MSc/MRes opportunity: Urban macropods
Urbanisation has already caused the local extinction of a range of species, particularly large mammals. Now, connectivity among habitat fragments is of paramount importance to maintain the health of remaining populations. This project assesses the movement behaviour and habitat use of three macropod species (swamp wallaby, wallaroo and eastern grey kangaroo) around the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan (Southwest Sydney), with the aim of providing understanding of the connectivity of these populations within their periurban environment. A large proportion of the land around this study site has dramatically changed over the last 30-years, from cattle grazing to medium-density housing, and further changes are planned. As such, this study will also provide definitive information to support the retention and/or creation of habitat corridors to benefit these macropod populations and a range of other native species.
Supervisors: Dr Justin Welbergen & Dr John Martin (Taronga Conservation Society Australia)
Research Locations: Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan Time-frame: 2017 The project has sufficient in-house funding and equipment including GPS trackers) to cover all field requirements.
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To express your interest in this opportunity please email Dr Justin Welbergen with a short paragraph outlining your skills, experience, and research interests.
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