Dr Chad Beranek
Researcher Associate
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Career Summary
Biography
I believe that the key to human thriving is through conserving and promoting biodiversity. I also believe that this is the current generations’ most significant problem to overcome. I base my life on this core foundation. My mission is to have the greatest positive impact on nature in one human lifetime. I try to achieve this through every facet of my life; from applying rigorous science down to small behavioural choices, such as purchasing sustainable products.
I have worked as an ecologist and researcher for private consultancies, personal business, government and universities. I am currently employed at the University of Newcastle as a teaching associate and a postdoctoral researcher. I also operate an ecological services and conservation education business.
While I am very fascinated about theoretical models, especially those pertaining to evolution, I am more interested in projects that implement practical solutions for on-ground conservation and restoration. My research has been focused on strategies to enhance habitat restoration for fauna. This has crossed over into other areas of ecological research such as conducting and improving ecological monitoring protocols, investigating population dynamics, determining impacts of disturbances and investigating population genetics. I am mostly interested in fauna, especially amphibians, but I have worked with plants. Below are some of the major projects I am focused on:
Assessing the impact of the 2019-2020 black summer bushfires on threatened amphibians in New South Wales, March 2021 – Ongoing. Assessment of the impacts of fire on the occupancy of several amphibians including Heleioporus australiacus, Litoria littlejohni, Litoria watsoni, Litoria daviesae, Litoria subglandulosa, Mixophyes balbus, Mixophyes iteratus, Philoria pughi, Philoria sphagnicola, Pseudophryne australis.
Restoration and reintroduction ecology of the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea), September 2016 – Ongoing. An investigation of methods to create habitat and conduct reintroductions to recover this threatened frog despite impacts from introduced fish and chytrid-induced disease. The aim is to recover this species across its former distribution.
Improving survey methods for estimating koala population size using drone-based thermal imagery, March 2019 – Ongoing. Utilising the latest drone and thermal camera technology combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop an improved protocol to detecting koalas, with the aim to apply statistical models to create density maps to estimate koala population size across entire regions. This will result an enhanced monitoring strategy for the koala so that conservation management can be applied effectively.
Determining the habitat use and home range patterns in gliders in urban areas of the Central Coast, April 2021 – Ongoing. Conducting radio-tracking for squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) and sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) to determine how they use habitat in fragmented bushland in urban areas, and use this knowledge to inform urban friendly design for these species.
Conserving and enhancing fauna populations of the Cumberland Plain, September 2020 – September 2025. Implementing broad-spectrum fauna surveys across reserves of the Cumberland Plain to assess the response to conservation management interventions. The treatments being tested are (1) different intensity burns, (2) using coarse woody debris to increase the amount of structural habitat for ground dwelling animals and (3) trialling new artificial chainsaw hollow designs for the little lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusila) and the eastern coastal freetailed bat (Micronomus norfolcensis).
Monitoring of the broad-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) on the Woronora Plateau, July 2018 – Ongoing. Conducting yearly ecological monitoring to assess the occupancy, abundance and population genetics of this threatened snake on the Woronora Plateau.
