Dissertations / Theses: 'Wildlife management – Australia'

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au, jporsini@bigpond net, and Jean-Paul Orsini. "Human impacts on Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, hauled out on Carnac Island (Perth, Western Australia): implications for wildlife and tourism management." Murdoch University, 2004. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20040520.154341.

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Over the last 15 years, pinniped tourism has experienced a rapid growth in the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly in Australia and New Zealand where at least four sites attract more than 100,000 visitors per year. Tourism focused on the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), a protected species endemic to Australia, occurs in at least nine sites in South Australia and Western Australia. Australian sea lions haul out on several offshore islands in the Perth region. Carnac Island Nature Reserve is one of the main sites where people can view sea lions near Perth, either during recreational activities or on commercial tours. This study sought: (1) to investigate the potential impact of human visitors on Australian sea lions hauled out on Carnac Island, (2) to consider implications of the results for the management of Carnac Island Nature Reserve, and (3) to examine under which conditions tourism and recreation around sea lions can be sustained in the long term. Sea lion numbers, rate of return to the site, behavioural response to human presence and incidents of disturbances of sea lions by visitors were recorded over a period of four months on Carnac Island. A survey of 207 visitors was also carried out. Findings indicated that there were two main types of human impacts on the sea lions: A specific state of sea lion vigilance induced by low level, but ongoing, repetitive disturbances from human presence, sustained at various approach distances ranging to more than 15 m, vigilance that is different from the behaviour profile observed in the absence of human disturbance, Impacts resulting from incidental direct disturbances of sea lions by visitors from inappropriate human recreational activities or from visitors trying to elicit a more active sea lion response than the usual sleeping or resting behaviour on display; these impacts included sea lions retreating and leaving the beach, or displaying aggressive behaviour. Impacts on sea lions from these disturbances may range from a potential sea lion physiological stress response to sea lions leaving the beach, a reduction in the time sea lions spend hauling out, and, in the longer term, the risk of sea lions abandoning the site altogether. Repeated instances of visitors (including unsupervised young children) approaching sea lions at very short distances of less than 2.5 m represented a public safety risk. Results also indicated that (1) the numbers of sea lions hauled out and their rate of return to the beach did not appear to be affected by an increase in the level of human visitation (although longer-term studies would be required to confirm this result); and (2) there appeared to be a high turnover rate of sea lions at the site from day to day, suggesting that there are frequent arrivals and departures of sea lions to and from Carnac Island. The visitor survey indicated that many visitors to Carnac Island had a recreational focus that was not primarily directed towards sea lion viewing (incidental ecotourists). Although many visitors witnessed incidental disturbance caused by humans to sea lions, they did not seem to recognise that they themselves could disturb sea lions through their mere presence. Visitors also seemed to have a limited awareness of the safety risk posed by sea lions at close range. Visitors expressed support for the presence of a volunteer ranger on the beach and for more on-site information about sea lions. Finally, visitors indicated that they greatly valued their sea lion viewing experience. It is anticipated that the continued increase in visitation to Carnac Island from recreation and from tourism will result in intensified competition for space between humans and sea lions. Long-term impacts of human disturbances on sea lions are unknown, but a physiological stress response and/or the abandonment of haulout sites has been observed in other pinniped species. The findings of this study highlight the need to implement a long-term strategy to reduce disturbance levels of sea lions by visitors at Carnac Island to ensure that tourism and recreation around sea lions can be sustained in the long term. Recommendations include measures to control visitor numbers on the island through an equitable allocation system between various user groups, the development of on-site sea lion interpretation and a public education and awareness program, the setting up of a Sea Lion Sanctuary Zone on the main beach, ongoing monitoring of sea lion and visitor numbers and other data, and a system of training and accreditation of guides employed by tour operators.

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Orsini, Jean-Paul. "Human impacts on Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, hauled out on Carnac Island (Perth, Western Australia): implications for wildlife and tourism management." Thesis, Orsini, Jean-Paul (2004) Human impacts on Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, hauled out on Carnac Island (Perth, Western Australia): implications for wildlife and tourism management. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 2004. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/238/.

