Download HONOURS PROJECTS FOR 2014 The Aquatic Ecosystems

HONOURS PROJECTS FOR 2014
The Aquatic Ecosystems Research group has several areas of research available for students
interested in doing Honours in 2014:

The effect of 2 decades of climatic drying on the distribution of the aestivating
native freshwater snail Glacidorbis occidentalis. Either Feb or mid-year start.
This tiny native snail in an endemic species in south-west WA streams. It formerly
had a wide distribution in Darling Range streams, but recent decades of extreme
drying may have dramatically restricted its range. This project aims to discover
whether this species is surviving climate change drying well, or whether it is on a path
to becoming endangered. This is a field based project.

Feral freshwater snails. Investigation of the identity, origin and possible impact
of a variety of introduced freshwater gastropod species in Perth freshwaters.
Either Feb or mid-year start.
A variety of unidentified exotic freshwater snails have been recorded in streams and
wetlands of the Perth region. This field based project aims to identify these species,
determine their origin and use literature to determine their ecology. The project will
also aim to determine the local population sizes of these species to determine their
probable environmental impact.

The effect of native and exotic species of submerged aquatic plants on
invertebrate diversity in artificial waterbodies. Either Feb or mid-year start.
Many artificial wetlands contain native macrophyte species, increasing their capacity
to support biodiversity. However, exotic species of macrophyte are also commonly
found. This field project will use sampling to determine whether invertebrate
biodiversity and assemblage structure differ predictably between native and exotic
species of plant. Field experiments may also be used. The information will assist
managers to determine whether restoration needs to focus more on the use of native
waterplants or whether exotic plants can still deliver this ecosystem service.

The effect of 3 decades of climatic drying on the biodiversity of Darling Range
streams. Mid-year start.
30 years ago, Stuart Bunn sampled a selection of Darling Range streams and
described their invertebrate fauna. This project will revisit these streams to see
whether the fauna has remained the same, or changed over time. If the fauna has
changed, the species will be examined to determine why this change has occurred.
Prolonged drying of stream flow regimes is the likely causal factor, so this will be
investigated. This is a field and lab based project, with remote area fieldwork.

Are there freshwater refuges in salinized catchments in the WA wheatbelt?
Mid-year start.
This project will be a field survey aimed at determining whether winter rains create
short term freshwater refuges for invertebrates and aquatic plants. Potential
waterbodies will be located and sampled and plant and animal species identified.
Salinity measurements will be made at many locations across the landscape.

Mark recapture of dragonflies in South Lake – aimed at determining population
size estimates, size distributions and longevity for different species of dragonfly.
Mid-year start.
Using existing methods, this project is a field experiment capturing, marking,
releasing and recapturing dragonflies to provide a range of basic life history
information on these important species. field project in the Perth area.

The effect of 2 decades of climatic drying on wetland biodiversity in Perth.
Mid-year start.
In the early 1990s a large project, the 40 wetlands project, described the invertebrate
fauna of 40 Perth wetlands. Water regimes in many of these wetlands have changed
since then. This project will sample invertebrates from a subset of these natural
wetlands to determine what water regime change and increased temperatures have
done to the wetland fauna. Field and lab project in the Perth region.
A variety of projects on wetland and stream restoration, assessing the effectiveness of
restoration are also possible.
More information about our Research Group is available on our website:
http://www.murdoch.edu.au/Research-capabilities/Aquatic-Ecosystems/
To discuss any of the projects or to register your interest, please contact A/Prof. Belinda
Robson on: (08) 9360 2417 or email [email protected]