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Conservation by numbers
Adelaide conservation biologist, Professor Corey Bradshaw, who uses his mathematical skills to help solve complex conservation problems and understand the ways in which species respond to changing environments, has drawn national acclaim.
His research, some of which looks at the impacts of climate change on South Australian aquaculture, has won Professor Bradshaw the inaugural Universities Australia and Elsevier Scopus Young Researcher of the Year Award for Life Sciences and Biological Sciences.
Professor Bradshaw’s position as a research director at the University of Adelaide’s Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability, is a joint appointment between SARDI and the University and Adelaide supported by Marine Innovation SA (MISA). He is also Director of Ecological Modelling at the University’s Environment Institute.
His work covers management of pest species, reducing extinction risk and helping preserve biodiversity. Significant “conservation achievements” include successful changes to fishing practice to help conserve endangered grey nurse sharks following his findings on threats to the species; and work detailing the link between loss of natural forest cover and increased flood risk which has been used in key international reports aimed at helping governments shape conservation policy.
Professor Bradshaw is currently developing a world-first document that draws together information about physiological tolerances of the most susceptible life stages of farmed species to changes in temperature, salinity, pH, chemistry and nutrients.
He says the coastal and inshore waters of south-eastern Australia have experienced some of the greatest changes in recent years in the Southern Hemisphere. The knowledge that will be gained from this project extends well beyond aquaculture in Australia. It has major implications for understanding the response of wild fishes to changing environments and for marine biota in general.
Professor Bradshaw has published 140 scientific papers and book chapters since completing his PhD just ten years ago, is Senior Editor of the journal Conservation Letters, and established the world’s first major blog site on conservation research, ConservationBytes.com
He has won a number of awards and fellowships including the Royal Society of SA’s 2009 HG Andrewartha Medal for Outstanding Science and the South Australian Young Tall Poppy Science Award in 2008.
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, will present Corey with the national Universities Australia and Elsevier award at the universities Australia Conference Gala Dinner on Wednesday March 3 2009.
Further information on Professor Bradshaw is available at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/corey.bradshaw
