• 
  - Our Information - Our People - Our Clients

• 
  - Recent Projects - Previous Projects

• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008

2011

October 2011 – Nigel Tucker appointed to SERA Board

Biotropica director Nigel Tucker has been appointed to the board of the Society for Ecological Restoration Australia (SERA) - the Australian chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration International (SERI).  He will be responsible for promoting the Society’s charter across the Australian tropics, with a particular brief to expand the Society’s activities across the Pacific Rim and Melanesia.  Nigel’s experience in this area is well known.  He will be joined in this work by long time friend and colleague Dr David Lamb, formerly of the University of Queensland and a long term advocate of tropical restoration. Nigel will also be responsible for communicating with industry sectors including researchers, practitioners and community/NGO organisations. The new SERA board boasts a number of highly experienced researchers and mangers, with an impressive array of skills in ecosystem restoration and management. 

October 2011 – The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2011

Biotropica staff have highly specialised environmental management skills, with our strong focus on tropical ecosystems management.  These skills are equally valid across the Asia-Pacific tropical zone, and in recognition of this the company has been developing export markets in PNG, Indonesia and the Pacific Rim.  The company began exporting its expertise in 2005 and since then has been awarded long-term contracts in PNG with companies including Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and ExxonMobil. Negotiations are currently underway with Fijian and Indonesian companies in relation to establishing long-term contracts for projects in those countries. 

In recognition of this export drive, Biotropica was a recent finalist at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2011.  Biotropica Directors Nigel Tucker and Tracey Marshall attended the awards ceremony in Brisbane in October.  The company was nominated in four categories, and was one of three finalists in the ‘Emerging Exporter Award’ category.  Congratulations to Minecorp Vehicle Solutions who won the category.  Biotropica is committed to exporting its tropical expertise and will continue to expand into new areas to the north and east of Australia.

Please go to this website to read more about the awards and to view all of the winners.

Tracey and Nigel, Award Finalists at the Queensland’s Export Awards 2011

October 2011 – Solutions par Marovo – Building capacity in the Solomon Islands

Sustainable management of tropical forest resources in developing countries remains an elusive goal with few exceptions.  Education is part of the process – without learning, people's ability to recognise and develop more sustainable approaches remains untapped.  In this respect the Solomon Islands is little different, with forest logging and conversion of logged areas to oil palm remaining a serious threat to the country's rich biodiversity.  Faced with these threats, local people are often poorly equipped to make decisions which may have far-reaching environmental and cultural implications.

On a recent visit to the Solomon Islands, Biotropica directors Nigel Tucker and Tracey Marshall returned to Marovo Lagoon in Western Province and were disappointed to see the extent of current logging and forest conversion around the world's only double barrier reef lagoon, a site which had been considered for World Heritage listing prior to the civil war of the late 1990's.  Serendipity prevailed and the directors learnt of Solutions par Marovo – a local non-profit organisation managing the Marovo Scholarship Scheme. This scheme administers funds which sponsor the educational needs of promising Marovo students wishing to complete secondary education.  Biotropica is pleased to support such initiatives and has now committed to a long term sponsorship arrangement which the directors hope to expand in the coming years.

June 2011 – Stevia Ovata

Stevia Ovata

Stevia ovata (a new weed for Australia) was discovered by Biotropica Australia staff undertaking an environmental survey in Ergon powerline corridors in 2006 in the Ravenshoe area of Far North Queensland. 

Stevia ovata (Candy-leaf) is an exotic herb naturally found at higher altitudes between the southern United States and Venezuela, but is now established in a small area of the western Evelyn Tablelands.  Because this is a new record for Australia and so little is known about the plant, Biotropica Australia has been co-ordinating control programs on behalf of a number of clients with properties affected by Candy-leaf. Biotropica field staff have controlled Stevia ovata on Powerlink, Ergon and Stanwell assists with a view to eradication. At this point, no Stevia ovata has been allowed to set seed on these assets for the last 2 years.

Biotropica Australia are encouraging land owners on the tablelands to look for, notify authorities and treat the weed with Glyphosate.

Click here to view the Stevia Ovata Pest Flyer

For more information on Stevia ovata download the Weed Risk Assessment from DEEDI http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Biosecurity_EnvironmentalPests/IPA-Stevia-Ovata-Risk-Assessment.pdf

Stevia at Ravenshoe in 2008.		Stevia at Ravenshoe in 2011.

March 2011 - Biotropica Australia welcomes Sarah Holt to our team.

