iBandi
What is theÌýiBandi Project?
iBandi supports citizen scientistsÌýfind food and shelter forÌýendangered bandicoots by using theÌýiNaturalist App on their phone.
Downloading the iNaturalist App
These dynamo diggers currently have a limited range of habitat, which makes them vulnerable to natural disasters like bushfires. Researchers areÌýhunting for big pockets of blackberry within bushland -Ìýbut need your help to locateÌýthem.
By downloading the App, you can join the 'iBandi Project' andÌýrecord your findings.
Ìý
-
Aim of the iBandi Project
iBandi aims to connect citizen scientists with scientists to find, share, and prioritise unoccupied blackberry habitat within bushland for endangered bandicoots.
We’re investigating how citizen scientists can help to improve bandicoot protection by discovering more blackberry habitat for potential future translocations. Scientists want to discover new habitats that are suitable for translocating healthy bandicoots to increase their range.
This extended distribution, of more patches over a bigger area, may ultimately save the species from being wiped out by natural disasters, such as catastrophic bushfires.
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen science is the coming together of people with extraordinary attitudes to tackle scientific questions that contribute to something bigger than the sum of their parts. Through citizen science, we expand our collective capacity to improve the world around us.
Dr PackerÌýrecently spoke at the webinar #CitSciOnline about 'Innovation in Citizen Science' featuring Fungimap. the replay.
-
How to get involved?
Discovering blackberry habitat would be challenging without our team of enthusiastic hikers contributing to a bigger cause while exploring nature.
This is where citizen science comes in.ÌýAs an citizen scientist, you can:
- Learn about threatened species, bandicoots, habitat, and how to collect data by attending an iBandi workshop
- FeelÌýsupported to confidently contribute quality data – even if you can’t attend a workshop!
- JoinÌýour passionate team committed to protecting endangered species
- DonateÌýto help us train and support more citizen scientists to discover more habitat for endangered bandicoots.
-
Extra reading
Interesting reads:
- The Southern Brown Bandicoots () species profile
- Improving Bandicoot Habitat in the Mount Lofty RangesÌý
- Where to the Southern Brown BandicootsÌý?
- Paper:ÌýNative faunal communities depend on habitat fromÌýÌýin novel but not in natural ecosystems
- Paper:ÌýForaging activity by the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) as a mechanism forÌý
- Ìý- game for children
- How a German migrant plantedÌýÌýin ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog – and why it worked
Southern brown bandicootsÌýare a rare sight and the last of eight bandicoot species living wild in South ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog. They live in dense vegetation – but when they can’t find enough dense bushland to build a home, they often liveÌýin blackberry thickets to stay safe.
Thick, prickly blackberry patches provide excellent habitat for these medium-sized marsupials while they get to work on the ecosystem around them. Bandicoots are ecosystem engineers; they can turnover and aerate soil around blackberry patches, improving soil health for our forests and woodlands.
SupportingÌýthe iBandi project
The success of thisÌýcitizen scientist project depends on grant funding and support from both organisations and individuals.
WhereÌýwill my donation will go?
A donation to iBandiÌýwill be aiding important research into bandicoot conservation. DonationsÌýgo towards costs associated with lab and field work. We appreciate your donation towardsÌýthis vital project in helping to save these wonderful animals.
Ìý
Key contacts
Chief investigator
Wendy Warren
iBandi Co-ordinatorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
iBandi supported by
This project received grant funding from the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlogn Government’s Communities Environment Program.