Nick Whiterod
CLLMM Research Centre,
South Australia
The future of freshwater species: how do we collectively overcome the challenges facing Australia's freshwater species?
Australia has experienced one of the worst records of recent extinctions worldwide and many more species are predicted to be lost in coming years. The risk of extinction is disproportionately greater for species occupying freshwater ecosystems compared to terrestrial and marine counterparts. Yet, freshwater species are often overlooked or neglected, with their declining occurring out of sight. Drawing on two decades of applied ecology, this presentation will outline the current status and trajectories, and what actions are critically needed (and have been successful) as we collectively attempt to help conserve many of Australia's freshwater species.
Bio:
Nick Whiterod is the Science Program Manager of the newly established Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre based in Goolwa. South Australia. He is a passionate and hard-working ecologist who has, for more than two decades, worked broadly conserving and researching freshwater species and ecosystems across southern Australia. Nick specialises in small-bodied freshwater fish and freshwater crayfish research and conservation, and has been contributed to the EPBC listing of more than 50 species and implemented several major reintroduction projects. Nick has more than 40 journal publications, which have focused on varied topics, including the impacts of flow alternation and responses to flow management, population genetics, population modelling, spatial and temporal dynamics, reintroduction ecology, bioenergetics and the impact of disturbance such as bushfires. Nick is a Churchill Fellow and the 2023 Unsung Hero of South Australian Science. His role with the CLLMM Research Centre is focusing on establishing research that reflects community and First Nations priorities whilst addressing the critical needs of the CLLMM region in the face of the impacts of future climates.