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Over the last 15 years, pinniped tourism has experienced a rapid growth in the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly in Australia and New Zealand where at least four sites attract more than 100,000 visitors per year. Tourism focused on the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), a protected species endemic to Australia, occurs in at least nine sites in South Australia and Western Australia. Australian sea lions haul out on several offshore islands in the Perth region. Carnac Island Nature Reserve is one of the main sites where people can view sea lions near Perth, either during recreational activities or on commercial tours. This study sought: (1) to investigate the potential impact of human visitors on Australian sea lions hauled out on Carnac Island, (2) to consider implications of the results for the management of Carnac Island Nature Reserve, and (3) to examine under which conditions tourism and recreation around sea lions can be sustained in the long term. Sea lion numbers, rate of return to the site, behavioural response to human presence and incidents of disturbances of sea lions by visitors were recorded over a period of four months on Carnac Island. A survey of 207 visitors was also carried out. Findings indicated that there were two main types of human impacts on the sea lions: * A specific state of sea lion vigilance induced by low level, but ongoing, repetitive disturbances from human presence, sustained at various approach distances ranging to more than 15 m, vigilance that is different from the behaviour profile observed in the absence of human disturbance, * Impacts resulting from incidental direct disturbances of sea lions by visitors from inappropriate human recreational activities or from visitors trying to elicit a more 'active' sea lion response than the usual 'sleeping or resting' behaviour on display; these impacts included sea lions retreating and leaving the beach, or displaying aggressive behaviour. Impacts on sea lions from these disturbances may range from a potential sea lion physiological stress response to sea lions leaving the beach, a reduction in the time sea lions spend hauling out, and, in the longer term, the risk of sea lions abandoning the site altogether. Repeated instances of visitors (including unsupervised young children) approaching sea lions at very short distances of less than 2.5 m represented a public safety risk. Results also indicated that (1) the numbers of sea lions hauled out and their rate of return to the beach did not appear to be affected by an increase in the level of human visitation (although longer-term studies would be required to confirm this result); and (2) there appeared to be a high turnover rate of sea lions at the site from day to day, suggesting that there are frequent arrivals and departures of sea lions to and from Carnac Island. The visitor survey indicated that many visitors to Carnac Island had a recreational focus that was not primarily directed towards sea lion viewing ('incidental ecotourists'). Although many visitors witnessed incidental disturbance caused by humans to sea lions, they did not seem to recognise that they themselves could disturb sea lions through their mere presence. Visitors also seemed to have a limited awareness of the safety risk posed by sea lions at close range. Visitors expressed support for the presence of a volunteer ranger on the beach and for more on-site information about sea lions. Finally, visitors indicated that they greatly valued their sea lion viewing experience. It is anticipated that the continued increase in visitation to Carnac Island from recreation and from tourism will result in intensified competition for space between humans and sea lions. Long-term impacts of human disturbances on sea lions are unknown, but a physiological stress response and/or the abandonment of haulout sites has been observed in other pinniped species. The findings of this study highlight the need to implement a long-term strategy to reduce disturbance levels of sea lions by visitors at Carnac Island to ensure that tourism and recreation around sea lions can be sustained in the long term. Recommendations include measures to control visitor numbers on the island through an equitable allocation system between various user groups, the development of on-site sea lion interpretation and a public education and awareness program, the setting up of a Sea Lion Sanctuary Zone on the main beach, ongoing monitoring of sea lion and visitor numbers and other data, and a system of training and accreditation of guides employed by tour operators.

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Orsini, Jean-Paul. "Human impacts on Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, hauled out on Carnac Island (Perth, Western Australia) : implications for wildlife and tourism management /." Orsini, Jean-Paul (2004) Human impacts on Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea, hauled out on Carnac Island (Perth, Western Australia): implications for wildlife and tourism management. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 2004. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/238/.

Full text

Abstract:

