackle this problem, ARI researchers use powerful modelling techniques, combined with novel survey techniques, to better understand fauna populations and support the management of wild animal populations. 

Recent editions of our Terrestrial Quarterly Update and our Aquatic Quarterly Update - Influence are now available.  

They feature an update on ARI's bat research, results from surveys tracking forest recovery in the Dandenong Ranges after windstorms, and insights into the effectiveness of River Blackfish translocations. 

Interested in receiving these directly? All are welcome to sign up! 

Bruce, M.J., Bryant, D.B., Kohout, M., Macak, P.V., Batpurev, K. and Sinclair, S.J., (2023). Southern brown bandicoots, Isoodon obesulus obesulus, occupy the margins of artificial waterways, in preference to bushland remnants or roadside vegetation. Wildlife Research 50 (1), 68-75   

Herr, A., Merrin, L.E., Mitchell, P.J., O’Grady, A.P., Holland, K.L., Mount, R.E., Post, D.A., Pavey, C. and Sparrow, A., (2023). A generalised ecohydrological landscape classification for assessing ecosystem risk in Australia due to an altering water regime. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, online early 

Humphries, T., Turville, C., Sinclair, S.J., and Florentine, S., (2022). An integrated approach for the restoration of Australian temperate grasslands invaded by Nassella  trichotoma. Sci Rep 12, 21364  

Ladouceur, E. and 42 authors including Moore, J.L. (2022). Linking changes in species composition and biomass in a globally distributed grassland experiment. Ecology Letters, 25 (12), 2699-2712 

Lilleyman, A., Rogers, D.I., O'Brien, G., Minton, C.D.T. and Garnett, S.T., (2022). Roost site fidelity of the Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris on the non-breeding grounds. Wader Study 129 (2), 119-125  

O’Connor, J., Morrongiello, J., Ayres, R., Amtstaetter, F., Koster, W., Kitchingman, A., Cowell, T., Bowler, M. and Hale, R. (2023). Understanding movement and habitat use to guide reintroductions and habitat rehabilitation for a nonmigratory freshwater fish. Restoration Ecology e13869 

Platt, S. and Hames, F. (2023). Citizen science for biodiversity benefit. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 355. Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Heidelberg, Victoria  

Ramsey, D., Anderson, D., and Gormley, A. (2023). Invasive species eradication: how do we declare success? Cambridge Prisms: Extinction 1 (4), 1-8 

Robley, A., Moloney, P. and Le Duc, E., (2023). Glenelg Ark — 2021 monitoring and evaluation update. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 351. Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Heidelberg, Victoria 

Trouve, R., Jiang, R., Fedrigo, M., White, M., Kasel,S., Baker, P.J. and  Nitschke,  C.R., (2023). Combining environmental, multi-spectral, and LiDAR data improves forest type classification: a case study on mapping cool-temperate rainforests and mixed-forests. Remote Sensing 15 (1) 

van Eeden, L.M., Francis, L., Squires, Z.E., Hames, F., Bekessy, S., Smith, L., and Hatty, M., (2023). Demographic and spatial variables associated with spending time in nature during COVID-19 lockdowns. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 82, e127895 

Voss, L., Huaman, J., Tolpinrud, A., Pacioni, C., Helbig, K., Carvalho, T. and Firestone, S.M. (2022).  Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in wild deer populations in eastern Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal 101 (3), 106-114 

White, L.C. (2023). Examining the thylacine’s first extinction using ancient DNA. In: The History, Ecology and Loss of the Tasmanian Tiger.  

Our most recent seminar highlighted management practices to protect wildlife and the environment. Dr Graeme Coulson (University of Melbourne) discussed the use of translocation to manage land-locked kangaroo populations and Dr. Matthew Rees (CSIRO) discussed whether fox control might influence feral cat populations. 

A recording of this seminar will be available soon on our seminars web page.

To receive ARI seminar series email alerts, including webinar (live online viewing) details and follow-up links to recordings, use the ‘Subscribe to ARI’ button on our website, or email us at research.ari@delwp.vic.gov.au 

If you know someone who may like to receive the ARI eNews, feel free to forward this email on to them. If this has been forwarded on to you there is an option to sign-up below, or use the ‘Subscribe’ button on our website, or email research.ari@delwp.vic.gov.au to be added to the ARI eNews mailing list. 

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