Birds as an indicator of restoration success, for biodiversity and community.

Project description

Restoration projects are critical to improving the health of our environment, and often have multiple aims, such as improving biodiversity and engaging the community. Birds are an integral important part of our biodiversity, both for ecosystem function and services, but also for community appreciation of natural environments, given they are colourful, charismatic and mostly active during the day. The Cox Creek Restoration Project in Bridgewater, Adelaide Hills, is aiming to remove invasive weeds along the creek, and restore habitat for biodiversity. The project is run by Adelaide Hills Council, funded by the federal government, with many local project partners. The creek was suffering high weed infestation, and restoration works commenced in 2025. After 18 months, the Council have removed a large biomass of invasive weeds, including large invasive ash and willow trees, and have commenced revegetation with native tubestock. These plantings dovetail into existing revegetation works, some dating back decades. We would like to assess how the plantings contribute to biodiversity habitat, and whether this leads to better community appreciation of the local environment. The community is aware of the project, but new initiatives are starting up that are aiming to increase awareness of our environment and restoration amongst young and old, including getting the community involved in installing artificial nest boxes for habitat reconstruction. Student project/s could include:

• Sampling the bird community and vegetation structure at different revegetation sites with different ages of plantings, to determine whether the types of birds within the bird community change as the vegetation structure becomes more complex with revegetation, and whether this is in line with restoration goals
• Monitoring the use of artificial nest boxes by fauna to determine the success rate of this restoration method
• Interviewing community groups before and after the next box project, to investigate whether such initiatives increase community education about birds and/or restoration

Further information

The current Cox Creek Restoration Project is detailed on the Adelaide Hills Council website: https://www.ahc.sa.gov.au/environment/cox-creek-bridgewater-restoration-project

Assumed knowledge

Some knowledge of local birds and their calls would be desirable, or willingness to learn. Experience recording data on datasheets, using Excel, and a willingness to learn R. Some out of hours travel may be required.

Industry involvement

Adelaide Hills Council, Friends of Bridgewater Cox Creek, Activating Bridgewater, Arbury Park Outdoor School

Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.