Dr Heidi Kolkert

Lecturer in Zoology - School of Environmental and Rural Science

Biography

Dr Kolkert is a fauna ecologist specialising in threatened species management. Heidi's current and past research focuses on insectivorous bats in agri-ecosystems and the acoustic analysis of bat echolocation and other fauna sounds.

Heidi’s research also examines wildlife interactions in agri-ecosystems and the impacts of environmental disturbance (roads, renewable energy) and land-use change on wildlife communities, species interactions, and natural history.

Heidi also serves as Collections Manager of the UNE Natural History Museum.

Qualifications

PhD University of New England. Thesis: Quantifying the ecosystem service of insectivorous bats in cotton University of New England, Armidale NSW (2021)

BSc (Hons) University of Tasmania. Thesis: DFTD, stress and reproduction in the Tasmanian Devil University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS (2014)

BA-BSc University of Tasmania (2014)

Biodiversity Offsets Scheme Training (2021)

OEH BioBanking and Bio-certification Assessor TAFE NSW (2010)

Awards

2023 Robine End Wilson Grant Scheme “Field guide for the Forest Fauna of Gattamburrumbee” $20,000

2021 Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Medal (University of New England)

Teaching Areas

My teaching includes wildlife ecology and conservation biology:

ZOOL310 Zoology Techniques - Museum Methods (Unit Coordinator)

ZOOL310 Zoology Techniques - Bat Blitz (Unit Coordinator)

ZOOL310 Zoology Techniques – Small Mammal Trapping *TBA

EM323 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (Unit Coordinator)

EM353/553 Conservation Biology (Unit Coordinator)

ECOL100 Ecology: Concepts and Applications (T3 Unit Coordinator)

Primary Research Area/s

Insectivorous Bat in Agri-Ecosystems; Acoustic and Sound Monitori; Insectivorous Bats; Wildlife Ecology; Threatened Species Management; Disturbance Ecology; Behavioural Ecology; Animal Behaviour: Predation and Diet; Conservation

Research Supervision Experience

I am able to supervise Work Integrated Learning (WIL) internships, minor projects, honours, masters and PhD students in various areas fauna wildlife ecology and conservation.

Publications

Ghelich Khani, P., Qashqaei, A., & Kolkert, H. (2023). Status of vertebrate species in Danial Cave, northern Iran. Oryx, 1-6. doi:10.1017/S003060532200165X

Kolkert, H. L., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. (2022) “Diet of two threatened insectivorous bats in a cotton agroecosystem: insights from a molecular study.” Journal of Bat Research & Conservation 15: 1.

Kolkert, H., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. (2021). "Insectivorous bats provide significant economic value to the Australian cotton industry." Ecosystem Services 49: 101280.

Kolkert, H. L., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. (2021). "Prey removal in cotton crops next to woodland reveals periodic diurnal and nocturnal invertebrate predation gradients from the crop edge by birds and bats." Scientific Reports 11(1): 5256.

Kolkert, H., Andrew, R., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. (2020). "Insectivorous bats selectively source moths and eat mostly pest insects on dryland and irrigated cotton farms." Ecology & Evolution 10: 371–388.

Kolkert, H., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. (2020). "Insectivorous bats foraging in cotton crop interiors is driven by moon illumination and insect abundance, but diversity benefits from woody vegetation cover." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 302: 107068.

Kolkert, H. L., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. “Exclosures suggest that birds and bats are responsible for reduced arthropod pests at the crop edge in dryland cotton.” (under review)

Kolkert, H. L., Smith, R., Rader, R. & Reid, N. “Linkages between the economic value of insectivorous bats in crops and landscape factors: a systematic review.” (under review)

Kolkert, H. L., Gonsalves, L. & Law, B. “Do nest boxes in revegetation increase bat activity and potential insect pest control services on adjacent agricultural land.” (in preparation)

Kolkert, H., Czenze. Z., Miller. B & Vernes. K. What biophysical and forest features lead to some cenotes favoured over others in continuous forest in the Yacutan Peninsula? Aspects of habitat selection. (in preparation)

Memberships

Australasian Bat Society Extended executive 2019-2023

NSW Malleefowl Recovery Group Public Officer 2013-2015

Citizens for Wildlife Corridors Armidale Inc. Sitting member

Consultancy Interests

Heidi analyses acoustic sounds for impact assessment and research projects under Impact Ecology (www.impactecology.com.au)

Community and Advocacy Organisation Collaborations

Koalas and Others A Schoolyard and Community Biodiversity Project with the Warrumbungle National Park Environmental Education Centre (WNPEEC)

NSW Department of Education