biological sciences HONOURs 2014 - The University of Sydney

TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY
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Research Interests
The major focus of the Terrestrial Ecology Lab is to explore
the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of
terrestrial vertebrates. This research is inherently fascinating
because it allows us to uncover and explain the causes of many
intriguing patterns of vertebrate distributions in the Australian
fauna. It is also of practical importance because so many
species have declined or become extinct with the advent of
European settlement, and there is a clear imperative to prevent
further losses.
Research takes place in a wide range of Australian
environments, including forest, woodland, heathland, urban,
alpine and arid desert habitats. However, our primary focus in
recent years has been to elucidate, by observation and field
experiment, the factors that regulate vertebrate diversity in
arid Australia. Research on the exceptionally rich communities
of small mammals, birds and lizards of this region provides
an opportunity to contribute to theoretical debate about
the importance of biotic and physical processes in shaping
population and species dynamics, and especially to achieve
practical conservation and management goals.
Professor Chris
Dickman
Room 321, Heydon-
Laurence Building A08
T: (02) 9351 2318
E: chris.dickman@
sydney.edu.au
Honours projects
Nearly twenty Honours students have contributed to our understanding of desert systems so
far, and we always seek more enthusiastic students to take