Top of page

Student/Staff Portal
Global Site Navigation

School of Science

Local Section Navigation
You are here: Main Content

Related Contents

    • Dr Robert Davis
      https://www.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0005/683087/Image-Rob-Davis.jpg
    • Dr Robert Davis

      Dr Robert Davis

  • See Also
  • ResearchGate profile
    https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Davis7/contributions
  • ResearchGate profile
  • Google Scholar
    https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=qrmXtV0AAAAJ&hl=en
  • Google Scholar
  • Twitter profile
    https://twitter.com/WildlifeLab
  • Twitter profile
  • BlueSky profile
    https://bsky.app/profile/pezoporus.bsky.social
  • BlueSky profile
  • LinkedIn profile
    https://au.linkedin.com/in/robert-davis-24659a12
  • LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor Rob Davis

Associate Professor

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 5446
Email: robert.davis@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO19.351  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9062-5754

Rob is an Associate Professor in the School of Science.

Current Teaching

  • SCM3201 Conservation Biology
  • SCI3115 Wildlife Management
  • SCI2118 Australian Biota
  • SCI5117 Biological Conservation

Current Coordination

  • K57 Conservation Biology
  • Y83 Bachelor of Science

Background

Rob’s research is heavily rooted in applied conservation biology. His background in disturbance ecology means he studies how human-induced changes—like fire regimes, invasive species, or land clearing—affect ecosystems. He focuses on vertebrates, with a soft spot for birds and amphibians, but his work spans mammals like quolls and even reptiles. Rob’s Wildlife Lab combines boots-on-the-ground fieldwork—trapping, tracking, and monitoring wildlife—with advanced tools like statistical modelling and GIS to predict species responses to environmental changes. A key theme at present is anticoagulant rodenticides and their unintended effects on non-target species like quolls, owls and snakes. This work has influenced policy discussions around safer pest management.

Rob has been at ECU since 2009 with a previous background in specialist fauna consulting and a postdoctoral position at UWA. He enjoys enthusing the next generation of students about the conservation challenges facing society, and the wonder of biodiversity. He aims to ensure that his teaching exemplifies his practical research and provides opportunities for on-ground experiences.

Professional Memberships

  • Fellow of the Linnean Society of London
  • Birdlife Australia
  • Society for Conservation Biology
  • Australian Society of Herpetologists
  • Ecological Society of Australia

Awards and Recognition

National and International Research Positions

  • 2022 - IUCN SSC Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group
  • 2020 - IUCN SSC Bird Red List Authority
  • 2019 - Research Associate, Western Australian Museum
  • 2019 - Appointed to WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee
  • 2012 - Perth Zoo Scientific Advisory Committee
  • 2009 - Associate Editor (Ornithology) Pacific Conservation Biology

Research Areas and Interests

  • Impacts of rodenticides on wildlife
  • Bird conservation and ecology
  • Animal conservation

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Western Australia, 2005.

