Desired Outcome by 2035
The entrenchment of a systematic, continental-scale monitoring of essential ecosystem variables that reflect the health of our ecosystems.
Key Activities Identified in the National Plan
Define the differences and overlap between Ecosystem Surveillance and Long Term Research; establish a dedicated working group (Council members and externals), and a process for engagement; produce a document that effectively articulates to policy makers and government agencies the value proposition for ecosystem surveillance; identify funding sources. To support the members, a face-to-face workshop will be held to develop an implementation plan. The plan will: (i) identify what a national system of ecosystem surveillance would look like, (ii) prioritise ecosystem variables for surveillance monitoring, and (iii) define funding, institutional and governance arrangements for surveillance monitoring.
Council Members
Noel Preece (coordinator), Bryony Horton, Mark Lonsdale and Glenda Wardle.
Working Group
A working group was formed to work with the Ecosystem Science Council and ecosystem science community in advancing this Key Direction. The Working Group promotes, coordinates and participates in activities to achieve the priority for this Key Direction. It includes representatives of the ecosystem science community that have a direct experience with undertaking ecosystem surveillance within research institutions, governments, industry, community groups and NGOs. The Working Group membership is:
| Adj. Assoc. Prof. Noel Preece | WG Chair, ESC Councillor Biome5 PL, James Cook University, Charles Darwin University |
| Dr Neville Barrett | University of Tasmania, former ESC Councillor |
| Dr Emma Burns | Long Term Ecological Research Network, Australian National University former ESC Councillor |
| Dr Teresa Eyre | Queensland Herbarium, Queensland Government |
| Dr Alison Foster | National Parks & Wildlife Service, NSW. |
| Dr Bryony Horton | Department of the Environment, NSW, ESC |
| Peter Lyon | Department of the Environment & Energy |
| Dr Mark Lonsdale | Australian National University, Ecosystem Science council Member |
| Prof Graciela Metternicht | UNSW Australia, Sydney |
| Dr Nicholas Murray | University of NSW |
| Dr Ben Sparrow | AUSPLOTS, University of South Australia |
| Randal Storey | Department of the Environment |
| Dr Stephen Van Leeuwen | Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA |
| Prof Glenda Wardle | University of Sydney, Chair of Ecosystem Science Council |
| Dr Tim Wills | GHD |
Information about the responsibilities, roles, tasks, membership criteria and the selection process are detailed in the Council’s Terms of Reference.
The Council is appreciative of the Working Group for volunteering expertise on ways to keep watch over Australia’s ecosystems.
Priorities to 2020
- Continue the synthesis of key elements of successful ecosystem surveillance programs.
- Continue the review and synthesis of long term research and ecosystem surveillance programs in Australia (and globally), and complete the review.
- Run a symposium at the annual Ecological Society of Australia’s conference where relevant.
For more information please contact Noel Preece.
