The University of Western Australia
Assoc/Prof Kimberly Van Niel
Associate Professor
Contact details
| Address | School of Earth and Environment The University of Western Australia (M004) 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Australia |
|---|---|
| Phone | 6488 2707 |
| Fax | 6488 1037 |
| Kimberly.VanNiel@uwa.edu.au |
Key research
- Spatial modelling
- Spatial ecology
- Species distributions
- Public health: Urban design & physical activity
- Biota: Eucalypts, seagrasses, kelp, fishes, corals, marine and terrestrial habitats
Major research interests
- Spatial modelling
- Terrestrial and marine biogeography
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
Publications
Books and Book Chapters
Delaney, J and KP Van Niel, 2007. Geographical Information Systems: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press.
Lees, B.G., Huang, Z., Van Niel, KP, and Laffan, S.W. 2008. The impact of DEM error on predictive vegetation mapping. In Zhou, Q., Lees, B.G. and Tang, GA., (eds). Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography. Springer.
Scientific papers
Moore, CH, Harvey, ES, Van Niel, KP, in press. Spatial prediction of demersal fish distributions: enhancing our understanding of species-environment relationships. ICES Journal of Marine Science. (ISI: 1.934; Rank: 21/86)
Austin, MP, Smith, TM, Van Niel, KP, Wellington, AB, 2009. Physiological responses and statistical models of the environmental niche: a comparative study of two co-occurring Eucalyptus species. Journal of Ecology 97:496-507. (ISI: 4.422; Rank: 12/116, Cit 0)
Holmes, KW, Radford, B, Van Niel, KP, Kendrick, GA, 2008. Modelling distribution of marine benthos from hydroacoustics and underwater video. Coastal Shelf Research 28: 1800-1810. (ISI 1.684, Rank 20/50, Cit 0)
Kendrick, GA, Holmes, KW Van Niel, KP, 2008. Multi-scale spatial patterns of three seagrass species with different growth dynamics. Ecography 31: 191-200. (ISI 3.066, Rank 25/116, Cit 2)
Giles-Corti, B, Knuiman, M, Timperio, A, Van Niel, KP, Pikora, TJ, Bull, FCL, Shilton, T, Bulsara, M, 2008. Evaluation of the implementation of a state government community design policy aimed at increasing local walking: Design issues and baseline results from RESIDE, Perth Western Australia. Preventive Medicine. 46(1): 46-54. (ISI 2.314, Rank 27/100, Cit 6)
Chin, GKW, Van Niel, KP, Giles-Corti, B, Knuiman, M, 2008. Accessibility and connectivity in physical activity studies: The impact of missing pedestrian data. Preventive Medicine. 46(1): 41-45. (ISI 2.314, Rank 27/100, Cit 1)
Myatt-Thu, P, Scott, S, Van Niel, KP, 2007. Gendered access to customary land in East Timor. GeoJournal 69:239-255. (not tracked)
Giles-Corti B., Knuiman, M, Pikora, TJ, Van Niel, KP, Timperio, A, Bull, FL, Shilton, T, Bulsara, M, 2007. Can the impact on health of a government policy designed to create more liveable neighbourhoods be evaluated? An overview of the RESIDential Environment Project. NSW Public Health Bulletin 18(11-12): 238-242.
Van Niel, KP and MP Austin, 2007. Use of statistical modelling for conservation evaluation: Impact of error propagation from digital elevation data on predictive vegetation models. Ecological Applications 17(1): 266–280. (ISI 3.571, Rank 19/116, Cit 4)
Callow, JN, Van Niel, KP, and Boggs, G, 2007. How does modifying a DEM to reflect known hydrology affect subsequent terrain analysis? Journal of Hydrology 332 (1-2): 30-39. (ISI 2.161, Rank 3/59, Cit 5)
Holmes, KW, Van Niel, KP, Kendrick, GA, and Radford, B, 2007 Probabilistic large scale mapping of seagrass species distributions. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.17: 385-407. (ISI 1.240, Rank 39/86, Cit 1)
Giles-Corti B, Cutt H, Timperio A, Pikora TJ, Bull FL, Knuiman M, Bulsara M, Van Niel K, Shilton T, 2006. Development of a reliable measure of walking within and outside the local neighborhood: RESIDE's Neighbourhood Physical Activity Questionnaire. Preventive Medicine 42: 455-459. (ISI 2.314, Rank 27/100, Cit 16)
Van Niel, KP, Laffan, SW and Lees, BG, 2004. Error and uncertainty in environmental variables for predictive vegetation modelling. Journal of Vegetation Science 15: 747-756. (ISI 2.251, Rank 2/39, Cit 12)
Van Niel, KP and Laffan, SW 2003. Gambling with randomness: The use of pseudo-random number generators in GIS. International Journal of Geographical Information Science. 17(1): 49-68. (ISI 1.822, Rank 14/31, Cit 17)
Austin, JM, Mackey, BG, and Van Niel, KP, 2002. Estimating forest biomass using satellite radar: An exploratory case study in Murramarang National Park. Forest Ecology and Management. 176: 575-583. (ISI 1.579, Rank 6/39, Cit 7)
(for scientific reports and outreach articles, please see CV)
Delaney, J and KP Van Niel, 2007. Geographical Information Systems: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press.
