Research interests

• Bat biology and ecology
• Forest ecology and sustainability
• Response of wildlife to forest disturbance
• Flowering phenology, native nectar resources and pollination.

Background

Dr Bradley Law is a Senior Research Scientist in DPI’s Science and Research Division. He works in the Forest Biodiversity and Ecology group. This group undertakes scientific research to underpin ecologically sustainable forest management practices, which includes studies of the impact of forest disturbances (logging, fire), the effectiveness of forest management prescriptions and the ecology of threatened species.

Brad has a background in zoology and ecology and his personal research program focuses on aspects of bat ecology, probably the most species diverse group of forest mammals in NSW. An emphasis has been placed on long-term ecological studies, because of the length of life cycles in forest ecosystems. A focus of recent research has been on the biodiversity benefits of native tree plantings on farms. Other recent studies have investigated the effect of logging on canopy nectar production in eucalypts. Brad is co-editor of Australia’s oldest zoological journal: Australian Zoologist.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. (Hons) – University of Sydney 1986
• PhD Zoology – University of Sydney 1992
• ARC Post-doctoral Fellow – James Cook university 1996

Current projects

• the response of bats to frequent burning at a long-term fire experiment
• the response of bats to silvicultural thinning at a long-term logging experiment
• long-term changes in biodiversity in large scale commercial eucalypt plantations established on farms 
• the use of tree plantings on farms by bats
• the response of the threatened Eastern Pygmy Possum to logging 

Recent Publications

Adams MD, Law BS and French KO (2009) Vegetation structure influences the vertical stratification of open- and edge-space aerial-foraging bats in harvested forests. Forest Ecology and Management 258: 2090-100.

Fischer J, Stott J, Law B, Adams M and Forrester R (2009) Designing effective habitat studies: quantifying multiple sources of variability in bat activity. Acta Chiropterologica 11: 127-37.

Law B and Chidel M (2008) Quantifying the canopy nectar resource and the impact of logging and climate in spotted gum Corymbia maculata forests. Austral Ecology 33: 999-1014.

Slade C and Law B (2008) An experimental test of gating derelict mines to conserve bat roost habitat in southeastern Australia. Acta Chiropterologica 10: 367-376.

Law B and Chidel M (2006) Eucalypt plantings on farms: use by insectivorous bats. Biological Conservation 133: 236-49.

Lloyd A, Law B and Goldingay R (2006) Bat activity on riparian zones and upper slopes in Australian timber production forests and the effectiveness of riparian buffers. Biological Conservation 129: 207-220.

Anderson J, Law B and Tidemann C (2006) Stream use by the large-footed myotis Myotis macropus in relation to environmental variables in northern New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 28:15-26.

Law B, Chidel M and Mong A (2005) Life under a sandstone overhang: the ecology of the Eastern Cave Bat Vespadelus troughtoni in northern New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 27: 137-45.

Law BS (2004) Challenges for the management of bats in State Forests of NSW. Pp 748-60 in the Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna (2nd edition) edited by D. Lunney, Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Sydney.

Law B and Chidel M (2004) Roosting and foraging ecology of the golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis on the south coast of New South Wales. Wildlife Research 31: 73-82.

Law BS and Chidel M (2002)Tracks and riparian zones facilitate the use of Australian regrowth forest by insectivorous bats. Journal of Applied Ecology 39: 605-17.

Law BS and Chidel M (2001) Bat activity 22 years after first-round intensive logging of alternate coupes near Eden, NSW. Australian Forestry 64: 242-47.

Professional associations and activities

• Member of the Ecological Society of Australia
• Council Member of Royal Zoological Society of NSW

Fields of Research

• 050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• forest ecology and disturbance
• bat ecology
• ecology of threatened species
• flowering phenology and nectar