VISION Resilient and Sustainable Wildlife in Functional Ecosystems

What are CRCs ?

Australian Commonwealth Program
Began in early 1990s Typically $4-5 million pa -> 10 years Return to public good focus/15 year term

Research & User Partners

University, Gov agencies, Research Orgs, Industry, NGOs

Sector Based Health, Mining , Environment etc Research to meet needs of users/national importance
Integrated/Synergy/Practical Outputs

Support research: Projects, PhD students

Scholarships, research costs, staff, conferences, etc

Contributions of partner orgs leverages CRC Program funds

In Kind & Cash

Safeguarding Biodiversity CRC Resources

Possible 8-15 year funding period (Initial 2012 bid 8 years) Total cash budget A$53m (A$6.65pa) In kind Budget A$146m (A$18.25m pa)
Mainly research staff time

Regional & International Collaboration

Bilaterally supported projects Staff & PhD student exchanges

CRC would cover:

Travel & accommodation costs of its staff/students Research costs of visitors

Safeguarding Biodiversity CRC Bid Members

1. University/Research Organisations

U Newcastle, UWA, UWS, U Tas, U Adelaide, U Canberra, U Sunshine Coast Murdoch U, Curtin U, James Cook U, QUT, U Tas, Charles Sturt U, Deakin U, U Otago (NZ), Massey U (NZ), Landcare Research (NZ)

2.

Core Business Users

Government Agency Zoos/Sanctuaries NGOs

WA DEC, Parks Vic, DENR SA, DoC NZ, Dept of Defence, Dept Fisheries WA Links with all States & Territories & Federal Dept Perth Zoo, Taronga Cons Soc/Aust Wildlife Health Network, Auckland Zoo Zoos & Aquarium Assoc Australasia, NZ Sanctuaries Assoc. Earthwatch Institute Australia, Bush Heritage, Capital Woodlands & Wetlands Con Assoc. The Nature Conservancy, Trust For Nature

3.

Non-Core Business Users

Agriculture

Dunkeld Pastoral Co (Vic, NT, Kimberly), Dairy Aust, Meat & Livestock Aust AgriBusiness Dev Group Ltd (NZ)

The Australian Biodiversity Scene: Strengths - Weaknesses & Opportunities

Filling the Gaps

Our Interdisciplinary research: RP1. Genomics & Reproduction RP2. Wildlife Health & Disease RP3. Applied Ecology RP4. Biodiversity & Society RP5. Systems & Utilisation Will deliver the components of 3 innovative products that are needed to secure resilient wildlife populations in functional ecosystems: The Threats Barometer will detect and measure the diverse biological and societal pressures at play and integrate these multiple threats to define and prioritise response strategies; The Response Toolbox will integrate biological and societal tools to achieve effective responses to threats and rebuilding of wildlife populations supported by the mainstream community; The Future Proofing Safeguards will provide the critical next generation capabilities, networks and technologies to meet and mitigate the biodiversity challenges of the future.

Product Components:

Usage & Impact is ensured through our: Pathway Projects

A Typical Pathway Project The Grampians: a Multi-stakeholder Fragmented Landscape

...our Product Delivery Value Chain and Utilisation Strategy

And our Business-like Operating Model

Safeguarding Biodiversity CRC Monetary Impacts

Impact 1: Reduced cost of threatened species programs due to genome storage capacity. Impact 2: Reduced cost of wildlife disease outbreak management. Impact 3: Reduced risk to humans & agriculture from wildlife vectored disease. Impact 4: Reduction in pest management costs using sustainable approaches. Impact 5: Ecosystem services provided to the economy by reintroduced species. Impact 6: Increased level of donations & willingness to volunteer to Biodiversity Conservation NGOs. Impact 7: More efficient & effective resourcing of Biodiversity Conservation. Impact 8: Reduced probability of species conservation status declining. Impact 9: Increased biodiversity on farms prevent economic losses to Australian agricultural Industries.

Safeguarding Biodiversity CRC Non-Monetary Impacts

RP1 Genomics & Reproduction - Enhanced national capability & a paradigm shift in how genomics & reproduction is used to restore genetic diversity of species/populations & increase their survival/persistence via: better/faster threats assessment, more quality animals for reintroduction, & genome banks/technologies to safeguard genetic variability & source for future restoration needs. RP2 Wildlife Health & Disease - Improved public health via improved natural aesthetics, reduced risk of diseases threatening biodiversity and human health and increased use of strategic and early interventions to better manage diseases of wildlife. Stronger Australian Wildlife Health Network and incorporation of wildlife health management capacity and mastery into the conservation sector more broadly. RP3 Applied Ecology - Improved viability of threatened species and more effective ecosystem management across entire landscapes. Greater consistency and comparability of studies of threatened populations, more holistic understanding of threatening processes. Increased awareness of linkages between ecosystem health and human wellbeing, biodiversity conservation elevated to mainstream in public consciousness. RP4 Biodiversity & Society - Reduced misunderstanding, public outrage, litigation & environmentally harmful behaviours, reduced conflict & increased wellbeing. Increased public connectedness with biodiversity, happier volunteers & a greater sense of local project ownership & improved community satisfaction. Biodiversity programs capturing public imagination thus easier for agencies to deliver. RP5 Systems & Utilisation - Improved evidence-base for on-ground implementation and multi-perspective decision-making in biodiversity conservation. Integration of CRC outputs, leading to increased understanding of biodiversity systems. Improved capability in analysis of biodiversity systems. Enhanced communication and understanding of conservation, and demonstration of methods and benefits via pathway projects.

VISION Resilient and Sustainable Wildlife in Functional Ecosystems