Biotropica Australia welcomes Sarah Holt to our team. Sarah is originally from London where she gained an MSc in Environmental Conservation and moved into environmental consulting for a London based corporation. Sarah has since then settled in Australia in 2008 and continued her work in Environmental Consulting gaining a good understanding of Australian flora, fauna, and legislation and developed her Geospatial Information System (GIS) skills. Sarah brings a wealth of experience in Project Management and Environmental Consulting. For more information please see 'Our People'.

January 2011 - Cyclone Yasi

Due to Tropical Cyclone Yasi which hit the Tully and Cardwell region on February 2nd 2011, 130 kilometres of world heritage listed land has been significantly disturbed. Biotropica Australia worked closely with Ergon Energy to open the access tracks to enable Ergon Energy to enter the affected area in order to repair the electricity powerlines between Tully and Ingham and Tully and Kareeya Power Station. Biotropica Australia supervised a number of crews in the removal of debris. It is estimated that it will take at least five to six years for the forest in that area to return to its original state.

2010

December 2010 – Biotropica Australia sponsors a second commissioned review article

Biotropica Australia has provided sponsorship funding for a commissioned review on the management of Australia’s temperate woodlands.  The December 2010 edition of the Ecological Society of Australia affiliated Wiley-Blackwell journal, Ecological Management and Restoration contains a review article by three of Australia’s most eminent ecologists, Prof. David Lindenmayer, Prof. Andrew F. Bennett and Prof. Richard Hobbs.

The article provides an excellent review of the key issues relating to the ecology, management and policy directions for temperate woodland conservation, by identifying and discussing ten key themes. The paper will undoubtedly be common in the literature for many years to come.

Biotropica director Nigel Tucker who is also Commissioned Reviews Editor for the journal said Biotropica Australia was pleased to sponsor the second commissioned review, and to support the kind of science that provides the basis for sound management of natural resources.

October 2010 - TEEB Report puts world's natural assets on the global political radar

TEEB report puts world's natural assets on the global political radar   Public release date: 20-Oct-2010

Please click here to read more information

Nagoya, Japan, 20 October 2010– The economic importance of the world's natural assets is now firmly on the political radar as a result of an international assessment showcasing the enormous economic value of forests, freshwater, soils and coral reefs, as well as the social and economic costs of their loss, was the conclusion of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) report launched today by TEEB study leader, Pavan Sukhdev.

"TEEB has documented not only the multi-trillion dollar importance to the global economy of the natural world, but the kinds of policy-shifts and smart market mechanisms that can embed fresh thinking in a world beset by a rising raft of multiple challenges. The good news is that many communities and countries are already seeing the potential of incorporating the value of nature into decision-making," said Mr. Sukhdev, a banker who heads up the Green Economy Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

He was speaking at the launch of the two-year study, which has involved hundreds of experts from around the world, at the Convention on Biological Diversity's 10th Conference of Parties meeting (CBD COP10) in Nagoya, Japan.

The TEEB study calls for wider recognition of nature's contribution to human livelihoods, health, security, and culture by decision-makers at all levels (local to national and business to citizens). It promotes the demonstration, and where appropriate, the capture of the economic values of nature's services through an array of policy instruments and mechanisms.

Countries such as India have already announced plans for implementing the economic valuation of their natural capital as well as the value of nature's services in decision-making.

"TEEB's approach can reset the economic compass and herald a new era in which the value of nature's services is made visible and becomes an explicit part of policy and business decision-making. Do nothing, and not only do we lose trillions worth of current and future benefits to society, we also further impoverish the poor and put future generations at risk," said Mr. Sukhdev.

"The time for ignoring biodiversity and persisting with conventional thinking regarding wealth creation and development is over. We must get on to the path towards a green economy," he added.

October 2010 - Certification to SAI Global

Biotropica Australia has transferred our Certification to SAI Global under their Quality Endorsed Company (QEC) Program. The directors and staff at Biotropica Australia Pty Ltd are committed to the development and implementation of our Quality Management System and its continuing improvement. We are accredited through SAI Global and we know that the partnership between Biotropica Australia and SAI Global is paying dividends in the development of our ever improving management system.

2010 – Biotropica Australia manages an Australian property for one of the globe’s foremost environmental economists Pavan Sukhdev. 

Pavan took time out from his recent round of Australian speaking engagements, and meetings with acting Federal Ministers Wong and Garrett, and Treasury officials to give decision makers a summary of his past 12 months work.  Much of this centres on the role of small to medium enterprises in recognising the role of ecosystem services and adopting practices which reflect the obvious synergies between economy and environment.