Research Outputs

2024

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Craig, MD. (2024). Long-term post-fire succession of reptiles in an urban remnant in south-western Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 33(6), article number WF24033. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF24033.
  • Verdon, S., Davis, R., Tulloch, A., Legge, S., Watson, D., Woinarski, J., Baker, B., Driessen, J., Geyle, H., Possingham, H., Garnett, S. (2024). Trends in monitoring of Australia’s threatened birds (1990–2020): much improved but still inadequate.. Emu: austral ornithology, 124(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2023.2275121.
  • Wawrzyczek, SK., Davis, R., Krauss, SL., Hoebee, SE., Phillips, RD. (2024). Does Pollination By Non-Flying Mammals Contribute Substantially To Fruit Set Of Banksia (Proteaceae)? A Test In Four Species With Contrasting Floral Traits. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2024(Article in Press), pp. https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boae061.
  • Wawrzyczek, SK., Davis, R., Krauss, SL., Hoebee, SE., Ashton, LM., Phillips, RD. (2024). Pollination By Birds, Non-Flying Mammals, And European Honeybees In A Heathland Shrub, Banksia Catoglypta (Proteaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 206(3), 257-273. https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boae024.
  • Davis, R., Greenwell, C., Davis, BJ., Bateman, PW. (2024). Liked To Death: The Impacts Of Social Media And Photography On Biodiversity. Science of the Total Environment, 949(2024), article number 175106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175106.
  • Treloar, S., Lohr, C., Hopkins, A., Ottewell, K., McArthur, S., Davis, R. (2024). Scat Dna As A Non-Invasive Method For Estimating The Abundance Of The Vulnerable Mala (Lagorchestes Hirsutus). Wildlife Research, 51(1), article number WR22122. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR22122.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Leseberg, NP., Kutt, A., Evans, MC., Nou, T., Spillias, S., Stone, Z., Walsh, JC., Murphy, SA., Bamford, M., Burbidge, A., Crossing, K., Davis, R., Garnett, ST., Kavanagh, RP., Murphy, R., Read, J., Reid, J., Van Leeuwen, S., Watson, AW., Watson, JE., Maron, M. (2023). Establishing Effective Conservation Management Strategies For A Poorly Known Endangered Species: A Case Study Using Australia'S Night Parrot (Pezoporus Occidentalis). Biodiversity and Conservation, 32(2023), 2869-2891. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02633-8.
  • Carter, R., Lohr, C., Burbidge, A., Van Dongen, R., Chapman, J., Davis, R. (2023). Eaten out of house and home: local extinction of Abrolhos painted button-quail Turnix varius scintillans due to invasive mice, herbivores and rainfall decline. Biological Invasions, 25(2023), 1119-1132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02966-5.
  • Davis, R., Seddon, P., Craig, M., Russell, J. (2023). A review of methods for detecting rats at low densities, with implications for surveillance. Biological Invasions, 25(12), 3773-3791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-023-03133-0.
  • Li, Y., Hopkins, A., Davis, R. (2023). Going, Going, Gone The Diminishing Capacity Of Museum Specimen Collections To Address Global Change Research: A Case Study On Urban Reptiles. Animals, 13(6), article number 1078. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061078.
  • Davis, R. (2023). Collected to extinction? History and records of the Western Rufous Bristlebird. Australian Field Ornithology, 40(2023), 288-293. https://doi.org/10.20938/afo40288293.
  • Cowan, M., Moore, H., Hradsky, B., Jolly, C., Dunlop, J., Wysong, M., Hernandez-Santin, L., Davis, R., Fisher, D., Michael, D., Turner, J., Gibson, L., Knuckey, C., Henderson, M., Nimmo, D. (2023). Non-preferred habitat increases the activity area of the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in a semi-arid landscape. Australian Mammalogy, 45(2), 138-150. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM22006.

