PhD Scholarship: Assessing the Viability of Ecosystem Processes in Habitat Fragments: Lessons from Land-Clearing in the Tropical Savannas
Employer: Charles Darwin University
Location: Darwin, NT
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Broad scale land clearing poses one of the greatest threats to biodiversity conservation in northern Australia.

We are seeking a PhD candidate to research the impact of land-clearing and fragmentation on the savanna ecosystem in the Daly River catchment, a region subject to intense development pressure for agriculture due to reliable rainfall and fertile soils.

We will investigate the functioning and viability of several ecological processes and services, in contrast to biodiversity responses to fragmentation. Pollination biology, decomposition processes, seed predation rates and their associated edge effects will be studied to determine the ecological limits to land-clearing in terms of ecosystem services.

The study builds on previous biodiversity research in the catchment and addresses an urgent need for planning and management guidelines by government and pastoralists.

Both Australian domestic students and international students may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

Applications close: 17 January, 2009.

For more information contact Michael Lawes by email at: Michael.Lawes@cdu.edu.au