Over the last 15 years, pinniped tourism has experienced a rapid growth in the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly in Australia and New Zealand where at least four sites attract more than 100,000 visitors per year. Tourism focused on the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), a protected species endemic to Australia, occurs in at least nine sites in South Australia and Western Australia. Australian sea lions haul out on several offshore islands in the Perth region. Carnac Island Nature Reserve is one of the main sites where people can view sea lions near Perth, either during recreational activities or on commercial tours. This study sought: (1) to investigate the potential impact of human visitors on Australian sea lions hauled out on Carnac Island, (2) to consider implications of the results for the management of Carnac Island Nature Reserve, and (3) to examine under which conditions tourism and recreation around sea lions can be sustained in the long term. Sea lion numbers, rate of return to the site, behavioural response to human presence and incidents of disturbances of sea lions by visitors were recorded over a period of four months on Carnac Island. A survey of 207 visitors was also carried out. Findings indicated that there were two main types of human impacts on the sea lions: * A specific state of sea lion vigilance induced by low level, but ongoing, repetitive disturbances from human presence, sustained at various approach distances ranging to more than 15 m, vigilance that is different from the behaviour profile observed in the absence of human disturbance, * Impacts resulting from incidental direct disturbances of sea lions by visitors from inappropriate human recreational activities or from visitors trying to elicit a more 'active' sea lion response than the usual 'sleeping or resting' behaviour on display; these impacts included sea lions retreating and leaving the beach, or displaying aggressive behaviour. Impacts on sea lions from these disturbances may range from a potential sea lion physiological stress response to sea lions leaving the beach, a reduction in the time sea lions spend hauling out, and, in the longer term, the risk of sea lions abandoning the site altogether. Repeated instances of visitors (including unsupervised young children) approaching sea lions at very short distances of less than 2.5 m represented a public safety risk. Results also indicated that (1) the numbers of sea lions hauled out and their rate of return to the beach did not appear to be affected by an increase in the level of human visitation (although longer-term studies would be required to confirm this result); and (2) there appeared to be a high turnover rate of sea lions at the site from day to day, suggesting that there are frequent arrivals and departures of sea lions to and from Carnac Island. The visitor survey indicated that many visitors to Carnac Island had a recreational focus that was not primarily directed towards sea lion viewing ('incidental ecotourists'). Although many visitors witnessed incidental disturbance caused by humans to sea lions, they did not seem to recognise that they themselves could disturb sea lions through their mere presence. Visitors also seemed to have a limited awareness of the safety risk posed by sea lions at close range. Visitors expressed support for the presence of a volunteer ranger on the beach and for more on-site information about sea lions. Finally, visitors indicated that they greatly valued their sea lion viewing experience. It is anticipated that the continued increase in visitation to Carnac Island from recreation and from tourism will result in intensified competition for space between humans and sea lions. Long-term impacts of human disturbances on sea lions are unknown, but a physiological stress response and/or the abandonment of haulout sites has been observed in other pinniped species. The findings of this study highlight the need to implement a long-term strategy to reduce disturbance levels of sea lions by visitors at Carnac Island to ensure that tourism and recreation around sea lions can be sustained in the long term. Recommendations include measures to control visitor numbers on the island through an equitable allocation system between various user groups, the development of on-site sea lion interpretation and a public education and awareness program, the setting up of a Sea Lion Sanctuary Zone on the main beach, ongoing monitoring of sea lion and visitor numbers and other data, and a system of training and accreditation of guides employed by tour operators.

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Shuster, Gabriela. "The Management Of Feral Pig Socio-Ecological Systems In Far North Queensland, Australia." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1357345563.

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Walsh, Fiona Jane. "To hunt and to hold : Martu Aboriginal people's uses and knowledge of their country, with implications for co-management in Karlamilyi (Rudall River) National Park and the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Plant Biology, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0127.

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[Truncated abstract] This ethnoecological study examines land uses by modern Martu Aboriginal people on their country. They occupy very remote settlementsParnngurr, Punmu and Kunawarritjiin the Great and Little Sandy Deserts. In 1990, their country included Crown Lands and Rudall River National Park. The study investigated the proposition that the knowledge and practices of Martu were of direct relevance to ecosystem processes and national park management. This research commenced in the wider Australian research context of the late 1980s early 90s when prevailing questions were about the role of customary harvest within contemporary Aboriginal society (Altman 1987; Devitt 1988) and the sustainability of species-specific harvests by Australian indigenous people (Bomford & Caughley 1996). Separately, there was a national line of enquiry into Aboriginal roles in natural resource and protected area management (Williams & Hunn 1986; Birckhead et al. 1992). The field work underpinning this study was done in 19861988 and quantitative data collected in 1990 whilst the researcher lived on Martu settlements. Ethnographic information was gathered from informal discussions, semi-structured interviews and participant observation on trips undertaken by Martu. A variety of parameters was recorded for each trip in 1990. On trips accompanied by the researcher, details on the plant and animal species collected were quantified. Martu knowledge and observations of Martu behaviour are interpreted in terms of the variety of land uses conducted and transport strategies including vehicle use; the significance of different species collected; socio-economic features of bush food collection; spatio-temporal patterns of foraging; and, the 'management' of species and lands by Martu. The research found that in 1990, hunting and gathering were major activities within the suite of land uses practiced by Martu. At least 40% of trips from the settlements were principally to hunt. More than 43 animal species and 37 plant food species were reported to be collected during the study; additionally, species were gathered for firewood, medicines and timber artefacts. Customary harvesting persisted because of the need for sustenance, particularly when there were low store supplies, as well as other reasons. The weight of bush meats hunted at least equalled and, occasionally, was three times greater than the weights of store meats available to Parnngurr residents. ... Paradoxically, hunting was a subject of significant difference despite it being the principal activity driving Martu expertise and practice. There is potential for comanagement in the National Park but it remains contingent on many factors between both Martu and DEC as well as external to them. The dissertation suggests practical strategies to enhance co-management.

