[AA Listerv] PhD and honours candidates sought in Terrestrial Invertebrate Ecology

[General Listserve for the Australasia Section of the SCB]

PhD and Honours candidates sought in Terrestrial Invertebrate Ecology 

The Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies at Griffith University, 
in conjunction with the Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Museum 
seeks applications from potential PhD and honours candidates that wish to 
participate in the PPBio Australasia research program at Karawatha Forest, 
Brisbane (www.griffith.edu.au/centre/cics/ppbio). This multi-disciplinary 
program aims to integrate mesoscale ecological data, collected in a 
cost-effective manner, to assist agencies and land managers in 
environmental decision making over the long-term. A PPBio site has been 
established at Karawatha Forest Park in Brisbane where there are a range 
of management challenges. In particular, Brisbane City Council aims to 
establish a better understanding of the impacts of fire and climate change 
on biodiversity and associated ecological processes. 

Given that terrestrial invertebrates comprise the bulk of biodiversity, a 
research project has been established to specifically investigate the 
impacts of prescribed burns and wildfires on Karawatha’s invertebrate 
fauna. The project shall focus on key members of the ant, beetle (namely 
Carabidae and Scarabinae) and spider fauna and investigate variation in 
relation to relevant habitat and fire variables. Fieldwork will be 
conducted within a standardised spatial framework and involve establishing 
an invertebrate sampling protocol for all international PPBio sites. The 
material collected is to be identified and utilised to develop electronic 
resource materials to facilitate realistic future monitoring programs. 

Applicants with a first class honours degree in invertebrate ecology and 
experience in the identification of the invertebrate taxa of interest are 
sought to commence work in 2008. An aptitude for regular fieldwork and the 
ability to foster linkages across agencies is also required. 

Supervision will be by the Project Manager, Dr Tracey Churchill, Dr Chris 
Burwell and Associate Professor Jean-Marc Hero within the Centre for 
Innovative Conservation Strategies at Griffith University.

NOTE: PhD scholarship applications are due October 31.
If you are interested or require further information please contact us as 
soon as possible

Dr Tracey Churchill:     tc at ecospider.com.au            or phone: 0407 
774337

or
Dr Jean-Marc Hero
Associate Professor - Vertebrate Ecology
Deputy Director, Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies
          www.innovativeconservation.info/ 
Project Leader, PPBio - Australasia:
          www.griffith.edu.au/centre/cics/ppbio 
School of Environment
Griffith University
Gold Coast campus
Qld 4222  Australia
Telephone is: +61 - 7 -  5552 8661
Mobile: 0408 915 015
Fax no. is: +61 - 7 -  5552 8067

M.Hero at griffith.edu.au

Australian Society of Herpetologists:
 http://www.australiansocietyofherpetologists.org/