Current/Past projects
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Research Project
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Ant biogeography and community ecology
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Title
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Assisting Ricardo Ildefonso de Campos: Main factors determining ant species co-occurrence in tropical savannas: a hypothesis test on ecological patterns generality contrasting Brazil and Australia
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Description
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This sub-project involves sampling for ants daily at nine sites. At each site baits (cat food) are laid to attract ants. The different species present and numbers of each species are recorded at 15 minute intervals over two hours. Any observed interactions between species are also recorded. Data analysis will follow collection of field results.
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Research Scientist
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Alan Andersen
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Student
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T. Catherine
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University
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l'Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture de Beauvais (France)
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Research Project
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Ant biogeography and community ecology
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Title
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Assisting Ricardo Ildefonso de Campos: Main factors determining ant species co-occurrence in tropical savannas: a hypothesis test on ecological patterns generality contrasting Brazil and Australia
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Description
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This sub-project involves sampling for ants by using pitfall traps in the same locations that baits have been laid, to determine the distribution of all ant species within each of 9 plots. Collection of ants occurs at burnt and unburnt sites.The specimens are then identified in the lab and the results entered into a database. The data is then assessed to determine the level of activity of the different ant species, and whether there are differences in ant distribution and activity between the burnt and unburnt areas.
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Research Scientist
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Alan Andersen
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Student
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S. Lopez
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University
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l'Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture de Beauvais (France)
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Research Project
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Carbon Dynamics
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Title
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Fire and the dynamics of coarse woody debris in tropical savannas
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Description
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This project involves a comparison of methods for estimating the abundance of coarse woody debris, and its consumption by fires of differing intensity. This work will be undertaken in the field at two monitoring sites within 50km of Darwin - at the Territory Wildlife Park, and at Howard Springs. A computer model of coarse woody debris will be used to assess sampling efficacy in the field at large spatial scales.
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Research Scientist
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Dick Williams
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Student
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S. Bernard
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University
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Ecole Nationale superieure de Chimie et Physique de Bordeaux (France)
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Research Project
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Monitoring landscape health
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Title
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The role of woody resprouts in the population dynamics of trees in tropical savannas
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Description
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This project constituted a masters thesis and assessed the differences between the population of resprouts in unburnt and frequently burnt sites. These populations were investigated in terms of density, species composition and distribution, site characterisitics which were then compared for burnt and unburnt sites.
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Research Scientist
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Garry Cook
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Student
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J. Perquin
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University
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Université Paul-Cézanne Aix-Marseille III (France)
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Research Project
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Monitoring landscape health
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Title
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Impact of an exotic grass invasion (Andropogon gayanus) on native vegetation and tree dynamics in the tropical savannas, Northern Territory
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Description
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The aim of this masters research project was to determine whether altered fire characteristics lead to a decrease in tree cover and native vegetation, and further whether an increase in alien grass cover in the post fire community was evident.
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Research Scientist
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Garry Cook
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Student
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S. Le Gars
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University
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Université Paul-Cézanne Aix-Marseille III (France)
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Research Project
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The Pigeon Hole Project
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Title
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Research assistant investigating management of important native perennial grass pasture species.
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Description
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Jeremy was here for a three month period to assist with the preparation and on-ground initiation of a new trial looking at the response of important native perennial grass pasture species to timing and different levels of defoliation and periods of spelling from grazing. The trial is part of Andrew White’s PhD “Grazing management systems for cattle in northern Australia”
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Research Scientist
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Andrew White
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Student
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J. Goffiner
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University
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l'Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture de Beauvais (France)
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Research Project
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Carbon Dynamics
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Title
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Description
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Research Scientist
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Dick Williams
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Student
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D. Ascioli
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University
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University of Torino (Italy)
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* Comments supplied by sudents are a personal account and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TERC or CSIRO.
