The UWA Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management 35 Stirling … › __data › assets...

capability statement centre of excellence in natural resource management 1

The UWA Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management

35 Stirling Terrace, Albany WA

2 centre of excellence in natural resource management capability statement



PO Box 5771, Albany WA 6332

+61 8 9842 0838

[email protected]

www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au

This publication was produced with the assistance of the Great Southern Development Commission.

2012-2013


table of contents

introduction to cenrm page 5

research achievements & research facilities pages 4 & 5

staff profiles pages 6 & 7

selected projects: locator page 8

selected projects: international page 9

selected projects: tropical page 10

selected projects: mediterranean page 11

research groups: water page 12

research groups: land page 13

research groups: people page 14

industry partners page 15


RESEARCh fACiliTiES

The UWA CenTre of exCellenCe in nATUrAl resoUrCe MAnAgeMenT

The UWA Albany Sciences Building was completed in mid 2012. The new facility provides CENRM with expanded research and teaching laboratory facilities. The building has capacity to teach classes of up to 30 students and laboratory space for about ten staff and postgraduate students.

CENRM also has capacity to conduct studies in the field with equipment to assess water quality and to trap and catch aquatic and terrestrial ani-mals. This includes vehicles, boats and electrofishing equipment.

As part of The University of Western Australia, CENRM staff and students also have access to the considerable equipment and resources at the main campus in Perth.

CENRM has a comprehensive range of field and laboratory equipment. Our laboratories have facilities for processing of samples, microscopy and microphotography. Our field equipment includes a state of the art elec-trofishing unit for both bank and boat- mounted applications: the only unit in south-west Australia capable of effectively sampling in saline water up to 5.5 mS/m or 1/10th seawater. The group also has research vessels, a comprehensive range of netting and trapping equipment for sampling fish in a range of estuarine and freshwater habitats, and multi-probe water chemistry analysers.


RESEARCh AChiEvEMENTS

The University of Western Australia is the only WA university to belong to the Group of Eight – a coalition of the top research universities in Australia – and it is one of only two Australian universities to belong to the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), a partnership of 16 research-led universities from Europe, North America, North Asia and Australia.

The UWA Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management (CENRM) was established in 2001 as a joint venture between various Australian, Western Australian and local government agencies and The University of Western Australia (the holding agent) under the Western Australian Centres of Excellence Scheme.

The aims and objectives were to establish a regional research centre committed to excellence in a local, State and National context.

The Centre has continued to expand and enhance WA’s natural resource management research and development capability. it has performed beyond the maturity of the financial support provided by the original partners and continues as an important regional centre. CENRM has been very successful in attracting funding, with over $15 million in new research and consultancy projects.

in late 20112, there were over 30 staff attached to the Centre. They included nearly 30 staff employed on research projects or as adjunct appointments, and four administration staff. The research interests of the staff include freshwater ecology, ecosystem function of waterways, regional development, commercial value of native vegetation, and relationships between the environment and human health.

CENRM has demonstrated its significant regional value in the core activities of education, research, services and communications. CENRM has grown through its strategic focus, its willingness to proactively engage with partners, its diligent management of resources, and its energy in seeking new resources.

Research geared to address NRM priorities has been the main activity of the Centre as anticipated in the original Business Plan. CENRM has been very successful in attracting funding with over $13 million in new research and consultancy projects.

Practical applied research has been central to CENRM’s success in meeting its research objectives. Clients have included land and water managing agencies, conservation authorities and commercial industries. industries targeted have included the aquaculture (eg abalone), dairy, mining, native plant-based, timber and commercial salt industries.

Through UWA’s membership of WUN, CENRM has been involved in projects with an international focus including adaptation of freshwater ecosystems to climate change (in collaboration with leeds University), and indigenous engagement in

water resource planning (with University of Alberta).

Through the Centre, UWA has partnered with Griffith University and Monash University and the University of Queensland and University of Melbourne, the victorian and Queensland Governments, the international River foundation and a range of high profile international organisations (including the United Nations and the World Bank) to form a consortium, the international Water Centre, that has focused on integrated water resources and catchment management at an international level. The prospectus of teaching and training offered by partner universities was launched in 2006.

CENRM has participated in research projects in China, through the iWC, and in Africa. The management of the Yellow and liao Rivers in China for environmental, social and

economic outcomes was part of a collaborative project with Chinese government agencies. Advice has been provided to the Government of Burkina faso, in Africa on the management of lake Bam to achieve environmental and social benefits.

The University of Western Australia, through CENRM, was a partner in the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) project, funded by the Australian Government. Research income to UWA for TRaCK was over $3m with a further $1.5m for related projects in the Kimberley. TRaCK was a collaborative project with two other principal partners, Charles Darwin University and Griffith University, and several associated research institutions including CSiRO.


