The Yakka skink and Dunmall’s snake: two unlikely research candidates

The Brigalow Belt biogeographic region of Queensland contains populations of over 20 species of threatened reptiles. Two of the most poorly known of these species are the Yakka skink (Egernia rugosa) and Dunmall’s Snake (Furina dunmalli).  Both of these species are listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and […]

Keeping a lookout for the white-throated snapping turtle

The white-throated snapping turtle is a critically endangered species according to both Australian and Queensland state legislation.  Also known as the southern snapping turtle, it occurs mainly within the Burnett River, Mary River and Fitzroy River catchments of Queensland.  Facing threats of egg predation by dogs, foxes, pigs and goannas, the species is suffering from […]

The art and science of land snail research

Few people would know that Australia has several thousand named species of land snails. These are an often-overlooked component of the invertebrate fauna of the Australian bush, which is not surprising given most of them are smaller than a 20 cent piece and they are mainly active at night, after rain. Our contribution to land […]

What are biodiversity offset assessments?

One of our many ecological services is to assess areas for their biodiversity offset potential.  Why do we do this? There are Commonwealth and/or State legislative limits imposed on major infrastructure projects related to potential disturbance to Commonwealth-protected vegetation communities, such as Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) and vegetation identified as habitat for listed threatened species. […]

What you need to know about threatened land snails of the Brigalow Belt

When it comes to threatened species in Australia, land snails will not be the first animal that comes to mind.  Few people know Australia has native land snails, let alone that some are on the brink of extinction.  However, since records have been kept, more species of land snails have become extinct throughout the world […]

Our contribution to the Methods to Market project (biodiversity component)

Whilst we have a deep knowledge and passion for the Brigalow Belt, our love of natural history is not limited to geographical boundaries. We embrace any challenge, including opportunities to study different and remote regions. For the Methods to Market project, completed in 2022, we were asked to measure the co-benefit of biodiversity enhancement on […]