Study of climate change and field research in zoology: Are they compatible with research student training programs?

Biological diversity in Australia has been dwindling, even without the full onslaught of climate change with the anticipated decrease in numbers of species, communities and effects on associated ecosystems. This makes the impacts of climate change attractive for students undertaking research training in field biology in undergraduate and graduate zoology programs. The projects undertaken by such students are, of necessity, short-term and typically vary between several months and two years of field work. In this paper we consider if such projects are compatible with studying the effects of climate change on Australian native fauna. We conclude that there are limited opportunities for explicit outcomes; however, the research is valuable in a broader context of underpinning longer term research.