Dr Alex Callen
Lecturer, Vegetation and Restoration Ecology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Career Summary
Biography
Dr. Alex Callen is a conservation scientist in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. Her research focuses on the recovery of threatened species in response to ecological restoration to mitigate multiple environmental stresses and how fine scale habitat manipulations can improve their survival. This has led to a number of industry partnerships involving habitat design, creation and management and monitoring for vulnerable amphibian communities in complex natural and industrial environments.
Alex's research in biodiversity conservation also extends to understanding the role of community science and science art communication in improving biodiversity protection and the human experience. In 2020, Alex co-curated Biomes, an annual community outreach art science exhibition showcasing recent biodiversity conservation research. Inspired by the response of the community to the role of art in science communication, Alex co-founded Stream - Community for Knowledge Exchange (https://streamcommunity.com.au/) which increases accessibility of science to the community by collaboratively developing and supporting experiential exhibitions and workshops.
Alex has experience in general flora and fauna surveys, vegetation community classification and condition surveys, development of vegetation management plans, surveys of threatened amphibians, citizen science programs, bioacoustics analysis, amphibian micro-chipping, habitat preference analysis, qPCR analysis (disease/infection analysis), water quality monitoring and analysis, statistical analysis and modelling, project management, impact assessment and industry liaison. She worked as an environmental scientist and ecologist in a variety of government and industry positions for sixteen years before returning to Newcastle University to pursue her research and teaching career in 2013.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Environmental Science, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Applied Ecological Research
- Bioacoustics
- Citizen Science
- Community Science
- Conservation
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Monitoring
- Flora identification
- Reintroduction Science
- Restoration Ecology
- Threatened Species Management
- Vegetation Survey & Management
Languages
- English (Mother)
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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410401 | Conservation and biodiversity | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Lecturer, Vegetation and Restoration Ecology | University of Newcastle School of Environmental and Life Sciences Australia |
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/2/2019 - 1/2/2020 | Conjoint Lecturer | The University of Newcastle, Australia Australia |
Teaching appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
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1/7/2018 - 31/12/2018 | Course Co-ordinator Biological Sciences | University of Newcastle Australia |
28/2/2014 - 30/11/2018 | Casual Academic | School of Environmental & Life Sciences - Faculty of Science & IT - The University of Newcastle | Australia Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (24 outputs)
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2024 |
Gould J, Callen A, Knibb G, Donelly R, Schmahl K, Maynard C, et al., 'Learning from past designs: improving amphibian fences using an adaptive management approach', Wildlife Research, 51 (2024) [C1]
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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, Schmahl K, Donelly R, Matthews L, Callen A, McHenry C, 'Lovers in strange places: amphibian calling and amplexus detected in tidal mangrove creeks after rainfall', Australian Journal of Zoology, 71
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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 |
Callen A, Pizzatto L, Stockwell MP, Clulow S, Clulow J, Mahony MJ, 'The effect of salt dosing for chytrid mitigation on tadpoles of a threatened frog, Litoria aurea', Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology, 193 239-247 (2023) [C1] The novel fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) is one of the greatest threats to amphibians worldwide. Small increases in water salinity (up to ca. 4 ppt) have... [more] The novel fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) is one of the greatest threats to amphibians worldwide. Small increases in water salinity (up to ca. 4 ppt) have been shown to limit chytrid transmission between frogs, potentially providing a way to create environmental refugia to reduce its impact at a landscape scale. However, the effect of increasing water salinity on tadpoles, a life stage confined to water, is highly variable. Increased water salinity can lead to reduced size and altered growth patterns in some species, with flow-on effects to vital rates such as survival and reproduction. It is thus important to assess potential trade-offs caused by increasing salinity as a tool to mitigate chytrid in susceptible frogs. We conducted laboratory experiments to examine the effects of salinity on the survival and development of tadpoles of a threatened frog (Litoria aurea), previously demonstrated as a suitable candidate for trialling landscape manipulations to mitigate chytrid. We exposed tadpoles to salinity ranging from 1 to 6 ppt and measured survival, time to metamorphosis, body mass and locomotor performance of post-metamorphic frogs as a measure of fitness. Survival and time to metamorphosis did not differ between salinity treatments or controls reared in rainwater. Body mass was positively associated with increasing salinity in the first 14¿days. Juvenile frogs from three salinity treatments also showed the same or better locomotor performance compared to rainwater controls, confirming that environmental salinity may influence life history traits in the larval stage, potentially as a hormetic response. Our research suggests that salt concentrations in the range previously shown to improve survival of frogs in the presence of chytrid are unlikely to impact larval development of our candidate threatened species. Our study lends support to the idea of manipulating salinity to create environmental refugia from chytrid for at least some salt-tolerant species.
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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 |
Stock SE, Klop-Toker K, Wallace S, Kelly O, Callen A, Seeto R, et al., 'Uncovering inbreeding, small populations, and strong genetic isolation in an Australian threatened frog, Litoria littlejohni', Conservation Genetics, 24 575-588 (2023) [C1] The status of many amphibian populations remains unclear due to undetected declines driven by disease and difficulties in obtaining accurate population estimates. Here, we used ge... [more] The status of many amphibian populations remains unclear due to undetected declines driven by disease and difficulties in obtaining accurate population estimates. Here, we used genome complexity reduction-based sequencing technology to study the poorly understood Littlejohn¿s treefrog, Litoria littlejohni across its fragmented distribution in eastern Australia. We detected five identifiable genetic clusters, with moderate to strong genetic isolation. At a regional scale, population isolation was likely driven by population crashes, resulting in small populations impacted by founder effects. Moderate genetic isolation was detected among populations on the Woronora Plateau despite short distances between population clusters. Evidence of recent declines was apparent in three populations that had very small effective population size, reduced genetic diversity and high inbreeding values. The rates of inbreeding detected in these populations combined with their small size leave these populations at elevated risk of extinction. The Cordeaux Cluster was identified as the most robust population as it was the largest and most genetically diverse. This study exemplifies the value of employing genetic methods to study rare, cryptic species. Despite low recapture rates using traditional capture-recapture demographic methods, we were able to derive population estimates, describe patterns of gene flow, and demonstrate the need for urgent conservation management.
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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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2023 |
Nolan N, Hayward MW, Klop-Toker K, Mahony M, Lemckert F, Callen A, 'Complex Organisms Must Deal with Complex Threats: How Does Amphibian Conservation Deal with Biphasic Life Cycles?', Animals, 13 1634-1634 [C1]
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2023 |
Gould J, Callen A, Knibb G, Schmahl K, Donelly R, Davies B, McHenry C, 'Moved frogs don t settle: Evaluating the impact of translocation on the movement behaviour of a threatened frog', Journal for Nature Conservation, 76 126512-126512 (2023) [C1]
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2023 |
Thorpe A, Kelly O, Callen A, Griffin AS, Brown SD, 'Using a cognitive model to understand crowdsourced data from citizen scientists.', Behav Res Methods, (2023) [C1]
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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 |
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 |
Killen C, McIntyre K, Drabsch B, Cassin A, Chalmers A, Callen A, et al., 'Communicating as Community: Examining power and authority in community focused environmental communication through participatory action research in the Ourimbah Creek Valley.', Platform: journal of media and communication, 9.2 6-21 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Ienna M, Rofe A, Gendi M, Douglas HE, Kelly M, Hayward MW, et al., 'The Relative Role of Knowledge and Empathy in Predicting Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behavior', SUSTAINABILITY, 14 (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Hayward MW, Chalup S, Khan J, Callen A, Klop-Toker K, Griffin A, 'A call to scale up biodiversity monitoring from idiosyncratic, small-scale programmes to coordinated, comprehensive and continuous monitoring across large scales', Australian Zoologist, 42 514-533 (2022) [C1] Conservation managers cannot manage what they don't know about, yet our existing biodiversity monitoring is idiosyncratic and small in scale. One of Australia's commitme... [more] Conservation managers cannot manage what they don't know about, yet our existing biodiversity monitoring is idiosyncratic and small in scale. One of Australia's commitments to the Convention for Biological Diversity in 2015 was the creation of a national biodiversity monitoring programme. This has not yet occurred despite the urgent need to monitor common and threatened species, as highlighted by the challenges of determining the biodiversity impacts of the Black Summer fires of 2019/20. In light of improvements to automation, miniaturisation and powering devices, the world urgently needs to scale-up biodiversity monitoring to become coordinated, comprehensive and continuous across large scales. We propose the BIOMON project that could achieve this where individual sensor nodes use machine learning models to identify biodiversity via sound or photos onboard. This could be coupled with abiotic data on temperature and humidity, plus factors such as bushfire smoke. Nodes would be set within networks that transmit the results back to a central cloud repository where robust analyses are conducted and provided free to the public (along with the raw data). Network arrays could be set up across entire continents to measure the change in biodiversity. No one has achieved this yet, and significant challenges remain associated with training the algorithms, low power cellular network coverage, sensor power versus memory trade-offs, and sensor network placement. Much work is still needed to achieve these goals; however we are living in the 21st Century and such lofty goals cannot be achieved unless we start working towards them.
