Ecological processes
Natural systems must be resilient if they are to adapt to today's many environmental stresses including unsustainable use and development.
Management strategies that increase their resilience must be based on a better understanding of the physical, chemical and ecological processes that shape these systems, and the impact humans have on natural resources condition and landscape processes.
Research in this area is uncovering how fundamental processes affect the persistence and distribution of plants and animals across the landscape. Some of these processes are fire, grazing, germination and seed dormancy, soil erosion, water regimes, and interactions between these processes.
Research in this theme covers empirical studies and modelling, which provides a robust ability to predict changes in populations and communities.
The department is involved in a breadth of ecological projects including:
