Department of Environment and Conservation Science Division annual research activity report and management implications 2011–2012 DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Science Division undertakes scientific research for the effective conservation and management of Western Australian biodiversity and to increase knowledge in astronomy. We generate knowledge and understanding of the flora and fauna, the biological communities and landscapes in which they occur, and the ecosystem processes that support them. It is important to take stock periodically to determine how effective we are in achieving our goals. In early 2012 the Science Management Team undertook an evaluation of the outcomes of the science and research undertaken in the Programs and Units of the Division, and identified the strengths, weaknesses and areas for future development as a basis for ongoing strategic planning. The review of key outcomes demonstrated many significant achievements over the past five years, and significant new directions in the development of marine and climate change research. The Marine Science Program was established in 2006 and has grown substantially from a small base of four staff to a flourishing group of 20 active scientists. A statewide marine monitoring, evaluation and reporting program has been developed to facilitate and promote efficiency and effectiveness of marine protected areas. Research has supported monitoring and management programs with marine baseline information, methodological assessments and evaluation of key pressures and processes. Research into the vulnerability and adaptation of the biota to climate change gained greater focus through the establishment of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Unit in 2008, and we now have six projects specifically addressing climate-related research, along with numerous others that have a climate response component. NatureMap, one of the Division's flagship online data information portals, was launched in 2008 and has flourished to be a comprehensive source of data on Western Australian biodiversity that is widely used to support risk assessment, conservation planning and science-based decisions. Major biological surveys of the Pilbara IBRA region and selected Kimberley islands have been completed. Results of both surveys are being made available online as papers published in the Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement. Targeted surveys of the Banded Iron Ranges have been undertaken and data are accessible through themed pages in NatureMap. These, and other targeted surveys of terrestrial and aquatic environments, have identified many new species and/or significant range expansions of species, including those that are locally endemic, rare and/or threatened. The forest monitoring project FORESTCHECK has concluded two rounds of monitoring on a five-year cycle and analysis of the first round of monitoring on 48 grids was published in a special issue of Australian Forestry in December 2011. The results of this program have been used in the development of the draft Forest Management Plan 2014–2023. Forest stream monitoring has demonstrated little effect of harvesting on stream salinity but has shown that some streams have low invertebrate diversity that is partly attributable to declining rainfall. A major study of forest fire behaviour has resulted in the development of a new fire behaviour prediction model that improves the reliability of predictions across a wide range of fire danger conditions. Seed conservation and translocation activities have led to achievement of the Target 8 of the Global strategy for Plant Conservation (2002–2010) of 70% (60% target) of the Western Australian threatened flora in ex-situ conservation and 13% (10% target) used in translocations. More than 70,000 specimens were added to the Western Australian Herbarium plant specimen collection, and the collection of over 700,000 specimens was moved to new facilities in the Western Australian Conservation Science Centre in 2011. Taxonomic research at the Herbarium has led to the discovery and description of 565 new taxa in the past five years, and over half of these are rare or priority taxa of conservation concern. Integrated genetic and ecological research has identified recommendations for management of small populations and remnant vegetation and design of restoration programs that will facilitate maintenance of species and landscape processes. Phytophthora infection is a major threat to flora in the south-west and research has identified novel control and eradication techniques that have been trialed at key sites in the Fitzgerald River National Park. Restoration of a major rangelands ecosystem is being achieved at Lorna Glen, a former pastoral lease, through removal of domesticated animals, establishment of fire regimes that produce a habitat mosaic and control of introduced predators. Native fauna assemblages are being reconstructed through translocations from Barrow Island and other sites, and from captive breeding facilities. Translocations 1 of our most threatened mammal, Gilbert‘s potoroo, to a secure site has led to a significant increase in numbers. Study of interactions between predators has confirmed a mesopredator release, where cats have become significant predators once foxes are reduced in abundance through baiting programs. Eradication of cats and rats is becoming a potential reality with the successful eradication of black rats on Direction Island in the Cocos (Keeling) group. The Perth Observatory had a significant achievement in being authors on a paper in the prestigious journal Nature. The Observatory contributed six years of observations to the analysis that concluded extrasolar planets outnumber stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. It is a professional obligation of scientists to communicate research findings to a range of audiences, and the reputation of both individual scientists and their institutions is largely built on the quality and quantity of published scientific work. Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals validate the rigour of the science undertaken in the Division, and communication of the implications of the research to managers and operational staff through technical articles and general publications is also an important means of knowledge transfer. A review of productivity through written communications for the five years from July 2006 to June 2011 identified a significant increase in the rate of scientific publications by staff in the Division. From 2006 to 2011, the Division produced 574 scientific publications (papers, book chapters and books) and 1,376 general publications (conference publications, popular articles, reports, information sheets, etc). This represents an increase of 69% for scientific publications and 86% for general publications compared to the five years from 2001 to 2006. Communication of scientific outcomes and knowledge continues to be a key performance indicator for scientists and the Division to demonstrate effective translation of scientific research into knowledge as a basis for decision making and on-ground management. The scientific work of the Division that has led to the achievements made over the past five years would not be possible without the efficient support of the administrative staff, the work centre managers and library staff. I thank them for their ongoing dedication to supporting the work of the scientific staff. This year‘s activity report has been produced through a newly developed online project management system developed by the Science Applications Unit that has greatly increased the efficiency with which the report is produced. The requirement for scientific information is increasing and, given our finite capacity to meet this challenge, we need to continually review our approach and identify innovative and efficient ways of delivering best-practice science to meet the conservation needs of DEC. The Division has demonstrated many significant achievements over the past five years of which I have only been able to highlight a few. I look forward to ongoing scientific advancements to support biodiversity conservation in Western Australia. Dr Margaret Byrne Acting Director July 2012 2 CONTENTS VISION........................................................................................................................................................ 7 FOCUS AND PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................. 7 ROLE ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 SERVICE DELIVERY STRUCTURE .................................................................................................................. 8 PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS ..................................................................................................................... 9 CURRENT COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIA (STUDENT PROJECTS) ........................................................... 21 EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS ........................................................................................................................ 27 SUMMARY OF RESEARCH PROJECTS BY DEC, NRM, IBRA/IMCRA REGIONS ........................................... 35 RESEARCH ACTIVITIES .............................................................................................................................. 45 BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE UNIT ...............................................................................................