Dr Dwyer is an ecologist interested in the environmental and behavioural drivers for movement and space utilisation among animals, particularly aquatic vertebrates. His research is primarily field-based, where he uses emergent technologies such as satellite and acoustic telemetry to gain new insights into how animals behave and interact within their natural environment.
The underlying emphasis and direction of his research program is to understand the mechanisms driving habitat selection and migration, where the information gained can be used to help identify and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
This includes:
- identifying critical habitats for crocodiles, turtles, and sawfishes
- creating more effective protected areas for sharks and rays
- quantifying environmental flows required to facilitate fish passage between rivers and estuaries
- measuring disturbance impacts on seabird and shorebird populations
Professional Social Media
Potential Research Projects for HDR and Honours Students
- Spatial ecology of euryhaline teleosts, sharks and rays
- Spatial ecology of estuarine crocodiles
- Spatial ecology of freshwater turtles
Current Research Grants
|
Project Name |
Investigator/s |
Funding Body/$ |
Year(s) of Operation |
Focus Statement |
| Movement ecology of elasmobranches |
Dr Ross Dwyer Prof Craig Franklin |
Rio Tinto Aluminium Ltd | 2017-2020 | Through a concurrent part-time appointment with the University of Queensland, Dr Dwyer also leads a tracking program that seeks to gain new insights into the movement ecology of threatened sawfishes and river sharks in the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria. |
Research areas
- Movement ecology
- Animal behaviour
- Marine conservation
- Disturbance ecology
- Human-wildlife conflict
Teaching areas
Dr Ross Dwyer's specialist areas of knowledge include: • Migration ecology, habitat use and foraging behaviour of aquatic predators • Using technology to help quantify disturbance impacts on wildlife • Large database management and data visualisation • Methods for modelling animal movement • Crocodile ecology • Freshwater turtle ecology
In the news
Hot crocs: Keeping cool getting harder in a warming world
13 FebThe average body temperature of saltwater crocodiles throughout Far North Queensland has risen steadily over the past 15 years, with the peaks aligning with heatwaves during El Niño events, co-writes UniSC animal ecologist Dr Ross Dwyer for The Conversation.
Science graduate ‘paid’ to dive globe for a year
27 May 2024New University of the Sunshine Coast graduate Pablo Fuenzalida is scuba-geared up for an extraordinary year underwater as the only Australasian recipient of a coveted research scholarship backed by Rolex.