I have worked for CALM as a scientist since late 1985, based for the first three years in Kalgoorlie and then at Woodvale, a suburb of Perth. I was employed initially to work with Aboriginal people to document their knowledge of fire and its impact on the fauna, particularly the suite of mammals which had disappeared from the desert. This role expanded into more general fire ecology and survey for rare species.

My current work program is focussed on threatened reptiles; Carpet, Woma and Pilbara Olive Pythons and the Lancelin Island Skink. I have ongoing projects looking a fire impact on terrestrial fauna in the Great Victoria Desert and developing management programs with desert Aboriginal communities to conserve threatened fauna.

• threatened reptiles, python ecology, ethno-zoology, dasyurid ecology, community ecology of hummock grassland vertebrates

Academic Record

• 1980-1983: Bachelor of Natural Resources (Hons), University of New England, Armidale N.S.W.
• 1985-1988: Graduate Diploma of Aboriginal Studies, SACAE, Underdale S.A.
• 1988-1994: Master of Science (Botany), University of Western Australia, Perth W.A.

Other Education

• 1984: Aboriginal Language Studies-Iwaidja, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Darwin N.T.
• 1987-1988: "Western Desert Language" "Aboriginal Language Studies 2" Kalgoorlie College, W.A.

Employment Experience

1974-1981: Occasional volunteer field assistant, Australian Museum

November-December 1980: Volunteer field assistant, N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service/ University of Sydney

1981-1983: Seasonal Ranger , N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Warrumbungle National Park

December-March 1983: Technical Officer, Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Alice Springs, N.T.

February 1984-September 1985: Ranger (Grade R1), Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory and seconded to Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, based in Kakadu National Park, N.T.

September-November 1985: R2 Ranger, Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, Cobourg Peninsula Wildlife Sanctuary, N.T.

November 1985-September 1988: Research Officer-Aboriginal Liaison (Level 1), Wildlife Research Branch, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kalgoorlie, W.A.

Undertook research on nature conservation issues in desert regions; concentrating on traditional Aboriginal fire usage, ethno-biological information and the effect of fire on hummock grassland flora and fauna. This involved the establishment of long-term study areas in the Queen Victoria Spring and Gibson Desert Nature Reserves to look at the impact of fires in different seasons on reptiles and small mammals.

September 1988-January 1993: Research Scientist (Levels 2/4 to 5), Research Division, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, W.A.

Research projects as listed immediately above, with the addition of several others; an Aboriginal liaison role in the "Desert Dreaming" project to reintroduce the Burrowing Bettong (Bettongia lesueur) and the Golden Bandicoot (Isoodon auratus) to the Gibson Desert and the description of the vegetation and flora of Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve and the preparation of a reserve vegetation map (topic of MSc. thesis).

February 1993-present: Senior Research Scientist (Level 6), Science and Information Division, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, W.A.

Ongoing research on small mammal and lizard communities and the impact of fire in the Great Victoria and Gibson Desert. Completion of flora survey in Queen Victoria Spring; collaborative surveys for the Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda); liaison with central desert Aboriginal communities on wildlife conservation issues, and supervision of contract work on the ecology of the Lancelin Island Skink (Ctenotus lancelini).

• See employment experience above.

(102 items)

2008

Eldridge MDB, Pearson DJ (2008). Black-footed rock-wallaby: Petrogale lateralis Gould, 1842. In Mammals of Australia. 3rd ed (eds S van Dyck, R Strahan). Reed New Holland, Sydney. pp. 376–380

Friend GR, Pearson DJ (2008). Little long-tailed dunnart: Sminthopsis dolichura Kitchener, Stoddart and Henry, 1984. In Mammals of Australia. 3rd ed (eds S van Dyck, R Strahan). Reed New Holland, Sydney. pp. 134–135

Gibson L, McKenzie N, Start T, Pearson D, Palmer R (2008). Treasures of a sunken coastline: a biological survey of the Kimberley islands. Landscope 23(4), pp. 38–44

Hartley R, Pearson D (2008). Island home for rare skink. Landscope 24(2), pp. 47–49

Pearson D, Webb J, Kruger E, Shine R (2008). The march of the cane toad. Landscope 24(2), pp. 17–24