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Reid, Elizabeth. "Of leisure, learning and leviathan : enhancing the use of interpretation in Australian whale watching /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1999. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phr3544.pdf.

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Main, Michael Thomas. "An investigation into the spatial distribution, habitat selection and resource usage of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) inhabiting urban reserves within Perth, Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2020. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2351.

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I attempted to track a population of urban foxes in Kings Park, but due to collar failure, only one collar was retrieved. The GPS telemetry data from this fox produced home range estimates for minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel density (KD) of 0.302 km² and 0.331 km², respectively. The fox was predominantly active at night, with a ten-fold increase in movement during nocturnal periods when compared to daytime movements. Roads and man-made tracks were important for facilitating movement of the fox through its home range, with almost 97% of location fixes recorded within 100m of these features. The fox showed a preference for parrot bush Banksia sessilis shrubland and disturbed areas containing exotic weeds and revegetation, while avoiding woodlands and open spaces. Monitoring programs aimed at assessing the abundance of invasive species, as well as the severity of their impacts to the environment, are crucial for designing and implementing effective control strategies. I investigated the relative occupancy and diet of foxes at the local scale. Thirty one fox scats taken from two urban reserves revealed that medium-sized mammals, particularly brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and quenda (Isoodon fusciventer), and black rats (Rattus rattus) comprised a large proportion of fox diet. Fruits and seeds, predominantly those produced by the Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla), also contributed to a large portion of the diet of foxes. I used 21 motion cameras deployed across 10 monitoring sites to estimate fox occupancy within Kings Park. Seasonality had a significant influence on probability of occupancy and detection for foxes inhabiting Kings Park, with the highest rates of detection seen during the summer months (December-February). This spike in detections is consistent with the timing of dispersing juveniles, which are likely to be immigrating into the area in search of a suitable home range. Improving the effectiveness of conservation strategies through collaborative research is a key outcome of the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens Management Plan 2014-2019 strategic framework and implementing control measures for pest animals is a priority target for both this plan and the Bold Park Management Plan 2011-2016. Numerous methods have been used to control and/or mitigate their impacts within Australia, however, the success rates of these strategies vary. With the information gained from this investigation, it is my hope that future fox monitoring and control programs can be improved within the reserves and surrounding land uses.

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Miller, Emily Jane Biological Earth &amp Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science UNSW. "Conservation genetics and reproduction in three Australian marsupial species." Publisher:University of New South Wales. Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, 2008. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/42779.

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Many Australian marsupial species require active population management to ensure their survival in the wild. Such management should be based on a sound understanding of species biology. This thesis explores how knowledge of reproduction and genetics can be applied to the management of three Australian marsupial species faced with contrasting management scenarios. The ??vulnerable?? greater bilby is the sole remaining desert bandicoot in Australia. They are a secretive, solitary species whose mating system is unclear. This research examined temporal changes in genetic diversity within two captive breeding programs utilising different management strategies. Using seven microsatellite loci, this study found the regular translocation of new individuals into the population maintained genetic diversity. Parentage analysis revealed the bilby to have a promiscious mating system. Sires and non-sires could not be distinguished by morphological traits. The tammar wallaby is a polygynous, solitary species that is threatened on mainland Australia, but overabundant on some offshore islands. The population genetics of tammars from the Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia were examined using nine autosomal and four Y-linked microsatellite loci, and mitochondrial DNA. There was a relationship between island size, population size and genetic diversity. The Abrolhos populations have significantly lower genetic diversity and are more inbred than mainland tammars and all sampled populations were significantly differentiated. The Abrolhos and mainland populations should be treated as separate Management Units. The eastern grey kangaroo is a gregarious, polygynous species that is often locally overabundant. To determine traits influencing male reproductive success, behavioural, morphological, physiological and genetic data were examined and showed dominance status, body size and testosterone concentrations were important factors. Sires were also significantly more heterozygous and genetically dissimilar to females, than non-sires. As body condition influences individual fitness, and management decisions; five body condition indices (BCI) calculated from morphological data were validated using serum biochemistry and haematology in two kangaroo populations with contrasting body condition. Blood parameters were found to be more reliable indicators of condition, questioning the credibility of BCIs currently used in management. These studies demonstrate the importance of reproductive and genetic data in assisting wildlife management, regardless of a species conservation status.

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Alexander, Jane. "Ecology of long-tailed bats Chalinolobus tuberculatus (Forster, 1844) in the Waitakere Ranges: implications for monitoring." Lincoln University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/1682.