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2021 |
Gould J, Callen A, Maynard C, Knibb G, Mcgregor J, Gill L, et al., 'Standing out in a crowd: Intraspecific variability in dorsal patterning allows for photo-identification of a threatened anuran', Austral Ecology, 46 1383-1391 (2021) [C1] Individuals within amphibian populations are commonly identified using artificial marking techniques, such as toe clipping and microchipping. However, many species in this group m... [more] Individuals within amphibian populations are commonly identified using artificial marking techniques, such as toe clipping and microchipping. However, many species in this group may be strong candidates for visual identification from photographs given intraspecific variability in skin features. We investigated the potential for dorsal skin patterns to be used as natural markers for the photo-identification of both juveniles and adults of the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea). This is a threatened species that has come under intense population monitoring using capture-mark-recapture procedures primarily involving the use of artificial markers, with no apparent investigation of the potential for natural markers to be used instead. We collected photographs of marked individuals to determine the level of intraspecific variability in dorsal patterning within a population. This photo-database was subsequently used to create an online survey in which participants were asked to match separate images of query frogs from small image pools by comparing dorsal patterns. Photographs were taken on a smartphone device under field conditions to test whether this technique could be applied to the study of wild populations with little cost or expertise required. We showed that dorsal patterns are clear and distinct among L.¿aurea individuals and easily visualised from field-acquired images to detect recapture events by eye with a low error rate. While an overwhelming majority of adults possessed dorsal patterning that can be easily distinguished by eye, juveniles often showed a complete absence of patterning, suggesting that photo-identification may be more effective for adult stages. Nevertheless, we highlight the feasibility of collecting visual information on the natural markings of a threatened anuran, providing evidence that it may be used as a supplementary form of identification alongside more traditional techniques, highlighting a potential direction for the future monitoring of this species.
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2020 |
Griffin AS, Callen A, Klop-Toker K, Scanlon RJ, Hayward MW, 'Compassionate conservation clashes with conservation biology: Should empathy, compassion and deontological moral principles drive conservation', Frontiers in Psychology, 11 (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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2019 |
Hayward MW, Scanlon RJ, Callen A, Howell LG, Klop-Toker KL, Di Blanco Y, et al., 'Reintroducing rewilding to restoration Rejecting the search for novelty', Biological Conservation, 233 255-259 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Hayward MW, Callen A, Allen BL, Ballard G, Broekhuis F, Bugir C, et al., 'Deconstructing compassionate conservation', Conservation Biology, 33 760-768 (2019) [C1] Compassionate conservation focuses on 4 tenets: first, do no harm; individuals matter; inclusivity of individual animals; and peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. Rece... [more] Compassionate conservation focuses on 4 tenets: first, do no harm; individuals matter; inclusivity of individual animals; and peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. Recently, compassionate conservation has been promoted as an alternative to conventional conservation philosophy. We believe examples presented by compassionate conservationists are deliberately or arbitrarily chosen to focus on mammals; inherently not compassionate; and offer ineffective conservation solutions. Compassionate conservation arbitrarily focuses on charismatic species, notably large predators and megaherbivores. The philosophy is not compassionate when it leaves invasive predators in the environment to cause harm to vastly more individuals of native species or uses the fear of harm by apex predators to terrorize mesopredators. Hindering the control of exotic species (megafauna, predators) in situ will not improve the conservation condition of the majority of biodiversity. The positions taken by so-called compassionate conservationists on particular species and on conservation actions could be extended to hinder other forms of conservation, including translocations, conservation fencing, and fertility control. Animal welfare is incredibly important to conservation, but ironically compassionate conservation does not offer the best welfare outcomes to animals and is often ineffective in achieving conservation goals. Consequently, compassionate conservation may threaten public and governmental support for conservation because of the limited understanding of conservation problems by the general public.