2022

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Joseph, L., Johnstone, R. (2022). Status of Barking Owl Ninox connivens in south-west Australia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, 142(3), 366-376. https://doi.org/10.25226/bboc.v142i3.2022.a9.
  • Davis, R., Valentine, L., Craig, M. (2022). Do bird communities differ with post-fire age in Banksia woodlands of south-western Australia?. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 31(6), 621-633. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF22005.
  • Bateman, PW., Benken, R., Glowacki, R., Davis, R. (2022). A most unusual tail: Scoliosis in a wild Australian skink, and reported incidences and suggested causes of similar malformations amongst squamates. Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere, 47(3), 723-728. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13155.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Treloar, S., Lohr, C., Hopkins, A., Davis, R. (2021). Rapid population expansion of Boodie (Burrowing Bettong, Bettongia lesueur) creates potential for resource competition with Mala (Rufous Hare-Wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus). Ecological Management and Restoration, 22(S1), 54-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12471.
  • Radley, P., Davis, R., Doherty, T. (2021). Impacts of invasive rats and tourism on a threatened island bird: the Palau Micronesian Scrubfowl. Bird Conservation International, 31(2), 206-218. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270920000246.
  • Radley, P., Van Etten, E., Blake, D., Davis, R. (2021). Breeding and feeding habitat selection by an island endemic bird may increase its vulnerability to climate change. Biotropica, 53(2), 422-432. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.12885.
  • Ritchie, A., Svejcar, L., Ayre, B., Bolleter, J., Brace, A., Craig, M., Davis, B., Davis, R., Van Etten, E., Fontaine, J., Fowler, W., Froend, R., Groom, C., Hardy, G., Hooper, P., Hopkins, A., Hughes, M., Krauss, S., Leopold, M., Miller, B., Miller, R., Ramalho, C., Ruthrof, K., Shaw, C., Stevens, J., Tagney, R., Valentine, L., Veneklaas, E., Hobbs, R. (2021). A threatened ecological community: research advances and priorities for Banksia woodlands. Australian Journal of Botany, 69(2), 53-84. https://doi.org/10.1071/BT20089.
  • Hernandez-Santin, L., Henderson, M., Molloy, S., Dunlop, J., Davis, R. (2021). Spatial ecology of an endangered carnivore, the Pilbara northern quoll. Australian Mammalogy, 43(2), 235-242. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19052.
  • Van Etten, E., Davis, R., Doherty, T. (2021). Fire in Semi-Arid Shrublands and Woodlands: Spatial and Temporal Patterns in an Australian Landscape. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), Article Number 653870. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.653870.
  • Kestel, J., Phillips, R., Anthony, J., Davis, R., Krauss, S. (2021). Unexpectedly low paternal diversity is associated with infrequent pollinator visitation for a bird‐pollinated plant. Oecologia, 196(4), 937-950. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-021-04906-x.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Molloy, S., Burbidge, A., Comer, S., Davis, R. (2020). Using climate change models to inform the recovery of the western ground parrot Pezoporus flaviventris. Oryx: journal of fauna and flora international, 54(1), 52-61. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000923.
  • Lohr, M., Lohr, C., Burbidge, A., Davis, R. (2020). Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity across urban and agricultural landscapes in an Australian owl. Emu: austral ornithology, 120(4), 275-285. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2020.1831393.
  • Lettoof, D., Lohr, M., Busetti, F., Bateman, P., Davis, R. (2020). Toxic time bombs: Frequent detection of anticoagulant rodenticides in urban reptiles at multiple trophic levels. Science of the Total Environment, 724(1 July 2020), Article number 138218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138218.
  • Main, M., Davis, R., Blake, D., Mills, H., Doherty, T. (2020). Human impact overrides bioclimatic drivers of red fox home range size globally. Diversity and Distributions, 26(9), 1083-1092. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13115.
  • Lohr, M., Krauss, S., Spencer, P., Anthony, J., Burbidge, A., Davis, R. (2020). Widespread genetic connectivity in Australia’s most common owl, despite extensive habitat fragmentation. Emu: austral ornithology, 120(3), 249-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2020.1794908.

2019

Book Chapters

  • Davis, R., Douglas, T. (2019). Feathered Jewels: Birds of the Yule Brook Region. A Jewel in the Crown of a Global Biodiversity Hotspot (285-293). Kwongan Foundation and WA Naturalists Club. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/7556.

