Geoff Coates
Geoff is currently enrolled in a Masters of Philosophy degree, supervised by Professor Dieter Hochuli, Associate Professor Mathew Crowther (University of Sydney) and Doctor Chris McLean (Central Coast Council). He is conducting bio-acoustic surveys on insectivorous species (microbats and birds) in council reserves, to determine if the size and remoteness of vegetation patches has an influence on species richness. Geoff hopes that the results will help inform local governments in creating reserves that provide optimal biodiversity in urban ecosystems. In addition to his Masters course, he has also established his own consultancy business, Hawkeye Wildlife & Ecology.
Geoff has always been extremely passionate about Australian ecology, with a particular interest in birds and arboreal species, such as gliders, koalas and microbats. He currently resides in Gunnedah, north-west NSW. When not studying or working, Geoff may be found checking out the local eBird hotspots.
Elise Oakman
Elise is a PhD candidate researching whether environmental restoration returns insect floral visitors. This research focuses on the critically endangered ecosystem, the Cumberland Plain Woodland. Her use of bee hotels, pollard walks, and sweep netting of insects on flowers, allows her to focus on a variety of potential pollinators.
Magic Kao
As urban areas have been rapidly expanding, habitat destruction, such as loss and fragmentation, is one major anthropogenic driver impacting on species persistence. Bats are one of the diverse taxa that show a variety of responses to disturbance. Some bats can persist in artificial environments, some cannot. Those urban tolerant bats can forage and use bat boxes which may compensate for the loss of roosts in urban areas. Not only microhabitats but also individual interactions affect bat foraging behaviour and bat box occupancy. Magic’s research focuses on bat communication calls and how their communication calls interact with other individuals and affect the foraging behaviours and roost occupation.