Digital Commons Network^™

Resources, Race And Rights: A Case Study Of Native Title And The Adani Carmichael Coal Mine, Kate Arnautovic

Theses : Honours

This thesis examines the extent to which state institutions and government have taken into account Indigenous rights and interests during the approval process for a large mining development. This case study focuses on the various phases of approval for the proposed Adani Carmichael Coal Mine, a significant development that has challenged the native title system in Australia. It assesses the extent to which the rights and interests of the Wangan and Jagalingou people, the traditional owners that possess a native title claim over the region, have been upheld by the National Native Title Tribunal and the State and Federal Government. …

Freshwater Future: The Influence Of Exposure To Extreme Summer Rainfall Events On The Resistance And Recovery Patterns Of An Estuarine Seagrass, Chanelle Webster

Theses : Honours

Restoring and maintaining the ecological resilience of seagrass ecosystems will be a major challenge of the 21st century. The decline of seagrasses worldwide is attributed to the erosion or elimination of their ecological resilience driven by human impacts, extreme climate events and climate change. Ecological resilience refers to the ability of ecosystems to resist or recover from disturbances whilst maintaining their integral structure and function. Seagrass resilience is influenced by life history, meadow form (transitory or enduring) and habitat type. The purpose of this honours project was to investigate the influence of extreme climate events and meadow form on a …

The Application Of Data Mining Techniques To Interrogate Western Australian Water Catchment Data Sets, Ajdin Sehovic

Theses : Honours

Current environmental challenges such as increasing dry land salinity, waterlogging, eutrophication and high nutrient runoff in south western regions of Western Australia may have both cultural and environmental implications in the near future. Advances in computer science disciplines, more specifically, data mining techniques and geographic information services provide the means to be able to conduct longitudinal climate studies to predict changes in the Water catchment areas of Western Australia.

The research proposes to utilise existing spatial data mining techniques in conjunction of modern open-source geospatial tools to interpret trends in Western Australian water catchment land use. This will be achieved …

The Effects Of Urban Habitat Fragmentation On The Population Genetic Structure Of The Scincid Lizard Ctenotus Fallens, Jösef Krawiec

Theses : Honours

Species occurring in fragmented urban habitats often exhibit low genetic diversity which can be attributed to restricted gene flow and elevated levels of inbreeding. This can have serious implications for the survival of species especially when faced with additional pressures caused by urbanisation. The population genetic structure of the generalist skink Ctenotus fallens was examined within and among three urban vegetation remnants in the Perth metropolitan area in Western Australia, using both microsatellite and AFLP markers. Historic genetic connectivity between the populations of each remnant was shown as well as weak patterns of genetic differentiation which appeared to suggest isolation …

Where New Meanings Spring: The Relationship Between Indigenous Cultural Meanings For Freshwater Springs And Management Practices: Analysis Of Stories From Kalbarri, Western Australia, Tamara Lee Murdock

Theses : Honours

While Indigenous peoples' practices have been acknowledged to change and evolve, whether Indigenous cultural meanings invested in a specific place also change and/or evolve over time, and the affect these changes may have on land and water practices has generally been ignored. This study explores the relationship between Indigenous cultural meanings and land and water stewardship practices, and whether these change over time. A qualitative research design was employed in this study to emphasise the complex and dynamic nature of language and the relationship between people, culture and nature. This study utilised interviews collected from traditional Indigenous people concerning stories …

Fuel Characteristics And Dynamics In Shrublands Of The Transitional Rainfall Zone, Western Australia, Sarah Dalgleish

Theses : Honours

Within the Mediterranean shrublands, fires are particularly intensive and widespread. In the Transitional Rainfall Zone in Western Australia, these large fires bum in areas with high conservation value, and present risks to human lives and infrastructure on properties in the region. The concern for the effect fires have on anthropocentric and ecological values in these shrublands makes it a priority in management to reduce the risks. Of the environmental and biotic factors that influence a fire, fuel is one of the most significant as it has the capacity to determine fire prope1iies such as the intensity, extent, bum pattern within …