Lees, B.G., Huang, Z., Van Niel, KP, and Laffan, S.W. 2008. The impact of DEM error on predictive vegetation mapping. In Zhou, Q., Lees, B.G. and Tang, GA., (eds). Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography. Springer.
Scientific papers
Moore, CH, Harvey, ES, Van Niel, KP, in press. Spatial prediction of demersal fish distributions: enhancing our understanding of species-environment relationships. ICES Journal of Marine Science. (ISI: 1.934; Rank: 21/86)
Austin, MP, Smith, TM, Van Niel, KP, Wellington, AB, 2009. Physiological responses and statistical models of the environmental niche: a comparative study of two co-occurring Eucalyptus species. Journal of Ecology 97:496-507. (ISI: 4.422; Rank: 12/116, Cit 0)
Holmes, KW, Radford, B, Van Niel, KP, Kendrick, GA, 2008. Modelling distribution of marine benthos from hydroacoustics and underwater video. Coastal Shelf Research 28: 1800-1810. (ISI 1.684, Rank 20/50, Cit 0)
Kendrick, GA, Holmes, KW Van Niel, KP, 2008. Multi-scale spatial patterns of three seagrass species with different growth dynamics. Ecography 31: 191-200. (ISI 3.066, Rank 25/116, Cit 2)
Giles-Corti, B, Knuiman, M, Timperio, A, Van Niel, KP, Pikora, TJ, Bull, FCL, Shilton, T, Bulsara, M, 2008. Evaluation of the implementation of a state government community design policy aimed at increasing local walking: Design issues and baseline results from RESIDE, Perth Western Australia. Preventive Medicine. 46(1): 46-54. (ISI 2.314, Rank 27/100, Cit 6)
Chin, GKW, Van Niel, KP, Giles-Corti, B, Knuiman, M, 2008. Accessibility and connectivity in physical activity studies: The impact of missing pedestrian data. Preventive Medicine. 46(1): 41-45. (ISI 2.314, Rank 27/100, Cit 1)
Myatt-Thu, P, Scott, S, Van Niel, KP, 2007. Gendered access to customary land in East Timor. GeoJournal 69:239-255. (not tracked)
Giles-Corti B., Knuiman, M, Pikora, TJ, Van Niel, KP, Timperio, A, Bull, FL, Shilton, T, Bulsara, M, 2007. Can the impact on health of a government policy designed to create more liveable neighbourhoods be evaluated? An overview of the RESIDential Environment Project. NSW Public Health Bulletin 18(11-12): 238-242.
