Research interests

• Wildlife Management in a Forestry Environment
• Conservation Biology of Herpetofauna
• Ecology and Population Dynamics of Anurans
• Habitat Restoration in Human Modified Landscapes

Background

Frank Lemckert is a Senior Research Scientist in the Forest Ecology Section of the Forest Science Centre of NSW Department of Primary Industries. He provides expertise in the research and management of forest dependent fauna, particularly frogs.

He joined State Forests of NSW* as a Technical Officer in 1992, became a Scientific Officer in 1993 and accepted a position as a Research Scientist in 1995.  He has undertaken research in amphibian ecology and conservation, management of herpetofauna and habitat restoration.  Frank also has long-term interests in wildlife conservation eduction and co-ordinates a series of wildlife management “schools”. He has over 15 years scientific research experience in Australia and has published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers and articles.

He is currently a Senior Research Scientist in NSW DPI’s Forests Resources Research Unit.

*NSW Department of Primary Industries was formed on July 1, 2004 through an amalgamation of NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries, State Forests of NSW and the NSW Department of Mineral Resources.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. – University of Sydney 1985
• M.Sc. Population Biology – University of Sydney 1992 
• PhD Conservation Biology – University of Newcastle (NSW) Currently Enrolled

Current projects

• Understanding habitat relationships of forest dependent frogs
• Evaluating the value of planted forests for restoring fauna habitat
• Ecology of threatened frogs and reptiles
• Manipulation of forest cover for improved conservation outcomes

Recent Publications

Hecnar SJ and Lemckert FL (In Press). Habitat Protection: Refuges and Reserves. In H. Heatwole (Ed.). Biology of the Amphibia. Volume 6: Conservation and Management. 

Lemckert FL, Hecnar SJ, and Pilliod DS (In Press). Habitat Destruction and Modification. In H. Heatwole (Ed.) Biology of the Amphibia. Volume 6: Conservation and Management 

Hero J-M, Morrison C, Gillespie G, Roberts JD, Newell D, Meyer E, McDonald K, Lemckert F, Mahony M, Osborne W, Hines H, Richards S, Hoskin C, Clarke J, Doak N and Shoo L  (2006) Overview of the conservation status of Australian Frogs. Pacific Conservation Biology 12: 313-320.

Lemckert FL (2004) Variations in anuran movements and habitat use: implications for conservation. Applied Herpetology 1 (3): 165-181.

Fitzgerald M, Shine R and Lemckert F (2004) Life history attributes of a threatened Australian snake Hoplocephaplus stephensi (Elapidae). Biological Conservation, 119 (1): 121-128.

Lemckert FL and Brassil T (2004) Movements and habitat use by the giant burrowing frog, Heleioporus australiacus. Amphibia-Reptilia 24: 207-211.

Lemckert F, Haywood A, Brassil T and Mahony M (2006) Correlations between frogs and pond attributes in central New South Wales, Australia: What makes a good pond? Applied Herpetology 3 (1): 67-82.

Penman T, Mahony M, Towerton A and Lemckert F (2007) Spatial models of giant burrowing frog distributions. Endangered Species Research 3: 115-124.

Semeniuk M, Lemckert FL and Shine R (2007) Breeding-site selection by cane toads (Bufo marinus) and native frogs in northern New South Wales, Australia. Wildlife Research 34 (1): 59-66.

Slatyer C, Rosauer D and Lemckert F (2007) An assessment of endemism and species richness patterns in the Australian Anura. Journal of Biogeography 34: 583-596.

Professional associations and activities

• Secretary of the Australian Society of Herpetologists
• Secretary of the NSW Declining Frog Working Group
• Member of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW

Fields of Research

• 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity
• 070504 Forestry Management and Environment

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Forest Biodiversity 
• Ecologically Sustainable Management 
• Conservation Biology
• Habitat Restoration

Contact details