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Lohr, C., Roberts, JD. (2019). Frog survival and population viability in an agricultural landscape with a drying climate. Population Ecology, 61(1), 102-112. https://doi.org/10.1002/1438-390X.1001.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Dornelas, M., Antao, LH., Moyes, F., Bates, AE., Magurran, AE., Adam, D., Akhmetzhanova, AA., Appeltans, W., Arcos, JM., Arnold, H., Ayyappan, N., Badihi, G., Baird, AH., Barbosa, M., Barreto, TE., Baessler, C., Bellgrove, A., Belmaker, J., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bett, BJ., Bjorkman, AD., Blazewicz, M., Blowes, SA., Bloch, CP., Bonebrake, TC., Boyd, S., Bradford, M., Brooks, AJ., Brown, JH., Bruelheide, H., Budy, P., Carvalho, F., Castaneda-Moya, E., Chen, CA., Chamblee, JF., Chase, TJ., Collier, L., Collinge, SK., Condit, R., Cooper, EJ., Cornelissen, JH., Cotano, U., Crow, SK., Damasceno, G., Davies, CH., Davis, R., Day, FP., Degraer, S., Doherty, T., Dunn, TE., Durigan, G., Duffy, JE., Edelist, D., Edgar, GJ., Elahi, R., Elmendorf, SC., Enemar, A., Ernest, SK., Escribano, R., Estiarte, M., Evans, BS., Fan, TY., Farah, FT., Fernandes, LL., Farneda, FZ., Fidelis, A., Fitt, R., Fosaa, AM., Franco, GA., Frank, GE., Fraser, WR., Garcia, H., Gatti, RC., Givan, O., Gorgone-Barbosa, E., Gould, WA., Gries, C., Grossman, GD., Gutierrez, JR., Hale, S., Harmon, ME., Harte, J., Haskins, G., Henshaw, DL., Hermanutz, L., Hidalgo, P., Higuchi, P., Hoey, A., Hoey, G., Hofgaard, A., Holeck, K., Hollister, RD., Holmes, R., Hoogenboom, M., Hsieh, CH., Hubbell, SP., Huettmann, F., Huffard, CL., Hurlbert, AH., Ivanauskas, NM., Janik, D., Jandt, U., Jazdzewska, A., Johannessen, T., Johnstone, J., Jones, J., Jones, FA., Kang, J., Kartawijaya, T., Keeley, C., Kelt, DA., Kinnear, R., Klanderud, K., Knutsen, H., Koenig, CC., Kortz, AR., Kral, K., Kuhnz, LA., Kuo, CY., Kushner, DJ., Laguionie-Marchais, C., Lancaster, LT., Lee, C., Lefcheck, JS., Levesque, E., Lightfoot, D., Lloret, F., Lloyd, JD., Lopez-Baucells, A., Louzao, M., Madin, JS., Magnusson, B., Malamud, S., Matthews, I., McFarland, KP., McGill, B., McKnight, D., McLarney, WO., Meador, J., Meserve, PL., Metcalfe, DJ., Meyer, CF., Michelsen, A., Milchakova, N., Moens, T., Moland, E., Moore, J., Moreira, CM., Mueller, J., Murphy, G., Myers-Smith, IH., Myster, RW., Naumov, A., Neat, F., Nelson, JA., Nelson, M., Newton, SF., Norden, N., Oliver, JC., Olsen, EM., Onipchenko, VG., Pabis, K., Pabst, RJ., Paquette, A., Pardede, S., Paterson, DM., Pelissier, R., Penuelas, J., Perez-Matus, A., Pizarro, O., Pomati, F., Post, E., Prins, HH., Priscu, JC., Provoost, P., Prudic, KL., Pulliainen, E., Ramesh, BR., Ramos, O., Rassweiler, A., Rebelo, JE., Reed, DC., Reich, PB., Remillard, SM., Richardson, AJ., Richardson, JP., Rijn, I., Rocha, R., Rivera-Monroy, VH., Rixen, C., Robinson, KP., Rodrigues, RR., Rossa-Feres, DD., Rudstam, L., Ruhl, H., Ruz, CS., Sampaio, EM., Rybicki, N., Rypel, A., Sal, S., Salgado, B., Santos, FA., Savassi-Coutinho, AP., Scanga, S., Schmidt, J., Schooley, R., Setiawan, F., Shao, KT., Shaver, GR., Sherman, S., Sherry, TW., Sicinski, J., Sievers, C., Silva, AC., Silva, FR., Silveira, FL., Slingsby, J., Smart, T., Snell, SJ., Soudzilovskaia, NA., Souza, GB., Souza, FM., Souza, VC., Stallings, CD., Stanforth, R., Stanley, EH., Sterza, JM., Stevens, M., Stuart-Smith, R., Suarez, Y., Supp, S., Tamashiro, J., Tarigan, S., Thiede, GP., Thorn, S., Tolvanen, A., Toniato, MT., Totland, O., Twilley, RR., Vaitkus, G., Valdivia, N., Vallejo, MI., Valone, TJ., Colen, C., Vanaverbeke, J., Venturoli, F., Verheye, HM., Vianna, M., Vieira, RP., Vrska, T., Vu, CQ., Van Vu, L., Waide, RB., Waldock, C., Watts, D., Webb, S., Wesolowski, T., White, EP., Widdicombe, CE., Wilgers, D., Williams, R., Williams, SB., Williamson, M., Willig, MR., Willis, TJ., Wipf, S., Woods, KD., Woehler, EJ., Zawada, K., Zettler, ML. (2018). BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 27(7), 760-786. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12729.
  • Oversby, W., Ferguson, S., Davis, R., Bateman, PW. (2018). Bad news for bobtails: understanding predatory behaviour of a resource-subsidised corvid towards an island endemic reptile. Wildlife Research, 45(7), 595-601. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR18051.
  • Radley, P., Davis, R., Dekker, R., Molloy, S., Blake, D., Heinsohn, R. (2018). Vulnerability of megapodes (Megapodiidae, Aves) to climate change and related threats. Environmental Conservation: an international journal of environmental science, 45(4), 396-406. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892918000152.
  • Lohr, M., Davis, R. (2018). Anticoagulant rodenticide use, non-target impacts and regulation: a case study from Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 634(1 September 2018), 1372-1384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.069.
  • Davis, R., Watson, D. (2018). Vagrants as vanguards of range shifts in a dynamic world. Biological Conservation, 224(August 2018), 238-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.06.006.
  • Davis, R., Dutson, G., Szabo, J. (2018). Conservation status of threatened and endemic birds of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Bird Conservation International, 28(3), 439-450. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270917000156.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Molloy, S., Davis, R., Dunlop, J., Van Etten, E. (2017). Applying surrogate species presences to correct sample bias in species distribution models: a case study using the Pilbara population of the Northern Quoll. Nature Conservation, 18(May 2017), 27-46. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.18.12235.
  • Watson, D., Davis, R. (2017). Hopeful monsters – In defence of quests to rediscover long-lost species. Conservation Letters, 10(4), 382-383. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12386.
  • Virens, J., Davis, R., Doherty, T. (2017). Two records of amelanism in the Australian skink Ctenotus fallens (Storr, 1974). Herpetology Notes, 10(September 2017), 453-455.
  • Molloy, S., Davis, R. (2017). Resilience to agricultural habitat fragmentation in an arboreal marsupial. Australian Mammalogy, 39(2), 185-196. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM16012.
  • Doherty, T., Van Etten, E., Davis, R., Knuckey, C., Radford, J., Dalgleish, S. (2017). Ecosystem responses to fire: identifying cross-taxa conflicts and complementarities to inform management strategies. Ecosystems, 20(5), 872-884. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-016-0082-z.

