2025 Seminar Series
Speaker: John A. Endler, FRS, Emeritus Distinguished Professor, School of Life and Environmental Science | Deakin University, Waurn Ponds VIC, and Adjunct Professor, TEMS and Zoology | James Cook University, Cairns
Abstract: For mobile animals it is difficult to know what their habitat requirements are and what cues that they use to find the right places. Bowerbirds provide an exceptional opportunity to investigate microhabitat location cues because their bowers are fixed within on breeding season and easy to measure. Using a hemispherical lens facing upwards to the canopy above bowerbird bowers I quantified the canopy geometry for 7 Australian bowerbird species and found that they not only differ but differ more between sympatric than allopatric species. I am also looking at the field of view from the bower entrance to investigate the ability to spot approaching predators as well as conspecific interlopers. I will soon relate both datasets to mating success. This approach could potentially be used for any species after observations of the places that they spend most time, which would allow much more specific knowledge of the good and bad habitats for a species.
Biography: John A. Endler is a fellow of the Royal Society, the Australian Academy of Science and the American Association for Arts and Science. He has broad interests in Sensory Ecology, Behavioural Ecology, Evolution, shape-based statistics, and environmental physics, and published in all of those fields. He has worked on guppies, bowerbirds, lizards, frogs, spiders and insects as well as publishing some theory. He has also collaborated with a potter and anthropologists using shape analysis to examine the formation of pottery shapes and the hierarchy of effects of traditions from family to cultures to countries. He now spends almost all time in the Cairns area and hopes to start local collaborations on subjects of mutual interest.
Speaker: Peter B Banks, Professor of Conservation Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Conservation Research Group | The University of Sydney, NSW
Abstract: Managing the impacts of problem foraging by vertebrate pests has traditionally focussed on lethal control of the pests themselves. But too often this is ineffective, inappropriate (if the pest if native) or socially unacceptable. Problem foraging is largely driven by decisions animal make to interact with vulnerable resources, and those decisions are shaped by an animal’s “information state” that changes with new information to shape future decisions.
I will show how the power of strategic misinformation can manipulate the information state of problem animals to reduce impacts or improve control. I show how it can reduce plague mice impacts on wheat crops by >70%, reduce native and introduced predator impacts on nesting birds by >70% in New Zealand and Finland, reduce browsing on vulnerable seedlings by native herbivores by >80% and more than double the trap success of pest rats. In each case I have manipulated the animals’ perceptions of its missed opportunity costs by changing how it values the information it uses to find target food. This is how a forager naturally deals with ephemeral unpredictable food. I will argue that strategic use of misinformation, that works with animal foraging motivations, is thus an effective, ethical, behavioural option to managing problem animals.
Biography: Peter Banks is a conservation scientist whose work bridges behavioural ecology and applied conservation. He leads the sensory conservation initiative at the University of Sydney, developing humane and ecologically grounded solutions to the challenges posed by invasive species. His research focuses on understanding how animals use sensory and behavioural cues—such as olfactory or acoustic signals—to make ecological decisions, and on harnessing that understanding to design novel, non-lethal tools for wildlife and ecosystem management. Over 30 years he has worked on predator:prey dynamics and forging ecology in natural, urban and agricultural ecosystems, mainly in Australia, Finland and New Zealand.
Speaker: Gary Morton, Principal Project Officer |National Electric Ant Eradication Program, Biosecurity Queensland
Abstract: Electric ants, Wasmannia auropunctata, one of the world’s top 100 worst invasive species, were first found in Smithfield, Cairns in May 2006, and a nationally funded response was initiated. Since this time, the size and length of funding of the National Electric Ant Eradication Program has varied, but the goal, the eradication of electric ants from FNQ and Australia, has continued. Gary Morton, the Program’s Principal Project Officer, will give an overview and update of the Program and discuss the difficulties of eradicating an invasive species that is inextricably linked to the human environment.
Biography: Gary Morton is the Principal Project Officer for the National Electric Ant Eradication Program, managed by Biosecurity Queensland, part of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. Gary has worked on the Program since 2007, firstly as a field officer, then the program scientist and now the Principal Project Officer. He has also worked on other eradication programs such as the National Fire Ant Eradication Program at Yarwun and the Panama TR4 Program. Furthere, he has represented Biosecurity Queensland on a number of invasive ant steering committees and was a member of the National Exotic Invasive Ant Scientific Advisory Group. Gary is a JCU alumnus, having studied for his BSc in Ecology at the Cairns campus.
Recording unavailable.
Speaker: Noel Preece, Adjunct Associate Professor, College of Science and Engineering | James Cook University
Abstract: The endangered Spectacled Flying-fox, a wet tropics specialist and keystone species, is known to have been in decline for more than 25 years. A Recovery Plan was published by the government in 2010 and ran to 2020 with almost no actions arising from the plan, other than monitoring its decline, essentially counting towards extinction. I will address a number of critical threats to the survival of the species, some not known or not anticipated in 2010. I undertook a systematic review of the literature on Spectacled Flying-foxes, the first review since 2011. Since then, major new threats have arisen – regional warming is a reality, habitat clearing has continued unabated, and diseases have continued to cause problems. I make some predictions about the future effects of new threats such as extreme temperatures, new threats from invasive ants and other pests, and the continuing loss of roost and foraging habitat. On a positive note, I will show how citizens, who may or may not have scientific training, can make a major contribution to knowledge of endangered species like the Spectacled Flying-fox.
Biography: Dr Noel Preece is a conservation scientist and practitioner working in northern Australia as an environmental consultant for over 35 years. Noel holds a PhD from Charles Darwin University, is an Adj. Associate Professor at James Cook University and Charles Darwin University and has published more than 200 scientific papers and technical reports. He is a Director on the Board of Terrain NRM, Director of Farmers for Climate Action and Chair of their GNC, and was a Lead Investigator on an ARC cost-effective carbon & biodiversity research and restoration project and Chief Investigator on a JCU ARC Linkage project on secondary regrowth in Nth Qld. Noel is researching and implementing large-scale rainforest restoration (ARC-Linkage Principal Investigator) and is studying faunal declines, thermal imaging for species monitoring, forest restoration, impacts of energy projects and threats to endangered species. Noel was a Director of the Ecological Society, Councillor of Australian Ecosystem Science Council, Councillor for EIANZ and was founding member and lead scientist on the Spectacled Flying-fox Recovery Team.
Noel is also a grazier and carbon forest project developer on his and his wife’s property in the Atherton Tablelands of far north Queensland.
Speaker: Kamaljit Sangha, Associate Professor, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods |Charles Darwin University
Abstract: Northern Australia is home to some of the world's most ecologically significant landscapes and deeply rooted Indigenous cultural traditions. In this region, Indigenous communities are not only custodians of Country but also key participants in emerging economic opportunities such as ecosystem services and nature-based markets. This talk offers insights into the Ecosystem Services approach from Indigenous perspectives. While exploring the intersection of Indigenous values, ecological stewardship, and market-based mechanisms, it highlights the opportunities and challenges that arise when traditional systems engage with modern economic systems.
Biography: Associate Professor Kamaljit K Sangha works as an outstanding future researcher in ecological economics at Charles Darwin University, Australia. Her research informs the Science-Policy interface by intersecting ecological, economic, and social sciences and highlighting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) perspectives towards nature and the management of natural resources. Her work is focused on linking ecosystem services (ES) with the well-being of Indigenous/tribal communities across northern Australia and the Western Ghats in India. She has developed unique community values-based ES valuation techniques and frameworks and is currently working on developing ground-up, culturally appropriate, nature-based economies, particularly suiting IPLCs’ context.
Kamal is the Co-Chair of the IUCN-CEESP-led Local Economies, Communities and Nature specialist group and lead author for the IPBES-led Nexus Assessment and UNEP’s Geo-7 Assessment Report.
Speaker: Dr Jens Hauslage | Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center
Abstract: Gravity, compared to other environmental factors, is the only constant stimulus that has not changed during evolution and has shaped life. This talk about Gravitational Biology provides an overview on the impact of gravity on life and current knowledge on gravity-perception in cells, plants, and animals resulting in gravitaxis and gravitropism. The talk will provide an overview of technical possibilities scientists can use to perform experiments in simulated or real microgravity as well as hypergravity on Earth and in space. Sounding rockets as a real microgravity platform will also be in the focus of this talk.
Biography: Dr Jens Hauslage is an international expert in gravitational and space biology with a PhD in Biology/Botany. Jens is the Lead of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) Aeromedical FabLab and DLR BioBase at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, DLR, Cologne, Germany. He is also an Adjunct Professor at La Trobe University since 2022. Jens studies the perception and impact of gravity on life and its development. Other areas of his research include the development of bioregenerative life support systems for space and earth applications and the design and construction of sensor systems and space experiments for microgravity platforms, e.g. sounding rockets, drop towers and satellites. Jens has been involved in over 12 sounding rocket campaigns, 15 parabolic plane flight campaigns and experiments, long-term biosatellite missions, has published in space research, and is a holder of multiple European and US patents for microgravity and space life systems technologies. To transfer his gained knowledge to the next generations, Jens is an accredited European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut trainer and teaches at several national and international universities including the annual Australian microgravity workshop at La Trobe University.
Speaker: Jean-Marc Hero, Adjunct Professor, School of Science, Technology and Engineering | The University of the Sunshine Coast
Abstract: Earth observation data capture is a rapidly expanding industry that provides comprehensive data on vegetation condition at multiple scales. Global, national and state level applications and analyses are often at a coarse scale that is unsuitable to end-users (LGA’s and landholders) that are directly responsible for land management.
In 2023 the Natural Areas Conservation unit, within the City of Gold Coast, initiated a Restoration Dynamics Project for evaluating the success of the city’s restoration program over time, prioritize restoration works, and evaluate the condition of the vegetation throughout the city. The research program expanded into Earth Observation (satellite, aerial and drone) applications to capture Light detection and Radar (LiDAR), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and multi-spectral /hyperspectral data analytics.
The CoGC formed a large collaborative team with several LGA’s (City of Logan, Sunshine Coast Council, Brisbane City Council and Scenic Rim City Council), universities (USC, GU and UQ) and industry partners (GeoImage, Airborn Insight, and Designproof studio) to execute 2 SmartSat Qld Earth Observation Hub research projects developing satellite technologies for measuring vegetation structure and identifying invasive plants. Bridging the gap between the LGA’s (who are doing most of the land management practices) and the state, national and international initiatives to develop tools for enabling end-users to apply EO technologies for evaluating restoration success, mapping and monitoring invasive plants, , biocondition assessment and disaster management.
Biography: Professor Jean-Marc Hero is a distinguished scientist with extensive experience in research, education, and project management across ecological and environmental sciences, particularly in applied conservation biology. Having held prominent academic positions at various Australian universities, he now serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast and an Honorary Professor at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK. Professor Hero has authored five books, 18 book chapters, and over 150 peer-reviewed research articles, several of which have received prestigious scholarly awards. He is currently leading the City of Gold Coast’s Restoration Dynamics Project, combining an international team of researchers with industry and local government partners to developing earth observation / remote sensing analytics for evaluating restoration success, mapping and monitoring invasive plants, biocondition assessment and disaster management.
Speaker: Dr Andrew Dennis, Project Leader, Biodiversity | Terrain NRM and Adjunct JCU
Abstract: The Spectacled flying-fox has undergone a catastrophic decline in the last two decades and the Australian Government has recognised it as a priority species, one of 110 across the nation. Terrain has taken on the task of mitigating some of these threats. I will describe and provide results from two aspects of our work: one to reduce the incidence of tick mortality on the species by controlling a noxious weed that brings it into contact with paralysis ticks; and the other to assess threats to priority camp locations across the wet tropics and assess whether interventions are warranted.
Biography: Andrew Dennis is an ecologist passionate about the conservation of our ecosystems and their wildlife, particularly threatened species. He has studied various mammals, birds and frogs of the wet tropics for decades and contributed to recovery and conservation planning in a range of species. He has also extensively studied ecological processes of seed dispersal and modelled the potential effects of threatened seed dispersers, such as the Spectacled Flying-fox, declining or becoming extinct.
Speaker: Michael R Kearney, Professor, School of BioSciences |The University of Melbourne
Abstract: Understanding the environmental limits of species is a fundamental goal of ecology and an important practical problem at a time of extreme environmental change. Models of species’ environmental constraints aim define an organism’s niche – the sequences of environments in which populations can persist. Mechanistic niche models aim to explicitly compute the heat, water, and nutritional budgets of individuals as a function of their functional traits and environments by integrating principles of metabolic theory (i.e., Dynamic Energy Budget theory), biophysical ecology and microclimatology. The outputs are predictions of activity, growth, reproduction, survivorship, and development. These responses can be mapped to space and time to infer environmental limits which, in turn, can be tested in the field. In this talk I will give a conceptual overview of mechanistic niche modelling and show how this can be practically achieved with the NicheMapR package.
