Research Project
Researchers:
Dr Melissa Staines
(principalInvestigator)
,
Miss Melissa Staines
(principalInvestigator)
,
Miss Melissa Staines
(principalInvestigator)
,
Tom Vigilante
(Point of contact, principalInvestigator)
,
Wunambal Gaamberra Aboriginal Corporation
(Associated with)
View all 6 related researchers
Full description This project aims to determine where green and flatback turtles are nesting along the NW Kimberley Coastline and what pressures they face, as this region was recognised by DCCEEW as one of the six priority areas vulnerable to climate change. Using a large aerial imagery dataset captured during the 2023-2024 summer and winter nesting seasons, this project will map nesting sites and assess their vulnerability to climate threats. Led by the Wunambal Gaamberra Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC), this project includes a primary workshop with Traditional Owners in community to guide conservation priorities in the Uunguu Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) and other conservation estates. Outcomes will support the identification of DCCEEW’s Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) and inform spatial planning and conservation decisions. It aligns with national priorities under the NESP2 guidelines by addressing climate vulnerability, supporting the recovery of threatened species, and empowering Indigenous environmental management. Planned Outputs: • Nesting turtle track locations along the northwest Kimberley coastline from aerial imagery [spatial dataset] • Temperature logger data along north Kimberley coastline at turtle nesting depths [tabular data] • Wunambal Gaambera participatory mapping of sensitive and areas of concern and cultural importance along the northern Kimberley Coastline to feed into improved Biological Important Areas [restricted spatial dataset under an access control plan] • Final technical report with analysed data and a short summary of recommendations for policy makers of key findings [written]
Lineage Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded
Lineage
Notes
Credit
This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy & Water (DCCEEW) through the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub. In addition to NESP (DCCEEW) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.
Data time period: 2026-01-30 to 2026-11-20
- RAID : 10.82210/bb8a4fac
- global : fdf6f715-04a0-4626-9cd6-534022afad7f