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The long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) is a threatened species endemic to New Zealand. Historical anecdotes indicate that long-tailed bat populations have declined. However, it is unknown if all populations have declined and if declines are historical or ongoing. Thus, the development and implementation of a national network of long-tailed bat monitoring sites is a priority of the Department of Conservation's Bat Recovery Plan. Potentially, information gained from a national monitoring programme would assist conservation managers to target resources towards those areas where bat populations are declining and provide baseline information to assist managers to gauge the impact of management techniques on bat populations. Of critical importance is that unless it can be demonstrated that long-tailed bat populations have declined and that, that decline is real, management will not be initiated. The aim of this research was to investigate aspects of the ecology of long-tailed bats that would influence the development of a monitoring programme. The distribution, roost selection, habitat use, and activity patterns of a long-tailed bat population that persisted in the Waitakere Ranges, Auckland, were investigated. A study of the Waitakere Ranges long-tailed bat population was significant because (1) the Waitakere Ranges is the northern most location at which long-tailed bats have been researched; (2) the study was the first to be conducted on a long-tailed bat population that persisted in kauri Agathis australis dominated forest remnants; (3) the long-tailed bat population in the Waitakere Ranges is the only known extant population in close proximity to a major urban area; and (4) the factors that are attributed to long-tailed bat population declines (i.e., forest clearance, predation and urbanisation; O'Donnell, 2000) are likely to be ongoing and intensified in the Waitakere Ranges. Twenty roosts were located. Most roosts (85%) were in kauri, 2 were in mature rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) and 1 was in a kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides). All roosts were in large, live, emergent trees. Mean height of roost trees was 38.4 ± 1.3 m and average DBH was 186 ± 12 cm. The entrances of six roost cavities were identified all were located in minor lateral branches in the crown of the tree and were primarily near the tip of branches. Roosts were a mean height of 24.6 ± 3.7 m above ground level. It was argued that roosts in the crowns of kauri were inaccessible to terrestrial mammalian predators. Twenty-eight roost watches were conducted. The average number of bats counted leaving roosts was 10.0 ± 1.5 (maximum = 24). Roosts were occupied by radio-tagged bats for an average of 2.0 ± 0.4 days, and 11 (55 %) were occupied for only one day. Roost size was the lowest reported for long-tailed bats. Roost switching also appeared higher than in other populations that have been studied. It was argued that morepork predation may have a significant impact on the population viability of the population. As in other studies long-tailed bats were found to forage over modified habitats including over farmland, dwellings, orchards and along streams and roads with little vehicular traffic. Long-tailed bats foraged throughout the Waitakere Ranges and their foothills. Bat activity was highly variable. Of the environmental variables analysed, temperature was found to have the greatest influence on bat activity. There were seasonal and habitat influences on bat activity. The relationship between sample sizes, variation in bat detection rates and desired statistical power using automatic bat detectors to monitor populations of bats was explored. A power analysis on activity data collected with automatic bat detectors indicated that declines in bat populations would need to be reflected in declines of greater than fifty percent in bat activity before monitoring programmes would have sufficient power to detect declines in activity. It was recommended that monitoring programmes should concentrate on intensive presence – absence surveys rather than long-term studies at a few sites.

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Davey, Stuart McDonald. "The environmental relationships of arboreal marsupials in a eucalypt forest : a basis for Australian forest wildlife management." Phd thesis, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/142232.

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Kaminski, Sascha. "The challenges for more effective management of flying foxes in Australia." Thesis, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/147198.

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Thomsen, Dana Arlene. "Managing overabundant and mobile wildlife: social and institutional dimensions of kangaroo harvest in South Australia." 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/57518.

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In South Australia, overabundant kangaroo populations are managed through commercial harvest. Kangaroo harvest rates over the past decade have averaged only 40% of the harvest quota despite strong demand for the product. With kangaroo populations increasing, the problem of low kangaroo harvest rate in South Australia requires research attention. Previous research regarding kangaroo harvest has focused on questions of biology and ecology and little attention has been directed towards advancing understanding of the human dimensions of kangaroo management. This research sought to fill this gap in knowledge. Qualitative research methods were most appropriate due to the focus on social and institutional dimensions of kangaroo management. Data were collected during interviews with people involved in commercial kangaroo harvest: landholders, harvesters and meat processors. The main topics covered were regnlations and policy, economic issues, the rights and interests of various industry stakeholders and South Australian harvest rates. The views of Aboriginal people were also sought including the significance of kangaroos to Aboriginal people, access to kangaroos for subsistence harvest, kangaroo management and the kangaroo industry. The main findings of this research are presented as a series of peer-reviewed articles: • Article I introduces the research topic and presents preliminary findings of this study. • Article 2 establishes that an increase in South Australia's low harvest rate is needed if kangaroo harvest is to make greater contributions to regional communities, and recommends institutional reform to meet this goal. • Article 3 examines the management regime for kangaroos in South Australia and shows how the informal rules in use are often incongruent with the formal rules established by management administrators. • Article 4 describes the undervalued position of landholders in the kangaroo industry and the obstacles to landholders deriving income from kangaroo harvest. • Article 5 discusses the cultural basis of Aboriginal perspectives on kangaroo harvest and includes suggestions for appropriate ways for Aboriginal people to contribute to kangaroo management. The main findings of this research were applied in a comparative study of kangaroo management with that of moose management in Finland. This study found that similar social and institutional factors impact on the management of moose and kangaroos. The broad lessons for wildlife management drawn from the comparative study are: • mobile wildlife resources require flexible management systems • stakeholder involvement is critical to management • hunters/harvesters are conservative of their resource base • declining harvester numbers need to be addressed through support, incentives and training. These lessons can be applied in part, or in whole, to other overabundant and mobile wildlife species. Thus this thesis makes contribution to kangaroo management by making specific recommendations for the industry, but also contributes to wildlife management in a broader sense through the application of findings to other species.
http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1298303
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2007