Biography: Mike is currently a Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow in the School of BioSciences at The University of Melbourne. His research is focused on ways to connect what we can measure about an organism’s functional traits with what we can measure about their environments and how traits and environments change though space and time to affect distribution and abundance. From a theoretical point of view, this has led him to develop the field of ‘mechanistic niche modelling’ (and the associated software package NicheMapR), which integrates microclimate modelling, biophysical ecology and metabolic theory. His empirical work focuses on ecophysiology, life cycles and life histories, and the evolution of parthenogenesis. He does applied work in climate change, conservation and pest management and maintains his passion for natural history and fieldwork.
Speaker: Uma Ramakrishnan, Professor | National Centre for Biological Resources, Bangalore, India
Abstract: Humans have impacted and modified most of the planet, and caused unprecedented landuse change, global change and loss of biodiversity. India is a hotspot for natural habitat loss, yet many species seem to be surviving here, alongside over a billion people. But are numbers the only indicators of conservation success? Over the last two decades, we have investigated another axis of endangerment, genetic variation. In this talk, I will show you how we can understand more about tiger ecology, genetics, evolution and conservation using genomic data from wild tigers—with a focus on population connectivity, isolation and ongoing inbreeding, and using such insights to inform conservation and management. Come and hear how cutting edge genomics is being applied to one of the most charismatic carnivores on earth, and judge for yourself whether the future of tigers should include evidence-based approaches and science, or whether protection alone is enough.
Biography: Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan is a molecular ecologist and conservation geneticist and professor at NCBS since 2005. Uma has worked on standardizing methods to work with non-invasive samples in wildlife and conservation, and pioneered the use of genomic data for endangered species. Her work has contributed to our understanding of connectivity and its landscape correlates, and in identifying isolated populations. She is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She won a Molecular Ecology Prize in 2023, the SASTRA Biosciences award in 2024, and has been a Fulbright fellow, a DAE outstanding investigator and a Ramanujan fellow.
Speaker: Annette Shepherd, President | FNQ Volunteers
Abstract: FNQ Volunteers initiated a project to explore how organisations can implement the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and the National Strategy for Volunteering to better engage diverse cohorts—including youth, First Nations people, those with disabilities, unemployed individuals, and newly arrived migrants. Through surveys and interactive workshops, volunteer-involving organisations (VIOs) examined how transformational leadership and participatory action build social capital and promote inclusive volunteering. The findings highlighted the importance of tailored volunteer roles, strategic governance, and culturally responsive practices. The project also identified challenges such as limited funding and the need for targeted training and networking opportunities to build organisational capacity. A range of practical recommendations emerged to strengthen volunteer management and community impact.
Biography: Annette Sheppard is the President of FNQ Volunteers Inc. and has an extensive background in health, local government, and the not-for-profit sector. With qualifications in nursing, health promotion, orthomolecular nutrition, and volunteer management, she served as a Councillor with the former Mulgrave Shire and the Cairns City Council, worked as a lecturer, and natural therapies consultant. Annette is passionate about building inclusive communities through volunteering and has presented widely on health promotion, governance, and strategic planning. She brings decades of experience in community engagement and transformational leadership to her work supporting volunteers and organisations across Far North Queensland.
Speaker: Nigel Tucker, Adjunct Researcher | James Cook University
Abstract: Restoring habitat connectivity can theoretically ameliorate the twin perils of fragmentation and climate change. I present a study examining the colonisation and development of three restored ‘wildlife corridors’ linking three isolated forest patches on the Atherton Uplands — Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine and Curtain Fig — to continuous forest. Vegetation studies show corridors have developed a similar structure to reference forest but differ in composition and diversity. Bird and ground mammal communities in corridors are increasingly more characteristic of rainforest; proximity to reference forest and age of planting are factors influencing their composition. Endemic birds and mammals are more diverse close to reference forest however the two groups are also present in older, more distant plantings. Exotic plant species were mostly benign with little ability to out-compete woody native species. Pasture seed banks were dominated by exotic forbs and herbs. Our study shows that while relatively depauperate, restored corridors and their bird and ground-mammal communities are increasingly similar to adjacent reference forests, and soil seed banks indicate corridors have a ‘biological memory’ after disturbance.
Biography: Nigel Tucker, a JCU adjunct and TESS member, is presenting this seminar which also represents work by David Tng (School for Field Studies), Amanda Freeman (Nature North, Griffith University), and others. Nigel has worked extensively on tropical forest restoration in far north Queensland, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. He is former director of the Biotropica consulting firm.
