Profiles

Clare Hawkins

Dr Clare Hawkins

Clare Hawkins

Honorary Research Associate

Off-Campus

Clare.Hawkins@utas.edu.au

Biography

I carried out my Ph.D. on the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), a semi-arboreal mammalian carnivore endemic to the forests of Madagascar. Its ecological similarities to the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) brought me to Tasmania in 2001 to study the latter species' habitat requirements. I subsequently joined the State Government, initially with the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program: I spent four years monitoring the impact and distribution of Devil Facial Tumour Disease, followed by nine years as Senior Zoologist for the Threatened Species Section which included the creation of the Threatened Species Link. I am now developing citizen science projects with the Bookend Trust, including the Extinction Matters BioBlitzes, and NatureTrackers.

View more on Dr Clare Hawkins in WARP

Research Themes

While I am interested in all aspects of conservation ecology, I have in the past particularly focussed on understanding and managing the special issues associated with low density, wide-ranging species. I'm now exploring novel approaches to better monitor & manage Tasmania's diverse threatened fauna (from quolls and eagles to skinks, butterflies and burrowing crayfish). There's great new technology to help us - remote cameras, bioacoustics, social media - and in 2015 I was awarded a Gallaugher Bequest Churchill Fellowship to develop bomb-proof, enduring citizen science study designs for long term monitoring. I enjoy working with experts in a range of fields interested in getting wildlife monitoring to be really effective.

Fields of Research

Conservation and biodiversity (410401)
Population ecology (310307)
Terrestrial ecology (310308)
Wildlife and habitat management (410407)
Genetics (310599)
Ecological physiology (310303)
Animal physiological ecology (310907)
Animal reproduction and breeding (300305)
Zoology (310999)
Microbial ecology (310703)
Speciation and extinction (310412)
Cell development, proliferation and death (310102)
Behavioural ecology (310301)
Astronomical sciences (510199)
Animal behaviour (310901)
Biogeography and phylogeography (310402)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environmental knowledges (450304)

Research Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity (180606)
Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems (180403)
Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences (280102)
Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments (180602)
Other environmental management (189999)
Climate change adaptation measures (excl. ecosystem) (190101)
Climate variability (excl. social impacts) (190502)
Evaluation, allocation, and impacts of land use (180603)
Rehabilitation or conservation of terrestrial environments (180604)

Publications

Total publications

Journal Article

(19 outputs)