Pearson DJ, Burbidge AA, Lochman J, Start AN (2008). Monjon: Petrogale burbidgei Kitchener and Sanson, 1978. In Mammals of Australia. 3rd ed (eds S van Dyck, R Strahan). Reed New Holland, Sydney. pp. 367–368

Pearson DJ, Churchill SK (2008). Sandhill dunnart: Sminthopsis psammophila Spencer, 1895. In Mammals of Australia. 3rd ed (eds S van Dyck, R Strahan). Reed New Holland, Sydney. pp. 156–158

Pearson DJ, Eldridge MDB (2008). Rothschild's rock-wallaby: Petrogale rothschildi Thomas, 1904. In Mammals of Australia. 3rd ed (eds S van Dyck, R Strahan). Reed New Holland, Sydney. pp. 389–390

Pearson DJ, McKenzie NL (2008). Hairy-footed dunnart: Sminthopsis hirtipes Thomas, 1898. In Mammals of Australia. 3rd ed (eds S van Dyck, R Strahan). Reed New Holland, Sydney. pp. 143–145

2007

Pearson D (2007). Pilbara olive python, Liasis olivacea barroni (Smith, 1981). In Keeping and Breeding Australian Pythons (ed M Swan). Mike Swan Herp Books, Lilydale. pp. 173–181

Pearson D (2007). Report on a survey for nabarleks in the Northern Territory, June/July 2007. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 16 p.

Pearson D (2007). Snakes of Western Australia. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. Bush Books 72 p.

Pearson D, Bonnet X (2007). L'île des serpents: a twisted tale of tigers, Frenchmen and seagulls. Landscope 22(3), pp. 40–47

Pearson D, Miller J, Butler M, Butler M, Brennan K, Thompson W (2007). Learning about country. Landscope 23(2), pp. 10–17

2006

Burbidge A, McKenzie N, van Leeuwen S, Gibson L, Doughty P, Guthrie N et al. [Durrant B, Pearson D] (2006). Between rock and a hard place: rich biological patterns amongst ancient red rocks. Landscope 21(3), pp. 13–19

Pearson D (2006). Slithering diversity: the remarkable snakes of Western Australia. Landscope 22(1), pp. 55–61

Pearson D (2006). Fauna: summary of 2005 annual report. Watsnu 12(2), p. 12

Pearson D (2006). Recovering rock-wallabies: planning and actions to improve their conservation in Western Australia (ABSTRACT). pp. 45–46

2005

Aubret F, Bonnet X, Pearson D, Shine R (2005). How can blind tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) forage successfully?. Australian Journal of Zoology 53, pp. 283–288

Pearson D (2005). Snakes of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington, WA. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia, Bush Books 72 p.

Pearson D, Comer S, Cochrane A, Gilfillan S (2005). Return to Mondrain. Landscope 20(1), pp. 40–44

Pearson D, Shine R, Williams A (2005). Spatial ecology of a threatened python (Morelia spilota imbricata) and the effects of anthropogenic habitat change. Austral Ecology 30, pp. 261–274

Pearson DJ, O'Neill J, Rodda K (2005). Mulgaras and mining: research and management to mitigate impacts (ABSTRACT). In Australian Mammal Society: 51st Scientific Meeting Program and Abstracts: Albany, Western Australia, 4-8 July 2005 (comps K Morris, J Smith, T Friend et al.). Australian Mammal Society, Perth. p. 25

Pearson DJ, O'Neill J, Rodda K (2005). Mulgaras and mining: research and management to mitigate impacts (ABSTRACT). p. 30

2004

Pearson D (2004). Great Victoria Desert fire and biodiversity research: seasonality and habitat patchiness. In Fire management of spinifex grasslands: round table & workshop, Kensington, 18 & 19 November 2004 (CDROM) Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington, WA. 24 digital slides

Pearson D (2004). Last bastion: the battle to save a desert rock-wallaby population. Landscope 19(3), pp. 20–26

Pearson D Hopper S Cochrane A Comer S Danks A (2004). Fire in the arc. Landscope 20(1), pp. 10–17

Tutt M, Fekete S, Mitchell S, Brace P, Pearson D (2004). Unravelling the mysteries of Pilbara olive python ecology: Threatened Species Network community grants final report, Project WA11/101. Nickol Bay Naturalists' Club, Karratha. 42 p.

