Dr Nicola Mitchell

Project Leader
The University of Western Australia

Nicki Mitchell is a physiological ecologist focused on anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change on threatened species. She has worked primarily with amphibians and reptiles for the past 20 years, across landscapes as diverse as sub-alpine Tasmania, the Kimberley, and offshore islands in New Zealand.

In her current role as senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Western Australia, Nicki leads an active research group in developmental and thermal biology and environmental modeling, and the application of these disciplines to conservation programs.

Her recent research publications focus on reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination and on emerging conservation strategies such as assisted migration.

Nicki has been a member of the Commonwealth Government’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee since 2015.

Projects
Options beyond captivity for two critically endangered Christmas Island reptiles
Options beyond captivity for two critically endangered Christmas Island reptiles Project 2.3.2
Translocation, reintroduction and conservation fencing for threatened fauna
Translocation, reintroduction and conservation fencing for threatened fauna Project 4.1
Assisted colonisation of Australia’s rarest reptile: The western swamp turtle
Assisted colonisation of Australia’s rarest reptile: The western swamp turtle Project 4.1.4.1
Optimising the timing for assisting the colonisation of threatened montane frogs
Optimising the timing for assisting the colonisation of threatened montane frogs Project 4.1.4.2
Improving conservation outcomes for critically endangered white-bellied frogs
Improving conservation outcomes for critically endangered white-bellied frogs Project 4.1.4.3
A decision tool for evaluating whether ex situ management is appropriate for a threatened species
A decision tool for evaluating whether ex situ management is appropriate for a threatened species Project 4.1.5
Can assisted gene flow increase the resilience of terrestrial-breeding frogs to a drying climate?
Can assisted gene flow increase the resilience of terrestrial-breeding frogs to a drying climate? Project 4.1.6.1
Genetic management and population modelling of translocated fauna
Genetic management and population modelling of translocated fauna Project 4.1.6.2
Understanding genomic variation in the western ringtail possum for adaptive conservation
Understanding genomic variation in the western ringtail possum for adaptive conservation Project 4.1.8
Post-fire impact assessment for priority frogs
Post-fire impact assessment for priority frogs Project 8.1.3
Population responses to fires of varying severity for priority vertebrate and spiny crayfish species, and the extent to which management actions support recovery
Population responses to fires of varying severity for priority vertebrate and spiny crayfish species, and the extent to which management actions support recovery Project 8.3.2
Publications
When do we move montane frogs to prevent climate change induced extinction?
TSR Hub
Testing assisted gene flow for terrestrial-breeding frogs in a drying climate
The lost lizards of Christmas Island: A retrospective assessment of factors driving the collapse of a native reptile community
Conservation Science and Practice
Assisted colonisation trials for the western swamp turtle to cooler southern wetlands - Factsheet
TSR Hub
Survival of an Extinct in the Wild skink from Christmas Island is reduced by an invasive centipede: implications for future reintroductions
Biological Invasions
Extensive geographical variation in testes size and ejaculate traits in a terrestrial-breeding frog
Biology Letters
Reptiles on the brink: identifying the Australian terrestrial snake and lizard species most at risk of extinction
Pacific Conservation Biology
Geographic variation in adult and embryonic desiccation tolerance in a terrestrial‐breeding frog
Evolution
Understanding genomic variation in the western ringtail possum for adaptive conservation
TSR Hub
Genetic management and population modelling of translocated fauna
TSR Hub
A genome‐wide search for local adaptation in a terrestrial‐breeding frog reveals vulnerability to climate change
Global Change Biology
A decision tool for evaluating whether ex-situ management is appropriate for a threatened species
TSR Hub
Protecting Australian mammals from introduced cats and foxes: The current status and future growth of predator-free havens
TSR Hub
Systematic planning can rapidly close the protection gap in Australian mammal havens
Conservation Letters
Optimising the timing for assisting the colonisation of threatened montane frogs
TSR Hub
Assisted colonisation of Australia's rarest reptile: The western swamp turtle
TSR Hub
Environmental stress increases the magnitude of nonadditive genetic variation in offspring fitness in the frog Crinia georgiana
The American Naturalist
Life in the slow lane? A dynamic energy budget model for the western swamp turtle, Pseudemydura umbrina
Journal of Sea Research
Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators
Wildlife Research
Improving conservation outcomes for critically endangered white-bellied frogs Project Summary
TSR Hub
Can assisted gene flow increase the resilience of terrestrial-breeding frogs to a drying climate?
TSR Hub
Options beyond captivity for two critically endangered Christmas Island reptiles
TSR Hub
Science For Saving Species Magazine: Issue 2 Summer 2016
Threatened Species Recovery Hub