Speaker: Petra Buergelt, Associate Professor, Healthy Environment and Lives (HEAL) Global Research Centre | University of Canberra
Abstract: Locally and globally, we are experiencing an increasingly painful apocalyptic cultural transition that is threatening the very existence of humans and nature. However, the increasingly painful disorienting dilemmas and experiences, triggered by environmental and social disasters, also entail transformative opportunities capable of creating a world that facilitates not only our survival but creates conditions for humans and nature to live again in harmony and thrive. The synergy of knowledges created by diverse disciplines across natural, environmental, psychological, and social sciences, as well as humanities and arts, suggests that realizing these opportunities requires us to move beyond fixing the consequences in the present towards identifying and healing the root causes individually and collectively. This requires us to engage in paradigm shift that involves, at its core, courageously and authentically going back in time, and deep within our selves, and transforming and remembering. In this presentation, I will explore these facets, invite you to engage in a transformative journey and facilitate the first steps in shifting and expanding your fundamental philosophical perspectives. It is my hope that the transdisciplinary knowledge and transformative experiences offered will contribute to creating and implementing solutions to environmental and sustainability issues we face in Australia and globally.
Biography: Dr Petra Buergelt is an Associate Professor at University of Canberra, an award winning interdisciplinary social scientist and Sylff Fellow. Petra is a research fellow at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research (Massey University, NZ), and a former member of the Leadership Committee of the International Transformative Learning Association (ITLA). She serves on the Executive Committees of the Collaborative Indigenous Research Initiative ('UC CIRI)' and International Transformative Learning Association. Using qualitative and Indigenist research, she is working at the nexus of disaster risk reduction and recovery, Indigenous/ancient worldviews-knowledges-practices and transformation to contribute to creating a paradigm shift from Western to ancient/Indigenous paradigms. Petra has been co-leading research with Indigenous communities in Australia and Taiwan since 2014. She is also a CI on a NHMRC MRFF bushfire project.
Speaker: David Bowman, ARC Laureate Fellow & Director of the Fire Centre | The University of Tasmania
Abstract: Using the city of Hobart as a model system I have adopted a multidisciplinary and codesigned study to investigate bushfire risk management at the wildland urban interface (WUI). My team includes a diverse range of expertise from the social, geographic and ecological sciences enabling: (i) field surveys of fuel loads (ii) evaluation of prescribe burning and mechanical fuel treatments (iii) assessment of gardens using measurements and lidar analyses (iv) laboratory flammability assessments of garden and bushland plants and dead fuels (v) numerical modelling of ember storms (vi) geographic information systems analyses of fire hazards in gardens and wildland (vii) statistical models of the drivers of house loss on the WUI, (viii) investigations of community understand and perception of fire hazards. Collectively our research has developed novel conceptual models and assessment of fire hazards and illuminated opportunities and barriers to community bushfire preparedness, leading to the creation of new tools and techniques to assess and map fire hazards across the WUI. I reflect on the experience of running a complex codesigned ‘applied pyrogeographic’ research program, explaining how such multipronged research is critical for sustainable coexistence with wildfire.
Biography: Professor David Bowman is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and the Director of the transdisciplinary Fire Centre at the University of Tasmania, where he holds a research chair in Pyrogeography and Fire Science. He is recognised as a thought leader in wildfire science and management publishing influential research in high-impact journals, providing policy advice to government, and serving as an expert media commentor. From 2019 to 2022 he was listed as a Clarivate highly cited cross-disciplinary Researcher.
Speaker: James O'Brien, Chief Geospatial Scientist | Risk Frontiers
Abstract: It’s no secret, or it shouldn’t be, that natural disasters are causing costly damage to the built environment as well as societal consequences and generally unquantified impacts on the natural environment. Much has been said about the role of land use planning in mitigating these impacts and making communities more resilient to the effects of natural disasters. Natural Catastrophe Loss Models designed to quantify risk and widely used in the insurance industry are one way of costing potential financial losses today, under future climate change scenarios and evaluating potential mitigating approaches through “what-if” mitigation and planning scenarios. In this talk I’ll give a brief background into catastrophe loss modelling and discuss the two most relevant models for the Cairns region, our tropical cyclone and riverine flood loss models and demonstrate their usefulness as a planning supplement.
Biography: Dr James O’Brien is the General Manager - Data Solutions and Resilience at Risk Frontiers where he’s been for 14 years. Risk Frontiers is a group which specialises in catastrophe loss modelling, climate risk and resilience. James has over 30 years of experience applying GIS and spatial analysis to solving geographical problems in the US, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. James was a Principal Lecturer in Geography at Kingston University, London for 4 years and an Instructor at Penn State University in their World Campus GIS program for 16 years.
