Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Tyrone H. Lavery, Mark Eldridge, Sarah Legge, David Pearson, Darren Southwell, John C. Z. Woinarski, Leigh-Ann Woolley, David Lindenmayer
Summary: Rock-wallabies in Australia face population declines and various threats, with major issues including predation by introduced species and loss of genetic diversity. Monitoring programs vary in their ability to provide necessary data for informed conservation efforts. Multiple methods should be considered to ensure successful conservation of rock-wallabies.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maldwyn J. Evans, Will G. Batson, Iain J. Gordon, Emily Belton, Tim Chaseling, Don Fletcher, Michael Harrison, Tom McElroy, Alison Mungoven, Jenny Newport, Jenny Pierson, Timothy Portas, Shelley Swain, Claire Wimpenny, Adrian D. Manning
Summary: This study examines the reintroduction of mammal species to the mainland and the potential for driving evolution of predator-resistant traits through exposure to low levels of predation. The research suggests that reducing predation can establish a 'Goldilocks Zone' that drives selection for individuals with predator-resistant characteristics, contributing to the broader field of evolutionary conservation biology.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Kolbusz, Simon de Lestang, Tim Langlois, Charitha Pattiaratchi
Summary: The study investigates the life cycle of the Western Rock Lobster along the coast of Western Australia, specifically focusing on the changes in puerulus numbers after a recruitment failure. The results show a significant reduction in puerulus numbers during the first half of the season post decline, and a continued decrease in sites south of Lancelin throughout the entire season. Sites showing signs of recovery indicate that the majority of settlement occurred in the second half of the season.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Yongfei Yang, Fugui Liu, Qi Zhang, Yingwen Li, Ke Wang, Quan Xu, Jiangshan Yang, Zhenxiao Shang, Junming Liu, Jinlei Wang, Ziwei Liu, Huaisen Song, Weichen Sun, Jiawei Li, Jun Yao
Summary: The complex and multiscale nature of shale gas transport presents new challenges to conventional reservoir techniques, particularly digital core analysis. High-precision imaging experiments and deep learning methods show promise in characterizing pore structures and modeling shale gas flow. This paper reviews recent advances in these methods and presents a guide for future research in this field.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Jolam T. Neumann, John L. Black, Stephane Hoerle, Benjamin W. Smith, Ron Watkins, Markus Lagos, Alexander Ziegler, Thorsten Geisler
Summary: Murujuga in Western Australia has the largest concentration of ancient rock engravings in the world. An accelerated weathering experiment was conducted to test the impact of local industrial air pollution on the rock art. The experiment showed significant chemical and physical changes on the surface of the rock varnish after artificial weathering.
Article
Fisheries
Matias Braccini, Saia Bartes, Peter G. Coulson
Summary: This study quantified the discarded catch time series of teleosts in Western Australia's shark fisheries and identified the most commonly discarded species. The annual discards reached a peak in the 1990s but are currently much lower than the overall retained catches. These findings provide important inputs for assessing the ecosystem-based approach used in managing WA's shark fisheries.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Deane A. Smith, Mark R. Lethbridge, Benjamin L. Allen, Rose L. Andrew
Summary: Understanding individual exchange between wildlife populations is important for effective species management, especially in naturally fragmented habitats. This study used kinship and population structure analysis to demonstrate potential recent movement between colonies of yellow-footed rock-wallaby in Queensland and South Australia. The results showed genetic erosion in some populations and suggested contemporary movement events between colonies. The findings highlight the importance of population genetics in guiding wildlife management, particularly in managing threatened species at the landscape level.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tim S. Jessop, Ben Holmes, Arvel Sendjojo, Mary O. Thorpe, Euan G. Ritchie
Summary: The study tested the effects of colocating a predator-exclusion fence and lethal fox baiting on varanid site occupancy in a semiarid protected area. The results showed that varanid site occupancy was higher at sites inside the fenced enclosure, while the increase in varanid site occupancy at fox baited sites was minimal. Overall, the colocated predator management actions achieved some additive benefits through spillover fencing effects for native mesopredator populations.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Huon L. Clark, Bruno A. Buzatto, Stuart A. Halse
Summary: Knowledge of subterranean fauna is usually derived from easily accessed caves and streambeds, while sampling fauna in regional groundwater aquifers or the vadose zone is challenging. The Robe Valley in Western Australia is recognized as a globally significant subterranean fauna hotspot, with 123 species collected through mining exploration drill holes and monitoring wells. This area showcases the richness of subterranean fauna in the arid Pilbara region, with efforts to ensure species persistence despite mining activities.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Le Ma, Stephen J. Beatty, David L. Morgan, Alan J. Lymbery
Summary: Freshwater mussels, specifically Westralunio carteri, are important for aquatic ecosystems but have experienced a decline in range in south-western Australia. The distribution and abundance of this mussel species are influenced by factors such as substrate grain size, substrate debris, and proximity to the riverbank. Understanding the microhabitat requirements of W. carteri can aid in identifying suitable sites for translocation and captive propagation to prevent species extinction.
Article
Fisheries
Saia Bartes, Colin Simpfendorfer, Terence Walker, Carissa King, Neil Loneragan, Matias Braccini
Summary: The study summarizes findings from a tagging program on Western Australian sharks, focusing on movement patterns of main commercial shark species. It provides information for estimating movement rates across different fishing zones and defining the spatial scale for managing these shark species.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jerry Dunga, Daniel Sully, Steffen G. Hagemann, Paul Duuring, Leonid Danyushevsky
Summary: Research at Mt. Percy has identified two distinct styles of gold mineralisation, one correlated with the Fimiston-style mineralisation and the other with the Mt. Charlotte-style mineralisation. Geochemical analysis highlights the differences between these two styles.
MINERALIUM DEPOSITA
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ingrid van Putten, Sierra Ison, Christopher Cvitanovic, Alistair J. Hobday, Linda Thomas
Summary: Trust, communication, and influence play crucial roles in the success of large-scale marine conservation programs, such as the collaborative marine turtle conservation program in Western Australia. Trust in individuals across the network, as well as frequent meaningful communication, are essential for positive program outcomes. Communication is critical for working across vast remote regions and for establishing connections with Indigenous groups and industry stakeholders.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alice Manuzzi, Belen Jimenez-Mena, Romina Henriques, Bonnie J. Holmes, Julian Pepperell, Janette Edson, Mike B. Bennett, Charlie Huveneers, Jennifer R. Ovenden, Einar E. Nielsen
Summary: Over the last century, shark populations have declined due to overexploitation and the use of shark control programs. A study in eastern Australia found a significant change in the genetic composition of tiger sharks born between 1939 and 2015, suggesting a shift in the relative contribution of two cryptic populations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Gregory J. Retallack
Summary: This comment refutes the hypothesis that zebra rocks in northwestern Australia were formed as hydrothermal alteration zones from Ediacaran red shales. The falsification is based on the absence of Eu anomalies in REE arrays, lack of associated carbonate, low degree of chemical weathering, presence of soluble gypsum, occurrence in narrow strata bands, low thermal stability of magnetization, moderate diagenetic alteration, and patterns unlike liesegang banding. Instead, zebra rocks were gleyed paleosols with redox banding formed by acid sulfate weathering during the Ediacaran at low temperature.