RZS NSW News

Do dingoes influence riparian vegetation dynamics in semi-arid rangelands of Western Australia?

The trophic cascade effects of dingoes, a native apex predator, are of increasing interest in Australia as land managers are challenged with invasive species control, habitat degradation and declines of native species. It has been noted that dingoes could assist with vegetation recovery and persistence through their suppressive effects on herbivores, such as feral goats. 

This study aims to assess vegetation population dynamics in two regions in the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia, one where dingoes occur, and one where dingoes do not. The two study sites are on the Murchison River and are divided by the State Barrier Fence. To investigate the top-down effects of dingoes on riparian vegetation composition, we aim to assess:

1. The presence of dingoes and their prey species through time with oral history, written records and control programs, and monitoring for current species occurrence with the use of trail cameras 

2. Population dynamics of riparian tree species through transect line vegetation surveys across the two sites  

The findings of this research may implicate that established dingo populations can assist land managers with herbivore control, particularly of feral goats. Effective control of unmanaged grazers can benefit landscape health and biodiversity, and pasture availability for managed stock in rangeland pastoral country. More broadly, such effects would suggest that dingoes could be a beneficial management tool towards drought resilience, carbon capture and habitat recovery goals.

Zali Jestrimski, The University of Sydney

Growing up on the outskirts of Melbourne, my family took every opportunity to explore rural and wild places. I have always been drawn to Australia’s diverse ecosystems including the Murray River system, native grasslands, Victorian high-country and our arid interior. I did a Bachelor of Science majoring in Wildlife and Conservation Biology at La Trobe University and immersed myself in the wonderful world of our plant and animal life. But what equally interested me is the challenges of Australian land managers. After working on small local farms, undertaking a research project on dingoes in eastern Victoria and volunteering at the Australian Dingo Foundation, I set off on a lap around Australia. I was fortunate enough to work on cattle stations in semi-arid rangeland country. I relished the opportunity to live where nature is not excluded or divided by the boundaries of industry and urbanisation.

Historical pastoral practices have drastically changed rangeland ecosystems across Australia, yet they remain intact. I am particularly interested in emerging regenerative opportunities, such as the retention or rewilding of predators, that might allow land managers to run more drought resilient, ecologically sympathetic and profitable businesses. I am excited about how my research is taking shape and the incredible importance of managing these remote, pastoral areas well into the future.