Get in touch if you would like to collaborate or volunteer.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science, University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Conservation biology
- Ecology
- Experimental design
- Population genetics
- Restoration ecology
- Urban ecology
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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410401 | Conservation and biodiversity | 80 |
310308 | Terrestrial ecology | 20 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Researcher Associate | University of Newcastle School of Environmental and Life Sciences Australia |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/3/2019 - 30/6/2019 | Koala Scientist | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
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ENVS2004 |
Ecology School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle This course aims to introduce fundamental concepts and principles of ecology, focusing on population and community dynamics. Through case studies, the course examines the factors affecting the distribution and abundance of species. The basic models of population growth and how these are affected by the environment and complex behaviour patterns are covered. The course examines the question whether population numbers are regulated or merely responding to the environment. It discusses species diversity, introduced species and biological control, and similarity among communities. The use of multivariate analysis methods for studying communities and the application of the island biogeography concept to designs of biological reserves will be discussed. Students will become familiar with the collection and handling of quantitative data and will develop appropriate scientific report writing skills. |
Tutor | 1/8/2018 - 10/12/2021 |
ENVS3003 |
Conservation Biology School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle The principles of nature conservation and the paradigm of global biodiversity comprise the core of this course. The past and present impacts of development, invasive species, disease and climate change on biodiversity loss in Australian ecosystems and biomes are analysed. Implications of threatening processes for the management of natural systems and wildlife are considered. The course applies principles of ecology, genetics and spatial analysis to conservation biology at various landscape scales from the local to continental biomes. Levels of organisation of biodiversity from genes to populations, species and ecosystems provide context for understanding theory and practice. The principles of conservation biology are considered against a framework of environmental planning policy and legislation intended to manage biodiversity. Students learn through class work and participation in field studies. |
Tutor | 1/2/2017 - 1/7/2019 |
ENVS2006 |
Ecology and Management of Wildlife School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Wildlife around the world are increasingly heading toward extinction. One method governments use to avert this extinction crisis is to create threatened species recovery plans that outline what we know about a species and how we can keep it alive into the future. This course will develop your understanding of the ecology and management of wildlife via the creation of a species recovery plan. Students will work in groups to identify why recovery plans are important, and then to collect the information necessary on their chosen taxa to compile a recovery plan. In doing so, students will develop skills on species identification and survey methods to ensure they can make appropriate recommendations in their recovery plans. Students will summarise published data on their focal species and related taxa to generate sections of their recovery plan on the species ecology and evolutionary history, unique adaptations, threatening processes and fully costed management solutions. |
Tutor | 1/2/2017 - 1/7/2020 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (37 outputs)
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2024 |
Gould J, Beranek CT, Callen A, 'On the fence: reevaluating the use of temporary amphibian exclusion fencing', Restoration Ecology, (2024) [C1] Temporary exclusion fencing is used around development and remediation sites to protect amphibians. However, by focusing so closely on mitigating potential for harm to individuals... [more] Temporary exclusion fencing is used around development and remediation sites to protect amphibians. However, by focusing so closely on mitigating potential for harm to individuals, managers may not see the ¿forest for the trees¿ and inadvertently cause more harm than good for the populations they are trying to protect. Land developments are necessary, and managers need to be capable of selecting the most appropriate solution that does not impede work activities or animal welfare. Yet, we suggest that adapted fencing solutions or non-fencing alternatives are not being explored that may reduce impacts on amphibians. Our focus is on project managers so that an open discussion can be had on the extent of fencing that is selected for each project.
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2024 |
Gould J, Beranek C, Madani G, 'Dragon detectives: citizen science confirms photo-ID as an effective tool for monitoring an endangered reptile', Wildlife Research, 51 (2024) [C1]
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2024 |
Gould J, Beranek C, 'Pre-loved home: Egg clutches of the striped marsh frog, Limnodynastes peronii, detected in water-filled burrows created by the hunter hairy crayfish, Cherax setosus', Austral Ecology, 49 (2024) Many animals create their own microhabitats that are not naturally present in the environment, such as nests and burrows, which are extended phenotypes that perform tasks related ... [more] Many animals create their own microhabitats that are not naturally present in the environment, such as nests and burrows, which are extended phenotypes that perform tasks related to survival and reproduction. Animals may be able to avoid the costs of implementing their own extended phenotypes by exploiting those already created by other species, including structures that are not actively in use or abandoned. Herein, we report on the striped marsh frog, Limnodynastes peronii, from Australia utilizing crayfish burrows for depositing their egg clutches. Field observations revealed large numbers of recently hatched L. peronii tadpoles in two flooded burrows likely created by the hunter hairy crayfish, Cherax setosus, near an ephemeral wetland pond on Kooragang Island, Australia that had partially dried. Our observations indicate that L. peronii may opportunistically exploit crayfish burrows which, when flooded, become suitable aquatic sites for breeding. These small waterbodies may provide fitness benefits to offspring, reducing exposure to aquatic predators found in naturally occurring aquatic systems but at the expense of increasing competition and cannibalism among confined siblings. These burrows may provide suitable microhabitat refuge during droughts, and breeding habitat for amphibians when other typical breeding habitats may not exist due to wetland drying. This is an example of an amphibian using an extended phenotype of a crustacean for the purposes of reproduction, revealing a unique interaction between these species that has not been reported.
