Let’s Nurture Nature

Man-made noise has been shown to negatively affect both human and non-human species. In magpies, we see changes to foraging, vigilance, and vocalisation behaviours due to man-made noise. But what makes some individuals better at coping with this anthropogenic stressor than others?

Grace Blackburn is currently undertaking her PhD at UWA, investigating the effects of anthropogenic noise on urban bird populations using the beloved Western Australian Magpie as a model study system.

When isolated from predators, mammals can lose their ability to detect predators and avoid being eaten. This talk explores the loss of anti-predator behaviours in Woylies (a Critically Endangered marsupial) and the implications for their conservation.

Tash Harrison has always had an interest in Animal Behaviour and started her career following meerkats in South Africa. She is now completing a PhD at UWA working toward the conservation of Australia’s unique wildlife.

Our need for food poses one of the biggest dangers to our planet due to its strain on natural resources. With our growing population, this need is larger than ever. This talk will show the potential role of insects in working towards food security and reducing strain on natural resources, through their application in aquaculture diets.

Isobel Sewell is a marine biologist in the final months of completing her PhD at UWA, with a focus on using sustainable aquaculture practices to secure future food security.