Van Niel, KP and MP Austin, 2007. Use of statistical modelling for conservation evaluation: Impact of error propagation from digital elevation data on predictive vegetation models. Ecological Applications 17(1): 266–280. (ISI 3.571, Rank 19/116, Cit 4)
Callow, JN, Van Niel, KP, and Boggs, G, 2007. How does modifying a DEM to reflect known hydrology affect subsequent terrain analysis? Journal of Hydrology 332 (1-2): 30-39. (ISI 2.161, Rank 3/59, Cit 5)
Holmes, KW, Van Niel, KP, Kendrick, GA, and Radford, B, 2007 Probabilistic large scale mapping of seagrass species distributions. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.17: 385-407. (ISI 1.240, Rank 39/86, Cit 1)
Giles-Corti B, Cutt H, Timperio A, Pikora TJ, Bull FL, Knuiman M, Bulsara M, Van Niel K, Shilton T, 2006. Development of a reliable measure of walking within and outside the local neighborhood: RESIDE's Neighbourhood Physical Activity Questionnaire. Preventive Medicine 42: 455-459. (ISI 2.314, Rank 27/100, Cit 16)
Van Niel, KP, Laffan, SW and Lees, BG, 2004. Error and uncertainty in environmental variables for predictive vegetation modelling. Journal of Vegetation Science 15: 747-756. (ISI 2.251, Rank 2/39, Cit 12)
Van Niel, KP and Laffan, SW 2003. Gambling with randomness: The use of pseudo-random number generators in GIS. International Journal of Geographical Information Science. 17(1): 49-68. (ISI 1.822, Rank 14/31, Cit 17)
Austin, JM, Mackey, BG, and Van Niel, KP, 2002. Estimating forest biomass using satellite radar: An exploratory case study in Murramarang National Park. Forest Ecology and Management. 176: 575-583. (ISI 1.579, Rank 6/39, Cit 7)
(for scientific reports and outreach articles, please see CV)
Roles, responsibilities and expertise
My research is generally in the area of geographical ecological modelling. Specifically, I study species distribution ecology and predictive habitat modelling of terrestrial and marine habitats. I am also interested in methodological issues related to error and uncertainty in predictive models and GIS data. I also engage in research focusing on measuring and analysing the urban environment to explore its relationship to human physical activity.
Marine ecology:
Developing new methods for predictive modelling of sessile marine benthos and substrates, using high resolution bathymetric and towed video data.
Projects include:
- Spatial distribution modelling of seven Marine National Parks of Victoria (funding: Coastal CRC and Parks Victoria, completed)
- Spatial distribution modelling for eight marine areas of southwestern Western Australia, including the Abrolhos, Rottnest and Recherche Islands (WA Marine Futures, funding: Natural Heritage Trust 2, completed 2008)
- Seagrass biogeography and distribution modelling: Geographe Bay, Owen Anchorage and Malaysia (ongoing)
Marine PhD students:
- Dr Ben Radford: Cross-shelf coral reef biodiversity: Do data and ecological theory fit with habitat-based species conservation models?(site: Montebello and Barrow Islands WA, completed 2007)
- Dr Katrina Baxter: Linking seafloor mapping and ecological models to improve classification of marine habitats: Opportunities and lessons learnt in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia (completed 2008)
- Dr Brenton Chatfield - Finding the one that got away: Investigating and predicting the distribution of temperate demersal fish species and in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia (completed 2008)
- Miss Cordelia Moore studied effects of habitat and landscape on the distribution of fishes at Cape Howe Marine Park, VIC (submitted 2008)
- Miss Jillian Ooi is studying seagrass biogeography in Malaysia (ongoing)
- Leonardo Ruiz Montoya is studying hydrodynamics, nutrients and marine biota (ongoing)
Terestrial ecology:
These projects are mainly focused on spatial distribution ecology, particularly of eucalypts.
Projects include:
- Studying the distribution of endemic biota and impacts of disturbance on the Tingle Mosaic of southwest Western Australia, a world biodiversity hotspot. (funding: ARC Linkage with A Prof Wardell-Johnson of Curtin University, completed 2008)
-A new ARC Linkage Grant "Protecting the safe havens: will granite outcrop environments serve as refuges for flora threatened by anthropogenic climate change?" (Wardell-Johnson & Van Niel 2009).This project will examine the availability of refugial habitat under climate change for the diverse flora of southwest WA. We are currently seeking PhD students for this project.
- Collaborative research with Dr Mike Austin (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) focuses on plant species response to abiotic conditions and drivers of species distributions.
Terrestrial PhD students:
Miss Joselyn Fissioli is studying the distribution and drivers of the red tingle (Eucalyptus jacksonii) (ongoing)
Public Health
Spatial analysis related to the built environment and physical activity. This research is a collaboration with Prof Billie Giles-Corti in the School of Population Health, studying the relationship between the urban built environment and human activity levels. There are a number of postgraduate students and postdoctoral positions on these projects. On the spatial analysis side, we examine data for and methods of measuring the built environment, eg. accessibility to recreational opportunities or transport, neighbourhood walkability, or aesthetics. Spatial analysis experts on the project are Ms Bridget Beesley and Mr Nick Middleton (funding: Healthway (completed), ARC (completed), NHMRC and NHMRC Capacity Building grants (ongoing)).