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Show 21 more journal articles |
Conference (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2022 |
Killen C, McIntyre K, Foster L, Ransom L, Mulcahy A, Drabsch B, et al., 'Communicating as Community: An action research approach to environmental communication in the Ourimbah Creek Valley.', Ourimbah (2022)
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2021 |
Killen C, McIntyre K, Foster L, Ransom L, Mulcahy A, Drabsch B, et al., 'Communicating as Community: Examining power and authority in community focused environmental communication through participatory action research in the Ourimbah Creek Valley.', Melbourne, VIC (2021)
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Creative Work (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2020 |
Kelly M, O'Donnell L, Sailer P, O'Callaghan S, Callen A, Drabsch B, Biomes 2020 3D Virtual Gallery, Online via Virtual Gallery, Newcastle (2020)
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2020 |
O'Callaghan S, Callen A, Kelly M, Drabsch B, Biomes 2020 website, Virtual, Newcastle (2020)
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Media (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2020 | Drabsch B, Callen A, 'Biomes combines art, conservation and technology', (2020) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 21 |
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Total funding | $7,112,526 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
Highlighted grants and funding
Improving conservation of vulnerable amphibian fauna in protected habitats$300,627
Funding body: NSW Environmental Trust
Funding body | NSW Environmental Trust |
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Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Professor Michael Mahony, Professor Matthew Hayward, Associate Professor John Clulow, Professor Brett Neilan, Doctor Kaya Klop-Toker, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Saving our Species (SoS)- Contestable Grants Program |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G1800970 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
20241 grants / $6,725
Development of non-invasive biomarkers of stress, reproduction and immune activation in the endangered green and golden bell frog and Littlejohn’s tree frog and their integration into conservation d$6,725
Funding body: The Ecological Society of Australia Ltd (ESA)
Funding body | The Ecological Society of Australia Ltd (ESA) |
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Project Team | Associate Professor Phil Jobling, Doctor Rose Upton, Doctor Alex Callen, Dr Anne Ibbotson |
Scheme | Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2024 |
Funding Finish | 2024 |
GNo | G2300967 |
Type Of Funding | C3300 – Aust Philanthropy |
Category | 3300 |
UON | Y |
20233 grants / $2,048,715
Restoring Littlejohn’s tree frog (Litoria littlejohni) within the Dendrobium mine-lease area $1,845,298
Funding body: Illawarra Coal Holdings Pty Ltd
Funding body | Illawarra Coal Holdings Pty Ltd |
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Project Team | Professor Matthew Hayward, Doctor Kaya Klop-Toker, Doctor Andrea Griffin, Doctor Darren Southwell, Doctor Alex Callen, Mr Ashton Goronga, Un-named Student |
Scheme | South32 Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2026 |
GNo | G2200940 |
Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
Category | 3100 |
UON | Y |
BIOMON Stage 1: A pilot biosensor that uses machine learning to identify wildlife acoustically$199,647
Funding body: NSW Environmental Trust
Funding body | NSW Environmental Trust |
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Project Team | Doctor Andrea Griffin, Professor Matthew Hayward, Professor Stephan Chalup, Doctor Darren Southwell, Doctor Alex Callen, Doctor Sarah Bell, Rye Gollan, Lucas Grenadier, Dr Brad Law, Mr Liam Manning, Reegan Walker, Doctor Sarah Bell, Mr Ian Benson, Luke Foster, Rye Gollan, Mr Lucas Grenadier, Dr Brad Law, Mr Liam Manning, Professor Paul McDonald, Mr Mick Roderick, Reegan Walker, Mr Dan Williams |
Scheme | Environmental Research Program |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2025 |
GNo | G2200641 |
Type Of Funding | C1600 - Aust Competitive - StateTerritory Govt |
Category | 1600 |
UON | Y |
Optimising biocontrol for Salvinia Weed in the Hunter$3,770
Funding body: NSW Local Land Service Hunter
Funding body | NSW Local Land Service Hunter |
---|---|
Project Team | Doctor Alex Callen, Doctor Craig Evans |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2023 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2300937 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
20211 grants / $845,639
Post-fire conservation action for the heath frog and giant burrowing frog$845,639
Funding body: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Funding body | NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment |
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Project Team | Doctor Kaya Klop-Toker, Doctor Alex Callen, Associate Professor John Clulow, Professor Matthew Hayward, Professor Michael Mahony, Ms Nadine Nolan |