2016

Journal Articles

  • Loxdale, H., Davis, B., Davis, R. (2016). Known knowns and unknowns in biology. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 117(2), 386-398. https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12646.
  • Davis, R., Doherty, T., Van Etten, E., Radford, JQ., Holmes, F., Knuckey, C., Davis, B. (2016). Conserving long unburnt vegetation is important for bird species, guilds and diversity. Biodiversity and Conservation, 25(13), 2709-2722. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1196-5.
  • Cramer, V., Dunlop, J., Davis, R., Ellis, R., Barnett, B., Cook, A., Morris, K., Van Leeuwen, S. (2016). Research priorities for the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy, 38(2), 135-148. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM15005.
  • Molloy, S., Davis, R., Van Etten, E. (2016). An evaluation and comparison of spatial modelling applications for the management of biodiversity: a case study on the fragmented landscapes of south-western Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 22(4), 338-349. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC16006.
  • Molloy, S., Davis, R., Van Etten, E. (2016). Incorporating field studies into species distribution and climate change modelling: a case study of the koomal Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus (Phalangeridae). PLoS One, 11(4), Article No. e0154161. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154161.

2015

Journal Articles

  • Doherty, T., Davis, R., Van Etten, E., Collier, N., Krawiec, J. (2015). Response of a shrubland mammal and reptile community to a history of landscape-scale wildfire. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 24(4), 534-543. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF14115.
  • Doherty, T., Davis, R., Van Etten, E. (2015). A game of cat-and-mouse: microhabitat influences rodent foraging in recently burnt but not long unburnt shrublands. Journal of Mammalogy, 96(2), 324-331. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyv034.
  • Davis, R., Doherty, T. (2015). Rapid Recovery of an Urban Remnant Reptile Community following Summer Wildfire. PLoS One, 10(5), Article number e0127925. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0127925.
  • Doherty, T., Davis, R., Van Etten, E., Algar, D., Collier, N., Dickman, C., Edwards, G., Masters, P., Palmer, R., Robinson, S. (2015). A continental-scale analysis of feral cat diet in Australia. Journal of Biogeography, 42(5), 964-975. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12469.
  • Krawiec, J., Krauss, SL., Davis, R., Spencer, PB. (2015). Weak genetic structuring suggests historically high genetic connectivity among recently fragmented urban populations of the scincid lizard, Ctenotus fallens. Australian Journal of Zoology, 63(4), 279-286. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO15022.