James’ research interests include large-scale hazard modelling, hydrological modelling, physical and social vulnerability indices, spatial analysis and mapping human and infrastructure exposure to natural hazards, developing web mapping platforms, data analysis and software development.
James is the author of numerous scientific and industry publications, he has a BSc in Geographic Information Science from Curtin University and a PhD in Geography from The Pennsylvania State University.
Speaker: Jodi Rowley, Conjoint Associate Professor, Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences | UNSW & The Australian Museum
Abstract: Frogs are one of the most threatened groups of animals on the planet, yet our current understanding of global frog species diversity, distributions and population trends remains poor. Professional biologists are working hard to gather the information needed to conserve frogs but cannot do it alone. In 2017, the Australian Museum launched FrogID, a national citizen science project based upon a smartphone app used to record calling frogs. In less than seven years, FrogID has revolutionised both our understanding of Australian frogs and public engagement in frog conservation. Tens of thousands of people have now participated in the project, gathering 1.3 million records of frogs. The dataset is growing rapidly, with a peak of over 6,200 frog records in a single day. These occurrence records and audio recordings have helped uncover the true diversity and distributions of Australia’s frogs, along with the impact of threats such as fires, drought, climate change and habitat modification. People across Australia have clearly demonstrated the power of community engagement in frog conservation.
Biography: Jodi Rowley is a conservation biologist with a focus on amphibian diversity, ecology and conservation. Based at the Australian Museum and the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, her research seeks to uncover and document biodiversity and inform conservation decisions. Jodi has conducted expeditions in search of amphibians in Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and co-discovered more than 40 frog species new to science, including the vampire flying frog. Her most recent work includes discovering and scientifically describing species of frogs from Australia, searching for frog species that are feared extinct, and investigating the cause and impact of a widespread mass mortality event in Australian frogs. Jodi is the lead scientist of FrogID, a national citizen science project developed by the Australian Museum that has collected over one million records of frogs across Australia since 2017. Jodi has co-authored over 150 scientific publications and was named one of “100 Inspiring Australians” by Qantas.
Speaker: William F. Laurance, Director, Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science (TESS), and College of Science and Engineering | James Cook University, Cairns
Abstract: I will highlight threats to tropical forests globally and to the Amazon Basin in particular, covering issues such as road and infrastructure expansion, habitat fragmentation and edge effects, fires, environmental synergisms, and global-change drivers.
Biography: Bill Laurance’s research addresses some of the planet’s most urgent environmental challenges. He is a distinguished research professor at JCU, director of TESS, and a veteran researcher who work spans much of the tropical world. He was formerly a senior staff scientist with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Speaker: Matthew Luskin, Associate Professor and Director of The Wildlife Observatory of Australia | The University of Queensland
Abstract: Four big questions in global change biology – and key threats for tropical rainforest community ecology – are the importance of: (1) trophic cascades, or the secondary food web impacts following carnivore declines; (2) deforestation and agricultural expansion, including the indirect effects such as fragmentation and edges; (3) protected areas effectiveness; and (4) climate change. In the first part of this talk, Matthew will present four case studies from Asia using camera traps to study these topics and their impacts on multiple wildlife and/or tree populations (often both). In the second part of this talk, he will explain how The Wildlife Observatory of Australia is equipping Australia to autonomously monitor wildlife using camera traps and AI. He will also outline future research priorities and set an agenda for the datasets and quantitative skills required to address them.
Biography: Dr Matthew Luskin is a quantitative ecologist focusing on wildlife, plant-animal interactions, and food webs. Matthew is the Director of the Wildlife Observatory of Australia (WildObs) and an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland. Matthew has a BA in Economics and Geography from UCLA and a PhD in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley. Before moving to Australia, Matthew spent 10 years in the field in Asia with the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institution, and multiple institutions in Singapore. More information about his lab and projects can be found at www.ecologicalcascades.com.
Speaker: Rob Ewers, Professor of Ecology, Department of Life Sciences | Imperial College London
Abstract: One of the desirable – and arguably essential – states for a tropical rainforest ecosystem is that is resilient to perturbations, ensuring it can continue to provide ecosystem services in the face of global change. In this seminar, I will use data from more than a decade of observations on Malaysian tropical rainforests to examine rainforest resilience. I will outline the biodiversity and carbon status of logged forests, present a suite of studies that have quantified aspects of resilience and identified the taxa that are critical to generating resilience, and examine thresholds in logging intensity at which point resilience may be lost. I will end by introducing ongoing work designed to further quantify and understand the origins of resilience in tropical rainforest ecosystems.