Structural Characteristics Of Banksia Woodland Along An Ecohydrological Gradient, Western Australia, Rebecca Thomas

Theses : Honours

Water availability (the defining feature of a 'hydrological habitat') has a major effect on plant growth, and the physiological and structural characteristics of plants often reflect the availability of this resource. In relation to development of vegetation structural characteristics as a consequence of a given hydrological habitat, it is important to understand whether self-organisation of plant cover (productivity, structure and function) interacts with water availability and if adjustment to water limitation exists ('ecohydrological optimization' or establishment of a 'hydrological equilibrium'). This study tested, through three hypotheses, whether structural and functional attributes of Banksia woodland vary with water availability, i.e. whether …

Historical Geography Of Yellagonga Regional Park, Western Australia, Susan Ujma

Theses : Honours

The principle aim of this study was to reconstruct the land use history of the Yellagonga Regional Park wetland landscape. Located approximately twenty kilometres north of Perth, covering about 1400 hectares, the Park lies within the North-West Corridor of the metropolitan area. This research, assisted by archival sources, demonstrates that prior to early European settlement the Yellagonga wetlands were quintessential summer hunting and gathering sites for the Nyoongar Aboriginal people. The wetlands were utilised for water, food gathering, hunting, corroborees and rituals that governed their tribal lives. Early European settlers, market gardeners, and later subdivision for urban development, have adversely …

An Exploration Of The Perceptions Domestic Groundwater Users Hold In Relation To Perth's Groundwater Resources, Beverley Drayton-Witty

Theses : Honours

Australia's water resources over the next few decades, and most likely beyond, will be under increasing pressures as populations enlarge and as the amount of water per person becomes more limited from a decline in rainfall across much of the continent. Perth is considered lucky among most Australian cities when it comes to water resources, in that we have an extensive groundwater network that is readily accessible both for both private (wells and bores) and public (scheme water) supplies. However, this resource has also seen substantial declines over the last few decades resulting from declining rainfall and increased use. Although …

An Exploration Of Thresholds Of Tolerance For Changes To Sanctuary Zones Among Repeat Tourists: A Case Of Ningaloo Marine Park, Natasha Nicholson

Theses : Honours

As environmental issues become more prevalent in today' s society, natural area managers must find ways to balance the increased popularity of natural areas for recreation with environmental protection and conservational goals. One popular method to achieve this balance is through restrictions. Sanctuary zones are one type of restriction and are generally designated areas that prohibit extractive uses of natural resources, such as fishing. This study qualitatively explores the issues that affect a repeat tourist's tolerance threshold for changes to their recreational activities caused by restrictions within the Ningaloo Marine Park. This study seeks to assist natural area managers to …

Impact Of Fire On Geophyte Abundance, Diversity And Composition In The Jarrah Forests Of South-West Western Australia, Jeffry Cargill

Theses : Honours

Within fire-prone environments, such as the dry sclerophyll forests of south-west Western Australia, species morphology and distributions have established and maintained long-term dynamic relationships with fire regimes. These fire regimes can alter ecosystems, creating spatial and temporal changes in species composition, structure and fuel accumulation at both local and landscape scales. The cessation of Indigenous fire regimes and the establishment and expansion of a fire vulnerable European society produced the need for fire management strategies such as prescribed burning to be implemented to ensure protection of life, property and other values. Concurrent with these human-focused objectives has been the ever-increasing …

A Study Of The Effects Of Probait On Chuditch, Dasyurus Geoffroii, Within The Julimar Conservation Park With Notes On The General Ecology, Melissa York

Theses : Honours

Broad scale fox baiting programs have been underway in Western Australia since 1996 when the Western Shield fauna recovery program commenced with the aim of recovering many fauna species that are under threat of extinction. Until recently, effective fox control for fauna recovery has been achieved with dried meat baits impregnated with the poison 1080. The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has developed more readily available and cost effective sausage meat baits, termed Probait. As bait acceptability trials in the laboratory indicated a potential risk from Pro bait ingestion by chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii), assessment of the likely risk …

