Welcome to the Centre for Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics (CEDD)
The Centre operates from the Department of Environmental Biology, within Muresk Institute, Division of Resources and Environment. The CEDD is a Tier 2 Research Centre whose function is to play a major role in Curtin University’s research management strategy. Tier 2 Research Centres provide a focus for research activity within well-defined fields of study or in closely related interdisciplinary fields of study.
Summary statement of current and proposed research:
We embark upon research on the natural terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of Western Australia. One emphasis is on documenting the exceptionally high species richness of the SouthWest in relation to functional attributes and spatial patterning, and monitoring species resilience to recurrent disturbance, especially fire, land clearing and browsing animals, and to seasonal stresses, especially drought. We apply interactive models to identify the level of ecosystem 'health' and determine optimal conditions for species and community conservation through appropriate management. We provide additional input into best practice for rangeland ecology and management including flora and fauna.
Strategic direction:
Our broad focus fits within the National Research Priorities of Resources and Energy. Our strategic direction is to conduct research on the conservation requirements of natural resources of WA by obtaining support from the leading funding bodies in Australia and aligning with the major conservation and land rehabilitation bodies in WA. The Centre helps Curtin fulfill its vision to be a world-class university of technology since our research to date has been of world-class standard, as evidenced for example by total citations for the 10 group members of 3,000 for 2000-5. Our mission and values align with Curtin's in the search for innovative applications of technology (in our case to resource management), links with the wider community, and development of graduates and research staff with both an international and regional outlook, including respect for the natural environment and of the traditional role of aboriginal peoples in managing the land. The centre also aims to be a leader in innovative applications of geospatial technologies to understanding ecosystem diversity and dynamics.
Regarding Curtin's strategic plan we highlight internal (interdepartmental and interdisciplinary within biology) and external (DEC, mining companies, other land managers, other research institutions) partnerships. For example, one group member is on the cabinet of the interdisciplinary Alcoa Conservation and Sustainability Fellowship Program, that is concerned with conservation of ecosystems on the south coast of Western Australia. We also have joint ARC Discovery projects with academics at the University of Melbourne, Botanic Gardens Authority (UWA), Germany, United States and New Zealand, and ARC Linkage projects with Alcoa, Worsley, Iluka, WA Chemistry Centre, WA Zoo and Whiteman Park. Other well-funded projects include support from Agriculture WA, Desert Knowledge CRC, Woodside Energy, ACMER, MERIWA, CSIRO, CRC for Spatial Information, Office of Science and Innovation and Australian Wool Innovation (grazing ecology).
Acronyms:
- ARC: Australian Research Council
- ACMER: Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research
- CEDD: Centre for Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics
- CERF: Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities
- CRC: Cooperative Research Centre
- CSIRO: Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (Australia)
- DEC: (formerly CALM) Department of Environment and Conservation
- DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
- MERIWA: Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia
- RAPD: Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA
- UWA: University of Western Australia
Contacting CEDD:
To Contact CEDD management Visit the Contacts Page.
To Contact Individual Researchers Visit the Researchers Page.
For a List of Research Fields and their respective researchers Visit the Contacts Page.