Biography: Rob Ewers is Professor of Ecology at Imperial College London who specialises in biodiversity and whole-system ecology. He integrates diverse data sources, modelling approaches and interdisciplinary collaborations to develop a holistic understanding of ecological systems, and leads the development of the Virtual Ecosystem. He has wide ranging experience quantifying the diversity of plants, mammals, fish, beetles and mosquitoes in temperate and tropical habitats and landscapes, and has conducted experiments and monitoring of an equally diverse set of ecological and physical processes including carbon dynamics, species interactions and insect thermal ecology.
Speaker: Ian Lowe, Professor Emeritus, School of Environment and Science | Griffith University
Abstract: Current government policies seek to replace our fossil fuel use by renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. The National-Liberal Coalition has proposed building and operating 7 nuclear power stations, including 5 conventional large units and 2 “small modular reactors”. A study by the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering concluded that many questions need to be answered before small modular reactors can be seriously considered as part of our future energy mix. The study found that the timescale for resolving those issues means that small modular reactors cannot help Australia achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050.
Biography: Ian Lowe AO is an emeritus professor in the School of Environment and Science at Griffith University. He has published widely. Among his many advisory roles, he represented the public interest on the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council for 14 years and was a member of the expert panel advising the South Australia Nuclear Royal Commission. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, he reviewed their recent report on small modular reactors.
Speaker: Professor Kasey E. Barton| School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai`i
Abstract: Many unnoticed and seemingly unimportant small changes to human activities can produce a crisis when a natural hazard strikes. It might be assumed that as the number of changes increases the impact of for example floods of the same magnitude will have an impact linearly proportional to the cumulative amount of change. The reality is otherwise. The impact is non-linear; that is, disproportional to the cumulative changes because of cascading effects. With more development the heavy tail distribution of peak flood magnitudes causes more economic losses than expected from the commonly used probability distributions. We might also expect that in Australia planning and flood mitigation may have reduced losses. Again, this is not the case. Normalization of loss data shows that the main factors leading to losses are where and how we live. This has major implications for the Barron River floodplain and others in tropical Australia. As will also be shown the growth of small changes in the Himalaya has produced a critical situation with respect to floods and landslide impacts.
Biography: Kasey Barton is a Professor of Plant Functional Ecology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. Kasey joined the faculty at UH-Mānoa in 2010, following a NERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Royal Holloway, University of London. She obtained her PhD in 2007 from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Kasey’s research investigates island plant functional ecology, particularly plant responses to climate stress (drought and sea level rise), invasive plant interactions, and seedling recruitment, within an evolutionary ecology framework. She is fortunate to be able to live and work in the Hawaiian Islands, the most remote archipelago in the world, on one of the most endemic and fascinating floras.
Speaker: Emeritus Professor Bob Wasson | The Australian National University / James Cook University
Abstract: Many unnoticed and seemingly unimportant small changes to human activities can produce a crisis when a natural hazard strikes. It might be assumed that as the number of changes increases the impact of for example floods of the same magnitude will have an impact linearly proportional to the cumulative amount of change. The reality is otherwise. The impact is non-linear; that is, disproportional to the cumulative changes because of cascading effects. With more development the heavy tail distribution of peak flood magnitudes causes more economic losses than expected from the commonly used probability distributions. We might also expect that in Australia planning and flood mitigation may have reduced losses. Again, this is not the case. Normalization of loss data shows that the main factors leading to losses are where and how we live. This has major implications for the Barron River floodplain and others in tropical Australia. As will also be shown the growth of small changes in the Himalaya has produced a critical situation with respect to floods and landslide impacts.
Biography: Professor Wasson is a geomorphologist with 40 years of experience in natural resource management in Australia, New Zealand and ten Asian countries. He is known for his expertise in catchment processes and management, sediment and nutrient budgeting, assessment of the ‘reality’ of catchment model outputs, extreme flood hydrology and its geomorphic expression, and the impact on fluvial systems of climate variability and change. His previous appointments include Visiting Professor, Department of Geography, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Water Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Principal Research Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, all at the National University of Singapore. In Australia he was Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and International, Charles Darwin University, and Professor and Director, Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Professor and Head, Department of Geography and Human Ecology, and Dean of Science, all at the Australian National University (ANU). Prior to these appointments he was Assistant Chief and Senior Principal Research Scientist at the CSIRO Division of Water Resources.