Dryland Salinity In Western Australia: A Local Government Perspective, Paul Scalzi

Theses : Honours

This study evaluated local government's response to the problem of dryland salinity in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, and to what extent local government has the capacity to meet its statutory obligations. Salinity is a significant environmental problem that has the potential to have a marked effect on Western Australia's economy, environment and social fabric. The problem has been the focus of much Commonwealth and State attention, but the same level of involvement is not apparent in the institution of local government. This is also reflected in the paucity of published literature in the area of local government and salinity. Local …

Investigation Into The Use Of Bait Stations For The Control Of The European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) In The Urban Bushland Reserve Of Bold Park, Perth, Western Australia, Malin Kordes

Theses : Honours

European rabbits in Australia have a significant impact on the environment and the economy. It is therefore necessary to implement control programs. In rural areas a number of methods including warren ripping and poisoning are frequently used. In urban areas though, rabbit control is not as easily accomplished because the use of many control methods is not appropriate. For example, the poison 1080 often cannot be used due to public health concerns and warren ripping cannot be used in conservation areas. Poisoning with pindone, an anticoagulant, is therefore one of few options available to the managers of urban reserves. However, …

Natural Regeneration Of Native Vegetation On Abandoned Agricultural Land In The Fitzgerald Biosphere, Nerilee Boshammer

Theses : Honours

Much of the natural landscape in the south-west of Western Australia has been severely modified as a result of past and current agricultural activity. One of the most conspicuous changes has been the large scale clearing of native vegetation, The evidence of the negative impacts of this vegetation removal on the natural environment is now extensive, particularly in the south-west region of the State. In order to prevent further degradation of the landscape of the south-west and subsequent loss of endemic species, strategic revegetation within the agricultural landscape is required. Native vegetation corridors can be established, linking areas of remnant …

Improving Nutrient Management At Lake Joondalup, Western Australia, Through Identification Of Key Sources And Current Trajectories, Michelle Cumbers

Theses : Honours

Eutrophication has become a considerable issue for managers of water bodies across Australia. Rapid urbanisation in the south-west of Western Australia is causing the eutrophication of many wetlands within the region. Lake Joondalup is a eutrophic, urban lake, located approximately 20km north of Perth city. It comprises part of the Yellagonga Regional Park, having a high conservation value. The aim of this study was to provide managers of Lake Joondalup with information on the relative importance of different nutrient sources into the lake, thus enabling the development of appropriate management strategies. Additionally, a historical examination of available water quality data …

Plant Surrogacy: An Evaluation Of Its Use And Application In The Effort To Conserve Ground Dwelling Invertebrates, Kerry Leigh Ironside

Theses : Honours

A study conducted in the Ridges State Forest, Yanchep was designed to investigate the relationship between plant species richness, vegetation association and ground dwelling invertebrate species richness. Four plant communities were sampled at two scales of measurement. Two treatments were located in woodland and two in heath. Within each vegetation association, plant communities that were representative of both high and low species richness were selected. Three invertebrate orders, Araneae, Coleoptera and Araneae were sorted to morphospecies level. Ordinal richness was also investigated. Two-way ANOVAs indicated that there was no relationship between plant species richness, vegetation association· or the interaction between …

Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Response To Wetland Acidification On The Swan Coastal Plain, Jill Woodhouse

Theses : Honours

Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) are acidifying because extended drying periods have exposed and oxidised sulphidic sediments creating sulphuric acid and lowering wetland pH. This appears to be the ecological equivalent of both Northern Hemisphere acid rain in lakes and streams, and acid mine drainage. This research aims to describe the characteristic acidic macroinvertebrate faunal assemblage of the SCP by identifying acidophobic and acidophilic taxa, and to examine their potential as indicators of acidification for routine biological monitoring. Four linked approaches were used in the study - analysis of a database, investigation of acidified wetland case studies, wetland …

Floristics Of The Banksia Woodlands On The Wallingup Plain In Relation To Environmental Parameters, Claire Mccamish

