About

My research addresses the ecology and conservation ecology of Australian freshwater fishes. The ecological aspects of this work are conducted in collaboration with others in the tropics [e.g. David Morgan (Murdoch University), Chris Fulton (ANU), Paul Thuesen (no fixed address)], and in the coldwater [Ben Broadhurst and Mark Lintermans at the University of Canberra, Jason Thiem (Carleton University)]. I am currently developing an understanding of the habitat use and behaviour of the Freshwater moray in Wet Tropics streams and aquaria. This elusive animal represents a promising candidate as a flagship species in rainforest streams in that region.

Recently, I have pursued an interest in social science relating to the sustainability of ecosystems centred on flagships species. In addition to pre-existing collaborations, I am benefiting from working with CSIRO scientists including Ryan McAllister, Frederieke Kroon and Nadine Marshall and other key practitioners in Adam Kerezsey (Bush Heritage Australia) and Dave Roberts (SEQ Water). Those interested in such work should feel welcome to contact me.

I am a strongly visual person, and am interested in technical and not so technical drawing, art and underwater video. With the help of others, I am beginning to integrate these tendencies into my research. Postgraduate students with a passion for research directions similar to mine should shoot me an email.

Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU.

Journal Articles
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 51+ research outputs authored by Dr Brendan Ebner from 2008 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Cape York Natural Resource Management Ltd - Contract Research

Fish Surveys of the Jardine River Catchment

Indicative Funding
$30,904 over 2 years
Summary
This project involves developing a rapid assessment of the fish fauna of freshwater habitats in the Jardine River catchment and nearby streams. A mix of survey methods including netting and observational approaches are used. Baited underwater cameras in dangerous waters (i.e. crocodiles) and snorkelling in small waterways provides a means of rapidly assessing the composition of the fish fauna at a range of sites. Netting is also used to verify records of species and to collect species unlikely to be seen by the visual techniques (e.g. nocturnal species).
Investigators
Brendan Ebner (TropWATER)
Keywords
Fish fauna; Freshwater habitats; Wetlands; River

Cape York Natural Resource Management Ltd - Contract Research

Violet Vale Station Wetland Surveys 2017

Indicative Funding
$13,570 over 2 years
Summary
This is the second survey of aquatic fauna of the expansive floodplain wetlands on Violet Vale Station. Typically wetlands are diverse ecosystems that support high levels of biodiversity and perform essential ecosystem services. Importantly, wetlands act as nursery grounds for a number of commercially important fish species such as Barramundi; sustaining natural recruitment and also recreational and commercial fishing industries. This aquatic ecosystems are vulnerable to degradation by feral herbivores such as cattle, pigs and horses as well as invasion by semi-aquatic and aquatic weeds. It is important to establish a baseline and ongoing inventory of species inhabiting the wetlands to monitor the effect of management actions such as destocking, exclusion fencing and weed removal. The project will document the aquatic fauna of the area and fill in knowledge gaps surrounding aquatic biodiversity in the northern section of the Normanby catchment. We will again use fyke nets plan to use a suite as the primary survey technique and seine netting, and frame netting and electrofishing where appropriate. Survey methods will be designed to maximise species detection and will be based on repeated deployment and effort as per the previous expedition to aid in before and after fencing comparisons of the aquatic fauna assemblages. The project will culminate in a short report complete with photos, maps and an inventory of species observed at each site surveyed.
Investigators
Brendan Ebner (TropWATER)
Keywords
Fishe fauna; Freshwater habitats; Wetlands; Rivers; Cattle; Pigs

CSIRO - Contract Research

NAWRA Project: Mitchell River Region

Indicative Funding
$142,200 over 3 years
Summary
This research will oversee ecological assessment within the Mitchell River Region in an overriding water resources integrated evaluation of the feasibility, economic viability and sustainability of water, agricultural development and regional industries for each of the three key regions of Northern Australia comprising the Mitchell River catchment (Queensland), West Kimberley Fitzroy River catchment (Western Australia) and the Darwin region (Northern Territory). The assessments will seek to support deliberation and decisions concerning sustainable regional economic development.
Investigators
Brendan Ebner (TropWATER)
Keywords
Mitchell River; Regional Development; Ecological Assessment; Northern Australia
Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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jcu.me/brendan.ebner

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