2003

Burbidge AA, Drew M, Pearson D, Kendrick P (2003). Mammal monitoring, Barrow Island Nature Reserve, October 2003. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 32 p.

Pearson D (2003). Lancelin Island Skink Recovery Team: annual report, 2002. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 25 p.

Pearson D (2003). Giant pythons of the Pilbara. Landscope 19(1), pp. 32–39

Pearson D (2003). Mulgaras and mining. Landscope 19(2), pp. 26–31

Pearson D, Benshemesh J (2003). Mysterious sand swimmers. Landscope 18(4), pp. 27–31

Pearson D, Shine R, Williams A (2003). Thermal biology of large snakes in cool climates: a radio-telemetric study of carpet pythons (Morelia spilota imbricata) in south-western Australia. Journal of Thermal Biology 28, pp. 117–131

2002

Bonnet X, Pearson D, Ladyman M, Lourdais O, Bradshaw D (2002). Heaven for serpents?: a mark-recapture study of tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus on Carnac Island, Western Australia. Austral Ecology 27, pp. 442–450

Morris K, Pearson D, Liddelow G, Ward B, Himbeck K, Smith J (2002). Beyond the dreaming: Project Eden, 2001. 45, 16 p.

Pearson D, Shine R, How R (2002). Sex-specific niche partitioning and sexual size dimorphism in Australian pythons (Morelia spilota imbricata). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 77, pp. 113–125

Pearson D, Shine R, Williams A (2002). Geographic variation in sexual size dimorphism within a single snake species (Morelia spilota: Pythonidae). Oecologia 131, pp. 418–426

Pearson DJ (2002). The ecology and conservation of the south-western carpet python, Morelia spilota imbricata. Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Sydney. 202 p.

Tutt M, Mitchell S, Brace P, Pearson D (2002). Conserving Pilbara olive pythons on the Burrup: Threatened Species Network community grants annual report, Project WA04/100. Nickol Bay Naturalists' Club, Karratha. 38 p.

2001

Pearson D (2001). Lancelin Island Skink Recovery Team: annual report, 2000. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 20 p.

Pearson D, Davies P, Carnegie N, Ward J (2001). The great desert skink (Egernia kintorei) in Western Australia: distribution, reproduction and ethno-zoological observations. Herpetofauna 31, pp. 64–68

Pearson D, Shine R, Bonnet X, Williams A, Jennings B, Lourdais O (2001). Ecological notes on crowned snakes, Elapognathus coronatus, from the Archipelago of the Recherche in southwestern Australia. Australian Zoologist 31, pp. 610–617

2000

Pearson D (2000). Research project: mulgaras and associated rare dasyurids of the north-eastern goldfields: annual report 2000 for Western Mining Corporation, Mt Keith Operations. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 10 p.

Pearson D (2000). Great desert skink. Landscope 16(2), p. 36

Pearson D, Jones B (2000). Lancelin Island Skink recovery plan. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia, Wildlife Management Program 22, 14 p.

Pearson D, Turner J (2000). Marsupial moles pop up in the Great Victoria and Gibson deserts. Australian Mammalogy 22, pp. 115–119

1999

Bonnet X, Bradshaw D, Shine R, Pearson D (1999). Why do snakes have eyes?: the (non-)effect of blindness in island tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 46, pp. 267–272

Pearson D (1999). Lancelin Island Skink Recovery Team: annual report, 1998. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 13 p.

Pearson DJ (1999). Mysterious giant pythons of the Pilbara: preliminary observations from a radio-telemetric study (ABSTRACT). In ASH 99: Handbook for the 1999 Meeting of the Australian Society of Herpetologists, Ross River Homestead, Alice Springs, Central Australia

Wykes BJ, Pearson D, Maher J (1999). Fauna survey of Garden Island, W.A., 1996-1997. Department of Defence, Australia, Garden Island. HMAS Stirling Environmental Working Paper 12, 82 p.

1998

Pearson D (1998). When an idyllic sun-drenched island may not be enough: a recovery plan for the Lancelin Island skink (Ctenotus lancelini). In Proceedings of February 1998 meeting of Australian Society of Herpetologists

Pearson D, King D, Pianka E (1998). New localities for the western pygmy possum, Cercartetus concinnus. Western Australian Naturalist 22, pp. 205–207

1997

Ecologia, Pearson D (1997). Mulgara, Dasycercus cristicauda, regional survey: Marymia Gold Project. Ecologia, Perth. 35 p.

