The abundance and isotope composition of pyrogenic carbon in tropical savannas. Tropical savanna burning represents an important but poorly understood component of the global carbon cycle. This project will quantify the dynamics of pyrogenic carbon (charcoal, soot, biochar) production and dispersal during savanna fires. Pyrogenic carbon is important because it can persist in the environment for thousands of years. Hence it represents both a 'sink' for carbon and a source of information about pas ....The abundance and isotope composition of pyrogenic carbon in tropical savannas. Tropical savanna burning represents an important but poorly understood component of the global carbon cycle. This project will quantify the dynamics of pyrogenic carbon (charcoal, soot, biochar) production and dispersal during savanna fires. Pyrogenic carbon is important because it can persist in the environment for thousands of years. Hence it represents both a 'sink' for carbon and a source of information about past environments. The project will also assist in validating 'biochar' as a new tool for carbon sequestration, an enable a deeper understanding of the interactions between fire, humans, vegetation and climate.Read moreRead less
Constructing a temporally-constrained palaeoecological model of Quaternary faunal evolution and extinction in eastern Australia. Increased climatic variability and human-induced environmental degradation have had severe impacts on biodiversity, socio-economic sustainability and possibly our own future survival, thus attracting global attention. This study will help unravel the causes of the extinctions of Australia's large-size animals (megafauna) during the periods of last glaciation and earlie ....Constructing a temporally-constrained palaeoecological model of Quaternary faunal evolution and extinction in eastern Australia. Increased climatic variability and human-induced environmental degradation have had severe impacts on biodiversity, socio-economic sustainability and possibly our own future survival, thus attracting global attention. This study will help unravel the causes of the extinctions of Australia's large-size animals (megafauna) during the periods of last glaciation and earliest human colonisation of Australia. Investigating the causes of megafauna extinction is essential for an understanding of how those prehistoric events shaped the modern biota, and for the development of conservation strategies for our endemic faunas in an era of increased climatic and environmental variability and vulnerability.Read moreRead less
Naracoorte caves: a critical window on faunal extinctions and past climates. This project aims to establish an unprecedented record of biodiversity and environmental change at Australia’s richest Quaternary fossil site – Naracoorte Caves. The study will integrate all aspects of the preserved deposits, employing new approaches in geochronology, palaeontology and geochemistry to develop truly comprehensive palaeoecological and palaeoclimate histories. This project will establish a benchmark datase ....Naracoorte caves: a critical window on faunal extinctions and past climates. This project aims to establish an unprecedented record of biodiversity and environmental change at Australia’s richest Quaternary fossil site – Naracoorte Caves. The study will integrate all aspects of the preserved deposits, employing new approaches in geochronology, palaeontology and geochemistry to develop truly comprehensive palaeoecological and palaeoclimate histories. This project will establish a benchmark dataset on past ecological and environmental change, strengthening scientific innovation in key research priority areas. It will have significant implications for understanding megafauna extinctions and past biodiversity responses, and will inform future conservation and climate change adaptation strategies. The project will transform the scientific profile of Naracoorte Caves, ensuring socioeconomic benefits to regional communities through education, ecotourism and knowledge marketing.Read moreRead less
Light islands in a sea of dark rainforest: Human influence on fire, climate and biodiversity in the Australian tropics. A key outcome will be an informed framework for protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the face of global warming. This research will build on previous archaeological and palaeoecological studies into plant processing practices; provide mediation between different approaches to rainforest management and further an understanding of the antiquity of rainforest occupation in the ....Light islands in a sea of dark rainforest: Human influence on fire, climate and biodiversity in the Australian tropics. A key outcome will be an informed framework for protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the face of global warming. This research will build on previous archaeological and palaeoecological studies into plant processing practices; provide mediation between different approaches to rainforest management and further an understanding of the antiquity of rainforest occupation in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Zone. Aboriginal communities see the collection of archaeological data as pivotal in gaining control over their cultural sites, which leads to partnerships between universities and communities. Furthermore, close institutional and community relationships have increased the flow of knowledge about past Indigenous rainforest management.Read moreRead less