Scheme | Environment and Energy Services |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2024 |
GNo | G2100713 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
20205 grants / $1,282,327
Securing threatened frogs from bushfire impact$751,982
Funding body: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Funding body | Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment |
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Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Professor Matthew Hayward, Associate Professor John Clulow, Doctor Alex Callen, Doctor Kaya Klop-Toker, Dr Deb Bower, Dr Jodi Rowley, Dr S Donnellan, Mr Chris Slade, Dr Hobbs Rebecca, Dr Natalie Calatalyud, Dr Justine O’Brien, Mr Garry Daly |
Scheme | Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | G2000511 |
Type Of Funding | C1500 - Aust Competitive - Commonwealth Other |
Category | 1500 |
UON | Y |
Status of Green and Golden Bell Frogs in Port of Newcastle managed zones of Kooragang Island$263,795
Funding body: Port of Newcastle
Funding body | Port of Newcastle |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Colin McHenry, Doctor Alex Callen, Associate Professor John Clulow, Professor Matthew Hayward |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2000009 |
Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
Category | 3100 |
UON | Y |
Assessment of population dynamics, distribution and habitat use for the green and golden bell frog at Avoca$215,000
Funding body: Central Coast Council
Funding body | Central Coast Council |
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Project Team | Professor Matthew Hayward, Associate Professor Troy Gaston, Doctor Andrea Griffin, Doctor Alex Callen, Miss Samantha Sanders |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2000788 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
Post-fire actions for Threatened Amphibians (L. littlejohni, H. australiacus, P. australis)$42,350
Funding body: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Funding body | NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Alex Callen, Doctor Kaya Klop-Toker |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | G2000686 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
Citizen scientists improving frog conservation in NSW national parks$9,200
Funding body: Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Funding body | Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife |
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Project Team | Professor Matthew Hayward, Ms Alana Burton, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Community Conservation Grants |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G2000748 |
Type Of Funding | C3200 – Aust Not-for Profit |
Category | 3200 |
UON | Y |
20195 grants / $1,242,507
Population status, distribution, and demography of the Green and Golden Bell Frog on Kooragang Island$447,423
Funding body: Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG)
Funding body | Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) |
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Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Associate Professor John Clulow, Professor Matthew Hayward, Doctor Colin McHenry, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2024 |
GNo | G1901005 |
Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
Category | 3100 |
UON | Y |
Improving conservation of vulnerable amphibian fauna in protected habitats$300,627
Funding body: NSW Environmental Trust
Funding body | NSW Environmental Trust |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Professor Michael Mahony, Professor Matthew Hayward, Associate Professor John Clulow, Professor Brett Neilan, Doctor Kaya Klop-Toker, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Saving our Species (SoS)- Contestable Grants Program |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G1800970 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
Conserving vulnerable amphibian fauna in protected habitats$300,627
Funding body: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Funding body | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
---|---|
Project Team | Prof Michael Mahony, Proff Brett Neilan, A/Prof Matthew Hayward, A/Prof John Clulow, Dr Kaya Klop-Toker, Dr Alex Callen |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | C2220 - Aust StateTerritoryLocal - Other |
Category | 2220 |
UON | N |
UoN Clyde Wetland Frog Survey 19 Monitoring, Environmental (PU)$183,320
Funding body: VIVA Energy Australia
Funding body | VIVA Energy Australia |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2022 |
GNo | G1901192 |
Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
Category | 3100 |
UON | Y |
Measurement of the genetic diversity of the population of the threatened green and golden bell frog in the Brickpit habitat at the Sydney Olympic Parklands$10,510
Funding body: Sydney Olympic Park Authority
