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Wildlife and Climate Change: Towards robust conservation strategies for Australian fauna

Edited by

Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7882/9780980327250

ISBN electronic:

978-0-9803272-6-7

Publication date:

2012

Book Chapter

Study of climate change and field research in zoology: are they compatible with research student training programs?

Shelley Burgin

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Pauline M. Ross

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Doi:

https://doi.org/10.7882/FS.2012.023

Published:

2012

Biological diversity in Australia has been dwindling, even without the full onslaught of climate change with the anticipated decrease in numbers of species, communities and effects on associated ecosystems. This makes the impacts of climate change attractive for students undertaking research training in field biology in undergraduate and graduate zoology programs. The projects undertaken by such students are, of necessity, short-term and typically vary between several months and two years of field work. In this paper we consider if such projects are compatible with studying the effects of climate change on Australian native fauna. We conclude that there are limited opportunities for explicit outcomes; however, the research is valuable in a broader context of underpinning longer term research.

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Study of climate change and field research in zoology: are they compatible with research student training programs?

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