Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research

Points covered:

• What is the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research?
• What are the Centre's aims and projects?

Words to know:

• TAXONOMY - the naming and classifying of plants and animals.
• ECOLOGY - the study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment.
• MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - study of biology at the molecular level, such as DNA.
• ENDEMIC - native to one area or continent only.
• ARTHROPODS - invertebrates with jointed legs such as, spiders, insects and crabs.

The Australian Museum has a specialist unit, the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research, which is committed to the investigation and conservation of biodiversity. This Centre draws on the Museum's research in taxonomy, ecology and molecular biology, as well as its collections and databases.

The aims of the Centre are:

• to increase our knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and conservation through research;
• to establish the best strategies for biodiversity assessment and conservation.
• to promote multidisciplinary and cross-institutional biodiversity research, and to influence policies and decisions relating to biodiversity conservation.
• to influence public attitudes and promote community involvement.

The Centre has a core staff which are concerned with strategic directions. There are also additional project leaders and technical staff who are conducting multidisciplinary research projects.

These projects include:

• The evaluation of habitat networks
• The use of narrow-range endemic species to identify critical conservation areas
• The formulation of genetic criteria for nature reserve selection
• The examination of arthropod biodiversity in coastal heathlands
• The examination of arthropod biodiversity in grazing systems
• The use of phylogenetic information in biodiversity assessments

The Centre has two laboratories dedicated to its functioning: the Invertebrate Biodiversity Laboratory, which focuses on the use of invertebrates in biodiversity studies, and the Spatial Systems Laboratory, which has been established to use geographical information systems in biodiversity studies.

Gerry Cassis
CBCR
Australian Museum