Theses : Honours

An understanding of the underlying environmental factors contributing to the floristic composition of Banksia woodlands should improve the effective management of Banksia woodland communities of the Swan Coastal Plain. Although a number of studies have examined the vegetation on the Banksia woodlands on detail there have been few studies aimed at identifying the specific environmental parameters influencing the floristic gradients on the Swan Coastal Plain. A comprehensive local scale study was undertaken on the northern Swan Coastal Plain to determine the environmental correlates influencing floristic communities in an area of Banks/a woodland known as the Wallingup Plain. Vegetation communities of …

Wedge Veg : Gradient Analysis Of Impacts To Coastal Heath Vegetation At Wedge, Western Australia, Steven O'Dwyer

Theses : Honours

A reliable technique to assess impacts to coastal zones is required as coastal areas across the world are under pressure from an increasing human presence. The result is a greater level of disturbance to the coast, both marine and terrestrial. This study addresses a worldwide problem but is focused to a local scale. Wedge, on the central coast of Western Australia, supports a squatter shack settlement and has done so for approximately 50 years. Over time, the number of shacks, campers, tourists, 4WD's and motorbikes has increased. In recent years this growth has been significant. Management of this area and …

Fox Control In Urban Conservation Reserves: An Analysis Of Bait Uptake And Public Perceptions In The Perth Metropolitan Area, Jennifer Jackson

Theses : Honours

As the world's population becomes increasingly urbanised, the need for people to see nature on their doorstep is becoming more appealing. The city of Perth (Western Australia) has large areas of bushland that have been reserved as conservation estate, and therefore are only minimally modified by urban development. But while many of these urban bushland reserves contribute highly to biodiversity in the form of vegetation, vertebrate surveys have indicated a low diversity of fauna. These areas have the potential to function in a more complete manner as nature reserves with significant conservation value by supporting populations of native animals which …

The Fringing Halophytic Vegetation Of Lake Austin: A Study Of Mining Impacts And Vegetation Dynamics, Simone Vellekoop

Theses : Honours

Mining operations in arid regions of Western Australia are faced with many environmental management issues. One such issue is the disposal of mine water to the environment. Mine water is commonly discharged to nearby salt lakes under licence by the Department of Environmental Protection. Licence conditions dictate that the discharge water and the receiving environment be monitored to allow impacts on the environment to be detected. Salt lakes are associated with vegetation communities dominated by halophytic members of the Chenopodiaceae, While these plants are tolerant of salinity extremes, the germination stage of many species requires periods of lowered salinity. There …

Invasion Of Indigenous Vegetation In South-Western Australia By Leptospermum Laevigatum (Gaertn.) F. Muell. (Myrtaceae), Anya Lam

Theses : Honours

The current paradigm of biodiversity conservation requires the assessment of alien plant invaders, and their potential negative impacts on indigenous species and communities. Leptospermum laevigatum (Gaertn.) F. Muell. (Victorian tea tree/ Coast tea tree) is indigenous to eastern Australia. It has invaded ecosystems within its natural biogeographic range, within new ranges in Australia and overseas. The species is listed as a high priority weed in the Environmental Weed Strategy for Western Australia. However, the basis for its listing has been casual observation rather than focussed research. This study of L. laevigatum is unique in being the first to …

Abundance, Distribution And Population Characteristics Of Western Grey Kangaroos (Macropus Fuliginosus, Desmarest 1817) In Yellagonga Regional Park, Amy Chang

Theses : Honours

Yellagonga Regional Park is located in the northwest corridor of Perth and constitutes 1400 hectares of wetlands, parkland, open forest and open woodland. Few studies have been conducted on the native fauna in the Park's upland habitats. For this reason, a study of the abundance and distribution of western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) was conducted. A walked survey using direct counts and individual recognition of kangaroos during winter, recorded a total of 123 kangaroos, 51 pouch young and 23 unidentified individuals in Yellagonga Regional Park, and a further 24 kangaroos and 18 pouch young at Edith Cowan University's Joondalup campus. …