Dr richard Ball, Adjunct Research fellowRichard Ball is Managing Director of Keston Technologies, a consulting organisation specialising in technology development, innovation, strategy and the international marketing of technical products.

Dr Andrew Callister, Adjunct Research fellowAndrew Callister has been the Principal of Treehouse Consulting since 2009. he has provided research and development consulting services to plantation forestry businesses and research projects.

Assistant Professor Paul ClosePaul Close has extensive experience in field and laboratory-based research activities. Much of his research experience has been conducted in remote locations utilising his skills in staff, project and logistics management as well as community liaison. his research interests include aquatic ecology and particularly fish ecology including the effect of threatening processes on fish populations.

Associate Professor Barbara CookBarbara Cook is a biodiversity scientist with extensive experience in the collection, analysis and interpretation of river and wetland water quality and biodiversity data. She is engaged in several projects which involve the determination of the ecological character of WA waterways and wetlands, the impacts of land use on ecological health of waterways, and the taxonomy and genetics of aquatic invertebrates.

Professor Peter Cook, Adjunct Professor Peter Cook is a marine biologist with extensive experience in aquaculture. his main research interests involve the biology of mariculture species such as mussels, oysters and abalone. Prof Cook has worked with WWf on developing international aquaculture standards. he has also been involved in the development of a catchment management plan for the fitzroy River.

Professor Peter DaviesPeter Davies was Principal investigator in the National Riparian lands Program (1995-2003), to develop cost-effective, ecologically-sound restoration and evaluation of riparian lands. he was a Principal investigator in the large-scale Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) project which investigated how best to learn from the degradation experiences in southern Australia so as to prevent similar problems in the north. rofessor Davies’ research interests involve understanding ecosystem function of rivers and streams, especially the impact of flow regulation, secondary salinisation and broad-scale riparian degradation. he is a member of both State and National State of Environment (SOE) advisory committees. he has investigated water allocation issues across Australia and internationally.

Dr louise Duxbury, Adjunct Research fellowlouise Duxbury established the Greenskills Organisation in 1989 and was its inaugural State Coordinator. from 2000-2010 Dr Duxbury worked as a Projects Manager with the Centre for Sustainable living in Denmark. She has worked as a tutor and lecturer for Murdoch University in various courses.

Associate Professor Julia fryJulia fry is a scientist with an interest in the interactions of human and natural systems. She has worked in agricultural and natural resource management programs in government and has taught postgraduate courses in regional development, natural resource management and water planning. David guilfoyle, Adjunct Research fellowDave Guilfoyle has completed an MA in Archaeology and heritage, a BA, and a BSc. he has worked as a Project Coordinator on the Restoring Connections project, developing and implementing a cross-regional project focused on the restoration of cultural and natural heritage places and values in southern WA. he has delivered ‘field schools’ in applied heritage management and in archaeological field methods.

reseArCh sTAff Profiles


Professor steve hopperSteve hopper is a plant conservation biologist, best known for pioneering research leading to positive conservation outcomes in south-west Australia and for the collaborative description of 300 new plant taxa. Steve hopper has explored Australian deserts since 1980, and conducted field research in the USA since 1990 and South Africa since 1997. While foundation Professor of Plant Conservation Biology at UWA from 2004-06, he developed a new theory on the evolution and conservation of biodiversity on the world’s oldest landscapes, and led the establishment of new degrees in conservation biology. he is the ex-Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew UK.

Dr Mamoru Matsuki, Adjunct Research fellowMamoru Matsuki has worked as a Research fellow with the CRC for forestry and the industry Pest Management Group at Murdoch University, and as a postdoctoral fellow with CSiRO Entomology, a lecturer with University of Tasmania and Research fellow with the CRC for Sustainable Production forestry.

Dr neil PettitNeil Pettit has worked as a Research fellow at the University of Washington, investigating the ecology of river/savanna boundaries in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Since 2007 Neil has specialised in the food webs and biodiversity of northern Australian rivers.

Professor Brad PuseyBrad Pusey is a Research fellow with the Australian Rivers institute (Griffith University) and CENRM. his research chiefly concerns the ecology of freshwater fishes of northern Australia within three related themes: systematic, biogeography and evolution, trophic ecology and food web dynamics, and ecological relationships.

Winthrop Professor Dale robertsDale Roberts is attached to the UWA School of Animal Biology and works from CENRM in Albany. his research interests include evolutionary biology, biogeography, behavioural ecology, sperm competition, conservation biology, anuran biology, phylogenetics, systematics and taxonomy.