Pavan Sukhdev – study leader on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) board Stated:

“We are fast coming to realise that we have been consuming natural resources at an alarming rate. TEEB has assembled much evidence that the economic invisibility of nature’s flows into the economy is a significant contributor to the degradation of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity.  As a result, this turns to serious human and economic costs which are being felt now, have been felt for most of the last half-century and will be felt at an accelerating pace if we continue ‘business as usual’”.

TEEB is a global study that was initiated by the G8 and five major developing economies. TEEB focuses on ‘the global economic benefit of biological diversity, the costs of the loss of biodiversity and the failure to take protective measure versus the costs of effective conservation’.  “The TEEB study is a major international initiative intended to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity, to highlight the growing costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions moving forward”.



Transcript between Robyn Williams and Pavan Sukhdev. Click here to read (pdf - 86.1kb)

Visit the TEEB website at www.teebweb.org for more information.

August 2010 – Farewell to Anita Randall

Anita worked with us for over 12 months as an Environmental Scientist. Anita was a great asset to the company and will be sadly missed, not only by staff but also by clients. Anita is moving on to new pastures in reef conservation.

We wish Anita and partner Steven all the best in their future endeavours.

June 2010 – Nigel Tucker appointed to the Queensland Papua New Guinea Business Group

The Queensland Papua New Guinea Business Group is an initiative of the Queensland Government announced as part of the Cairns Economic Future: A plan for jobs and the 2009-2011 economy to position Cairns and North Queensland as a business gateway for opportunities in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Rim.

The purpose of the Business Group is to provide advice to Trade and Investment Queensland and to Queensland Government agencies on the Papua New Guinea market in order to strengthen and develop new business linkages with PNG.

In recognition of Biotropica Australia's significant project work in Papua New Guinea, Director Nigel Tucker, has been appointed to the group to contribute his experience. Biotropica Australia is currently expanding its export of specialist services to the PNG resources sector, and is a registered entity in PNG.

The group's initial meeting was help on the 16th of June in Cairns where the group discussed the current trends and opportunities in the PNG market, Queensland's relationship with PNG, environmental issues, visa issues, tourism issues and security concerns.

The group will continue to meet across Queensland.

2010 - Chiang Mai University Forest Restoration Research Unit Visit to Biotropica

Dr Elliot and the Thai visitors

In 1994, several staff and students of the Biology Department, in Chiang Mai University's (CMU) Science Faculty, started to investigate the possibility of restoring forests on degraded sites in northern Thailand, by adapting the framework species method to local conditions. With a founding grant from Riche Monde (Bangkok) Ltd., and technical assistance from Bath University, U.K. (sponsored by the British Council), a research facility was established in collaboration with Doi Suthep-Pui National Park authority (under DNP) and named the Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU). It now consists of an office and research tree nursery at the park headquarters, a community nursery and field plots at the Hmong village of Ban Mae Sa Mai, and an education unit in the Herbarium Building of CMU's Biology Department. Since 1994 FORRU-CMU has researchedmethods to restore forest ecosystems and their associated high biodiversity to degraded sites in Northern Thailand conservation areas.

Research staff from FORRU-CMU first visited Biotropica Australia in 1996 to learn about the science and practice of tropical restoration.  In January 2010, Dr Stephen Elliot, Dr Suthathorn Chairuangsri (Gwang) and Khwankhao Sinhaseni (Kim) travelled from Chiang Mai University to Biotropica Australia's office in Tarzali, and spent 5 days working with our staff learning about the latest in planting and propagating techniques. 

Click on the image above to read the article.

Biotropica Australia, instructed Dr Elliot, Gwang and Kim in the use of chemicals, including their safe handling, chemicals for different weeds, mixture rates and spraying techniques.  We also instructed them in mechanical planting, taught them how to use an auger, explained the advantages and disadvantages of using augers and explained the need for regular maintenance in remote areas.

Nigel Tucker, Biotropica Australia's Director and Manager, took Dr Elliot, Gwang and Kim to the National Parks Nursery at Lake Eacham to show them current propagating techniques, hygiene requirements, watering systems and the timeframes from germination to planting for different species. Nigel also arranged for a debate on Biodiversity/Carbon offsets with an excellent line up of experts.

"Many thanks to you and your staff for making our visit such an interesting experience. For me it was inspiring to revisit the plots and (Donaghy's) corridor and see how far the ecosystem development has progressed" Dr Stephen Elliot.

2009

August 2009 - Biotropica Australia sponsors commissioned review article

In a first for Biotropica Australia, the company provided sponsorship funding for a commissioned review on the evolution of the science and practice of ecological restoration in Australia.  The August 2009 edition of the Land and Water / Ecological Society of Australia affiliated Wiley-Blackwell journal, Ecological Management and Restoration contains a review article by the journal's Editor Dr. Tein Mc Donald, and Chair of the Editorial Executive Prof. Jann Williams. 

