Research

​The research of the Lab of Animal Ecology covers a range of subjects in whole organism biology, but focuses on evolutionary ecology, which is concerned with the ways organisms respond adaptively to changes in their social, ecological, and physical environment.

The Lab also has strong, parallel interests in conservation and climate change biology, and particularly in the impacts of extreme weather and climate events on biodiversity.
Evolutionary ecology:
  • Movement - proximate causes and ultimate consequences of animal movement accross scales
  • Social organisation – the ecological and evolutionary interactions within species: social aggregations, mating systems and family dynamics
  • Coevolution – the ecological and evolutionary interactions between species: brood parasite-host dynamics and adaptive portfolios
  • Animal signals – the functional significance of animal communication
Conservation and climate change:
  • Extreme events – the ecological impacts of extreme climate and weather events on biodiversity (particularly flying-foxes)
  • ​Endangered species biology – ecology and population dynamics of threatened species (such as the Razo lark and the Christmas Island flying-fox, two Critically Endangered island endemics; and the ghost bat and the grey-headed flying-fox, two Vulnerable Australian endemics)
  • Conservation planning – identifying biodiversity and areas vulnerable to climate change to facilitate management action
​

Recent projects & grants

Improving conservation management outcomes for flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.)
​Chief Investigators: Prof Justin Welbergen, Dr Jessica Meade, Dr Chris Turbill, Prof Matthias Boer, and/or Dr John Martin
Funding Body: Regional Bushfire Recovery for Multiregional Species and Strategic Projects Program
Period: 2021-2023

The impacts of extreme temperature events on Australian flying-foxes: examining heat-related wildlife die-offs in a warming world
​Chief Investigator: Prof Justin A. Welbergen
Co-investigators: Dr Christopher Turbill, Dr Jessica Meade, Dr John Martin, A/Prof Michael Kearney
Funding Body: The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment; various
Period: Ongoing

Vulnerability of Australian bats to white-nose syndrome
​Investigators: Dr Christopher Turbill, Dr John Martin, Dr Lindy Lumsden, Prof Fritz Geiser, Dr Jasmin Hufschmid, ​Prof Craig Willis & Prof Justin Welbergen,​
Funding Body: ARC Linkage (LP200100331)
Period: 2020-2025

Tempo and modes of cultural evolution in the complex display of the superb lyrebird
Chief Investigators: Prof Irby Lovette, Dr Aaron Rice, Prof Mike Webster, Dr Anastasia Dalziell, Prof Justin Welbergen
Funding Body: National Science Foundation Grant (USA)
Period: 2018-2023

Movement ecology of flying-foxes - integrating mechanisms and patterns across multiple spatiotemporal scales
Chief Investigators: Prof Justin A. Welbergen & Dr Christopher Turbill
Partner Investigator: Dr David Westcott
Named PDRA: Dr Jessica Meade
Funding Body: ARC DISCOVERY (DP170104272)
Period: 2017-2022

Saving the Christmas Island flying-fox – a species in critical decline
Co-investigators: Prof Justin A. Welbergen, Dr Karrie Rose, Dr John Martin, Prof David Phalen & Dr David Westcott
Partner/Funding Body: Taronga Conservation Society
​Period: 2017-2022

Resolving human-flying fox conflict in the face of environmental change
Chief Investigators: Prof Brendan Wintle, Dr Kathryn Williams & A/Prof Justin A. Welbergen
Partner Investigators: Dr Dave Kendal, A/Prof Rodney van der Ree & Dr David Westcott
​Named PDRA: Dr Pia Lentini
​Funding Body: ARC LINKAGE (LP160100439)
Period: 2017-2019

European red fox ecology and species interactions along an urban landuse gradient in Australia
Chief Investigator: Dr Justin A. Welbergen
Co-investigator: Dr John Martin
Partner: Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney
Funding Body: Sydney Coastal Councils Group
Period: 2016-2020​

Global climate change and the impacts of temperature extremes on terrestrial biodiversity
Chief Investigators: Dr Justin A. Welbergen, Prof Stephen Williams, Dr Luke Shoo & Prof Jeremy VanDerWal
Funding Body: ARC DISCOVERY (DP110104186)
Period: 2011-2014

Climate change and the impacts of extreme climatic events on Australia's Wet Tropics biodiversity
Chief Investigator: Dr Justin A. Welbergen
Co-investigator: Prof Andrew Krockenberger
Partner/Funding Body: National Environment Research Program ('NERP')
Period: 2011-2014

Climate change refugia for terrestrial biodiversity: The role of refugia in ecosystem resilience and maintenance of terrestrial biodiversity in the face of global climate change
Co-investigators: April Reside, Jeremy VanDerWal, Ben Phillips, Justin A. Welbergen, Luke Shoo, Dan Rosauer, Barbara Anderson, Craig Moritz, Simon Ferrier, Thomas Harwood, Kristen Williams, Brendan Mackey, Sonia Hugh & Stephen Williams
Partner/Funding Body: National Adaptation Research Plan ('NARP') / National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF)
Period: 2011-2013

Climate change adaptation strategies for Australian birds
Co-investigators: Donald Franklin, Glenn Ehmke, Jeremy VanDerWal, Lauren Hodgson, Chris Pavey, April Reside, Justin Welbergen, Stuart Butchart, Genevieve Perkins & Stephen Williams
Partner/Funding Body: National Adaptation Research Plan ('NARP') / National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF)
Period: 2011-2013