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Associate Professor, University of Tasmania

I lead the Freshwater Ecology group in the School of Zoology. Our research spans dilute, pristine waters through to naturally saline shallow lakes. Our research interests range from innovative, basic investigations into how habitat structure affects interactions between species through to strongly applied research about the impacts of human activities on the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands; from population and community ecology through to ecosystem processes and services in inland waters (rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands).

Recent projects I have been involved in include: assessing the risks to freshwater biodiversity posed by climate change, modelling the behaviour of shallow lakes, investigating the impact of forest harvesting on small headwater streams, the conservation biology of endemic native fish, comparing the effects of drought and long-term river regulation, and the role of habitat structure in mediating interactions such as predation and competition. I have active links with Freshwater Systems Pty Ltd, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment, the Inland Fisheries Service of Tasmania, the Forest Practices Authority of Tasmania, and Hydro Tasmania.

My extension activities have included key roles in developing biological assessments of water and environmental quality in Australia, and my research is currently used in AusRivAS (the national rapid biological assessment system for rivers based on macroinvertebrates), and the ANZECC/ARMCANZ Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.

Experience

  • 1992–present
    Associate Professor, University of Tasmania

Education

  • 1986 
    Monash University, PhD