HONOURS PROJECTS FOR 2015
The Aquatic Ecosystems Research group has several areas of research available for students
interested in doing Honours in 2015:

Management implications of the newly constructed golf course on the ecological
condition of lakes on Rottnest Island
Mid-year start.
Nutrient and other inputs from a newly constructed golf course adjacent to Garden and
Hershel Lakes on Rottnest Island has the capacity to degrade their ecological condition.
The lakes currently have microbialites and other high conservation value assets. This
project, funded by the Rottnest Island Board, will examine baseline data and collect
physiochemical and ecological data on the lakes to determine the potential impact of the
golf course and recommend management guidelines to minimise that impact.

The effect of 2 decades of climatic drying on the distribution of the aestivating
native freshwater snail Glacidorbis occidentalis. Mid-year start.
This tiny native snail in an endemic species in south-west WA streams. It formerly had a
wide distribution in Darling Range streams, but recent decades of extreme drying may
have dramatically restricted its range. This project aims to discover whether this species is
surviving climate change drying well, or whether it is on a path to becoming endangered.
This is a field based project.

Potential capacity for reusing wastewater to restore drying wetlands
Either Feb or mid-year start.
This project will investigate the potential of diverting runoff from vet farm into Chelodina
Wetland on the Murdoch campus to recharge the surface and groundwater levels in an
attempt to reinstate the natural water regime of this wetland. The project will investigate
the hydrological, water quality and biotic impacts this may have and produce
management recommendations. Project supported by Murdoch University and of interest
to the Water Corporation.

The effect of native and exotic species of submerged aquatic plants on
invertebrate diversity in artificial waterbodies. Either Feb or mid-year start.
Many artificial wetlands contain native macrophyte species, increasing their capacity
to support biodiversity. However, exotic species of macrophyte are also commonly
found. This field project will use sampling to determine whether invertebrate
biodiversity and assemblage structure differ predictably between native and exotic
species of plant. Field experiments may also be used. The information will assist
managers to determine whether restoration needs to focus more on the use of native
waterplants or whether exotic plants can still deliver this ecosystem service.

Combining community and conservation on campus Either Feb or mid-year start.
This project will combine ecological and social research to inform the development of a
biodiversity app for the Murdoch Campus. The project will investigate current staff and
student use and knowledge of our conservation areas and wildlife and compare it to
ecological condition and biodiversity conservation on campus. The integration of
community perceptions and needs and ecological sustainability will be used to engage
and educate the university community and develop priorities for biodiversity
management.

Distribution of larval dragonflies on the Swan Coastal Plain Feb or Mid-year start.
Recent surveys indicate changes in the distribution of dragonfly breeding sites on the SCP
and the potential presence of Pilbara species. This project will involve field surveys and
also laboratory work hatching dragonfly eggs and growing out larvae to adult stages to
confirm some larval identifications.

The role of nutrients in the interstitial water of sediments in determining aquatic
plant community dominance Mid-year start.
The Ramsar-listed Vasse Wonnerup Estuary has a diverse array of aquatic plant
communities, some of which are the primary food source for the the largest regular
breeding colony of Black Swan in south-western Australia. Maintaining this plant
diversity is integral to the conservation and management of the waterbirds, as well as the
ecological health of the lagoons. This project seeks to determine whether nutrients in the
sediment (rather than the water column) are the key to determining which species have
the competitive advantage.

Are there freshwater refuges in salinized catchments in the WA wheatbelt?
Mid-year start.
This project will be a field survey aimed at determining whether winter rains create
short term freshwater refuges for invertebrates and aquatic plants. Potential
waterbodies will be located and sampled and plant and animal species identified.
Salinity measurements will be made at many locations across the landscape.

Climate change and anthropogenic impacts on salt marsh communities of the
Swan Canning River System Either Feb or mid-year start.
In 1981 Luke Pen did his Honours research mapping the fringing marshes of the Swan
Canning River. This project revisits these sites over 30 years later using GIS to map the
same communities and seek the primary reasons for changes observed. This work will
inform management and conservation of these precious areas.

The effect of 3 decades of climatic drying on the biodiversity of Darling Range
streams. Mid-year start.
30 years ago, Stuart Bunn sampled a selection of Darling Range streams and
described their invertebrate fauna. This project will revisit these streams to see
whether the fauna has remained the same, or changed over time. If the fauna has
changed, the species will be examined to determine why this change has occurred.
Prolonged drying of stream flow regimes is the likely causal factor, so this will be
investigated. This is a field and lab based project, with remote area fieldwork.

Freshwater crayfish distribution in Swan Coastal Plain streams and wetlands
Feb or Mid-year start.

This project will determine the distribution and habitat requirements of gilgies,
koonacs, marron and the introduced yabby in Perth waterbodies. The aim is to
identify where these animals remain in the urban area and the habitat that they need to
persist in the urban landscape. Field based project.

The effect of 2 decades of climatic drying on wetland biodiversity in Perth.
Mid-year start.
In the early 1990s a large project, the 40 wetlands project, described the invertebrate
fauna of 40 Perth wetlands. Water regimes in many of these wetlands have changed
since then. This project will sample invertebrates from a subset of these natural
wetlands to determine what water regime change and increased temperatures have
done to the wetland fauna. Field and lab project in the Perth region.
A variety of projects on wetland and stream restoration, assessing the effectiveness of
restoration are also possible.
More information about our Research Group is available on our website:
http://www.murdoch.edu.au/Research-capabilities/Aquatic-Ecosystems/
To discuss any of the projects or to register your interest, please contact
Dr Jane Chambers on: (08) 9360 2739 or email J.Chambers@murdoch.edu.au or
A/Prof. Belinda Robson on: (08) 9360 2417 or email b.robson@murdoch.edu.au