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Lentini, Pia Eloise. "The conservation value of Australia's stock route network : a multi-taxonomic approach to management and planning." Phd thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/149871.

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Stock routes have been a feature of the Australian landscape since the mid-1800s. Originally established to provide corridors of forage and shelter for livestock droved 'on the hoof', the vegetation within them remained standing while vast tracts in the surrounding landscape were cleared to make way for agriculture. However, livestock are now more commonly transported in trucks, so managing authorities no longer receive adequate income from droving permits to offset costs. At the commencement of this PhD it was being suggested that some stock routes would be lost to freehold tenure, in spite of the fact that many scientists believed them to be of great value for conservation. This project was structured into three distinct sections, aimed at providing evidence for the values of stock routes, and advice on how to best manage and plan for them into the future. The first section took the form of a literature review and spatial analysis, where I demonstrated that stock routes plays a considerable role in biodiversity conservation, recreation, tourism, preserving Indigenous cultural heritage, and as a stock refuge. I also found that they occupy fertile, low-lying areas of the landscape, and contain associated vegetation communities which have been preferentially cleared for agriculture and are under-represented in protected areas. In the second empirical section of the project I conducted surveys of three taxonomic groups which provide ecosystem services: woodland birds, wild bees, and insectivorous microbats. Data were collected from 32 stock routes which varied in width and vegetation condition, and in the fields adjacent to these stock routes. Statistical modelling was then used to quantify the response of each group to local and landscape variables characterising the survey sites. Although specific responses were different for each taxonomic group, there were some consistencies in my findings. Scattered trees in fields had a positive effect on all taxa, and the value of both native pastures and formal conservation areas close to the stock routes was also a recurring pattern. In the final section of my thesis I concentrated on the debate surrounding connectivity; whether it should be included as a goal in conservation planning, and whether this will result in trade-offs with habitat area and quality, or economic costs. It would seem logical to plan for connectivity if some stock routes are to be sold whilst others are retained for conservation purposes. Using them as a case study, I ran a Marxan minimum-set analysis which demonstrated that only certain connectivity approaches had effects on the costs and siting of reserves in conservation planning, and these effects were substantial only when conservation targets were set high. At the time of writing, the future of the stock route network remains as uncertain as it was in 2009. However, through this work I have been able to provide a much more solid foundation for potential conservation decisions than was previously available. I have also demonstrated that the stock route network is an indispensible environmental heritage asset, which should be retained and managed for conservation in perpetuity.-- provided by Candidate.

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Buchanan, Geoffrey John. "Harvest studies in hybrid economies : exploring the socioeconomics of customary wildlife use and implications for economic development in remote indigenous Australia." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/150905.

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Brawata, Renee Louise. "Is the dingo top dog? : the influence of dingo management on the behaviour of introduced carnivores in arid Australia, with implications for native fauna conservation." Phd thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/132137.