Public Health PhD students:
- Mr Nick Middleton is studying place-based physical activity of adults in Perth WA
- Mr Damber Shrestha is studying the food environment and its relationship to children's food habits in Perth WA
Other PhD students
- Dr Irnanda Djuuna - The infectivity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in relation to soil characteristics and agricultural land use history (completed 2006)
- Dr Nik Callow River Response in a Salinising Landscape(completed 2007, now lecturing at UQ http://www.gpem.uq.edu.au/staff/teach.asp?sname=CallowNikolas)
- Dr Kristy Winn - An integrated approach to forest restoration: A case study on Rottnest Island, WA (completed 2008)
- Miss Lisa Guppy is studying water poverty in Cambodia and Viet Nam (ongoing)
- Mr Vong Sok is studying the integration of climate change in Environmental Impact Assessment in Cambodia (ongoing)
Marine ecology:
Developing new methods for predictive modelling of sessile marine benthos and substrates, using high resolution bathymetric and towed video data.
Projects include:
- Spatial distribution modelling of seven Marine National Parks of Victoria (funding: Coastal CRC and Parks Victoria, completed)
- Spatial distribution modelling for eight marine areas of southwestern Western Australia, including the Abrolhos, Rottnest and Recherche Islands (WA Marine Futures, funding: Natural Heritage Trust 2, completed 2008)
- Seagrass biogeography and distribution modelling: Geographe Bay, Owen Anchorage and Malaysia (ongoing)
Marine PhD students:
- Dr Ben Radford: Cross-shelf coral reef biodiversity: Do data and ecological theory fit with habitat-based species conservation models?(site: Montebello and Barrow Islands WA, completed 2007)
- Dr Katrina Baxter: Linking seafloor mapping and ecological models to improve classification of marine habitats: Opportunities and lessons learnt in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia (completed 2008)
- Dr Brenton Chatfield - Finding the one that got away: Investigating and predicting the distribution of temperate demersal fish species and in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia (completed 2008)
- Miss Cordelia Moore studied effects of habitat and landscape on the distribution of fishes at Cape Howe Marine Park, VIC (submitted 2008)
- Miss Jillian Ooi is studying seagrass biogeography in Malaysia (ongoing)
- Leonardo Ruiz Montoya is studying hydrodynamics, nutrients and marine biota (ongoing)
Terestrial ecology:
These projects are mainly focused on spatial distribution ecology, particularly of eucalypts.
Projects include:
- Studying the distribution of endemic biota and impacts of disturbance on the Tingle Mosaic of southwest Western Australia, a world biodiversity hotspot. (funding: ARC Linkage with A Prof Wardell-Johnson of Curtin University, completed 2008)
-A new ARC Linkage Grant "Protecting the safe havens: will granite outcrop environments serve as refuges for flora threatened by anthropogenic climate change?" (Wardell-Johnson & Van Niel 2009).This project will examine the availability of refugial habitat under climate change for the diverse flora of southwest WA. We are currently seeking PhD students for this project.
- Collaborative research with Dr Mike Austin (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) focuses on plant species response to abiotic conditions and drivers of species distributions.
Terrestrial PhD students:
Miss Joselyn Fissioli is studying the distribution and drivers of the red tingle (Eucalyptus jacksonii) (ongoing)
Public Health
Spatial analysis related to the built environment and physical activity. This research is a collaboration with Prof Billie Giles-Corti in the School of Population Health, studying the relationship between the urban built environment and human activity levels. There are a number of postgraduate students and postdoctoral positions on these projects. On the spatial analysis side, we examine data for and methods of measuring the built environment, eg. accessibility to recreational opportunities or transport, neighbourhood walkability, or aesthetics. Spatial analysis experts on the project are Ms Bridget Beesley and Mr Nick Middleton (funding: Healthway (completed), ARC (completed), NHMRC and NHMRC Capacity Building grants (ongoing)).
Public Health PhD students:
- Mr Nick Middleton is studying place-based physical activity of adults in Perth WA
- Mr Damber Shrestha is studying the food environment and its relationship to children's food habits in Perth WA
Other PhD students
- Dr Irnanda Djuuna - The infectivity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in relation to soil characteristics and agricultural land use history (completed 2006)
- Dr Nik Callow River Response in a Salinising Landscape(completed 2007, now lecturing at UQ http://www.gpem.uq.edu.au/staff/teach.asp?sname=CallowNikolas)
- Dr Kristy Winn - An integrated approach to forest restoration: A case study on Rottnest Island, WA (completed 2008)
- Miss Lisa Guppy is studying water poverty in Cambodia and Viet Nam (ongoing)
- Mr Vong Sok is studying the integration of climate change in Environmental Impact Assessment in Cambodia (ongoing)
Future research
Kimberly is currently accepting enquiries from potential PhD students, both Australian and international. Projects may be related to research currently being undertaken, or can be in other areas. Collaborative projects and co-supervisory situations are encouraged. Potential honours and MSc students are also welcome to enquire about opportunities for projects in 2010.