Year	Citation	Altmetrics
2021	Pay JM, Katzner TE, Hawkins CE, Barmuta LA, Brown WE, et al., 'Endangered Australian top predator is frequently exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides', Science of The Total Environment, 788 Article 147673. ISSN 0048-9697 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147673 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 5 Co-authors: Pay JM; Barmuta LA; Koch AJ; Cameron EZ Tweet
2021	Pay JM, Katzner TE, Hawkins CE, Kock AJ, Wiersma JM, et al., 'High frequency of lead exposure in the population of an endangered Australian top predator, the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax fleayi)', Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 40, (1) pp. 219-230. ISSN 0730-7268 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/etc.4914 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 8Web of Science - 7 Co-authors: Pay JM; Kock AJ; Cameron EZ Tweet
2021	Pay JM, Katzner TE, Wiersma JM, Brown WE, Hawkins C, et al., 'Morphometric sex identification of nestling and free-flying Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila Audax Fleayi)', Journal of Raptor Research, 55, (4) pp. 539-551. ISSN 0892-1016 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.3356/JRR-20-115 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Pay JM; Proft KM; Cameron EZ Tweet
2020	Chen J, McQuillan PB, McDonald E, Hawkins CE, 'Citizen science reveals the Palearctic poison hemlock moth Agonopterix alstroemeriana (Clerck) (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) has established in Australia', New Zealand Entomologist, 43, (2) pp. 86-92. ISSN 0077-9962 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/00779962.2020.1820125 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 1 Co-authors: McQuillan PB Tweet
2018	Fancourt BA, Hawkins CE, Nicol SC, 'Mechanisms of climate-change-induced species decline: spatial, temporal and long-term variation in the diet of an endangered marsupial carnivore, the eastern quoll', Wildlife Research, 45, (8) pp. 737-750. ISSN 1035-3712 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/WR18063 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 14Web of Science - 14 Co-authors: Fancourt BA; Nicol SC Tweet
2018	Lazenby BT, Tobler MW, Brown WE, Hawkins CE, Hocking GJ, et al., 'Density trends and demographic signals uncover the long-term impact of transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils', Journal of Applied Ecology, 55, (3) pp. 1368-1379. ISSN 0021-8901 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13088 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 90Web of Science - 92 Co-authors: Jones ME Tweet
2015	Fancourt BA, Bateman BL, VanDerWal J, Nicol SC, Hawkins CE, et al., 'Testing the role of climate change in species decline: is the eastern quoll a victim of a change in the weather?', PLoS ONE, 10, (6) Article e0129420. ISSN 1932-6203 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129420 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 20Web of Science - 19 Co-authors: Fancourt BA; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Johnson CN Tweet
2015	Fancourt BA, Hawkins CE, Cameron EZ, Jones ME, Nicol SC, 'Devil declines and catastrophic cascades: is mesopredator release of feral cats inhibiting recovery of the eastern quoll?', PLoS ONE, 10, (3) Article e0119303. ISSN 1932-6203 (2015) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119303 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 51Web of Science - 37 Co-authors: Fancourt BA; Cameron EZ; Jones ME; Nicol SC Tweet
2014	Fancourt BA, Nicol SC, Hawkins CE, Jones ME, Johnson CN, 'Beyond the disease: is Toxoplasma gondii infection causing population declines in the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)?', International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 3, (2) pp. 102-112. ISSN 2213-2244 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2014.05.001 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 25 Co-authors: Fancourt BA; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Johnson CN Tweet
2013	Fancourt BA, Hawkins CE, Nicol SC, 'Evidence of rapid population decline of the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) in Tasmania', Australian Mammalogy, 35, (2) pp. 195-205. ISSN 0310-0049 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1071/AM13004 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 23Web of Science - 21 Co-authors: Fancourt BA; Nicol SC Tweet
2009	Bode M, Hawkins CE, Rout T, Wintle B, 'Efficiently locating conservation boundaries: Searching for the Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease front', Biological Conservation, 142, (7) pp. 1333-1339. ISSN 0006-3207 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2009.01.029 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 6Web of Science - 8 Tweet
2009	Hawkins CE, Racey PA, 'A novel mating system in a solitary carnivore: the fossa', Journal of Zoology, 277, (3) pp. 196-204. ISSN 0952-8369 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2008.00517.x [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 15Web of Science - 15 Tweet
2009	McCallum HI, Jones M, Hawkins CE, Hamede Ross RK, Lachish S, et al., 'Transmission dynamics of Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease may lead to disease-induced extinction', Ecology, 90, (12) pp. 3379-3392. ISSN 0012-9658 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1890/08-1763.1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 177Web of Science - 175 Co-authors: McCallum HI; Jones M; Hamede Ross RK; Lachish S; Sinn DL; Beeton N Tweet
2008	Hawkins CE, Racey PA, 'Food habits of an endangered carnivore, Cryptoprocta ferox , in the dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar', Journal of Mammalogy, 89, (1) pp. 64-74. ISSN 0022-2372 (2008) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1644/06-MAMM-A-366.1 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 30Web of Science - 30 Tweet
2008	Hoffman M, Hawkins CE, Walsh PD, 'Action needed to prevent extinctions caused by disease', Nature, 454, (10 July 2008) pp. 159. ISSN 0028-0836 (2008) [Letter or Note in Journal] [eCite] [Details]
2008	Jones Menna, Cockburn A, Hamede Ross RK, Hawkins CE, Hesterman H, et al., 'Life-history change in disease-ravaged Tasmanian devil populations', National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America. Proceedings, 105, (29) pp. 10023-10027. ISSN 0027-8424 (2008) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0711236105 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 178Web of Science - 172 Co-authors: Jones Menna; Hamede Ross RK; Hesterman H; Lachish S; McCallum HI Tweet
2008	Schipper J, Chanson JS, Chiozza NA, Cox NA, Hoffman M, et al., 'The status of the world's land and marine mammals: Diversity, threat, and knowledge', Science, 322, (no.5899) pp. 225-230. ISSN 0036-8075 (2008) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1126/science.1165115 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1090Web of Science - 1013 Tweet
2007	McCallum HI, Tompkins DM, Jones ME, Lachish S, Marvanek S, et al., 'Distribution and impacts of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease', EcoHealth, 4, (3) pp. 318-325. ISSN 1612-9202 (2007) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s10393-007-0118-0 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 146Web of Science - 132 Co-authors: McCallum HI; Jones ME Tweet
2006	Hawkins CE, Baars C, Hesterman H, Hocking GJ, Jones ME, et al., 'Emerging disease and population decline of an island endemic, the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii', Biological Conservation, 131, (2) pp. 307-324. ISSN 0006-3207 (2006) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2006.04.010 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 271Web of Science - 263 Co-authors: Hesterman H; Jones ME; Mann D Tweet

