{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260100162"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260100162","attributes":{"code":"DE260100162","administering-organisation":"Macquarie University","announcement-administering-organisation":"Macquarie University","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"The evolution of dispersal at invasive range edges. Dispersal rate determines how rapidly invasive species expand their range. At expanding range edges, evolution consistently increases dispersal rate, accelerating invasion speed. But can dispersal evolution also limit range expansion? Focusing on cane toads—one of Australia’s most damaging invaders—at a newly formed arid range edge, my project will test the novel hypothesis that dispersal evolution stabilises range edges and, thus, constrains the spread of invaders. Expected outcomes include resolving longstanding questions about how evolution shapes species distributions and structures range edges—with broad benefits through the development of innovative, science-driven strategies to halt the spread of invaders.","funding-current":532977.00,"funding-at-announcement":528754,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Chris","familyName":"Jolly","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-5234-0897 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Chris","familyName":"Jolly","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-5234-0897 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Macquarie University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"Macquarie University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310301","name":"Behavioural Ecology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3104","name":"Evolutionary Biology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"310405","name":"Evolutionary Ecology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"410401","name":"Conservation and Biodiversity","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"180602","name":"Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species In Terrestrial Environments","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"180606","name":"Terrestrial Biodiversity","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280102","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Biological Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Invasive species pose a major threat to Australia’s biodiversity, economy, and cultural heritage. Their spread, and thus their impact, depends on their ability to colonise new environments, yet the factors limiting their expansion remain poorly understood. Focusing on cane toads, one of Australia’s most notorious and destructive invaders, this project will identify the role of dispersal evolution in restricting the toads’ spread into arid regions. This knowledge will not only address fundamental questions about how evolution structures species’ range limits but also inform innovative control strategies to prevent cane toads from entering the Pilbara, a biodiversity hotspot and critical mining region. Failure to contain toads could have severe consequences for biodiversity and culturally significant species, while also impacting mining operations by increasing compliance costs and approval times. By understanding how evolution shapes range edges, my research will inform the feasibility of novel containment strategies such as managing artificial water sources to create natural barriers. My findings will provide conservation and economic benefits by helping protect ecologically, culturally, economically significant regions from invasive species. By sharing research outcomes with land managers, Indigenous groups, and government agencies, these findings will be translated into actionable strategies, supporting invasive species management and biodiversity conservation in Australia."}}}