Please inquire as regards PhD student scholarships and funding.
Please inquire as regards PhD student scholarships and funding.
Funding received
Giles-Corti, B, Zubrick, S, Almeida, O, Van Niel, KP, 2007. Activity Monitors (Accelerometers) and Supporting Resources.NHMRC Equipment Grant, 2008 $35,714.
Van Niel, KP, 2006. Getting down to earth: Linking predictive spatial models of vegetation species to their ecophysiology.UWA Research Grants Scheme, 2007. $17,923.
Giles-Corti, B, M Knuiman, O Almedia, KP Van Niel, RJ Donovan Professor, R Durack , F Affleck, S Zubrick, 2006. The impact of urban design on physical & mental health - Building capacity for research across the life course. NHMRC Capacity Building Grant, 2007-2012. $2,067,750
Holmes, K, B Radford, K Van Niel, and G Kendrick, 2006. Extending marine mapping: Derived products and extra data management. Parks Victoria Research Partners Panel. $20,000
Kendrick, G, K Holmes, J Meuwig, K Van Niel, E Harvey, 2005. Securing WA Marine Futures. Natural Heritage Trust II: State Strategic Grant, 2006-2008. $4,200,000.
Giles-Corti, B, KP Van Niel, A Timperio, M Bulsara, T Pikora, 2005. The impact of urban design on active transportation patterns in children. NHMRC, 2006-2009: $355,375
Wardell-Johnson, G, D Pullar, KP Van Niel, and N Burrows, 2004. Towards a Landscape Conservation Culture – broadening the spatio-temporal scope of ecological studies to anticipate change in Australian forested ecosystems. ARC Linkage Grant, 2005-2008: $222,322.
Giles-Corti, B, KP Van Niel,, M Knuiman, F Bull, and T Pikora, 2004. Sustainability and urban design: An evaluation of the impact of liveable neighbourhoods. ARC Linkage Grant, 2003-2007: $ 382,098.
Giles-Corti, B, M Knuiman, JM Delaney (replaced by KP Van Niel), F Bull, and T Pikora, 2002. “Liveable Neighbourhoods”: Do they increase physical activity? Healthway Physical Activity Research Grant, 2003-2007: $574,000
Keep, M, B Gilkes, and KP Van Niel, 2003. The Natural Resources of East Timor – a pilot study. Start up funds for research initiatives, FNAS, UWA. $10,000
Van Niel, KP, 2006. Getting down to earth: Linking predictive spatial models of vegetation species to their ecophysiology.UWA Research Grants Scheme, 2007. $17,923.
Giles-Corti, B, M Knuiman, O Almedia, KP Van Niel, RJ Donovan Professor, R Durack , F Affleck, S Zubrick, 2006. The impact of urban design on physical & mental health - Building capacity for research across the life course. NHMRC Capacity Building Grant, 2007-2012. $2,067,750
Holmes, K, B Radford, K Van Niel, and G Kendrick, 2006. Extending marine mapping: Derived products and extra data management. Parks Victoria Research Partners Panel. $20,000
Kendrick, G, K Holmes, J Meuwig, K Van Niel, E Harvey, 2005. Securing WA Marine Futures. Natural Heritage Trust II: State Strategic Grant, 2006-2008. $4,200,000.
Giles-Corti, B, KP Van Niel, A Timperio, M Bulsara, T Pikora, 2005. The impact of urban design on active transportation patterns in children. NHMRC, 2006-2009: $355,375
Wardell-Johnson, G, D Pullar, KP Van Niel, and N Burrows, 2004. Towards a Landscape Conservation Culture – broadening the spatio-temporal scope of ecological studies to anticipate change in Australian forested ecosystems. ARC Linkage Grant, 2005-2008: $222,322.
Giles-Corti, B, KP Van Niel,, M Knuiman, F Bull, and T Pikora, 2004. Sustainability and urban design: An evaluation of the impact of liveable neighbourhoods. ARC Linkage Grant, 2003-2007: $ 382,098.
