Ecology and Biodiversity

Ecology and Biodiversity

Led by Assoc Professor David Watson

Our research provides insights into two pivotal questions for sustainable land management:

How can biodiversity best be conserved in highly modified agricultural landscapes?

What are the most effective techniques for managing and restoring our degraded waterways and terrestrial ecosystems?

Our research examines the mechanisms underlying large­scale spatial and temporal patterns in ecosystem processes and species distributions, with particular emphasis on degraded aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in agricultural regions. We focus on human development as a key driver of ecosystem change, allowing us to develop practical and effective management strategies to restore degraded ecosystems and conserve biological diversity while accommodating socio-economic development.

Our research is primarily conducted throughout the Murray­Darling Basin . However we are contributing to important national and international collaborations, with strong links to research groups in Europe and North America.

Research Strengths

Examples of Current Projects

Kicking the Dirt. Murray Catchment Management Authority. Dr Ben Wilson and Dr Catherine Allan.

Managing tree densities in western New South Wales:development of a process­based model to predict woodland dynamics. ARC Linkage grant. Partners Department of Environment and Conservation. Dr Ian Lunt, Dr Ross Bradstock (Macquarie University) and Michael Bedwood (DEC). (Research in Progress)

Responses of biofilms to cyclic releases during a low flow period in the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, Australia. Murray Darling Basin Commission. Dr Robyn Watts, Dr Darren Ryder (UNE), Dr Adrienne Burns (UNE), Dr Andrea Wilson, Dr Errol Nye, Alex Zander and Dr Remy Dehaan.

Mistletoe: savior of biodiversity in remnant woodlands? Winnifred Violet Scott trust. Dr David Watson.

Members

The Ecology and Biodiversity group has 41 ILWS members made up of 13 full members, 13 associate members and 15 PhD students.

Partner Organisations

CRC for Plant­based Solutions to Salinity, CSIRO, Department of Environment & Conservation NSW, Department of Sustainability & Environment Victoria, Murray CMA, Murray­Darling Basin Commission, Murray­Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Murrumbidgee CMA, National Parks & Wildlife Service NSW, and Parks Victoria

Publication List and Projects

Contacts

Assoc Prof David Watson
Ph 02 60 519621
Email dwatson@csu.edu.au