2014

Journal Articles

  • Doherty, T., Bengsen, A., Davis, R. (2014). A critical review of habitat use by feral cats and key directions for future research and management. Wildlife Research, 41(5), 435-446. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR14159.
  • Davis, R., Valentine, LE., Craig, MD., Wilson, B., Bancroft, WJ., Mallie, M. (2014). Impact of phytophthora-dieback on birds in Banksia woodlands in south west Western Australia. Biological Conservation, 171(2014), 136-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.01.027.
  • Molloy, S., Davis, R., Van Etten, E. (2014). Species distribution modelling using bioclimatic variables to determine the impacts of a changing climate on the western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis; Pseudocheiridae). Environmental Conservation, 41(2), 176-186. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892913000337.

2013

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Gole, C., Roberts, J. (2013). Impacts of urbanisation on the native avifauna of Perth, Western Australia. Urban Ecosystems, 16(3), 427-452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-012-0275-y.
  • Davis, R., Wilcox, JA. (2013). Adapting to suburbia: bird ecology on an urban-bushland interface in Perth, Western Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 19(2), 110-120.

2012

Journal Articles

  • Bertzeletos, D., Davis, R., Horwitz, P. (2012). Importance of Lake MacLeod, northwestern Australia, to shorebirds: a review and update. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 95(1), 115-124.

2011

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Roberts, JD. (2011). Survival and population size of the frog heleioporus albopunctatus in a highly modified, agricultural landscape. Copeia, 2011(3), 423-429. https://doi.org/10.1643/CE-09-133.

2008

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Metcalf, B. (2008). The Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) in northern Western Australia: a recent sighting from the Pilbara region. Emu: austral ornithology, 108(3), 233-236. https://doi.org/10.1071/MU07058.
  • Davis, R., Burbidge, AH. (2008). The Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans) in arid regions of Western Australia. Amytornis: Western Australian Journal of Ornithology, 1(1), 1-5.
  • Davis, R., Wilcox, J. (2008). Range extension of the Western Heath Dragon Rankinia adelaidensis and Gray's legless lizard Delma grayii with notes on the distribution of southern Swan coastal plain reptiles. The Western Australian Naturalist, 26(1), 67-70.

2005

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Roberts, J. (2005). Population genetic structure of the western spotted frog, Heleioporus albopunctatus (Anura: Myobatrachidae), in a fragmented landscape in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology, 53(3), 167-175.
  • Davis, R., Roberts, J. (2005). Embryonic Survival and Egg Numbers in Small and Large Populations of the Frog Heleioporus albopunctatus in Western Australia. Journal of Herpetology, 39(1), 133-138.
  • Davis, R., Bamford, M. (2005). A range extension for Lerista lineopunctulata and a second record of Lerista lineata, near Yalgorup, Western Australia. The Western Australian Naturalist, 25(1), 59-60.

2004

Journal Articles

  • Davis, R., Roberts, JD. (2004). Operational sex ratio and mating behaviour of the myobatrachid frog Neobatrachus kunapalari. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 87(3), 97-99.

2003

Journal Articles

  • Smith, MJ., Roberts, JD., Hammond, TJ., Davis, R. (2003). Intraspecific variation in the advertisement call of the Sunset Frog Spicospina flammocaerulea (Anura: Myobatrachidae): a frog with a limited geographic distribution. Journal of Herpetology, 37(2), 285-291.