An Evaluation Of Environmental Disclosures Produced In Australian Local Government Annual Reports, Royston J. Tan

Theses : Honours

This thesis is an evaluation of the environmental disclosures published in Australian local governments' annual reports. The study is aimed in identifying disclosures of environmental information by Australian local governments and providing explanations for the variations in the quantity and quality of information disclosed. Various social responsibility theories were used in this study. The theories employed in this study were institutional factors, stakeholder theory, social and political theories. Institutional factors included issues such as local government characteristics and pressures exerted from various government and non·government organizations to implement and disclose environmental measures. A content analysis methodology was used in this …

The Assessment Of Satellite Remote Sensing As A Tool For Determining Sea Surface Temperatures In Nearshore Environments, Fabienne Faskel

Theses : Honours

The use of satellite remote sensing for environmental management applications has seen a marked increase over the past decade. Remotely sensed data are obtainable for a variety of parameters, such as mineral exploration, species migration, and for determining sea surface temperatures (SSTs). This study examined whether satellite remote sensing is a viable option for determining SSTs in coastal waters, as traditionally this application has only been applied to open-ocean, offshore waters. SSTs in the nearshore waters of Rottnest Island, Western Australia, were determined using in situ temperature loggers and remotely sensed satellite data. Initially the accuracy of the satellite sea …

Adequacy Of Terrestrial Fauna Surveys For The Preparation Of Environmental Impact Assessments In The Mining Industry Of Western Australia [Thesis], Jason L. Fraser

Theses : Honours

The Environmental protection Authority has indicated that terrestrial fauna surveys as undertaken for the purpose of preparing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are not providing adequate information to enable decision-makers to assess development impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. In the absence of a protocol to assess current standards of terrestrial fauna surveys, 'best practice' was defined through discussions held with an 'expert panel', and quantified through a questionnaire. This study examined current standards of terrestrial vertebrate fauna surveys, prepared for the purpose of EIA, with 'best practice' as defined by relevant expert opinion. Strengths and weaknesses of terrestrial fauna surveys were …

Mine Dewatering In Arid, Saline Environments In Western Australia: The Response Of Biota Emerging From Rehydrated Sediments, Charelle Harkins

Theses : Honours

Mine dewatering is a critical part of the mining process to prevent flooding of underground or open pits, to allow for the excavation of the available resources. Groundwater is abstracted from underground pits to the surface through extraction bores. The issue of where to discharge the excess water is a major concern. The use of natural wetlands is one option for mine water discharge. Saline lakes in arid areas are ideal receiving environments for discharge options, acting as evaporation facilities for the storage and disposal of excess mine water. Mine water discharge into ephemeral lake systems modifies the volume of …

The Applicability Of Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis To Measure The Water Use Efficiency Of Melaleuca Preissiana Populations On The Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia, Hayley E. Valentine

Theses : Honours

Stable carbon isotope (δ¹³C) analysis is a tool used to understand the water use efficiency (WUE) of plants. The advantage of measuring the carbon isotope composition in plant tissue over other measures of WUE (such as the ratio of photosynthesis to transpiration) is that it provides a time-integrated, rather than an instantaneous measure of plant-water relations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of using δ¹³C analysis in natural populations of the fringing tree Melaleuca preissiana based on short and long term sampling methods. There were three components to this study; a controlled, …

The Use Of Stable Isotopic Signatures Of Marine Biota To Map Sewage Effluent Disposed Into The Marine Environment, Adam Gartner

Theses : Honours

Recent work indicates that nitrogen stable isotopic signatures of aquatic biota can be used to link nutrient inputs in the marine environment to terrestrial sources. While this technique of tracing nutrients has been shown to be effective in environments that are not nutrient limited, it has not been proved that this method is effective in oligotrophic environments. This study examined whether nitrogen stable isotopic signatures of marine biota can be used to trace the distribution of sewage effluent in highly mixed, nitrogen limited waters, by examining the δ¹⁵N values of marine biota situated close to and distant from …