Research
Current Projects
Contact Information: |
Telephone |
+618 9368 3333 |
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FAX |
+618 9368 1205 |
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Postal address |
Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 |
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Website |
Further development of feral pig baits and control strategies
Funding Source: NHT (Bureau of Rural Sciences)
Principal Investigator: Laurie Twigg
Duration: 2003-2006
Synopsis: This project will test a range of bait mediums in cropping and rangeland situations in Western Australia. Project will involve collaboration with interstate counterparts to improve the effectiveness of baiting strategies.
Assessment of risks posed by exotic vertebrates in Australia
Funding Source: NHT (Bureau of Rural Sciences)
Principal Investigator: Marion Massam
Duration: 2003-2006
Synopsis: This project will use the risk assessment model developed by the Bureau of Rural Sciences to assess the threat posed to agriculture by a selection of exotic vertebrates already present in Australia (in captivity and newly established). A risk assessment of these species will assist State/Territory governments to make informed management decisions about the import and keeping of exotic vertebrates.
Estimating the cost of a starling incursion in WA
Project type: Management
Organisation:
ACIL Tasman (Pty)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Invasive Animal CRC
Principal Investigator(s): John Roberts (ACIL Tasman)
Duration: 2006
Objectives: To provide an estimate of the cost of a starling incursion to WA. Consultancy was undertaken by the firm ACIL Tasman for the industry and community WA Starling Reference Group. It was funded by the IA CRC. Alternative contacts are Tony Peacock (IA CRC) and Andrew Woolnough (DAFWA).
Preliminary investigation into the molecular ecology of the introduced rainbow lorikeet in the south-west of Western Australia
Project type: Research
Organisation: DAFWA, Murdoch University
Funding Source, Collaborators: DAFWA, Murdoch University
Principal Investigator(s): Peter Spencer (Murdoch University) and Andrew Woolnough (DAFWA)
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Objectives: To examine potential relationships between roost sites and foraging sites in the Perth metropolitan area.
Community surveillance of common starlings
Project type: Management
Organisation: DAFWA, Birds Australia Western Australia (BA WA), South Coast Regional Information Planning Team (SCRIPT)
Funding Source, Collaborators: SCRIPT, DAFWA, BA WA
Principal Investigator(s): Andrew Woolnough & Garry Gray (DAFWA)
Duration: 2006 - 2008
Objectives: To engage the community in starling surveillance
Developing the Judas technique into an operational tool for the targeted surveillance of starlings
Project type: Research
Organisation: DAFWA, South Coast Regional Information Planning Team (SCRIPT)
Funding Source, Collaborators: SCRIPT, DAFWA
Principal Investigator(s): Andrew Woolnough (DAFWA)
Duration: 2006 - 2008
Objectives: To develop the Judas technique for starlings from a research tool to an operational tool.
Investigations into the use of nest boxes by European starlings
Project type: Research
Organisation: DAFWA, South Coast Regional Information Planning Team (SCRIPT)
Funding Source, Collaborators: SCRIPT, DAFWA
Principal Investigator(s): Andrew Woolnough (DAFWA) & Chris Powell (DAFWA/SCRIPT)
Duration: 2006 - 2008
Objectives: To invesigate the use of nest boxes by starlings and other species in south-east WA and to develop a starling-specific nest box.
Rainbow lorikeets in WA
Project type: Management
Organisation: Rainbow Lorikeet Working Group
Funding Source, Collaborators: WA Department of Agriculture and Food, Agriculture Protection Board WA, WA Department of Environment and Conservation, Grape Growers Association of WA and others
Principal Investigator(s): Maxinne Sclanders (Rainbow Lorikeet Working Group), Marion Massam (DAFWA), Peter Mawson (Dept Environment & Conservation)
Duration: 2004 -
Objectives: To facilitate management of lorikeets in the Perth Metropolitan Area, primarily by reducing numbers and raising awareness of the issue.