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2024 |
Gould J, Callen A, Matthews L, Beranek C, McHenry C, 'Don't take my trees: Re-evaluating the importance of trees when it comes to managing green and golden bell frog,
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2023 |
Madani G, Pietsch R, Beranek CT, 'Where are my dragons? Replicating refugia to enhance the detection probability of an endangered cryptic reptile', Acta Oecologica, 119 (2023) [C1] Rare and cryptic species require effective monitoring methods in order to track populations over time. Monitoring surveys utilizing artificial refugia are an increasingly applied ... [more] Rare and cryptic species require effective monitoring methods in order to track populations over time. Monitoring surveys utilizing artificial refugia are an increasingly applied tool for detecting herpetofauna; yet for many species, limited information is available on the factors that influence optimal detectability. Most monitoring programs utilize only one type of artificial refuge. This approach has limitations as it may overlook the dynamic habitat needs of some species, with different refugia required under different conditions. Here we investigate whether using two different types of artificial refugia could maximize overall detection of the endangered Monaro grassland earless dragon Tympanocryptis osbornei by providing refugia that match habitat use. Tympanocryptis osbornei is a grassland specialist endemic to the Monaro Plains of southern NSW which occurs within a fragmented and altered agricultural landscape. Artificial refuge habitat in the form of customized replica ¿spider¿ tubes and concrete roof tiles were utilized to infer the highest detection probability when compared to traditional rock rolling techniques. We found tubes to be more successful than tiles (mean: 0.021, 0.010¿0.037 95% Bayesian credible interval (BCI) vs mean: 0.0096, 0.0045¿0.018 95% BCI). However, this was dependent on air temperature, as tiles became more effective between 25 and 30 °C when dragons were more likely to be using surface shelters. Artificial refugia on a transect level (12 tubes and 12 tiles) had the greatest detection probability (mean: 0.11, 0.04¿0.23 95% BCI) compared to individually checked objects. Our results identify the best current methods and conditions to detect T. osbornei and provide insights into additional considerations for optimizing survey efforts, timing, and detectability for other small reptiles in temperate climates. We recommend a combination of artificial refugia be considered in future surveys for cryptic reptiles.
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2023 |
Beranek CT, Hamer AJ, Mahony SV, Stauber A, Ryan SA, Gould J, et al., 'Severe wildfires promoted by climate change negatively impact forest amphibian metacommunities', Diversity and Distributions, 29 785-800 (2023) [C1] Aim: Changes to the extent and severity of wildfires driven by anthropogenic climate change are predicted to have compounding negative consequences for ecological communities. Whi... [more] Aim: Changes to the extent and severity of wildfires driven by anthropogenic climate change are predicted to have compounding negative consequences for ecological communities. While there is evidence that severe weather events like drought impact amphibian communities, the effects of wildfire on such communities are not well understood. The impact of wildfire on amphibian communities and species is likely to vary, owing to the diversity of their life-history traits. However, no previous research has identified commonalities among the amphibians at most risk from wildfire, limiting conservation initiatives in the aftermath of severe wildfire. We aimed to investigate the impacts of the unprecedented 2019¿2020 black summer bushfires on Australian forest amphibian communities. Location: Eastern coast of New South Wales, Australia. Methods: We conducted visual encounter surveys and passive acoustic monitoring across 411 sites within two regions, one in northeast and one in southeast New South Wales. We used fire severity and extent mapping in two multispecies occupancy models to assess the impacts of fire on 35 forest amphibian species. Results: We demonstrate a negative influence of severe fire extent on metacommunity occupancy and species richness in the south with weaker effects in the north¿reflective of the less severe fires that occurred in this region. Both threatened and common species were impacted by severe wildfire extent. Occupancy of burrowing species and rain forest specialists had mostly negative relationships with severe wildfire extent, while arboreal amphibians had neutral relationships. Main Conclusion: Metacommunity monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies are needed to account for common species after severe climatic events. Ecological, morphological and life-history variation drives the susceptibility of amphibians to wildfires. We document the first evidence of climate change-driven wildfires impacting temperate forest amphibian communities across a broad geographic area, which raises serious concern for the persistence of amphibians under an increasingly fire-prone climate.
