Macquarie University NSW 2109
Research for changing ecosystems
Ecosystems will be different by 2100, both wildlands and agricultural and biotech ecosystems. Climate warming, cell culture food production, gene technologies and field robotics are among the change drivers.
As the planet faces rising temperatures exceeding 3°C, ecosystems are undergoing dramatic shifts in species distributions, weather patterns and land use.
Future Ecosystems Research Network (FERN)'s goal is to better understand these transformations and identify ways to design and manage ecosystems in a sustainable future. We are dedicated to exploring how ecosystems can respond to the profound changes brought about by:
- global warming
- technological innovation
- advances in biological tools.
Our vision
A key focus is on preserving the immense heritage value of species by exploring how we can retain as much biodiversity as possible in some form, even under challenging conditions. By collaborating across disciplines, FERN seeks to develop creative approaches to ecosystem adaptation, creation, and restoration, ensuring future ecosystems remain functional and resilient.
The network will also investigate cutting-edge technologies such as:
- field robotics
- gene drives
- synthetic biology.
Our ambitions are aligned with national research priorities, enhancing our ability to understand and influence ecosystem dynamics over the coming decades. We aim to build strong collaborations with universities, research institutes and policymakers both in Australia and internationally.
This vision is a starting point, designed to foster discussion collaboration and innovation in how we think about the ecosystems of the future.
Working groups
Working groups bring outside people to work with Macquarie people for a few days, with a product in view. Products may include a:
- concept paper
- linkage proposal
- paper based on new data analysis.
We are broad-minded about the scope of 'future ecosystems'. Ecosystems are anywhere with population dynamics, species interactions and energy and nutrient transactions. We include food production and biotech systems, and urban lands as well as wildlands.
Working group projects can be particularly effective when driven along by ECR or HDR, so research students and postdocs are especially welcome.
Proposals for working groups can come from anyone at Macquarie and must:
- be no more than two pages long
- explain what people are to be brought in, from where and for how long
- describe the intended product and why the people being brought in make it achievable.
Our leadership group will support proposals based on how interesting or important or exciting they are (relative to budget), and how convincing that the product will actually result.
Don't hesitate to contact Julian Schrader or Mark Westoby to discuss your ideas.
2025 deadline
An initial deadline is for a first round of working group proposals to reach us by Monday 7 April 2025. Subsequently there will be at least one round of proposals each year. We may also be able to consider proposals ad hoc.