Giles-Corti, B, M Knuiman, JM Delaney (replaced by KP Van Niel), F Bull, and T Pikora, 2002. “Liveable Neighbourhoods”: Do they increase physical activity? Healthway Physical Activity Research Grant, 2003-2007: $574,000
Keep, M, B Gilkes, and KP Van Niel, 2003. The Natural Resources of East Timor – a pilot study. Start up funds for research initiatives, FNAS, UWA. $10,000
Memberships
member - Ecological Society of Australia
invited member - Rottnest Island Environmental Advisory Council
invited member - Rottnest Island Environmental Advisory Council
Honours and awards
Victoria Coastal Award for Excellence, April 2006. For the Parks Victoria-Coastal CRC Partnership “Mapping the Deep”.
CRC Chairman’s Award, September 2004. For the Coastal CRC subproject, Benthic biology and habitat classification.
Top Ten Most Downloaded Paper, International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 2003-2004. For: Van Niel and Laffan, 2003. Gambling with randomness: The use of pseudo-random number generators in GIS.
CRC Chairman’s Award, September 2004. For the Coastal CRC subproject, Benthic biology and habitat classification.
Top Ten Most Downloaded Paper, International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 2003-2004. For: Van Niel and Laffan, 2003. Gambling with randomness: The use of pseudo-random number generators in GIS.
Teaching
Units coordinating (2009)
EART1108 Earth and Environment: Geographical Perspectives
Students examine an integrated (systems) approach and the concept of sustainability can be used to understanding and resolving environmental and social issues. Basic knowledge of a range of key analytical skills in geography, including Geographic Information Systems, demographic analysis and observational techniques is developed.
EART3330 Remote Sensing and GIS
Students develop an understanding of theoretical constructs for geographic phenomena; deepen their understanding of geographic phenomena, data, digital representation and quantitative analysis; expand their knowledge of spatial analysis and technical GIS techniques; and expand their spatial analysis skills into multiple application areas.
Units Lecturing (2009)
EART2201 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
Students develop a fundamental understanding of geographic phenomena and data; spatial problem-solving; and basic knowledge and technical skills in GIS.
EART3304 Environmental Planning, Management and Sustainability
Students examine the basic theories and practical issues underlying the concept of sustainable development and its role in environmental planning and management; including factors that influence environmental resource depletion and damage, including land and water degradation and loss of biodiversity and related socio-economic issues. Students conduct research and analyse particular aspects of environmental sustainability, planning and management in a topic of special interest to the student in a critically rigorous and independent manner.
ENVT2221 Global Climate Change and the Biosphere
Students understand and appreciate (1) the geo-ecological, climatic and biological interplay that has created biodiversity; (2) the geo-ecological history of southwest Australia; (3) how climate change has driven the emergence of groups of plant species; (4) how present climate change affects biodiversity of southwest Australia; (5) what the major threats of climate change are to habitats; (6) the diversity of its major habitats, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts put in place; (7) the predictions of future climate change models and their consequences for the conservation of species and habitats; and (8) the importance of critically analysing and summarising information from a wide range of resources.
EART2221 Coastal Geomorphology and Sediments
Students are able to search and critically review relevant literature; interpret geomorphological information on maps and aerial photographs; collect, collate, interpret and report geomorphological data including information describing weather, coastal processes and environmental change; describe characteristics of coastal sediments; describe relationships between morphologic units in the field and interpret them in terms of their potentially formative processes; appreciate the relevance of coastal geomorphology and sedimentology to coastal planning and management; plan and compile a technical report; and use Excel software for analysis and presentation of results.
EART1108 Earth and Environment: Geographical Perspectives
Students examine an integrated (systems) approach and the concept of sustainability can be used to understanding and resolving environmental and social issues. Basic knowledge of a range of key analytical skills in geography, including Geographic Information Systems, demographic analysis and observational techniques is developed.
EART3330 Remote Sensing and GIS
Students develop an understanding of theoretical constructs for geographic phenomena; deepen their understanding of geographic phenomena, data, digital representation and quantitative analysis; expand their knowledge of spatial analysis and technical GIS techniques; and expand their spatial analysis skills into multiple application areas.
Units Lecturing (2009)
EART2201 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
Students develop a fundamental understanding of geographic phenomena and data; spatial problem-solving; and basic knowledge and technical skills in GIS.
EART3304 Environmental Planning, