Terrestrial & Marine Ecology
RPS undertakes multi-disciplinary ecological surveys, risk-based impact assessment and monitoring studies to achieve pragmatic, environmentally responsible and cost effective outcomes for clients.
We undertake these activities on behalf of energy and resource companies, land developers, infrastructure providers and local, state and federal government bodies.
Our specialist capabilities include terrestrial flora and fauna ecology, and tropical and temperate marine ecology. In terrestrial systems we have conducted studies on mammals, short-range endemics, subterranean fauna, reptiles, birds, surface water and geology. In marine systems we have studied migratory shorebirds, sea turtles, cetaceans, coastal and deepwater marine benthic fauna, fish, seagrasses, mangroves, macroalgae, corals and water and sediment quality.
Ecological studies are a pre-requisite to developing environmental sensitivity maps, predicting impacts and assessing the likely success of rehabilitation programs. Our ecological assessments assist with project design and the environmental assessment process for projects.
We provide a practical and integrated approach to landscape restoration and management considering soil, fire, water, weed, vegetation and fauna management.
Services include:
- Species impact statements and management plans
- Aquatic flora and fauna surveys and assessments
- Assessing the effects of dredging programs
- Flora and fauna legislation referrals, appraisals and applications
- Design and implementation of pre - and post-development environmental monitoring programs
- Botanical surveys and plant community mapping with GIS
- Marine biological research assessments (fish, plankton, water and sediments, mammals, turtles)
- Marine, coastal and intertidal habitat mapping with GIS
- Terrestrial and subterranean fauna studies
- Rehabilitation programs
- Biodiversity surveys
