Conserving caves: Developing tools to safeguard subterranean biodiversity. This project aims to develop innovative techniques to document and protect the biodiversity of the Nullarbor caves, an iconic

Description

Conserving caves: Developing tools to safeguard subterranean biodiversity. This project aims to develop innovative techniques to document and protect the biodiversity of the Nullarbor caves, an iconic Australian ecosystem. We will develop standardised methodologies to monitor biodiversity, detect centres of endemism, and identify threats, plus guidelines to inform conservation. Novel techniques will be employed to survey areas inaccessible to humans, thus solving a major challenge to environmental monitoring of caves globally. Outcomes of this project are enhanced capacity to monitor cave biodiversity, prevent extinctions, and protect areas of high biodiversity importance, which we will translate to industry and the community via museum displays, talks, and conservation and sustainable development guidelines. . Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4104 - Environmental Management. Lead: Dr Jessica Marsh