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  • Rebeccah Quah

    Rebeccah Quah

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Rebecca Quah

Overview of thesis

Gilbert’s potoroo (ngilgyte; Potorous gilbertii), once believed to be extinct, was rediscovered in Two Peoples Bay with a population of fewer than 40 individuals in 1994 and declared the world’s rarest marsupial. Recovery efforts have led to the establishment of three translocated populations and an estimated total of 100 individuals across the four locations on the south coast of Western Australia. The current populations are limited in their capacity for growth due to the size of habitat patches and lack gene flow between sites due to physical barriers. Further translocations to establish more mainland populations have been identified as a priority for the conservation of Gilbert’s potoroo, however, their unique diet and habitat requirements make site selection a challenge. The species depends on hypogeous fungi that comprise over 90% of its diet; high rainfall; and large areas of dense, connected shrubland and closed woodland. This project seeks to better understand the resource requirements of Gilbert’s potoroo to improve translocation success for the species by asking: what is the role of resource limitation in translocations?; how can we advance our understanding of their diet?; can vegetation types and the presence of other mammalian mycophagists be used as reliable indicators of suitable habitat for Gilbert’s potoroo?; and how can we predict the suitability of habitats into the future? Our approach will address several recommendations for the recovery of Gilbert’s potoroo by systematically assessing habitat suitability and proposing the use of a structured decision-making protocol, thus improving translocations of the species and securing wild populations in the long term.

Qualifications

  • Master of Biological Science (Conservation Biology), University of Western Australia, 2020-2021
  • 4WD certification, Eureka 4WD
  • Operate commercial vehicle certification, DriveSafe WA
  • First aid, St John’s
  • Advanced first aid, CoreSecurity
  • Snake handling, Bob Cooper Snake R&R
  • Microchipping accreditation, Wemberly Vet Hospital
  • Rescue diver, PADI
  • Emergency oxygen provider, PADI
  • Bachelor of Science (Conservation and Wildlife Biology; Animal Health; Molecular Biology), 2017-2019

Research

Research Interests

  • Vertebrate fauna
  • Conservation translocations
  • Ecological restoration
  • Molecular biology

Other work

  • 2022 – Present: Zoologist, Stantec
  • 2022: Technical Officer: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
  • 2021: Scientific Coordinator, Care for Hedland

Scholarships and Awards

List any relevant awards and recognition you have received. List each award on a separate line and provide the year you received the award and the title.

  • 2022 – ECU Higher Degree by Research Scholarship
  • 2020 – UWA Global Excellence Scholarship
  • 2017 – Murdoch University Academic Excellence Scholarship

Supervisors

Dr Anna Hopkins (Edith Cowan University)
Dr Robert Davis (Edith Cowan University)
Dr Harriet Mills (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)
Dr Saul Cowen (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)
Dr Jackie Courtenay (Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group)

Contact

Rebecca Quah
PhD Student
Conservation and Biodiversity Research Centre
School of Science
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