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
More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 43+ 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.

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

Northern Gulf Resource Management Group - Contract Research

Cape York Aquatic Vertebrate Surveys

Indicative Funding
$30,000
Summary
This research will involve undertaking aquatic fauna surveys in Cape York wetland systems of the upper Annan, Normandy and Endeavour River and in spring fed creeks on the Dickson Plateau and Henderson Range. The objective is to ascertain what is living in these environments, in terms of fish, reptiles, tortoises etc. and to provide data analysis and conservation recommendations.
Investigators
Brendan Ebner in collaboration with Tim Hughes and Terry Vallance (TropWATER, South Endeavour Trust and Tropical River Consulting)
Keywords
Normandy River; Endeavour River Litter-skink; Cape York Fauna; Upper Annan; Freshwater Fauna; Fauna Survey

Cape York Natural Resource Management Ltd - Contract Research

Wetlands Survey for Aquatic Biodiversity at Violetvale Station

Indicative Funding
$19,802 over 2 years
Summary
This project aims to document the aquatic fauna and quantify the water quality of wetlands on Boiled Vale Station. These surveys will target fish, crustaceans and turtles and will provide an indication of the inherent biodiversity value of the wetlands and serve as baseline data to monitor future management actions.
Investigators
Brendan Ebner and James Donaldson (TropWATER)
Keywords
Wetlands; Water Quality; Recreational Species; Biodiversity; Management; Feral Herbivores

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection - Everyone's Environment Grants

Conservation planning for cling gobies and short-steep-coastal-streams in the Australian Wet Tropics

Indicative Funding
$99,650 over 2 years
Summary
In recent years, 10 species of colourful freshwater fish called cling gobies not previously recorded from Australia have been discovered in tropical north Queensland. Cling Gobies inhabit short-steep-coastal-streams (SSCS) characterised by very small rain forested catchments that drain directly to the ocean in high rainfall areas, and these ecosystems have only very recently been recognised as unique in the Australian landscape. This project aims to model the hydrology of short-steep-coastal-streams and the distribution of cling gobies in the wet tropics to identify priority areas for conservation.
Investigators
Brendan Ebner and James Donaldson in collaboration with Peter Ridd and Travis Sydes (TropWATER, College of Science & Engineering and Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils)
Keywords
Hydrology; short-steep-coastal-streams; Sicyiinae; Wet Tropics; water resource management; cling gobies

CSIRO - Contract Research

Bioregional Assessment Program (Technical Program)

Indicative Funding
$214,865 over 3 years
Summary
The Bioregional Assessment Program involves the Department of the Environment, CSIRO and GeoSciences Australia in providing information about the potential risks from coal seam gas and coal mining in Australia. The aquatic ecological advice this contract covers is central to this process. This includes information relating to fishes and macroinvertebrates and modelling the likely impacts of scenarios involving mining effects on ground and surface water hydrology and associated ecosystems.
Investigators
Brendan Ebner (TropWATER)
Keywords
Coal Seam Gas; Coal Mining; Aquatic Ecology; Ground Water; Surface Waters; Aquatic Ecosystems
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)

Connect with me
Share my profile
Share my profile:
jcu.me/brendan.ebner

Email
Location
    Advisory Accreditation
    Primary Advisor
    Find me on…
    Icon for Scopus Author page Icon for ResearcherID page Icon for ResearchGate profile

    Similar to me

    1. Dr Michelle Heupel
      College of Science & Engineering
    2. Prof Colin Simpfendorfer
      College of Science & Engineering
    3. Dr Debbie Bower
      College of Science & Engineering
    4. Dr Gregory Maes
      College of Science & Engineering
    5. Aaron Davis
      TropWATER