Earthwatch Award Recipient Summary
Awardee: Peggy Rismiller, PhD
Affiliation: University of Adelaide
Project: Echidnas and Goannas of Kangaroo Island
Award: 2002 Aviva/Earthwatch Award for Climate Change Research
Project Synopsis
Dr. Peggy Rismiller has been researching the natural history and ecology of short-beaked echidnas on Kangaroo Island with the support of Earthwatch volunteers since 1991. In recent years, she has expanded her research to include Rosenberg's goannas, a large monitor lizard that shares the echidna's habitat and is an important predator of the spiny mammals. Earthwatch teams help Dr. Rismiller radio-track, observe, and record the daily activities of the two species, hiking through woodlands, scrublands, and intertidal swamps. By documenting the life histories and biology of these two ancient species, which have survived global change for millennia, Dr. Rismiller hopes to understand how they help contribute to ecological balance in the environments they inhabit. Her findings also suggest recommendations for habitat restoration and conservation of these important indicator species.
Award Outcomes
The Aviva Award allowed Dr. Rismiller to:
· Purchase data loggers to monitor temperature and humidity
· Purchase a fixed weather station for the research center
· Purchase four portable micro weather stations
· Purchase a field computer
· Purchase field tents
· Attend a conference on related subjects
The award came at an important juncture in Rismiller's echidna and goanna research. Equipment purchased from the award permitted Rismiller and her colleagues to branch out into long term monitoring of microclimate changes during habitat restoration for wildlife conservation. The equipment also allowed them to gain new knowledge about microclimates in termite mounds, the vital incubation chambers for Rosenberg's goanna eggs. Finally, they have been able to do in-depth ecological studies of how goannas regulate their body temperature relative to environmental parameters.
On receiving the award, Rismiller gave several interviews for radio and newspapers about the connections between echidna/goanna research and climate change. She also gave a number of presentations at schools and public forums in the local community, prompting local involvement in the project. Rismiller's work has raised high interest with land care groups that see recording microclimates in revegetation areas as an important way to monitor restoration progress.
Publications and Papers
Paper at the 2005 Biological Rythms conference in Frankfurt, Germany, about the temperature and humidity patterns in termite mounds used for goanna incubation chambers.
Quotes
" The Earthwatch/AVIVA climate change award is a fantastic opportunity for scientists from any discipline to show how all research relates to global climate change and our intertwined environment. Linking wildlife biology with climate and habitat restoration has expanded the magnitude of our echidna and goanna research several-fold."
"The award provided the global vehicle to reach local and greater communities with information about successful strategies from two climate change survivors. The response and interest generated is reflected by inquiries received from people of diverse backgrounds, including wildlife and landscape ecologists, physiologists, natural resource managers, sociologists, environmental engineers, and economists."
"Resources provided through the award allowed us to broaden the entire scope of our natural history-based research to include monitoring techniques and tools for use in the greater community. Monitoring different aspects of microclimate in an animal's environment not only leads to new discoveries, it is exciting for the researcher and the participants."