Groundwater Ecology
Our team are world leaders in the field of groundwater ecology and pioneered the assessment of groundwater ecosystem health. Our research examines the response of invertebrate and microbial communities in groundwater to environmental change, and develops tools for assessing change in ecosystem health and condition. We undertake field surveys and laboratory manipulative experiments, to identify correlative and causal links to community change.
We have developed expertise in groundwater invertebrate taxonomy and using environmental DNA (eDNA) to characterise the composition and function of groundwater ecosystems, and through this work has established an international reputation in groundwater ecology research.
Our current projects focus on the ecology of groundwater ecosystems and assessment of ecosystem health, ecological risk assessments and ecotoxicology for groundwater biota and the roles of stygofauna in providing ecosystem services.
Ecotoxicology
Our team undertakes studies of human impacts in surface and groundwater ecosystems. We are also leaders in multi-species and mesocosm toxicity tests. We have a 24-pond mesocosm system on campus, and have published extensively on multispecies tests in artificial streams and laboratory microcosms.
Our groundwater ecology expertise also extends to ecotoxicology, We have established novel toxicity testing approaches using stygofauna and groundwater microbes, and co -authored guidelines for toxicity testing using groundwater fauna.
In addition to work in aquatic systems, our team has experience in large, field-scal
e studies of contaminant impacts on invertebrates, in landscapes ranging from arid western NSW to the sub-Antractic Macquarie Island.
Freshwater Ecology
Our team has a long history of work and research in river ecology and health. We have published extensively on river health assessment, and impacts to stream macroinvertebrate communities. We regularly undertake consultancy projects applying the AUSRIVAS method.