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2023 |
Beranek CT, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Life stage dependent predator-prey reversal between a frog (Litoria aurea) and a dragonfly (Anax papuensis).', Ecology, 104 e4108 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Gould J, Taylor J, Davies B, Donelly R, Schmahl K, Bugir CK, et al., 'Tadpole fingerprinting: Using tail venation patterns to photo-identify tadpole individuals of a threatened frog', Austral Ecology, 48 585-599 (2023) [C1] Traditional methods for identifying individual amphibians in capture¿mark¿recapture (CMR) studies have been primarily confined to post-metamorphic stages, using artificial markers... [more] Traditional methods for identifying individual amphibians in capture¿mark¿recapture (CMR) studies have been primarily confined to post-metamorphic stages, using artificial markers that come with a variety of limitations. An alternative that may open CMR studies to earlier life stages involves the use of a species' natural external markers in photo-based identification. In this study, we investigated whether it was possible to distinguish tadpoles of the threatened green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) at the individual level based on tail venation patterns. We collected photographs of the tails of captive-raised tadpoles using a smartphone over a 4-week period. This photo-library was used to create an electronic survey where participants were asked to detect matches for query tadpoles from small image pools. We found that most participants agreed on a match for each query, with perfect consensus achieved for most queries (83%). We detected a 14% decline in perfect consensus when participants were asked to match images of tadpoles separated by longer time intervals, suggesting that it is more difficult to visually identify recapture events of L.¿aurea tadpoles over extended periods due to changes to tail appearance. However, consensus was obtained by participants for all queries, with all matches verified as being correct by the primary researcher. The strength of agreement among participants with no prior experience in matching tadpole tails suggests that there is sufficient inter-individual variation in this feature for individuals to be manually identified. We thus propose that photo-identification is likely to be a valid, non-invasive technique that can be used for short-term studies on tadpole populations that display tail venation. This offers an alternative to artificial markers that may not allow for individual identification, while also opening up tadpole monitoring programmes to citizen scientists who can be recruited online to process image data from home.
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2022 |
Mahony M, Gould J, Beranek CT, Callen A, Clulow J, Clulow S, et al., 'A trait-based analysis for predicting impact of wildfires on frogs', Australian Zoologist, 42 326-351 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Beranek CT, Sanders S, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Factors influencing persistence of a threatened amphibian in restored wetlands despite severe population decline during climate change driven weather extremes', Biodiversity and Conservation, 31 1267-1287 (2022) [C1] Biodiversity is in global decline during the Anthropocene. Declines have been caused by multiple factors, such as habitat removal, invasive species, and disease, which are often t... [more] Biodiversity is in global decline during the Anthropocene. Declines have been caused by multiple factors, such as habitat removal, invasive species, and disease, which are often targets for conservation management. However, conservation interventions are under threat from climate change induced weather extremes. Weather extremes are becoming more frequent and devastating and an example of this was the 2019/2020 Australian drought and mega-fires. We provide a case study the impacts of these extreme weather events had on a population of the threatened frog Litoria aurea that occurs in a constructed habitat which was designed to reduce the impact of introduced fish and chytrid-induced disease. We aimed to determine what factors influenced persistence so that the design of wetlands can be further optimised to future-proof threatened amphibians. We achieved this with 4 years (2016¿2020) of intensive capture¿recapture surveys during austral spring and summer across nine wetlands (n = 94 repeat surveys). As hypothesized, drought caused a sharp reduction in population size, but persistence was achieved. The most parsimonious predictor of survival was an interaction between maximum air temperature and rainfall, indicating that weather extremes likely caused the decline. Survival was positively correlated with wetland vegetation coverage, positing this is an important feature to target to enhance resilience in wetland restoration programs. Additionally, the benefits obtained from measures to reduce chytrid prevalence were not compromised during drought, as there was a positive correlation between salinity and survival. We emphasize that many species may not be able to persist under worse extreme weather scenarios. Despite the potential for habitat augmentation to buffer effects of extreme weather, global action on climate change is needed to reduce extinction risk.