Eldridge M, Pearson D (1997). Identification of a rock-wallaby hybrid zone in Western Australia (ABSTRACT). In Conference Abstracts: Proceedings of the 44th Annual Conference of the Genetics Society of Australia Inc.: University of Western Australia, Nedlands, 28th Sep-1st Oct, 1997 Genetics Society of Australia, Perth. p. 28

Eldridge MDB, Pearson DJ (1997). Chromosomal rearrangements in rock wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). IX, further G-banding studies of the Petrogale lateralis complex: P. lateralis pearsoni, the west Kimberley race and a population heterozygous for a centric fusion. Genome 40, pp. 84–90

Pearson D (1997). Scaly friends: carpet pythons. Western Wildlife: Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme 1(4), pp. 3–4

Pearson D, Shine R (1997). Big girls and little boys: sexual size dimorphism and its ecological implications in the carpet python, Morelia spilota imbricata (Reptilia: Boidae) (ABSTRACT). In Proceedings of the 3rd World Congress of Herpetology

Pearson D, the Ngaanyatjarra Council (1997). Aboriginal involvement in the survey and management of rock-wallabies. Australian Mammalogy 19, pp. 249–256

Pearson DJ, Kinnear JE (1997). A review of the distribution, status and conservation of rock-wallabies in Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy 19, pp. 137–152

1996

Hooper K, Pearson D (1996). Desert spring: an exceptional season in the Great Victoria Desert. Landscope 11(3), pp. 23–27

Pearson D, Chapman A (1996). Wildlife and flora of the Great Victoria Desert, 1996 (PAMPHLET). 13, 16 p.

Pearson D, Jones B (1996). Lancelin Island Skink Project final report, 1996: report to ANCA. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Pearson D, Jones B (1996). Lancelin Island Skink Recovery Team: annual report, 1995. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 7 p.

Pearson D, Williams A, Shine R (1996). Preliminary results of a study on the ecology of the south-western carpet python (Morelia spilota imbricata) (ABSTRACT). In 24th Meeting of the Australian Society of Herpetologists, Inc.: Conference Program & Abstracts: Wellington Mills, Western Australia, 22-25 September 1996 University of Western Australia, Nedlands. p. 36

Pearson DJ (1996). Pythons. Australia's West p. 1

1995

Eldridge M, Pearson D (1995). Genetic analysis of the black-footed rock wallaby Petrogale lateralis in the Warburton region of Western Australia (ABSTRACT). pp. 18–19

Friend GR, Pearson DJ (1995). Little long-tailed dunnart, Sminthopsis dolichura. In 1995 Mammal Conservation Course: Batalling Field Study Centre, 23-27th October, 1995 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. pp. 56–57

Friend GR, Pearson DJ (1995). Little long-tailed dunnart: Sminthopsis dolichura Kitchener, Stoddart and Henry, 1984. In Mammals of Australia (ed R Strahan). Reed, Sydney. pp. 132–133

Pearson D (1995). Pythons: masters of the waiting game. Landscope 10(2), pp. 17–21

Pearson D, Chapman A (1995). Wildlife and flora of the Great Victoria Desert: 1995 expedition report. 12, 16 p.

Pearson D, Jones B (1995). Lancelin Island Skink Recovery Team: annual report, 1994. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 68 p.

Pearson DJ (1995). Aboriginal involvement in desert nature conservation: a personal viewpoint. Range Management Newsletter 95(3), pp. 13–15

Pearson DJ (1995). Sandhill dunnart: Sminthopsis psammophila Spencer, 1895. In Mammals of Australia (ed R Strahan). Reed, Sydney. pp. 154–155

Pearson DJ, McKenzie NL (1995). Hairy-footed dunnart: Sminthopsis hirtipes Thomas, 1898. In Mammals of Australia (ed R Strahan). Reed, Sydney. pp. 141–142

1994

Friend GR, Pearson DJ (1994). Little long-tailed dunnart, Sminthopsis dolichura. In 1994 Mammal Conservation Course: Batalling Field Study Centre, 24-28 October, 1994 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. pp. 56–57

