Saving our Species through research

Research is incorporated into almost every aspect of Saving our Species (SoS). Data are gathered throughout the implementation of SoS conservation strategies and major program decisions are guided by strategic research that applies the best evidence available.

Saving our Species also provides funding to improve our knowledge base for threatened species conservation.

Our research focuses on 5 main areas:

• strategic decision making
• monitoring and adaptive management
• species and ecosystem ecology
• key threatening processes
• threat mitigation and management.

Science and research

Saving our Species delivers science and research in different ways. Science and research are conducted and data gathered throughout the implementation of SoS conservation strategies. Major program decisions are guided by strategic research, applying the best evidence available. Saving our Species provides funding for research directly through the programs listed here.

Research projects

Saving our Species research projects target specific questions to improve our understanding of threatened species, communities and their threats, and inform on-ground management for the conservation of these species and communities.

Research is delivered by partnering with universities, other government agencies, botanical gardens, and Aboriginal and community organisations. Saving our Species currently supports 12 research projects that aim to address key knowledge gaps for plants, animals and fungi in NSW.

Key threatening processes strategy

An example of integrating action and research, our Key threatening processes strategy has provided over $1.4 million in funding to understand the best ways to combat major threats to our biodiversity.

Because these threats affect so many different species and ecological communities, strategic coordination at a statewide level is needed. Research is also needed to find new and better ways of intervening to combat these threats. Saving our Species currently supports 6 research projects that aim to improve how threats from fox control to how fungal diseases are managed.

Conservation strategies

Saving our Species conservation strategies are designed to incorporate targeted research, and adaptive management if and where required, to improve outcomes for threatened species and ecological communities. All projects include monitoring and evaluation of outcomes to help understand what is working best. Many also include research designed specifically to address key knowledge gaps.