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2022 |
Gould J, Beranek C, Valdez J, Mahony M, 'Quantity
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2022 |
Hayward MW, Meyer NFV, Balkenhol N, Beranek CT, Bugir CK, Bushell KV, et al., 'Intergenerational Inequity: Stealing the Joy and Benefits of Nature From Our Children', Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Beranek CT, Maynard C, McHenry C, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Identifying a limiting factor in the population dynamics of a threatened amphibian: The influence of extended female maturation on operational sex ratio', AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, 47 239-250 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
McGregor J, Field J, McLean C, Beranek C, Gould J, 'Observations of interference competition between the introduced black rat and native marsupial gliders in Australia', Austral Ecology, 47 1362-1366 (2022) [C1] Introduced rodents, particularly the black rat (Rattus rattus), have caused serious ecological impacts due to their ability to interact with native species as both predators, and ... [more] Introduced rodents, particularly the black rat (Rattus rattus), have caused serious ecological impacts due to their ability to interact with native species as both predators, and by eliciting competitive pressure. However, impacts of black rats upon many Australian mammals have yet to be determined, particularly when those mammals are arboreal. Here, we present novel observations in the form of camera trap footage and photographs of interspecific competition between the introduced black rat and two species of arboreal gliding marsupial (sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) and squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis)) in urban bushland reserves in New South Wales, Australia. Gliders were found to flee or were prevented from exploiting food resources due to antagonistic posturing and physical attacks by black rats. While interspecific aggression and interference competition between black rats and native mammal species has been demonstrated previously, this appears to be the first observation of such interactions for Australian gliders. Our findings may have implications for the future management of glider populations in urban bushland where they co-occur with rats; however, further research needs to be undertaken to determine the extent of this potential threat.
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2022 |
Beranek C, Mahony S, Scott S, 'A significant range extension for the Western Soil-Crevice Skink
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2022 |
Howell LG, Johnston SD, O'Brien JK, Frankham R, Rodger JC, Ryan SA, et al., 'Modelling Genetic Benefits and Financial Costs of Integrating Biobanking into the Captive Management of Koalas', ANIMALS, 12 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Beranek CT, Sanders S, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Predator-free short-hydroperiod wetlands enhance metamorph output in a threatened amphibian: insights into frog breeding behaviour evolution and conservation management', WILDLIFE RESEARCH, 49 360-371 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Howell LG, Clulow J, Jordan NR, Beranek CT, Ryan SA, Roff A, Witt RR, 'Drone thermal imaging technology provides a cost-effective tool for landscape-scale monitoring of a cryptic forest-dwelling species across all population densities', WILDLIFE RESEARCH, 49 66-78 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Tanalgo KC, Tabora JAG, de Oliveira HFM, Haelewaters D, Beranek CT, Otálora-Ardila A, et al., 'DarkCideS 1.0, a global database for bats in karsts and caves', Scientific Data, 9 (2022) [C1] Understanding biodiversity patterns as well as drivers of population declines, and range losses provides crucial baselines for monitoring and conservation. However, the informatio... [more] Understanding biodiversity patterns as well as drivers of population declines, and range losses provides crucial baselines for monitoring and conservation. However, the information needed to evaluate such trends remains unstandardised and sparsely available for many taxonomic groups and habitats, including the cave-dwelling bats and cave ecosystems. We developed the DarkCideS 1.0 (https://darkcides.org/), a global database of bat caves and species synthesised from publicly available information and datasets. The DarkCideS 1.0 is by far the largest database for cave-dwelling bats, which contains information for geographical location, ecological status, species traits, and parasites and hyperparasites for 679 bat species are known to occur in caves or use caves in part of their life histories. The database currently contains 6746 georeferenced occurrences for 402 cave-dwelling bat species from 2002 cave sites in 46 countries and 12 terrestrial biomes. The database has been developed to be collaborative and open-access, allowing continuous data-sharing among the community of bat researchers and conservation biologists to advance bat research and comparative monitoring and prioritisation for conservation.
