Forest and Rangeland Ecosystems
The Forest & Rangeland Ecosystems Unit conducts research aimed at maintaining or enhancing biodiversity and natural resource condition within production systems that meet economic objectives.
Key research
Artificial frog pond
- The Forest Biodiversity & Ecology Sub-Unit delivers research and advice to measure and maximise biodiversity in planted and native forests. Staff quantify effects of forest management practices (logging, fuel-reduction burning, etc.) on fauna and flora, develop management guidelines and models for managing threatened species in forests, identify practical and reliable indicators of biodiversity, develop robust methods for assessing the ecological sustainability of forestry operations, and develop prescriptions for maximising biodiversity outcomes for native vegetation plantings in rural landscapes.
Rangelands provide for economic production and biodiversity conservation
- The Sustainable Rangelands Sub-Unit undertakes research aimed at progressively refining the scientific basis for tactical grazing and precision pastoralism, including development of tools to assist seasonal risk management from both production and resource conservation perspectives, and development of management strategies that will ensure that rangelands are used within their capability. Sub-unit research also underpins strategies for restoration of degraded landscapes, adaptation of extensive grazing industries to climate change, and the conservation of biodiversity within pastoral production systems.
Key research infrastructure
The Forest Biodiversity & Ecology Sub-Unit is based at the Forest Science Centre in West Pennant Hills with some field staff based at Eden on the south coast.
The Sustainable Rangelands Sub-Unit is based at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre, the NSW Centre of Excellence for Western Farming Systems and Rangeland Research.
Key research collaborations
Forest Biodiversity & Ecology Sub-Unit:
- Forests NSW
- Bushfires CRC
- University of NSW
- NSW Department of Environment & Conservation
- Catchment Management Authorities
Sustainable Rangelands Sub-Unit:
- Meat & Livestock Australia
- Australian Wool Innovation Limited
- University of Sydney
- Catchment Management Authorities
- Queensland government agencies
Scientific outputs
Plain language summaries of recent publications by Unit staff are listed below. Note that not all published material is available here. In particular publications by staff of the Forest Biodiversity & Ecology Sub-Unit have been collated only since 2007.
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
Scientists
Find a list of Forest and Rangeland Ecosystems scientists.
Current projects
Contact
Dr Ron Hacker
Research Leader, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystems
Phone 02 6880 8002
Email: ron.hacker@dpi.nsw.gov.au