Gondwana Link Project
Gondwana Link is a landscape-scale conservation project in the ecologically significant south west corner of Western Australia. The aim of the Gondwana Link project is to reconnect fragmented ecosystems, and to protect, restore and maintain the fundamental ecological processes that underpin these ecosystems.
Gondwana Link extends from the Western edge of the Nullarbor Plain to the wet forests of the Margaret River region
While elements of the Gondwana Link project are occurring elsewhere in Australia (collectively they are often referredto as biolinks), it is rare for such a range of activities to be undertaken concurrently in an integrated fashion over such a large area. Gondwana Link represents an outstanding example of a landscape-scale conservation project in Australia, and the project is recognised locally and internationally for its grand vision, integrated approach, and focus on ecological resilience. It therefore provides a unique test bed to facilitate the research and development of conservation theory, and its application to on-ground conservation in a real world situation.
Through an ARC Linkage funded project we are working with the Gondwana Link Ltd, The Nature Conservancy, The Wilderness Society, Greening Australia and Bush Heritage Australia to develop and apply prioritization approaches that accounts for the diversity of land use, threats and significant ecological values of the south west corner of Western Australia.
UQ-Gondwana Link Scientific Advisory Team: Back Row (from the left): Ayesha Tulloch (UQ PhD Candidate), Dr Nicola Markus (Bush Heritage Australia), Dr David Freudenberger (Greening Australia), Dr Robert Lambeck (Greening Australia), Keith Bradby (Gondwana Link Coordination Unit), Professor Hugh Possingham (UQ), Front Row: Dr Michael Looker (The Nature Conservancy); Dr Trudy O’Connor (The Wilderness Society); Paula Deegan (UQ); Dr Kerrie Wilson (UQ).
UQ - Gondwana Link Meeting April 2010. From left to right: Back Row: Ana Prohaska (UQ), Paula Deegan (UQ); Dr. Nicola Markus (Bush Heritage Australia); Keith Bradby (Gondwana Link); Dr. James Fitzsimmons (The Nature Conservancy); and Prof. Hugh Possingham (UQ). Front Row: Ayesha Tulloch (UQ); Dr. Kerrie Wilson (UQ); Dr. Trudy O’Connor (The Wilderness Society); and Megan Evans (UQ)
Members of the Wilson lab are working closely with our collaborators on a range of projects that aim to maximise the conservation outcomes gained through the Gondwana Link project.
Ayesha Tulloch is developing methods to assist in the selection of indicator species that are used for measuring and monitoring outcomes of conservation management in the Fitz-Stirling.
Angela Guerrero aims to understand how key social and institutional factors define opportunities and constraints for conservation, so that they can be accounted for when planning and implementing conservation initiatives. Her study area is in the Fitz-Stirling region of Gondwana Link.
The dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis, an endangered marsupial found only in the Fitz-Stirling and some offshore islands, that might benefit from fox baiting. Photo by Ayesha Tulloch
Megan Evans is working on the development of a region-wide plan for the Great Western Woodlands, that aims to maintain the unique biological values of the region and incorporate compatible land uses and management practices.
Karen Mustin is undertaking her project with the aim to inform on the ground conservation decisions in relation to major threats to biodiversity in the region, including climate change, fire, invasive species and habitat fragmentation.
Lake Johnston, west of Norseman in the Great Western Woodlands. Photo by Amanda Keesing
Andrea Fullagar spent her Honours year on a project which aimed to determine cost-effective priorities for restoration of previously cleared agricultural sites in the Fitz-Stirling region.
Typical fragmented landscape of the Fitz-Stirling (Stirling Ranges in the background), with pockets of vegetation surrounded by an agricultural matrix. Photo by Ayesha Tulloch
Key References
Tulloch, A, Possingham H.P., & Wilson, K.A. 2011. Wise Selection of an Indicator for Monitoring the Success of Management Actions. Biological Conservationdoi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.08.009
Gondwana Link in Decision Point
(Decision Point is monthly newsletter by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, and edited by David Salt):
Kerrie Wilson (UQ): Gondwana Link meets decision theory – Getting a GRIPP on what’s important. Decision Point 25
Hugh Possingham (UQ): Big thinking for a big country. Decision Point 26.
Justin Jonson (Greening Australia): Planning at Peniup – Restoration at the property scale – lessons learned in Gondwana Link. Decision Point 27
Angela Sanders (Gondwana Link and Bush Heritage): Bird-guided restoration – Moving revegetation towards habitat restoration in Gondwana Link. Decision Point 28
James Fitzsimmons (TNC Australia): Setting priorities, achieving outcomes & enabling conservation – the work of The Nature Conservancy in Australia. Decision Point 34
Ayesha Tulloch (UQ): Selecting good indicators – Effective management in Gondwana Link depends on good guidance. Decision Point 36
