Assessing stygofaunal resilience to anthropogenic and natural impacts: An ecotoxicological and metabolic perspective
This project, part of the WABSI Subterranean Fauna Research Program, aims to establish robust protocols for toxicity testing using stygofauna, and better understand the resilience of stygofauna to environmental change to unravel stygofaunal resilience building on the experiences from industry and research institutes.
Expected outcomes:
The project is expected to generate increased understanding of the adaptations and abilities of stygofauna to cope with stressors, including the sensitivity changes in physicochemical conditions. Moreover, development of improved protocols (e.g., transportation, surveys, etc.) for stygofaunal biomonitoring, including novel tools (i.e., eRNA) able to reflect functional changes at community levels, will be delivered.
Further, in depth understanding of the effect of contaminants, such as PFAS, on the structural and metabolic dynamics of stygofauna populations and communities are being investigated.
The three overall deliverables of this project are:
- In-depth analysis of the key ecotoxicological drivers in groundwater habitats
- Detailed stygofaunal ethological investigations to guide management protocols
- Comprehensive analysis of the survival ranges of the stygofaunal communities
Industry partners: Chevron, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, BHP
Facilities: TrEnD Lab (Curtin), Aquaculture Lab (Curtin), CSIRO (Land and Water)
WANT TO ENGAGE WITH US?
We seek industry partners that want to invest in leading research that will deliver real world outcomes, increase knowledge and help lift certainty to enable more informed management decisions.
We also invite academic institutions and others to engage with this program.
Email us on subtfauna@wabsi.org.au
Or, if you would like to learn more: Contact us to see how we can help.