Assistant Professor Peter speldewindeDr Peter Speldewinde is an ecologist with considerable experience and expertise as a research scientist and educator. his experience includes mammalian ecology, Bayesian modeling and human health impacts from ecological degradation. his research interest is in the impact of ecosystems on human health.

Andrew storrie, Adjunct Research fellowAndrew Storrie is a weed scientist and the principal of Agronomo, a private consulting firm operating from Albany. Their current projects include the development and promotion of integrated weed management plans in Australia and a water harvesting and small-scale irrigation system in Africa.

Professor sandy Toussaint, Adjunct ProfessorSandy Toussaint is an anthropologist with research interests including the description and analysis of cultural environments, the complex spectrum of human/ environment relationships, and the use of material culture as scientific data to understand environmental change over time. Sandy has worked with Australian indigenous groups in the Kimberley for almost three decades.

Assistant Professor geoff WoodallGeoff Woodall is interested in the ecophysiology of native plants and the development of new native plant-based industries for sustainable rural development. his particular interests include research and development of profitable revegetation options using native species for human consumption and the cultivation of a range of species for new extractives.


seleCTeD reseArCh ProJeCTs


Project issue/s outcomes Application/Benefits

inTernATionAl ProJeCTs

iWC China project

lake Bam, Burkina faso

solomon islands project

global food security with climate change

Climate change adaptation for freshwater ecosystems

Management of environmental flows for river health

Climate change leading to drying of large river pools

Poor sanitation, failing domestic water supply in rural parts of Solomon islands

food security is being impacted by climate change in Africa

impact of warming and drying climate on global freshwater ecosystems

inclusion of environmental flows requirements in water and river planning

Advice on domestic water supply options

Plan for integrated management of water with mechanisms to balance needs of competing users, including the environment

Proposal given to EU to fund improved planning for for food security in Africa and developing countries

Proposals submitted to EU to identify and build resilience in susceptible freshwater ecosystems

Recognition of importance of environmental flows in water resources

Recognition of limitations to intervene to improve domestic water supplies

improved management of water leads to lower disease rates and better environmental outcomes

improved food supplies throughout the developing world affected by climate change

Resilient freshwater ecosystems under climate change



ProJeCTs in TroPiCAl (norThern) AUsTrAliA

fArWh

Tropical rivers and Coastal Knowledge

Cultural and biological values of permanent pools in the Pilbara

Productivity and waterflow regulation in the ord river and Wokalup river

Management of escalating use of water and changing land uses

Providing the science and knowledge that governments, communities and industries need for the sustainable use and management of Australia’s tropical rivers and estuaries.

impact of bridge construction on environmental and cultural assets

Sufficient flows needed to ensure riverine health in systems in Western Australia.

Tools developed to better assess health of rivers and wetlands

integrating social and biophysical research into improved management and policy

Advice on bridge location and design

Regulated reaches in the Ord were fundamentally ecologically different from unregulated (control) sites in other rivers. The Wokalup research showed that mimicking the historic flows was the best management practice.

State agencies included tools in planning and management of rivers and wetlands

Ensuring the degradation of rivers in southern Australia is not repeated in the tropical north

Construction of bridges and infrastructure to minimise impact on environment and cultural assets

Determination of how flows influence biodiversity and ecological processes;Contribution to improved management of flow regimes.


plantations in the landscape


ProJeCTs in TeMPerATe

(soUThern) AUsTrAliA


The Aquatic Biodiversity research and Monitoring group provides knowledge and advice for the management of aquatic biodiversity in rural, urban and protected catchments. The group has a comprehensive range of field and laboratory equipment, an extensive collection of species identification guides, a reference collection of voucher specimens and photographic records of southwestern Australian macro-invertebrate fauna.

reseArCh groUPs: WATer

The fish ecology research and Monitoring group can provide knowledge and advice for the sustainable management of catchments, freshwater and estuarine water resources, and biodiversity values through strategic research and monitoring of fish and their habitats.

The group has specific expertise in :

• design of monitoring programs and sampling regimes, • sampling techniques including electrofishing and netting, • taxonomy and systematics, • acoustic telemetry for fish movement studies,• species biology, • population and community ecology, • habitat requirements, • fishway advice, assessment and monitoring, • environmental water requirements, • larval fish ecology• GiS and mapping• stable isotope tracking of fish food webs.

The group has specific expertise in:

• sampling and identification of aquatic invertebrate fauna• monitoring water quality • design of monitoring programs and sampling regimes • riparian and in-stream habitat assessment • taxonomy and systematics of aquatic invertebrates • biology of selected species • population and community ecology • GiS and mapping• conservation genetics of aquatic invertebrates.


