Bio^R uses science

Wildlife habitat is complex. Reconstructing it from scratch is challenging. To do it well one needs knowledge: knowledge of what the habitat should look like; knowledge of the types of habitats and habitat features that different animals need to survive; knowledge of the amount of habitat individual animals need; as well as knowledge on how to actually build the habitats – from eliminating weeds to re-establishing all of the plant species that make up a natural system. This is more than just a list of plant species, it is also knowledge of how the plants are spaced and vary across a property. Bio^R uses science to provide this knowledge. For example, the area of woodland habitat (home range) used by individuals of many woodland birds are tens of hectares in size. Given this, patches of new habitat need to be at least tens of hectares in size. For some species, like the Restless Flycatcher and Varied Sittella, more than a hundred hectares of usable habitat is needed.

Where we lack adequate knowledge Bio^R will invest in research to get the information or we will learn while doing.

Research Activities

The knowledge that is needed to aid the re-construction of new habitats (and restoration of existing habitats) fits into three broad areas.

• Research that improves our understanding of habitats and the habitat needs of both plants and animals, particularly species that are threatened or declining;
• Research that explores the amounts of habitat and arrangement of habitat patches across large regions needed to adequately protect biodiversity while still allowing the use of the remaining land for human uses like agriculture; and,
• Research that improves technical aspects of re-constructing native habitats that become resilient and self-sustaining. Resilient habitats are those that can cope with and recover from perturbations like droughts and fire. Self-sustaining habitats have the capacity to replace themselves without further action.

Bio^R encourages student research, and when required, Bio^R will invest in research that aids the reconstruction of habitats.