Research Projects

  • Fire Research Collaboration: Fauna Program, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Grant, 2025 ‑ 2029, $1,000,000.
  • Offset project on Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo and Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Water Corporation, Grant, 2025 ‑ 2028, $617,118.
  • Creating a new Forensic Capability in WA by using the Human Hair Shaft Proteome for Protein-based Human Identification., Western Australian Treasury Corporation, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2028, $232,000.
  • Using large floating islands to promote aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity in pit lakes , Australian Coal Association, Australian Coal Association Research Program, 2024 ‑ 2027, $757,290.
  • Booderee - eDNA ecological impact study, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Grant, 2024 ‑ 2026, $18,900.
  • Conservation management of parrots and cockatoos in the Gunduwa Region., Gunduwa Regional Conservation Association, Small Grant Scheme, 2025 ‑ 2026, $50,000.
  • Characterisation of genetically variant proteins using high-resolution mass spectrometry for taxonomic assignment of biological evidence in the forensic setting , Chemistry Centre WA T/A ChemCentre, Scholarships to support Industry Engagement PhD Projects, 2022 ‑ 2026, $105,000.
  • Improving Restoration and Management of Valley-Floor Ecosystems in the Gunduwa Region, Gunduwa Regional Conservation Association, PhD Research Support Grant, 2021 ‑ 2026, $60,000.
  • Restoring saline land biodiversity, Gunduwa Regional Conservation Association, Small Grant Scheme, 2021 ‑ 2025, $30,000.
  • Investigating habitat requirements for new homes for Gilbert's Potoroo, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Community Stewardships Grants 2022 - Large, 2023 ‑ 2025, $70,000.
  • Maximising Habitat Value from Saline Land Restoration, Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group, Community Stewardship Grants 2019, 2020 ‑ 2024, $85,440.
  • Improving translocation success for Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii): Dietary and habitat complexities, Royal Society of Western Australia, RSWA John Glover Research Support Grants, 2024, $15,000.
  • Finding space: Breeding territory abandonment in Western Hooded Plover in association with human use of beaches and altered habitat quality., Royal Society of Western Australia, RSWA John Glover Research Support Grants, 2024, $15,000.
  • Developing and applying a novel survey method for the Masked Owl in the South-West of Western Australia, Birdlife Australia, Student Research and Travel Grants, 2023 ‑ 2024, $2,500.
  • Developing and applying a novel survey method for the Masked Owl in Southwest of Western Australia, Birdlife Australia, Grant, 2022 ‑ 2023, $2,282.
  • Comparative analysis of diet in island populations of banded and rufous hare-wallabies in Shark Bay , Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2023, $10,000.
  • Conservation status of birds in the Federated States of Micronesia, United Nations Development Programme, Grant, 2020 ‑ 2022, $123,936.
  • Research and Management Priorities for Corellas, Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2022, $27,000.
  • Conservation Status of the Western Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii blaauwi) , Birdlife Australia, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2022, $2,015.
  • Impacts of Fire on Reptiles in King's Park, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Botanic Parks and Gardens - Grant, 2009 ‑ 2020, $60,976.
  • An investigation into the spatial distribution, habitat selection and resource usage of the red fox inhabiting urban reserves, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2017 ‑ 2020, $3,200.
  • Assessing restoration success using reptiles and small mammals, Gunduwa Regional Conservation Association, Small Grant Scheme, 2017 ‑ 2019, $34,000.
  • Response of Southern Boobooks (Ninox boobook) to threatening processes across urban, agricultural, and woodland ecosystems, Birdlife Australia, Grant, 2016 ‑ 2019, $3,500.
  • Bringing Them Back: Learning from past strategic restoration programs in the southern West Australian Wheatbelt., Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Grant, 2017 ‑ 2018, $74,935.
  • Response of Southern Boobooks (Ninox boobook) to threatening processes across urban, agricultural, and woodland ecosystems, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2017 ‑ 2018, $3,600.
  • Spatial Distribution Modelling for the Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus flaviventris), Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Botanic Parks and Gardens - Grant, 2016 ‑ 2017, $31,300.
  • Response of Southern Boobooks (Ninox Boobook) to threatening processes across urban, agricultural and woodland ecosystems., Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2016 ‑ 2017, $7,500.
  • Status of Woodland Birds in Swan Region, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Botanic Parks and Gardens - Grant, 2017, $3,000.
  • Projected Sea Level Rise and the Conservation Ecology of the Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse senex) in Palau, Micronesia, World Pheasant Association, Grant, 2016 ‑ 2017, $6,516.
  • Using animal behaviour as a bio-indicator of restoration quality, Birdlife Australia, Grant, 2015 ‑ 2017, $4,399.
  • Projected Sea Level Rise and the Conservation Ecology of the Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse senex) in Palau, Micronesia, Club300 Bird Protection, Grant, 2015 ‑ 2017, $6,468.
  • Using animal behaviour as a bio-indicator of restoration quality, Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2015 ‑ 2016, $6,000.
  • Refining predictive models for improved conservation of the endangered Northern Quoll in the Pilbara, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Grant - 2014 (Round 2), 2014 ‑ 2016, $79,875.
  • Response of Southern Boobooks (Ninox boobook) to threatening processes across urban, agricultural, and woodland ecosystems., Ecological Society of Australia, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2015 ‑ 2016, $6,500.
  • Turning the tide for the Bekai: identifying refuges from climate-induced sea level rise for the Palau Megapode, The Rufford Foundation, Rufford Foundation - Small Grants, 2015 ‑ 2016, $10,616.
  • Postgraduate funding support for Impacts of feral fauna predation on ground-dwelling native species at Charles Darwin Reserve, Earthwatch Institute, Earthwatch Institute - Grant, 2011 ‑ 2015, $126,500.
  • Impacts of fire on semi-arid shrubland birds, Gunduwa Regional Conservation Association, Small Grant Scheme, 2014 ‑ 2015, $20,000.
  • Dampier Salts sites and ponds and their importance for migratory and other shorebirds, Dampier Salt Limited Perth Division, Grant-Dampsalt, 2010 ‑ 2015, $394,997.
  • Understanding the trophic ecology and impact of feral cats in Australia’s rangelands, ANZ Executors and Trustee Company Limited, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2013 ‑ 2014, $6,500.
  • Value of revegetation for Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Birds Australia Western Australia Inc, Grant, 2011 ‑ 2014, $36,000.
  • The population genetic structure of Ctenotus fallens in urban habitat fragments, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Botanic Parks and Gardens - Grant, 2012 ‑ 2013, $8,000.
  • Impacts of feral fauna predation on ground-dwelling native species at Charles Darwin Reserve, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration - Grant, 2011 ‑ 2012, $50,670.
  • Movement Ecology of Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Birds Australia Western Australia Inc, Grant, 2010 ‑ 2012, $82,855.
  • Climate Change Impacts on Amphibians of South West WA; Will Frogs Survive a Drying Climate?, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher - Grant, 2009 ‑ 2010, $24,812.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science by Research, Navigating the Urban Environment: Landscape Genomics of Two Skink Species in Perth
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Finding space: Breeding territory abandonment in Western Hooded Plover in association with human disturbance and altered habitat quality
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Taxonomy of the common brushtail possum Tribhosurus vulpecula in Australia
  • Master of Science by Research, Investigating the Conservation Status and Taxonomy of the Spectacled Hare-wallaby.

