Each year CBCS invites applications for our Small Grants Scheme, which aims to promote research collaboration, inclusion, mentorship, leadership and teamwork for biodiversity conservation. The grants are open to applicants of all career levels who are working on conservation at UQ, and this year the scheme has prioritised proposals which initiate new external partnerships between CBCS members and government, NGOs or industry.
“The Small Grants Scheme is the heart of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science. It’s where the seeds that are planted in coffee chats and social hours are allowed to germinate and grow”, says CBCS Director, Associate Professor Daniel Dunn. “[It] is meant to be an idea incubator that supports initial efforts to flesh out an idea and develop it into proposals, publications or larger programs. It’s also meant to increase collaboration across CBCS and with industry (including NGOs and government) to encourage the development of cross-disciplinary solutions to challenging biodiversity problems”.
This year we had four successful applicants, all of whom are making novel and notable contributions to conservation science. “This year’s winners are taking traditional CBCS issues in novel directions (e.g., incorporating international agreements into spatial prioritisation of migratory birds, or spatial prioritisation of spotted quolls under climate change), engaging industry (e.g., Brisbane airport) to understand how to make critical infrastructure more wildlife-friendly, and better understanding the conservation status of vulnerable taxonomic groups (invertebrates). We look forward to seeing how these projects progress, and to running the small grant scheme again in Q1 2025!”, Daniel says.
Learn more about the awarded projects below.
Flight forward: navigating the path to wildlife – aviation coexistence – using Brisbane Airport as an example
Project leads: Shu Chen and Nga-Yee Lai
“Birds mastered the skies long before planes ever took flight. Inspired by them, we now traverse the heavens. Yet, in modern aviation, these original aviators are often seen as hazards”, Shu Chen says. “Our project, focusing on Brisbane Airport, aims to shift this conflict towards collaboration by fostering dialogue between the conservation sector and the aviation industry. Through a panel discussion between CBCS and aviation practitioners, followed by a site visit to the airport, we are exploring ways to promote wildlife-aviation coexistence through science and practice”.
Global spatial prioritisation of migratory bird connectivity
Project lead: Marina Corella Tor
“My project ‘Global Spatial Prioritisation of Migratory Bird Connectivity’ aims to bring together industry and academia to tackle one of the main challenges in the conservation of migratory bird species: the coordination of management across international borders. Together, we'll develop a spatial prioritisation that incorporates: (1) a global list of International Environmental Agreements focusing on migratory birds; (2) the number of shared migratory bird species between pairs of countries; (3) the IUCN Red List status of such species; as well as (4) the potential for bilateral collaboration between pairs of countries as a measure of cost. We believe that this will enable the development of specific, practical and easy-to-understand conservation strategies, targeting governments, NGOs and already established International Environmental Agreements focusing on migratory birds worldwide”, says Marina.
The application of the IUCN Red List criteria to invertebrates
Project lead: James Tweed
“For this project we’re collaborating with a diverse range of organisations to complete the first coordinated extinction risk assessment of Norfolk Island’s endemic invertebrates. This will help to set a baseline for the conservation of these unique species. We’re also aiming to provide an opportunity for workshop participants and other CBCS members to develop species threat assessment skills by receiving expert training”, says James.
Spatial prioritisation of spotted-tail quoll under future climate change
Project lead: Lamuel C.H. Chung
“The spotted-tail quoll's extensive home range crosses multiple land tenure and government boundaries, necessitating coordinated conservation efforts among various stakeholders. This workshop aims to unite experts and researchers from different sectors to foster collaboration and collective action for this vulnerable marsupial. Key objectives include promoting standardised data-sharing frameworks and enhancing spatial modelling. Additionally, a discussion session with policy-makers will be dedicated to bridge up research and practical decision-making for spatial prioritisation”, says Lamuel.