The article provides an excellent review and comments on the integration and sophistication of science and practice, within ecological restoration in Australia.  From a modest (and sporadic) infancy, McDonald and Williams detail the way ecological restoration theory and practice have melded and been assisted by a range of other disciplines over a longer period.  The article will undoubtedly be commonly cited in the literature for many years to come.

Biotropica Australia is pleased to sponsor this inaugural commissioned review. 

August 2009 - Stevia ovata – A new weed for Australia

In 2006 Biotropica Australia staff unearthed a new weed for Australia whilst undertaking environmental survey work in the Ravenshoe area of Far North Queensland.  Stevia ovata (Candy-leaf) is an exotic herb naturally found at higher altitudes between the southern United States and Venezuela, but is now established in a small area of the western Evelyn Tablelands.  Because this is a new record for Australia and so little is known about the plant, Biotropica Australia has been co-ordinating control programs on behalf of a number of clients with properties affected by Candy-leaf.

Biotropica Australia personnel have now completed a wide range of tasks during this project including providing specialist advice to agencies such as Biosecurity Queensland, and mapping and trials / control works for clients including Ergon Energy and Powerlink QLD.  Biotropica Australia's field crews lead by Michael Goddard, are now scouring the area to limit the plant to its current area of infestation. How the plant entered Australia remains unknown…

August 2009 - Donaghy's Corridor material published

The August edition of the journal Ecological Management and Restoration (EMR) contains a feature article by Biotropica Australia Director and EMR Executive Board member Nigel Tucker, and his former colleague and business partner Tania Simmons.  The article focuses on the Donaghy's Corridor project, and provides extensive data on the colonisation of the world's first restored tropical habitat linkage (wildlife corridor) in Far North Queensland's Wet Tropics. 

This project provided a number of new insights into the way plants and animals might use replanted strips of habitat which join previously isolated areas.  In particular it showed that small mammals use such strips for long distance movements almost immediately, but that this movement is much reduced as replanted areas develop as habitat, and soon contain resources that are worth defending.  As soon as territories are established, movement is less frequent as animals on the move have to negotiate their way through newly occupied sites.   In just three years, 4500 native plant seedlings had germinated in just 2% of the linkage area, suggesting huge volumes of seeds have been dispersed into the site by colonising birds and mammals.

Interested in learning more about Donaghy's Corridor?  The TREAT website (www.treat.net.au) contains a number of articles about the project, which was nominated in June 2009 as one of the top 25 restoration projects in Australia and New Zealand (visit http://www.globalrestorationnetwork.org/countries/australianew-zealand/). Alternatively, visit the Queensland Parks and Wildlife nursery at Lake Eacham, and check out the Donaghy's Corridor display.

Readers should also be on the lookout for the December 2009 issue of Ecological Management and Restoration which contains the results of a genetic study at Donaghy's Corridor, the first such study anywhere in the world, and again with some insightful results.

January 2009 - Work Experience Student

Biotropica Australia welcomes Chua Yen Kheng from the University of Queensland (Gatton) who has joined us for work experience over the summer.

Yen hails from Singapore and the wet and humid Tablelands remind her of home. She will be starting her third year in Conservation and Wildlife Management programme this year and has a keen interest in rainforest ecological restoration. She is glad that Biotropica Australia has given her the opportunity to be involved in environmental consultancy and ecological experiment works.

Biotropica Australia has benefited greatly from Yen's experience and enthusiasm.  The time has flown by and she will be missed when she heads back to Brisbane to continue her studies.

2008

December 2008 - Differential Global Positioning System Survey service now available

Many of our company's clients require a level of survey accuracy which can only be produced using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). In response to this need, Biotropica Australia has now acquired the latest Trimble DGPS system, linked to the Globalstar satellite network. This technology, combined with our in-house ArcView GIS can provide clients with sub-metre accuracy at a very competitive price. For clients such as Powerlink Queensland, Stanwell Corporation and the development/resources sectors, DGPS provides the level of accuracy required to ensure sensitive environmental features such as State or Federally listed plants are precisely located on Environmental Work Plans – ensuring accurate and reliable information for contractors and managers working in the paddock.

When coupled with Biotropica Australia's custom designed software, DGPS surveys can be used to produce a range of environmental management planning documents, tailored to your requirements. Biotropica Australia uses other Trimble GPS/PDA technologies to meet the needs of different clients. Contact our office to discuss the most appropriate option with any of our experienced staff.