Speaker: Farwiza Farhan | Executive Director, Forest, Nature and Environment Aceh Foundation, Sumatra, Indonesia
Abstract: Women have historically played a peripheral role in forest conservation, often limited to securing household needs from forest products. However, grassroots movements in Aceh Province, Indonesia, demonstrate the transformative potential of women-led environmental initiatives. Drawing from field experiences, the talk highlights key strategies that foster resilience in women-led conservation efforts, including institutional development, engaging men as allies, and shaping inclusive environmental narratives. Ultimately, this talk seeks to provide insights into strengthening grassroots movements as catalysts for environmental justice and gender-equitable conservation governance.
Biography: Farwiza Farhan is a forest conservationist working to protect, conserve, and restore the Leuser ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia. Leuser is the last place on Earth where rhinos, tigers, elephants, and orangutans still roam together in the wild. Farhan firmly believes that conservation should not be an exclusive club, but rather a network of stakeholders—from Indigenous communities to ecologists, lawyers and policymakers, international nonprofits and private sectors—sharing this planet together. Farhan is the chairperson of Forest, Nature and Environment Aceh Foundation (Yayasan HAkA), a grassroots organization based in Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. She focuses primarily on policy and advocacy, working to increase meaningful access and deepen the involvement of women and local communities in policy matters pertaining to their environment and livelihood.
Speaker: Dr Juraj Bergman, Bioinformatics Research Centre | Aarhus University, Denmark
Abstract: In the last decade, the intensification of whole-genome sequencing has produced a wealth of datasets, broadening our capacity to understand and quantify biodiversity dynamics. Together with population-genomics methods based on coalescent theory, these data can be utilized for inference of species-specific population-size dynamics that span millions of years in the past. I will present an analysis of population size trajectories for hundreds of mammal species over the last 800,000 years. I will show show how environmental factors, human impact and life history traits have shaped the population dynamics of mammals globally, highlighting the significance of these findings for current conservation efforts.
Biography: Dr Juraj Bergman is an Assistant Professor at the Bioinformatics Research Centre at Aarhus University in Denmark. He specializes on evolutionary biology and population genomics. His research primarily focuses on understanding evolutionary processes that shape genetic diversity of mammals over long time periods. By combining genomic research and macroecology, he studies how species life history, environmental factors and humans collectively shape genomic-diversity patterns and ecosystem dynamics—with the aim to inform biodiversity conservation. His research interests also include the development of new methods for inferring population genetic parameters, especially using Bayesian approaches, as well as sex-chromosome evolution.
Speaker: Laurie Hedges, MSc | Independent wildlife and environmental filmmaker | Independent wildlife and environmental filmmaker
Abstract: Film is a tool used to effect change by everyone from lobbyists to influencers. I believe wildlife and environmental conservationists should be using it at every opportunity in their fight to preserve species and landscapes. I will share my experiences and insights from having started as a wildlife biologist to being a full-time filmmaker working with conservation practitioners across the globe. I give some practical tips as to how even the most unexperienced can make simple films using whatever equipment they own, and give examples of where film can make a difference, along with stories from some unexpected places.
Biography: Laurie Hedges is a wildlife and environmental filmmaker from the UK, currently residing in Sweden. Formerly a wildlife biologist, he made the decision eight years ago to move from researching leopard populations in Malaysia to creating films with conservationists across the globe. His mission is to create films that can be used by conservationists to effect positive change.
Speaker: Dr Jens Hauslage | Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center
Abstract: Gravity is the only constant stimulus that has influenced evolution over billions of years. In view of the human exploration of space, knowledge about the influence of gravity is elementary for the planning and realization of long-term missions. To identify the underlying mechanisms, platforms must be used on which research can be conducted in weightlessness. One of these platforms are ‘sounding rockets’, which make suborbital flights to study gravity. The presentation will provide an overview of the ground-based facilities to simulate microgravity in the lab and real microgravity platforms (drop towers, parabolic plane flights, etc.), with a particular focus on sounding rockets. We will cover this and other emerging topics in the field of gravitational biology.
Biography: Dr Jens Hauslage is an international expert in gravitational and space biology with a PhD in Biology. Jens studies the perception and impact of gravity on life and its development. Other areas of his research include the development of bioregenerative life support systems for space and earth applications and the design and construction of sensors and space experiments for microgravity platforms, such as sounding rockets, parabolic plane flights, drop towers and satellites. Jens has been involved in scores of sounding-rocket campaigns, parabolic flights and experiments, and long-term biosatellite missions. He is an accredited European Space Agency astronaut trainer and teaches at several national and international universities.