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An improved understanding of how ecosystems function is important for effective natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. Recent research suggests that top-order predators have important ecological roles in many ecosystems through controlling populations of smaller predators. This thesis examined how the management of Australia's apex predator, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo), influenced the activity and behaviour of two introduced mesopredators, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus) and select prey species. The aim was to increase our understanding of the role dingoes may play in the conservation of endangered fauna through the trophic regulation of exotic mesopredators. The study monitored the activity and behaviour of dingoes, foxes, feral cats and select prey species at five sites in arid Australia. Dingo management varied between the study sites. Sites included areas where dingoes remained uncontrolled, where dingoes were controlled through exclusion fencing and where 1080 poison baiting was conducted. At each site the activity of predators and prey, including macropods, rabbits and small vertebrates was monitored over two summers. Sampling times included prior to, three months post and one year post a significant rainfall event. Transects and scent stations were used to measure activity while behaviour was monitored through direct observation and the use of a thermal imaging camera attached to a remote recording system. Results showed the management of dingoes to be a key determinant of the activity of foxes and select prey, including macropods, rabbits and small mammals. Feral cat activity showed a positive response to both dingo and fox control through poison baiting. Dingo management also affected the activity of mesopredators around shared resources, particularly in proximity to water resources. Both feral cats and foxes showed an avoidance response to the presence of dingoes around water points, and again feral cats displayed an increased response to the removal of both canids. Habitat use by mesopredators did not appear to be affected by dingo management, and while foxes showed a behavioural avoidance response, limited data was collected on the response of feral cats to dingoes at shared food and water resources so results were inconclusive. The results of this study supported the presence of top-down regulation occurring in the arid ecosystems under some conditions and that behavioural mechanisms, such as avoidance, are important in the ability of dingoes to regulate smaller predator populations. While arid ecosystems are traditionally viewed as "bottom-up" or productivity driven, evidence from this research showed that while the strength of trophic regulation by dingoes may fluctuate, top-down effects occurred both prior to and post significant rainfall events at the study sites. In particular, strong relationships were found between dingo management, fox activity and fox behaviour at the study sites regardless of rainfall. In conclusion, it may be that dingoes provide a net benefit to prey populations, particularly medium-sized and small mammals, through reducing predatory impacts of foxes and under some conditions, feral cats. Thus retaining dingo populations in some ecosystems may assist in the management of biodiversity over the long term, including the conservation of native fauna populations susceptible to fox and feral cat predation. While further research into the trophic effects of dingoes in other bioregions is recommended, through improving our understanding of such trophic interactions, results from this research could assist managers in making more ecologically informed decisions about control of top-order carnivores in arid areas.

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Filby, Nicole E. "Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis) tourism in Port Phillip Bay, Australia: effects, implications and management." Thesis, 2016. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/32312/.

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In Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, the endemic and vulnerable Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis) is the target species of a non-consumptive, economically important, dolphin-swim industry. This industry commenced in 1986, and southern Port Phillip Bay is now a key eco-tourism destination in Victoria, with 8 permitted trips daily targeting swimming with Burrunan dolphins. Although this industry has been in operation for 29 years, understanding of the occurrence, demographics, habitat use, behaviour and effects of tourism on Burrunan dolphins is limited. This lack of empirical data is of concern as it has impeded management of the Port Phillip Bay dolphin-swim industry. To ensure the sustainability of this industry, it is imperative that sound scientific data be provided so that management can make informed decisions. This study assessed the potential effects of the dolphin-swim industry on Burrunan dolphin behaviour whilst simultaneously assessing the efficacy of different management strategies.

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Le, Roux Darren. "Maintaining and perpetuating habitat structures for wildlife in modified landscapes." Phd thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/100584.

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Landscape modification is a major global threat to terrestrial biodiversity. Managing human-modified landscapes in ecologically sustainable ways is crucial to avoid and mitigate biodiversity loss. However, practitioners (e.g. policymakers and developers) still urgently require research to inform targeted habitat protection policies, on-the-ground land management practices, and biodiversity offset strategies. My research focused on identifying ways to strategically maintain and perpetuate habitat structures for wildlife in modified landscapes. I had three objectives: (1) measure and compare the current and future availability of habitat structures; (2) quantify the biodiversity value of scattered trees; and (3) test the effectiveness of artificial nest boxes as a biodiversity offset tool. First, I conducted vegetation surveys at 300 plots in three dominant landscape contexts (reserves, pasture, urban greenspace). I found that in urban greenspace, the availability of multiple habitat structures (e.g. trees, logs, shrubs) depended upon by biota were significantly reduced compared with reserves, but comparable with agricultural land. Using a simulation model for tree populations, I also found that hollow-bearing trees were predicted to decline by an average of 87% in urban greenspace over the next 300 years under existing tree management policies. I identified that only a combination of tree management approaches can arrest this decline. Second, I completed wildlife surveys at 72 individual trees of three sizes (small, medium, large) located in four landscape contexts (reserves, pasture, urban parklands, urban built-up areas). I recorded high invertebrate, bat and bird abundance and richness at scattered trees, representing a diversity of functional guilds. Furthermore, the biodiversity value of scattered trees in modified landscapes, including even small trees, was comparable or greater than that of trees located in reserves. I also found that several smaller trees could provide habitat compensation equivalent to that of a single large tree for some bird species and in certain landscape contexts (reserves and urban built-up areas). However, this was not a suitable offset strategy for a quarter of bird species and in other landscape contexts (pasture and urban parklands). Finally, I conducted an experiment using 144 nest boxes with different entrance sizes (20, 35, 55, 75, 95 and 115 mm), secured to trees of three sizes (small, medium, large) located in four landscape contexts (reserves, pasture, urban parklands, urban built-up areas). I found that adding nest boxes to large trees resulted in an increase in tree visitation by hollow-nesting birds. However, the same response was not observed at small, medium or control trees. Nest boxes were also only occupied by common native and exotic species and are thus unlikely to be effective at ameliorating the residual impacts of hollow-bearing tree removal, especially for threatened taxa. Based on my collective findings, I recommend: (1) adopting spatial zoning tactics that aim to resolve human-habitat conflicts and retain multiple habitat structures; (2) prioritising the conservation of scattered trees over the long-term by balancing both re-vegetation and mature tree preservation strategies; and (3) exercising caution in the wide-scale application of nest box offsets. These recommendations could assist practitioners in establishing more biodiversity-sensitive modified landscapes.