Molecular ecology of common starlings
Project type: Research
Organisation: University of New South Wales, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA), Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (SA)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Australian Research Council, DAFWA
Principal Investigator(s): Lee Ann Rollins (UNSW), Bill Sherwin (UNSW), Andrew Woolnough (DAFWA), Ron Sinclair (DWLBC)
Duration: 2004 - 2007
Objectives: To invesitgate the source of starlings in WA.
Facilitation of lorikeet management in Swan Valley
Project type: Management
Organisation: WA Department of Agriculture and Food ( DAFWA)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Rainbow Lorikeet Working Group
Principal Investigator(s): Garry Gray,Simon Merewether and Marion Massam (DAFWA)
Duration: 2007
Objectives: Facilitate crisis management of lorikeets in table and wine grape area in the Swan Valley (outskirts of Perth).
Starling research, surveillance and control in WA
Project type: Management
Organisation: WA Department of Agriculture and Food ( DAFWA)
Funding Source, Collaborators: DAFWA
Principal Investigator(s): WA Department of Agriculture and Food
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Objectives: Enhanced surveillance, research and control program to meet the following aims: 1. Definition of the geographical limits of the current starling incursion in Western Australia; 2. Establishment of a team of trained personnel capable of carrying out effective starling surveillance and control from Bremer Bay to Eucla; 3. Minimisation of the risk of spread of starlings to other parts of Western Australia; 4. Increased awareness amongst all stakeholders of the starling problem; and 5. The preparation of an eradication strategy with estimated budget and timelines.
Assessment of risks posed by exotic vertebrates in Australia
Project type: Research
Organisation: WA Department of Agriculture and Food ( DAFWA)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences
Principal Investigator(s): Win Kirkpatrick (DAFWA), Marion Massam (DAFWA), Mary Bomford (BRS)
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Objectives: Risk assessments using risk assessment model, extensive literature searches and CLIMATE software.
Extension products based on assessment of risks posed by exotic vertebrates in Australia
Project type: Extension
Organisation: WA Department of Agriculture and Food ( DAFWA)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences
Principal Investigator(s): Marion Massam (DAFWA),Win Kirkpatrick (DAFWA), Mary Bomford (BRS)
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Objectives: Production of extension leaflets for emerging vertebrate pests to raise awareness.
Weed dispersal by birds
Project type: Research
Organisation: WA Department of Agriculture and Food ( DAFWA)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS), WA Museum, Murdoch University
Principal Investigator(s): Dr Laurie Twigg
Duration: 3 years, 2007 -
Objectives: Determine the consumption, viability, and passage-time of seeds ingested by some Australian birds. Identify weeds most likely to be spread by birds. Identify bird species known to consume weed seeds. Develop recommendations for weed management.
Lorikeet Trapping
Project type: Management
Organisation: WA Dept Environment & Conservation (DEC)
Funding Source, Collaborators: DEC
Principal Investigator(s): Dr Peter Mawson
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Objectives: To evaluate methods of controlling rainbow lorikeets in metropolitan Perth.
Baudins cockatoo and the pome fruit industry in south-west WA
Project type: Research
Organisation: WA Dept Environment & Conservation (DEC)
Funding Source, Collaborators: Black Cockatoo Fruit Protection Committee
Principal Investigator(s): Minister for the Environment
Duration: Completed
Objectives: Develop best practice scaring extension materials for orchardists in fruit growing areas in the south-west.
Feral corella control in Perth
Project type: Management
Organisation: WA Dept Environment & Conservation (DEC)
Funding Source, Collaborators: DEC
Principal Investigator(s): Dr Peter Mawson
Duration: 2004 - 2007+
Objectives: To eradicate the feral corella population in metropolitan Perth.
Feral corella control in Albany and Denmark
Project type: Management
Organisation: WA Dept Environment & Conservation (DEC)
Funding Source, Collaborators: DEC
Principal Investigator(s): Dr Peter Mawson
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Objectives: To eradicate the feral corella populations in Albany and Denmark.