Funding body | Sydney Olympic Park Authority |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | G1900785 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
20184 grants / $237,586
Impact of closure works on Green and Golden Bell Frog populations on Koorangang Island$155,883
Funding body: Hunter Development Corporation
Funding body | Hunter Development Corporation |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Colin McHenry, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | G1800355 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
Expert herpetology advice for restoration of green and golden bell frog habitat at Clyde terminal$31,703
Funding body: VIVA Energy Australia
Funding body | VIVA Energy Australia |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Alex Callen |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | G1800652 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
Determining adaptive capacity of mountain top frogs to climate change predictions$30,000
Funding body: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Funding body | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Alex Callen, Professor Matthew Hayward |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | G1800796 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
Establishing population status and identifying priority management sites for stuttering frog$20,000
Funding body: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Funding body | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Michael Mahony, Doctor Alex Callen, Professor Stephen Donnellan |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2018 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | G1800713 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
20161 grants / $105,500
Completion of the green and golden bell frog and disease monitoring on Kooragang Island GGBF SOS site$105,500
Funding body: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Funding body | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Matthew Hayward, Doctor Alex Callen, Doctor Colin McHenry, Professor Michael Mahony |
Scheme | Research Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G1601207 |
Type Of Funding | C2300 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Own Purpose |
Category | 2300 |
UON | Y |
20101 grants / $1,343,527
Landscape and population dynamics of Kooragang and Ash Island bell frogs$1,343,527
Funding body: Port Waratah Coal Services Limited
Funding body | Port Waratah Coal Services Limited |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Matthew Hayward, Associate Professor John Clulow, Doctor Colin McHenry, Doctor Alex Callen, Doctor Michelle Hession, Doctor Simon Clulow, Professor Michael Mahony |
Scheme | Research Project |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2010 |
Funding Finish | 2024 |
GNo | G1000779 |
Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
Category | 3100 |
UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | PhD | Integrated Control of Aquatic Weeds in the Hunter Region | PhD (Environmental Sc), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2023 | PhD | The Conservation of Threatened Amphibians in Coastal Environments. | PhD (Environmental Sc), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
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 |
2023 | Masters | The Extinction Crisis – An A-Z Anthology Of Current Endangered Australian Wildlife | M Philosophy (Nat Hist Illust), College of Human and Social Futures, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2022 | PhD | Non-Invasive Physiological Biomarkers for Stress and Immune Function in Amphibians | PhD (Human Physiology), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2021 | PhD | Post-Fire Conservation Action for the Heath Frog (Litoria Littlejohni) and Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus Australiacus) | PhD (Environmental Sc), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2021 | PhD | The Ecology of the Threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog in Created Habitat | PhD (Environmental Sc), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
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 | 26 | |
United States | 6 | |
United Kingdom | 5 | |
South Africa | 5 | |
Germany | 4 | |
More... |
News
News • 5 May 2023
Launch of frog ‘hotels’ in Olney State Forest
Olney State Forest is now home to a series of frog ‘hotels’ designed to support threatened frog species, thanks to a partnership between Forestry Corporation of NSW and the University of Newcastle.
News • 4 Sep 2020
Taking conservation to the community through art
An exciting new event is taking the science of conservation out of the lab and into the community, using the power of art.
News • 24 Jan 2019
Researchers jump to action to save threatened frog species
As part of a new conservation initiative, community members in the Sydney Basin area will learn to identify frogs by their call.
Dr Alex Callen
Position
Lecturer, Vegetation and Restoration Ecology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Contact Details
alex.callen@newcastle.edu.au | |
Link | Personal webpage |