1. The Dingo Project Arid Recovery 31-Jan-2012
2. How to become a scientist Arid Recovery 24-Jan-2012
3. Fire Season Ready Arid Recovery 11-Jan-2012
4. National Bird Day Arid Recovery 05-Jan-2012
5. Seasons Greetings from AR Arid Recovery 19-Dec-2011

Current Research & Priorities

Research & Monitoring at Arid Recovery is always ongoing. Some of the projects we currently have underway include: The role of dingoes in controlling cat and fox abundance in the arid zone The study addresses the question of whether the dingo has the potential to suppress the abundance and distribution of introduced cats and foxes, with interactions of the dingos and feral species being monitored closely using GPS collars. A Natural Predator for the Reserve Introducing a natural predator to keep the ecosystem within the reserve in balance has been a long term goal for Arid Recovery. With native mammal populations inside the reserve now stable Arid Recovery are looking at different options for a natural predator which include the Western Quoll. One-way gate trials Fenced reserves provide an unnatural barrier to dispersal and can lead to overstocking of threatened species. One way gates have been designed to allow threatened species to disperse into other areas of the reserve. Four one way gate designs were tested on Greater Bilbies and Burrowing Bettongs and each species preferred a different gate design. The preferred gate design is now in-between the main enclosure and first expansion sections of the reserve allowing animals to flow to the first expansion. Overstocking Management of Native Re-Introduced Species As native populations inside the reserve of our re-introduced species are ever growing, Arid Recovery is currently looking into overstocking management systems including the development of thresholds to detect early warning of overstocking and appropriate management actions Rodent distribution and habitat requirements in Arid Recovery Reserve Recent trapping results have identified large increases in rodents inside Arid Recovery, particularly the nationally threatened Plains Rat. Research will be undertaken to determine the difference in abundance and habitat preference of the Plains Rat inside and outside the Arid Recovery Reserve. Some of Arid Recovery Research Priorities include 1) Document and differentiate between the restoration of ecological processes after the removal of feral animals and the re-introduction of locally extinct species 2) Research the ecology of threatened and significant species and formulate monitoring and re-introduction protocols 3) Identify indicators of overstocking of threatened species within the Reserve and explore options for maintaining desired population levels 4) Develop and improve methods for feral animal control Honours and PhD Projects Suggestions: Honours, PhD or other research projects can be conducted at Arid Recovery, please see below for a list of project suggestions. If you would like more information please email education@aridrecovery.org,au. Other external projects may also be supported so if you have an idea for research at Arid Recovery, please contact us to discuss. Honours Projects: The effect of rabbits, cats and foxes on bird distribution, abundance and/or reproductive success. Reproductive suppression in the Spinifex Hopping Mouse, Notomys alexis; the influence of food resources or overcrowding. Changes in bat abundance, behaviour and species assemblages inside and outside the Arid Recovery reserve. Habitat preference of the Western Barred Bandicoot. PhD Projects: Can native predators be used to regulate confined populations of reintroduced native species? Stick-nest Rat nest fidelity and population dynamics. The effects of reintroduced and feral species on invertebrate distribution and abundance.