Alison Towerton

Current Research

Since the introduction of the European Red Fox for recreational hunting in the mid-1800s, they have spread across most of Australia and have played a major role in the decline of a number of species of native animals and livestock losses. There is little information on the movements and habitat preferences of foxes in the forest environment and their response to predator control programs. The distribution and abundance of this predator is difficult to measure but useful for effective management of their impact on native forest fauna and livestock on neighbouring properties.

The purpose of this study is to examine the fine-scale movements and habitat preferences of the red fox in forested environments in order to provide options for improved management of this vertebrate pest species. The study aims to provide land managers of forests in the central western slopes of NSW with information on habitat selection and usage by the red fox and an analysis of bait uptake.

Research Interest

The bush, wildlife and maps have always interested me. While gaining skills in forest wildlife ecology and GIS I have had the opportunity to work with a great team of scientists at the Research Division of Forests NSW over the last 11 years where I have learnt soooo much!! I am keen to develop skills in the area of spatial modelling and statistics relating to wildlife ecology and conservation and in attempting to manage all aspects of a research project.

Publications

Lemckert, F., Brassil, T. and Towerton, A. (2005) Native vegetation corridors in exotic pine plantations provide long-term habitat for frogs. Ecological Management and Restoration 6[2],132.

Penman, T.D., Mahony, M.J., Towerton, A.L. & Lemckert, F.L. (2005) Bioclimatic analysis of disjunct populations of the giant burrowing frog, Heleioporus australiacus. Journal of Biogeography 32[23] 397-405.

Fitzgerald, M., Shine, R., Lemckert, F. and Towerton, A. (2005) Habitat requirements of the threatened snake species Hoplocephalus stephensii (Elapidae) in eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 30[4] 465-474.

Lemckert, F., Brassil, T., Towerton, A. & Slatyer, C. (2003) Old Green-thighed Frogs? Herpetofauna 33[1], 13-15.

Towerton, A. & Lemckert, F. (2001) A note on two predation events of the giant burrowing frog, Heleioporus australiacus. Herpetofauna 31[1 ], 34-36.

Law, B., Chidel, M. & Towerton, A. (2001) A maternity roost of the southern myotis Myotis macropus in a rural landscape. The Australasian Bat Sociaety Newsletter 17, 13-15.

Towerton, A. (1999) Activity levels of insectivorous bats in urban and surrounding woodland areas in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales: preliminary findings. Australasian Bat Society Newsletter 13, 8-11.