Workshop on Decline in Mammals in Northern Australia

Workshop on Decline in Mammals in Northern Australia

WORKSHOP ON DECLINE IN MAMMALS IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

Proposed dates:

10-11 February 2008

Where:

Darwin. CSIRO conference room, Berrimah.

Program

Tuesday 10 FebruaryFocus on the issues

Session 1: Background

[Facilitator: JOHN WOINARSKI]

0830-0900:start; welcome; thanks; introductions; brief outline.

0900:1030: series of brief (10 mins only) scene-setting talks.

0900-0910:Chris Johnson (impacts of predators)

0910-0920:Sarah Legge (studies of cattle impacts)

0920-0930:Ian Radford (fire & mammals)

0930-0940:John Woinarski (recent monitoring Kakadu/Litchfield)

0940-0950:Mark Ziembicki (study on Indigenous knowledge)

0950-1000:Ron Firth (example of detailed study of individual sp)

1000-1010:Ken Aplin (hidden mammal diversity)

1010-1040:responses & info from other sources.

Session 2: Overview of current status & conservation priorities

[ALARIC FISHER]

Alaric – 2-3 mins intro; then divide into 3 groups (state-based)

1100-1200:(in groups -shared understanding of conservation status (species, areas) – what’s in trouble, where? what’s safe, where? what are the patterns?

1200-1230: integration of groups

Outcomes: Matrix of levels of decline experienced by different taxon groups in 3-4 broad habitat types in WA, NT and Qld.

Session 3: Overview of the possible causes of decline

[CHRIS JOHNSON]

Chris – 2-3 mins intro; then divide into 3 groups (threat-based; each group tackling a main threat and another (less likely) threat)

  • fire & toads
  • cats & disease
  • pastoralism & climate change & Anna K

The objective is to evaluate, add to or refine the draft assessments already sent around; and to critique the overall framework (already sent around)

1315-1415: assessment of given threats; and overall framework?

1415-1445: integration of groups: what are the main causes?

Outcomes: refinement of the discussion document on causes of decline

Session 4: Current works and critical gaps

[BRYDIE HILL]

Brydie – 2-3 mins intro; then divide into 3 groups (state-based)

1515-1545: what are we doing now?

  • recent, current and proposed research;
  • monitoring;
  • any management initiatives?

1545-1615: what are the critical knowledge and management gaps? What is inhibiting better management?

1615-1645: The 3 groups reporting back (aim to highlight research gaps to feed to session 6)

Outcomes: List of current works in different jurisdictions. Common agreement on a list of gaps and their level of priority.

Wednesday 11 FebruaryFocus on the solutions

0830-0845: reprise and questions. [JOHN WOINARSKI]

Session 5: Management needs, priorities and advice

[STEVE WINDERLICH]

Steve – 2-3 mins intro; then divide into 3 groups (tenure-based)

0845-0945: (in groups, by main tenure type):

what are the management priorities?

what information do managers need to maintain or restore mammals?

what is feasible? / what are the hurdles?

what are best practice management standards?

what is the interest and obligations?

0945-1030: integration of groups.

Outcomes: List of Management actions for different tenures and habitat types. Identification of important knowledge gaps and research questions for managers.

Session 6: Research priorities and approach

[IAIN GORDON]

Iain – 2-3 min intro, then divide into 3 groups, to separately tackle the main knowledge gaps identified in session 4, and management needs identified in session 5

1100-1100: (in groups) filling the critical knowledge gaps and management needs –

what are the most effective research approaches?

who should tackle them?

how much do they cost?

where should they be done?

what, how and where should we monitor?

reporting the research (scientific papers)

1200-1230: integration of groups.

Outcomes: Integrated plan of research that focuses on the needs of management (session 5) and knowledge gaps (session 4)

Session 7: Building from here & Getting the message across

[BARRY TRAILL]

1300-1430:integrating proposals and action

who should do what?

what funding options are available?

developing proposals.

developing alliances

Outcomes:A plan to implement the management and research programs highlighted in sessions 5 & 6.

1500-1630: communications

media

managers

scientific papers

website (internal document-sharing / public?)

Outcomes: A communications plan to reach the general public, the scientific community, managers and funding bodies.

1630-1700:options for keeping momentum (networks).