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Improving translocation success for Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii): Dietary and habitat complexities
  • Master of Science by Research, Description of the dietary breadth and overlap of the translocated Shark Bay rufous hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus) and banded hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus fasciatus) using scat DNA
  • Master of Science by Research, The use of eDNA to determine the ecological impact of translocated mammals
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Restoration of biodiversity in valley-floor ecosystems affected by dryland salinity: a comparative study in the semi-arid climate zone of Western Australia

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science by Research, Range retraction and the habitat selection of the western Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii blaauwi) in the north-western Kimberley region, Western Australia
  • Master of Science (Biological Sciences), Potential for resource competition between the boodie (Bettongia lesueur) and mala (Lagorchestes hirsutus) in the fenced Matuwa reserve, central Western Australia
  • Master of Science (Biological Sciences), Preventing bird declines in urban landscapes: Influence of behavioural traits and streetscape plantings
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Applying the principles of spatial modelling to the management of biodiversity in the fragmented landscapes of South-Western Australia.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Response of Australian boobooks (ninox boobook) to threatening processes across urban, agricultural, and woodland ecosystems
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Projected sea level rise and the conservation ecology of the micronesian megapode (megapodius laperouse senex) in palau, micronesia
  • Master of Science by Research, Island meltdown: Demise of the Abrolhos Painted Button-quail Turnix varius scintillans in the face of multiple threats
  • Master of Science by Research, Developing and Applying a Bioacoustic Survey Method for the Australian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae) in Southwestern Western Australia
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Ecology of feral cats felis catus and their prey in relation to shrubland fire regimes
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The value of animal behaviour as a bio-indicator of restoration quality

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Biological Sciences), An investigation into the spatial distribution, habitat selection and resource usage of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) inhabiting urban reserves within Perth, Western Australia
  • Master of Science (Biological Sciences), Nocturnal roost tree, roost site and landscape characteristics of carnaby's black-cockatoo (calyptorynchus latirostris) on the Swan coastal plain

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Science (Biological Sciences), Food resource availability for carnaby's cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris on the Swan coastal plain.
Skip to top of page