1. Resume: Edward Tsyrlin BSc (Hons)
Resume: Edward Tsyrlin BSc (Hons)
Phone:0413 99 55 25
E-mail:Edward.Tsyrlin@melbournewater.com.au
PROFILE
An aquatic ecologist with more than 20 years of industry experience and demonstrated
ability to apply technical knowledge to support sound waterway asset management.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTSAND SKILLS
ASSET MANAGEMENT PRINCIPALS KNOWLEDGE
Developed a strong understanding of Waterway Asset Management principles through
my participation in Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) process and specifically,
by leading the monitoring section of the SAMP. Currently, leading the Monitoring
prioritisation process.
WATERWAY ASSET INFORMATION FOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
Initiated and managed analysis of Melbourne Water’s macroinvertebrate data with
Melbourne University that led to modelling the current and possible future states of
waterways in relation to likely benefits associated with a range of waterway investment
scenarios. This study forms the foundation, along with our data for other waterway
values, for strategic investment in waterway protection and improvement activities
throughout the Melbourne Water Region.
ARTICULATED WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT REGIME FOR KEY VALUES
Developed macroinvertebrate and platypus fact sheets that summarized issues associated
with the management of these key values, including recommendations for Delivery
Teams to assist their capital works and maintenance programs in 2012 and 2013. In
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addition to the fact sheets, capacity building for these teams was supported by two annual
training sessions (attended by up to 20 staff) that incorporated practical case studies to
illustrate the connection between macroinvertebrates and the state of the waterway.
These session received very positive feedback from attendees.
INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MONITORING PROGRAMS
Managed the strategic review and revision of both the Melbourne Water Urban Platypus
Program and Biological Monitoring Program, that incorporated recommendations from
key researchers from an analysis and interpretation of long-term data, and a Program
Logic Approach. The revised programs have become more efficient and effective in
supporting Melbourne Water’s asset management framework.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF HABITAT
Led the development of a Work Plan for the prioritisation of weed mapping and
management in the Upper Lerderderg River in 2011-12. Using a multiple criteria risk
assessment approach, the program underpinned waterway maintenance planning for 167
kilometers of high value waterways.
EXPERIENCE AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2014-15, initiated and led a Citizen Science monitoring approach with documented
success in savings and improved community engagement. This project also had
benefits for the direction and culture of the WaterWatch team.
In 2014, based on new research findings, initiated a dialog with Development
Planning team about the possible escalation of waterway management costs
associated with future housing developments.
In 2013, to support the Melbourne Water Urban Platypus Program, led launching the
PlatypusSpot website that resulted in a number of positive media stories in
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collaboration with the Customer Strategy Team and cesarAustralia.
As an Aquatic Scientist in the River Health West team, initiated and designed a
survey of waterway values to understand the values of ephemeral streams that are
particularly prevalent in the Melbourne’s West, but often overlooked in traditional
environmental surveys. The study informed the subsequent development planning
process, including Precinct Structure Plans.
From 2014, provided regular updates regarding the Platypus, Mosquito and
Macroinvertebrate program to environmental practitioners and key external
stakeholders. This keeps internal and external stakeholders informed about key issues
and implications for waterway management.
Restructured the mosquito monitoring and management program that resulted in
savings of over $70K per year, whilst meeting the core objectives of the program.
In 2013, advocated, and gained support from the Stream Frontage Management
Program panel, for rabbit control as a key habitat management action for the Stream
Frontage Management Program.
In 2010-13, led and coordinated a variety of monitoring and investigation projects,
many of them on Habitat to support the River Health West team Capital and
Maintenance programs. These studies informed the on-ground works, led to project
prioritisation and articulation of the need to carry out the works.
Coordinated and optimized, the mosquito and macroinvertebrate programs among the
Environmental Stewardship, Environmental Water Resources Team and WaterWatch
teams to leverage from existing programs and gain maximum benefit. This has
resulted in savings in the order of $30-50K.
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As a member of the Waterways Investigations Team, managed the long-term water
quality network and led the expansion of the network from 85 to 136 sites following
the release of the state government’s White Paper in 2006.
In 2005, represented River Health during negotiations of a 5-year water quality
contract with Ecowise. Outlined and negotiated the expected KPIs and other contract
terms to manage key business risks.
Since 2007, provided technical support to the business regarding the effective and
efficient management of macroinvertebrates, platypus and mosquitos in our waterway
assets.
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Previous employment
Department of Geography, Melbourne University2009-current
Annual lecture and a practical on monitoring of River Health using
macroinvertebrates.
Water Studies Centre, Monash UniversityResearch Associate. 2001-2004
Collection and analysis of data for a long-term habitat experiment in urban streams.
Supervision of technical staff.
Environmental consulting work for Mt Hotham Ski Resort. Co-authored the report on
an ecological assessment of the impact of treated effluent from Mount Hotham Alpine
resort on the Dargo River and an initial assessment of Swindlers Creek.
Assessment of effectiveness of artificial riffles for rehabilitation of urban streams.
Comparison of invertebrate assemblages upstream and downstream of constructed
wetlands.
Evaluating impact of a car park reconstruction on the population of the endangered
Dandenong amphipod.
Literature review on the usefulness of invertebrates for assessment of wetlands.
RMIT, Department of Applied and Environmental Sciences. 2003-04
Lecturer. Teaching a variety of subjects on invertebrate biology, Freshwater and
Marine Biology, Wetland Management.
Merri Creek Management Committee. WaterWatch Coordinator / Educational
Officer. 2002-03
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Education students from primary school to the tertiary level about issues related to the
urban streams and wetlands. Conducting monitoring of macroinvertebrate
community and water quality in Merri Creek. Helping community groups to conduct
their own monitoring of the inland waters.
Australian Water Technologies. Environmental consultant. 1999-2000
Worked on a wide variety of projects including monitoring, impact assessments, and
an action statement. Experience in project management, customer liaison, staff
training and work with databases. Author and co-author of several reports and an
action statement on the conservation of an endangered species of wingless stonefly.
Monash University. Demonstrator. 1997-99
Three to six hours per week were dedicated to demonstrating to Second Year students
for the "Animal Diversity " and "Evolution and Systematics” Units. Participated in
running a practical class on aquatic ecology.
Organised and ran a second year practical class on "Rapid Biodiversity Assessment"
in 1998. This included report marking, writing and marking exam questions.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Research assistant. 1995.
Identified aquatic macroinvertebrates and conducted a survey of endangered
amphipod species in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Co-authored an internal report on the distribution of freshwater invertebrates in East
Gippsland.
State Water Laboratory 1994
Survey and monitoring of aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish; environmental flows
studies.
Water Studies Centre, Monash University. 1993
Conducted a study on the distribution of rare and endangered
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species of Thaumatoperla (an endangered genus of stoneflies) in the alpine regions of
Victoria.
Co-authored a report to the Victorian Alpine Commission: “Investigations into the
Status of the Stonefly genus Thaumatoperla in Victoria”.
Consulting work.
State Water Laboratory, Zoology Unit of the Aquatic Biology Group. 1992
Conducting surveys, sampling, sorting and identification of aquatic
macroinvertebrates from the Murray River. Assessment of water quality.
Insectarium of Sechenov’s Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry,
St. Petersburg, Russia. 1985-1986
As a laboratory assistant, maintained a variety of local and exotic live insects.
Education
Monash University
1996-2005 PhD project at the Department of Biological Sciences on
taxonomy of two stonefly genera Leptoperla and Riekoperla.
1993-1994 Honours Year
Honours thesis entitled "Community composition and re-
colonisation rate of stream fauna on coarse wood debris in the
Acheron River".
1990-1993 B.Sc. at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Major in
Zoology.
St. Petersburg State University, Russia
1985-1989 Department of Biology and Earth Science. Two and a half years of an
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undergraduate course specialising in Entomology interrupted by two years of compulsory
army service (1986-1988).
Publications
Gooderham, J. and Tsyrlin E (2002) "The Waterbug Book: A Photographic Guide to
the Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Temperate Australia." CSIRO Publishing,
Collingwood
E. Tsyrlin. A key to Victorian nymphs of Leptoperla (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae).
Identification guide No 38. Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology
2001.
E.Tsyrlin, I.C.Campbell (2002) Colonisation of wood by invertebrates in Australian
upland streams: differences between pools and riffles. Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol.
28: 1066-1069
Gooderham, J. and Tsyrlin, E. (2000) “Little River Beasties” GEO Australasia
March-May 2000, 22(1):75-80
T.J. Doeg, E. Tsyrlin, B.Van Praagh (1996) A survey for the Dandenong Freshwater
Amphipod Austrogammarus australis (Sayce). Freshwater Ecology Section, Flora
and Fauna Branch, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria
A number of Melbourne Water internal reports
A number of internal reports written for AWT clients.
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C.J. Walsh & Edward Tsyrlin, Michael R. Grace & Jason A. Sonneman (2002) An
ecological assessment of the impact of treated effluent from Mount Hotham Alpine
resort on the Dargo River and an initial assessment of Swindlers Ck.
Scholarships and Grants
Postgraduate Award granted by Monash University in 1995
Scholarship towards the PhD project awarded by Land and Water Research and
Development Corporation (LWRDC) and Cooperative Research Centre for
Freshwater Ecology (CRCFE).
Voluntary Work
Translation of a Collembolan key for Dr. Penelope Greenslade, Division of Entomology,
CSIRO, 1995.
Macrophotography work for PhD students and staff of the Department of Biological
Sciences, Monash University.
Preparation of materials on the AralSea Disaster for the Year 9 "Global Thinking" class in
Melbourne Girls Grammar School 1998.
Assistance in practical biology lessons for Year science 10 students, King David School,
1999.
Participation in fieldwork with fellow students and visiting academics.
Presented for the Victoria Science Talent Search, 2000.
Awards and Achievements
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2003 Whitley Medal awarded by Royal Zoological society of NSW in
the category of ‘The best publication on the Australian animals’.
Awarded for “The Waterbug Book”.
2003 Reed New Holland Eureka Science Book Prize for “The
Waterbug Book”
1997 Selected as a Postgraduate Representative by students of the
Department of Biological Sciences.
1985 Award for active participation in the StPetersburg Scientific
Competition in Biology.
1984 Award for the excellent Research Work in Biology at the IX St.
Petersburg Scientific and Technical Creative Conference of
Senior High School Students.
1984 Award for achievements in the XX StPetersburg Scientific
Competition for High School students in Biology.
Conferences and Memberships
Current member of:
Australian Society of Limnology (ASL).
Australian and New Guinea Fish Association
2013 Oral presentation at ASL annual conference.
2006 Plenary talk on Australia’s use of biological indicators at the
Conference on biological indicators of River Health in
StPetersburg, Russia
2005 Oral presentation at ASL annual conference.
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2002 Oral presentation at ASL annual conference.
2001 Oral presentation at ASL annual conference and International
Symposium on Limnology
2000 Presented an identification key at the Taxonomy Workshop in
Albury
1999 Presented an identification key at the Taxonomy Workshop in
Albury
1998 Poster presentation at ASL annual conference.
1997 Oral presentation at ASL annual conference and conference of
Australian Entomological Society.
1997 Attended Phylogenetic Workshop. Learned how to use the latest
phylogenetic analysis software PAUP* and other practical
aspects of phylogenetic analysis.
1994 Poster presentation at ASL annual conference.
1995 Oral presentation at ASL annual conference.
1995 Attendance of a conference on Biodiversity and Conservation of
Invertebrates.
International Conferences
1998 XIII international symposium on Plecoptera (stoneflies) in Tafi
del Valle, Argentina. Poster presentation.
1996 Joint Conference of Australian and New Zealand Entomological
Societies, Christchurch, New Zealand. Poster presentation.
Additional Qualifications
Current Level Two St. John First Aid Certificate.
Australian Driving License.