The Terrestrial Biodiversity Group’s expertise includes ecological surveys, taxonomy, conservation, research, and monitoring, habitat restoration and management of flora and fauna in urban, rural and protected environments.

reseArCh groUPs: lAnD

The group has specific expertise in:

• design of monitoring programs and sampling regimes• survey and monitoring techniques including trapping and radio tracking, • population and community ecology• habitat requirements and assessment • development of native plant-based industries • riparian and terrestrial plant communities • rehabilitation of plant communities and degraded landscapes• design and management of farm forestry• native seed production• innovative rural industries.

Our expertise includes:

• design and monitoring programs and sampling regimes• tree breeding for commercial outcomes• management of pests and diseases• community ecology• habitat requirements and assessment• farm forestry with native plants• rehabilitation of degraded landscapes• increasing biodiversity through forestry • seeding techniques• soil management.

The forest innovation group provides knowledge and advice for the sustainable management of native and plantation forests.


The environmental social science group provides knowledge and advice for understanding the interactions between people and natural resources.

reseArCh groUPs: PeoPle

The group can provide:

• expertise in the areas of human, social, cultural, and institutional capacity

• advice in capacity building for natural resource management,

• community and stakeholder consultation (including cross- cultural consultation),

• designing and facilitating education and training programs.

The group has experience and expertise in:

• spatial epidemiology, including Bayesian spatial models,

• use of point and count disease data, using the Western Australian health Data linkage System, data confidentiality,

• environmental monitoring,

• data collection,

• GiS and mapping,

• study design and data analysis.

interaction between environmental degradation and human health are issues both in Australia and overseas. The environmental Degradation and human health Group has experience in exploring the potential health issues associated with the disruption of ecosystem processes, including a study examining the deleterious effects of dryland salinity on human health, air pollution and water disinfection by-products.


AQUACUlTURE COUNCil Of WA

AlBANY PlANTATiON fOREST COMPANY Of AUSTRAliA

AlCOA

ARGYlE DiAMOND

AUSAiD

AUSTRAliAN BiOlOGiCAl RESOURCES STUDY

AUSTRAliAN flORA fOUNDATiON

AvON CATChMENT COUNCil

BhP BilliTON iRON ORE PTY lTD

BUREAU Of RURAl SCiENCES

CSBP

CSiRO flAGShiP WATER fOR A hEAlThY COUNTRY

CURTiN CESMl

DAMPiER SAlT

DANiEl lANDCARE SERviCES

DEPARTMENT Of ENviRONMENT AND CONSERvATiON (WA)

DEPARTMENT Of SUSTAiNABiliTY, ENviRONMENT, WATER, POPUlATiON AND COMMUNiTiES (AUS)

DEPARTMENT Of PRiMARY iNDUSTRiES (viC)

DEPARTMENT Of SUSTAiNABiliTY & ENviRONMENT (viC)

DEPARTMENT Of WATER (WA)

fiShWA

fiTzGERAlD BiOSPhERE GROUP

fORESTRY TASMANiA

fORESTS & fOREST iNDUSTRY COUNCil Of TASMANiA

GRAiNS RESEARCh AND DEvElOPMENT CORPORATiON

GREAT SOUThERN DEvElOPMENT COMMiSSiON

GREENiNG AUSTRAliA WA

hANCOCK viCTORiAN PlANTATiONS PTY lTD

iAN POTTER fOUNDATiON

iNTERNATiONAl RivER fOUNDATiON

iNTERNATiONAl WATER CENTRE

lAND & WATER AUSTRAliA

MAUNSEll lTD

MilPARA iNDUSTRiAl ESTATE

MT ROMANCE AUST PTY lTD

NATiONAl hERiTAGE TRUST

NATiONAl lANDCARE PROGRAM

NATiONAl WATER COMMiSSiON

NORSKE SKOG PAPER MillS AUSTRAliA

RANGElANDS NRM

RiO TiNTO

RURAl iNDUSTRiES RESEARCh AND DEvElOPMENT CORPORATiON

UWA RESEARCh MATChiNG fUND

ShiRE Of COlliE

SOUTh COAST NATURAl RESOURCE MANAGEMENT iNC

SOUTh WEST CATChMENTS COUNCil

TAliSON liThiUM lTD

TECTONiC RESOURCES

TiMBER 2020 iNC

TiWEST JOiNT vENTURE

URS

WATER CORPORATiON

WATERS & RivERS COMMiSSiON (WA)

WESTERN AUSTRAliA ABAlONE AQUACUlTURE ASSOCiATiON

inDUsTry PArTners

Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource ManagementWe undertake targeted, cost-effective and innovative research that makes a significant and recognised contribution to addressing Australia’s natural resource management problems.



PO Box 5771, Albany WA 6332

+61 8 9842 0838

[email protected]

www.cenrm.uwa.edu.au

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