Grants & Funding

Funding Summary

Number of grants

Total funding

$72,563

Projects

Drought, disease or destiny? Identifying the causes of decline of the eastern quoll (2012)$5,000

Funding: Norman Wettenhall Foundation ($5,000)
Scheme: Grant
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Hawkins CE; Fancourt BA
Year: 2012

Conservation of the Ptunarra Brown Butterfly (2011)$32,000

Funding: Winifred Violet Scott Charitable Trust ($32,000)
Scheme: Grant
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Burridge CP; McQuillan PB; Bell PJ; Hawkins CE
Year: 2011

Drought, Disease or Destiny? Identifying Causes of Decline of the Eastern Quoll (2011 - 2013)$20,500

Funding: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment ($20,500)
Scheme: Grant
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Hawkins CE; Fancourt BA
Period: 2011 - 2013

Drought, Disease or Destiny? Identifying Causes of Decline of the Eastern Quoll (2011)$2,000

Funding: Wildlife Disease Association - Australasian section ($2,000)
Scheme: Grant-Research Award
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Hawkins CE
Year: 2011

Drought, Disease or Destiny? Identifying Causes of Decline of the Eastern Quoll (2011)$1,000

Funding: Trust of M.A. Ingram ($1,000)
Scheme: Grant
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Jones ME; Hawkins CE; Fancourt BA
Year: 2011

Drought, Disease or Destiny? Identifying Causes of Decline of the Eastern Quoll (2011)$1,500

Funding: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales ($1,500)
Scheme: Grant-Ethel Mary Read
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Hawkins CE; Fancourt BA
Year: 2011

Drought, Disease or Destiny? Identifying Causes of Decline of the Eastern Quoll (2011)$1,000

Funding: Australian Wildlife Society ($1,000)
Scheme: Grant-University Students Scheme
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Hawkins CE; Fancourt BA
Year: 2011

Drought, Disease or Destiny? Identifying Causes of Decline of the Eastern Quoll (2011)$3,000

Funding: Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency ($3,000)
Scheme: Grant-NCCARF Terrestrial Biodiversity PhD Visit
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Johnson CN; Nicol SC; Jones ME; Hawkins CE; Fancourt BA
Year: 2011

Key threats to eastern quolls (Dasyurus Viverrinus) (2011)$6,563

Funding: Foundation For National Parks and Wildlife ($6,563)
Scheme: Grant-Agency
Administered By: University of Tasmania
Research Team: Nicol SC; Fancourt BA; Hawkins CE
Year: 2011

Research Supervision

Completed

Degree	Title	Completed
PhD	Investigating the Conservation Requirements of the endangered Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax fleayi) Candidate: James Michael Pay	2020
PhD	Spatial Ecology of the Tasmanian Spotted-Tailed Quoll Candidate: Shannon Nichole Troy	2014
PhD	Population and Disease Modelling in the Tasmanian Devil Candidate: Nicholas Beeton	2012
PhD	The Ecology and Epidemiology of Devil Facial Tumour Disease Candidate: Rodrigo Karim Hamede Ross	2012