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2021 |
Beranek CT, Xu G, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Preliminary evidence for a two-for-one deal: Wetland restoration for a threatened frog may benefit a threatened bat', ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION, 22 32-39 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Meyer NF, King J-P, Mahony M, Clulow J, Beranek C, Reedman C, et al., 'Large area used by squirrel gliders in an urban area, uncovered using GPS telemetry', ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 11 7147-7153 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Beranek CT, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Genetic evidence for polyandry in the threatened green and golden bell frog', GENETICA, 149 327-333 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Beranek CT, Maynard C, McHenry C, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Rapid population increase of the threatened Australian amphibian Litoria aurea in response to wetlands constructed as a refuge from chytrid-induced disease and introduced fish', JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 291 (2021) [C1]
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2021 |
Beranek CT, Roff A, Denholm B, Howell LG, Witt RR, 'Trialling a real-time drone detection and validation protocol for the koala (', Australian Mammalogy, 43 260-264 [C1]
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2020 |
Beranek CT, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'Wetland Restoration for the Threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea): Development of a Breeding Habitat Designed to Passively Manage Chytrid-Induced Amphibian Disease and Exotic Fish', Natural Areas Journal, 40 362-374 (2020) [C1] Amphibians are under threat from many drivers resulting in declining populations. Restoration and creation of habitat is a method used to reverse amphibian declines. The green and... [more] Amphibians are under threat from many drivers resulting in declining populations. Restoration and creation of habitat is a method used to reverse amphibian declines. The green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) is distributed in southeastern Australia, and is threatened by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendobatidis (chytrid), an introduced fish (the plague minnow, Gambusia holbrooki), and habitat loss. There have been numerous wetland restoration attempts to combat population declines in this species, which have been largely unsuccessful in producing persisting populations. Here we present a robust model for the creation of breeding habitat for the L. aurea population on Kooragang Island, New South Wales, which is based off thorough review of the literature and past pilot studies and experiments. We describe in detail the habitat, land use history, and wetland habitat design formulation and construction so that the context of the habitat creation is understood and so construction can be repeatable and the design can be further refined. The habitat features passive controls for chytrid and G. holbrooki, and contains the most optimum breeding habitat for L. aurea based upon current knowledge. This is the first attempt in our knowledge to create wetlands in an open system that have the potential to passively manage chytrid.
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2020 | Scott S, Mahony S, Beranek CT, 'An observation of predation and prey caching of Ctenophorus parviceps (Squamata: Agamidae) and Lerista miopus (squamata: Scincidae) in Western Australia', Herpetology Notes, 13 579-581 (2020) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
2020 |
Beranek CT, Clulow J, Mahony M, 'A simple design feature to increase hydro-period in constructed ephemeral wetlands to avoid tadpole desiccation-induced mortality', ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION, 21 250-253 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Mickaill LNN, Bell SAJ, Beranek CT, 'Dispersal potential in two restricted and five wide-ranging Senecio (Asteraceae) taxa from central eastern New South Wales, Australia', Australian Journal of Botany, 68 333-344 (2020) [C1] Knowledge on how life history traits affect distribution in range-restricted and endemic plants is paramount for conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. ... [more] Knowledge on how life history traits affect distribution in range-restricted and endemic plants is paramount for conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. Traits relating to dispersal ability are important in the ongoing persistence of range restricted species and may present a pathway to extinction or invasion. This is evident in the highly diverse and cosmopolitan genus Senecio (Asteraceae), where both threatened and invasive species occur within Australia. In this study, propagule geometry, settling velocity and dispersal potential for two range-restricted and threatened native taxa (S. linearifolious var. dangarensis Belcher ex I.Thomps., S. spathulatus var. attenuatus I.Thomps.) are contrasted with four native taxa that occupy wider ranges (S. amygdalifolius F.Muell., S. l. var. arachnoideus I.Thomps., S. l. var. macrodontus (DC.) I.Thomps., S. pinnatifolius A.Rich. var. pinnatifolius) and one introduced, wide-ranging species (S. madagascariensis Poir.). Differences were found in settling velocity and propagule morphology across all taxa. Based on propagule morphology, S. amygdalifolius has the greatest dispersal potential, S. spathulatus var. attenuatus the smallest, whereas all other taxa were similar. Although useful, dispersal potential alone does not fully explain distributional differences between all range-restricted and widespread taxa, and close assessment of habitat attributes may be required to further elucidate dispersal limitations in some taxa.
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2020 |
Beranek CT, 'Increased house mouse (Mus musculus) abundance in wetlands in response to Typha sp. flowering: Implications for understanding wetland occupancy patterns of the eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris)', Australian Journal of Zoology, 67 210-214 (2020) [C1]
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2020 |
Callen A, Hayward MW, Klop-Toker K, Allen BL, Ballard G, Broekhuis F, et al., 'Envisioning the future with compassionate conservation : An ominous projection for native wildlife and biodiversity', Biological Conservation, 241 (2020) [C1] The ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ movement is gaining momentum through its promotion of ¿ethical¿ conservation practices based on self-proclaimed principles of ¿first-do-no-harm¿ a... [more] The ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ movement is gaining momentum through its promotion of ¿ethical¿ conservation practices based on self-proclaimed principles of ¿first-do-no-harm¿ and ¿individuals matter¿. We argue that the tenets of ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ are ideological - that is, they are not scientifically proven to improve conservation outcomes, yet are critical of the current methods that do. In this paper we envision a future with ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ and predict how this might affect global biodiversity conservation. Taken literally, ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ will deny current conservation practices such as captive breeding, introduced species control, biocontrol, conservation fencing, translocation, contraception, disease control and genetic introgression. Five mainstream conservation practices are used to illustrate the far-reaching and dire consequences for global biodiversity if governed by ¿Compassionate Conservation¿. We acknowledge the important role of animal welfare science in conservation practices but argue that ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ aligns more closely with animal liberation principles protecting individuals over populations. Ultimately we fear that a world of ¿Compassionate Conservation¿ could stymie the global conservation efforts required to meet international biodiversity targets derived from evidenced based practice, such as the Aichi targets developed by the Convention on Biological Diversity and adopted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the United Nations.
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2020 |
Witt RR, Beranek CT, Howell LG, Ryan SA, Clulow J, Jordan NR, et al., 'Real-time drone derived thermal imagery outperforms traditional survey methods for an arboreal forest mammal', PLOS ONE, 15 (2020) [C1]
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2017 |
Beranek CT, 'A successful long-distance aerial pursuit of an Australian Raven Corvus coronoides by a Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus', Australian Field Ornithology, 34 87-90 (2017) The Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus has a variable diet comprising mainly avian prey and mammals, and most observations suggest that it employs a range of ambush tactics but rar... [more] The Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus has a variable diet comprising mainly avian prey and mammals, and most observations suggest that it employs a range of ambush tactics but rarely uses long-distance aerial pursuits. Here I document a rare instance of a successful long-distance aerial pursuit of an Australian Raven Corvus coronoides by a Brown Goshawk, on 29 March 2015, on Broughton Island, New South Wales. After multiple unsuccessful aerial attacks, the Goshawk eventually succeeded. Although corvids are abundant and widespread throughout Australia and are within the preferred avian prey size range, they are rarely observed in the Goshawk's diet. Two ecological factors probably contributed to this observation: (1) there is little woodland here and thus little concealment for ambush tactics and (2) prey availability on Broughton Island and the surrounding islands has been altered by programs to eradicate pest mammals, thereby limiting the prey available to this species in this area.
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2017 |
Walsh J, Beranek CT, 'First nesting pair of Little Eagles Hieraaetus morphnoides recorded in the Sydney region', Australian Field Ornithology, 34 91-94 (2017) Although the Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides is broadly distributed across much of Australia, it appears to be declining in New South Wales. The key threatening process is the... [more] Although the Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides is broadly distributed across much of Australia, it appears to be declining in New South Wales. The key threatening process is the removal of habitat, leading to loss of suitable nesting and foraging sites and changes in prey abundance. Here we present the frst report of successful nesting of the Little Eagle in greater Sydney (i.e. in the County of Cumberland), and recommend guidelines for management. The nest, discovered in a Smooth-barked Apple Angophora costata in the suburb of Ingleside on 15 October 2016, was visited one to three times per week, and observations on behaviour, diet and habitat of the Eagles were noted. The most common prey species taken was the European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. The chick fledged at c. 9 weeks old. The nest-site is at risk from a proposed development in the area and needs to be adaptively managed to ensure the continued presence and nesting of this species at this site.
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Show 34 more journal articles |
Preprint (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | |||||
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2020 |
Gould J, Beranek C, Valdez J, Mahony M, 'Quality versus quantity: The balance between egg and clutch size among Australian amphibians is related to life history and environmental conditions (2020)
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Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 3 |
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Total funding | $155,466 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20231 grants / $42,708
Post-fire survey for yellow-bellied gliders and greater gliders in NSW $42,708
Funding body: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Funding body | NSW Department of Planning and Environment |
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Project Team | Doctor Darren Southwell, Doctor Chad Beranek, Miss Shelby Ryan |
Scheme | Research Project |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2300734 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
20222 grants / $112,758
Statistical modelling and analysis of koala detection data from different survey methodologies.$62,858
Funding body: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
Funding body | NSW Department of Planning and Environment |
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Project Team | Doctor Darren Southwell, Doctor Chad Beranek, Miss Shelby Ryan, Doctor Ryan Witt |
Scheme | Research Project |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2201279 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
Koalas, genotyping, trackers, and drones: Using thermal imaging, novel VHF/GPS tracking technology and genotyping to understand post-release outcomes for rehabilitated koalas and support the recovery $49,900
Funding body: WIRES
Funding body | WIRES |
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Project Team | Doctor Ryan Witt, Doctor Chad Beranek, Miss Shelby Ryan, Dr Neil Jordan, Rob Appleby, Dr Donald Hudson |
Scheme | Research Grants Program |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2022 |
Funding Finish | 2024 |
GNo | G2200233 |
Type Of Funding | C1700 - Aust Competitive - Other |
Category | 1700 |
UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
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2023 | PhD | Understanding the Drivers of Decline of Threatened Frog Populations in the NSW National Park Reserve System | PhD (Environmental Sc), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Research Projects
Optimising thermal drone technology to monitor priority koala populations and coexisting species 2019 -
Grants
Koalas, dingoes and drones: using thermal imaging to establish detection probability of GPS collared dingoes and determine koala density in the Myall Lakes Region of NSW
Funding body: Royal Zoological Society of NSW
Funding body | Royal Zoological Society of NSW |
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Project Team | Dr Neil Jordan, Miss Shelby Ryan, Doctor Ryan Witt |
Scheme | Paddy Pallin Science Grant |
Drone monitoring of priority koala populations in fire-prone landscapes
Funding body: WWF-Australia
Funding body | WWF-Australia |
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Scheme | Bushfire Regeneration Challenge |
Using thermal drone surveys to quantify koala abundance and density at Lake Innes Nature Reserve (Port Macquarie, NSW)
Funding body: Mid North Coast Joint Organisation
Funding body | Mid North Coast Joint Organisation |
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Project Team | Doctor Ryan Witt |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Publications
Witt RR, Beranek CT, Howell LG, Ryan SA, Clulow J, Jordan NR, et al., 'Real-time drone derived thermal imagery outperforms traditional survey methods for an arboreal forest mammal', PLOS ONE, 15 (2020) [C1]
Beranek CT, Roff A, Denholm B, Howell LG, Witt RR, 'Trialling a real-time drone detection and validation protocol for the koala (', Australian Mammalogy, 43 260-264 [C1]
Collaborators
Name | Organisation |
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Doctor Chad Thomas Beranek | University of Newcastle |
Associate Professor John Clulow | University of Newcastle |
Dr. Neil Jordan | The University of New South Wales |
Miss Shelby Adele Ryan | University of Newcastle |
Dr. Adam Roff | NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment |
Edit
Research Collaborations
The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.
Country | Count of Publications | |
---|---|---|
Australia | 36 | |
Germany | 4 | |
United Kingdom | 3 | |
Mexico | 3 | |
United States | 3 | |
More... |
News
News • 8 May 2023
The true impact of the Black Summer fires on frogs
The first extensive survey of amphibian communities since the 2019-20 Australian Black Summer bushfires has revealed the true impact of severe fire on frogs in eastern NSW.
Dr Chad Beranek
Position
Researcher Associate
Conservation Biology Lab
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Contact Details
chad.beranek@newcastle.edu.au | |
Links |
Instagram Research Networks |
Office
Location | Callaghan Campus University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |
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