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Ngeh, Lawrence. "The development of magnetic particle technology for application to environmental remediation." Thesis, 2002. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/15411/.

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The potential for the development and the application of magnetic particle technology to environmental and wildlife remediation has been explored. Initial studies have been carried out on the ability of iron particles with polyethylene (PE) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) to magnetically harvest various contaminants. In this context, methods have been developed for the production of research quantities of particles of different sizes and with various textures. The pick up characteristics for a variety of contaminants have been experimentally and theoretically investigated. In particular, a mathematical model for the characteristic adsorption isotherm has been developed and several efficiency parameters have been defined. The effects of the nature of the substrate from which the contaminant is removed and the contaminant hydrophobicity and viscosity have also been investigated. The ability of PE and PVC coated particles in the remediation of soil contaminated with various pesticides has been explored. Uncoated iron particles have also been found to be effective in the remediation of various contaminants. In particular, iron powder was found to be almost 100% effective in the magnetic harvesting of various contaminants from a glass substrate.

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Reid, Elizabeth. "Of leisure, learning and leviathan : enhancing the use of interpretation in Australian whale watching / Elizabeth Reid." Thesis, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/19701.

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Bibliography: leaves 378-402.
xviii, 402 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.), maps (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm.
Explores the status and nature of interpretation within the Australian whale watching industry, on both a national scale and as it is practiced at three diverse case study sites along the southern coast, and develops strategies which may enable this form of tourism to reach it's highest educative potential
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2000

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Markham, Amanda. "Competing interests : co-management, Aborigines and national parks in Australia's Northern Territory." Phd thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/110347.

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Since the 1970s, the joint management of national parks and other protected areas has been seen as an ideal political solution to recognising Aboriginal land rights in the Northern Territory (NT) whilst simultaneously allowing continued public access to its protected areas. Despite widespread public acceptance of the notion of joint management, an examination of the literature reveals that not only is joint management largely unproblematised, the interests and understandings about joint management held by government conservation agencies, their staff and higher levels of government is little understood. Following a determination handed down in a landmark native title case, Western Australia v. Ward in 2002, thirty-three of the NT's national parks and reserves in the Northern Territory became subject to simultaneous, widespread joint management arrangements. Consequently, this thesis focusses upon how government conservation agencies understand and implement joint management on-the-ground. As the NT's government-run conservation agency, the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) was given primary operational responsibility for implementing these new joint management agreements, an examination of the interests, organisational culture, structures and practices of the PWS, and their dialectic with the interests of other groups involved in these arrangements is the subject of this thesis. Thus, the central question posed in this study is: What does joint management mean to conservation agencies and their staff in NT? I argue that conservation agencies can be viewed as complex adaptive systems which operate in dialectic with other similar complex adaptive systems, such as land councils or Aboriginal cultures. Crucial to this approach is the identification of elements within organisations that are resilient, self-organising, dynamic and non-linear. To do this, I examine several normative cultural constructs which underlie the conceptualisation and creation of conservation agencies -national parks, conservation, and conservation agencies-arguing that these are important in understanding how the culture, structure and practices of the PWS function as a complex adaptive system, and in tum, act to influence the implementation of joint management on the ground. Within PWS's organisation the agency's strong sense of autonomy, its legislatively-derived and internally stable understanding about the agency's role and functions, its fixed notions about natural values and its inherent 'rangercentrism' comprise elements which influence and shape the nature of joint management undertaken by the agency. These elements are reproduced not only across multiple scales within the agency, but also in interactions with other groups involved in joint management.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Wildlife management – Australia'

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