Terrestrial Ecosystems (Australia)

Terrestrial Ecosystems is an Australian environmental consultancy and wildlife research company based in Perth, Western Australia. Established in 2002, the firm specialises in work with terrestrial vertebrate fauna, combining commercial consulting services with an active research programme. Its core services include fauna surveys, fauna assessments, fauna relocation, fauna management, and feral and pest animal control and management, delivered primarily in Perth and across Western Australia. The company also assists clients with the preparation of site-specific fauna management plans and procedures, and manages relocation programmes for all terrestrial fauna, including species of conservation significance. Beyond its own specialism, Terrestrial Ecosystems collaborates with industry specialists to provide flora and vegetation surveys, short-range endemic (SRE) invertebrate work, and subterranean fauna survey and management programmes. This allows it to offer clients broader ecological impact assessment (EIA) support while retaining a focus on terrestrial vertebrate fauna. The company states that it was established on a strong research foundation aimed at improving terrestrial fauna surveys for ecological impact assessments, and it prides itself on providing a high-quality product at an affordable price and within agreed timeframes. The active partners are Dr Graham Thompson and Dr Scott Thompson, both of whom hold PhDs (in zoology and environmental science/management respectively) and maintain the company's commitment to continual improvement based on robust research and rigorous science. Scott Thompson is described as the only Certified Environmental Practitioner (Ecology Specialist) with a post-graduate tertiary qualification in the firm, as well as being authorised as a licensed pest management technician (LPMT) in Western Australia. He was named the 2007 EIANZ young professional of the year and was a 2017 40under40 award winner. The company's research orientation is reflected in its public output: staff frequently publish in scientific literature and present at workshops and conferences. Its website lists publications, a funnel trap fauna database, detection dog services, and fauna books, alongside project case studies. One documented project involved the survey and eradication of introduced fish — Pearl Cichlids (Geophagus brasiliensis) and Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) — from two artificial lakes in a residential subdivision in Byford, Western Australia, using rotenone under approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Terrestrial Ecosystems operates as a private consultancy rather than a listed public company. Its team page lists directors and staff including Dr Scott Thompson, Dr Graham Thompson, Dr James Barr, Dr Tony Pusey, Claudia Lewis, Mitch Plozza, Brody Altus, Stelleena MacKay and Eileen Thompson. The firm positions itself at the intersection of applied ecology and rigorous science, serving clients who need defensible fauna data for environmental approvals and management.

Terrestrial Ecosystems was established in 2002 in Perth, Western Australia, founded on a strong research foundation that focuses on improving terrestrial fauna surveys for ecological impact assessments (EIA). From its inception, the company combined commercial environmental consulting with an active research programme, a dual identity that continues to define it. The founding and ongoing leadership is associated with Dr Graham Thompson and Dr Scott Thompson, who are described as the active partners and directors. Both hold PhDs — in zoology and environmental science/management respectively — and maintain the company's commitment to continual improvement based on robust research and rigorous science. The firm built its reputation on specialist work with terrestrial vertebrate fauna: fauna surveys, fauna assessments, fauna relocation, fauna management, and feral and pest animal control and management. Over time it expanded its service offering by collaborating with industry specialists to provide flora and vegetation surveys, short-range endemic (SRE) invertebrate work, and subterranean fauna survey and management programmes, enabling it to support broader ecological impact assessment projects while retaining a focus on terrestrial vertebrates. A notable documented project involved a biosecurity intervention in Byford, Western Australia. Following community reports of introduced fish in the water, Terrestrial Ecosystems surveyed two artificial lakes constructed in a residential subdivision to determine whether they contained non-native or introduced fish. Pearl Cichlids (Geophagus brasiliensis) and Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) were both recorded in high densities. Mosquitofish are on the Noxious Fish list issued by the Fisheries Branch of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, while the Pearl Cichlid had a very limited distribution and, because of its potential significant impact on native fish fauna, was targeted for eradication before it could spread. Because of the proximity of nearby drains and overflow points, fish in the artificial lake system had the potential to spread to the Serpentine River catchment if left unmanaged. Approval was obtained from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to use rotenone to eradicate the feral fish species. The company's research orientation is reflected in its public output: staff frequently publish in scientific literature and present at workshops and conferences. Its website lists publications, a funnel trap fauna database, detection dog services, and fauna books, alongside project case studies and a capability statement. The team page lists directors and staff including Dr Scott Thompson, Dr Graham Thompson, Dr James Barr, Dr Tony Pusey, Claudia Lewis, Mitch Plozza, Brody Altus, Stelleena MacKay and Eileen Thompson. Scott Thompson's professional recognition includes being named the 2007 EIANZ young professional of the year and a 2017 40under40 award winner. He is described as the only Certified Environmental Practitioner (Ecology Specialist) with a post-graduate tertiary qualification in the firm, as well as being authorised as a licensed pest management technician (LPMT) in Western Australia. The company operates as a private consultancy based in Perth and serving clients across Western Australia.

• 2017

  Dr Scott Thompson recognised as a 40under40 award winner.

• 2007

  Dr Scott Thompson named EIANZ young professional of the year.

• 2002

  Terrestrial Ecosystems established in Perth, Western Australia, on a research foundation focused on improving terrestrial fauna surveys for ecological impact assessments.

• Company undertook a biosecurity project eradicating non-native Pearl Cichlids and Mosquitofish from artificial lakes in Byford, Western Australia, using rotenone under APVMA approval.

A research-driven environmental consultancy providing high-quality terrestrial fauna surveys and assessments at an affordable price and within agreed timeframes, with a strong commitment to continual improvement based on robust research and rigorous science.

• Terrestrial fauna surveys

  Field surveys of terrestrial vertebrate fauna for environmental assessment and management.

• Fauna assessments

  Assessment of fauna assemblages and habitat for ecological impact assessment.

• Fauna relocation programmes

  Management and undertaking of fauna relocation for all terrestrial fauna including species of conservation significance.

• Feral and pest animal control and management

  Feral and pest animal management and control programmes across Western Australia.

• Fauna management plans and procedures

  Assistance with preparation of site-specific fauna management plans and procedures.

• Flora and vegetation surveys

  Provided in collaboration with industry specialists.

• Short-range endemic (SRE) invertebrate surveys

  Provided in collaboration with industry specialists.

• Subterranean fauna surveys

  Provided in collaboration with industry specialists.

• Detection dog services

  Detection dog capability listed among the company's services.

• Funnel trap fauna database

  A fauna database resource listed on the company website.

• Fauna books

  Published fauna books listed on the company website.

1. 1Terrestrial Ecosystemsterrestrialecosystems.com
2. 2Services :: Terrestrial Ecosystemsterrestrialecosystems.com
3. 3Biosecurity success story – feral fish eradication in an artificial lake system :: Terrestrial Ecosystemsterrestrialecosystems.com
4. 4Terrestrial Ecosystems (Australia) - Wikidatawikidata.org