Pearson D (1994). Aboriginal involvement in rock wallaby survey and management (ABSTRACT). In Symposium Handbook: Program, Abstracts & Mail Conference Summary: National Rock Wallaby Symposium, 1994, Oraparinna, South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Foundation of New South Wales, Sydney. pp. 18–19

Pearson D (1994). Lancelin Island Skink recovery team report. Watsnu: the Newsletter of the Western Australian Threatened Species and Communities Unit 1(3), p. 2

Pearson D, Jones B (1994). The Lancelin Island skink. Landscope 9(3), p. 39

Pearson D, Rolfe J (1994). Reptiles in the garden. Landscope 9(3), pp. 28–34

Pearson DJ (1994). The vegetation and flora of Queen Victoria Spring Reserve, Western Australia. Thesis (M.Sc.) -- University of Western Australia.

Pearson DJ, Kinnear JE (1994). A review of the distribution and status of rock wallabies in Western Australia (ABSTRACT). In Symposium Handbook: Program, Abstracts & Mail Conference Summary: National Rock Wallaby Symposium, 1994, Oraparinna, South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Foundation of New South Wales, Sydney. p. 7

1993

Friend GR, Pearson DJ (1993). Little long-tailed dunnart, Sminthopsis dolichura. In Mammal Conservation Course: Batalling, 25th-30th October, 1993 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. pp. 52–53

Pearson D (1993). Putting together the pieces: research towards a fire management strategy for Queen Victoria Spring Nature Reserve. In Summaries of presentations given at program meeting, Stirling Range N.P., 23-25 November 1992 (comp G Friend). Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. pp. 8–10

Pearson D (1993). The responses of sympatric dasyurid marsupials to fire in the Great Victoria Desert (POSTER ABSTRACT). In Abstracts of Papers and Posters: Sixth International Theriological Congress, Sydney, July 1993

Pearson D (1993). Fires, vegetation heterogeneity and small vertebrates in hummock grasslands (ABSTRACT). In Abstracts: Landscape Fires Conference: Perth, Western Australia, September 27-29, 1993 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. p. 33

Pearson DJ (1993). Distribution, status and conservation of pythons in Western Australia. In Herpetology in Australia: a Diverse Discipline (eds D Lunney, D Ayers). Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney. pp. 383–395

1992

Eldridge MDB, Bell JN, Pearson DJ, Close RL (1992). Identification of rock wallabies in the Warburton region of Western Australia, as Petrogale lateralis, MacDonnell Ranges race. Australian Mammalogy 15, pp. 115–119

Pearson D (1992). Sandhill dunnart. Landscope 8(1), p. 22

Pearson DJ (1992). Past and present distribution and abundance of the black-footed rock-wallaby in the Warburton Region of Western Australia. Wildlife Research 19, p. 605-622

1991

Pearson D (1991). First records of the mulgara, Dasycercus cristicauda, from the Gibson Desert and Queen Victoria Spring nature reserves. Western Australian Naturalist 18, pp. 159–161

Pearson D (1991). Dragons of the desert. Landscope 6(4), pp. 51–53

Pearson D (ed) (1991). Management of spinifex deserts for nature conservation: proceedings of a workshop held at the Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, W.A. 11-13 July 1990. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia, Occasional Paper 1/91, pp. 1–49

Pearson DJ (1991). Small vertebrate responses to a mild and a hot fire in the southern Great Victoria Desert (ABSTRACT). p. 4

1990

Pearson D (1990). The distribution, habitat and status of the black-footed rock-wallaby in the Warburton region of W.A. (ABSTRACT). p. 1

Pearson D (1990). Is fire necessary for desert lizard assemblages? (ABSTRACT). p. 6

Pearson D (1990). Where are all the warru?. CALM News Apr, p. 3

1989

Burbidge AA, Pearson DJ (1989). A search for the rufous hare-wallaby in the Great Sandy and Little Sandy Deserts, Western Australia, with notes on other mammals. 23, 9 p.

Pearson D (1989). Aborigines and wildlife conservation in the Western Desert: report to ANPWS Project AW05. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Pearson D (1989). Desert gem. Landscope 4(2), pp. 48–50

Pearson D (1989). Breeding of the banded stilt in the Western Australian goldfields during 1986. Western Australian Naturalist 18, pp. 34–36

Pearson DJ, Robinson AC (1989). New records of the sandhill dunnart, Sminthopsis psammophila (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in South and Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy 13, pp. 57–59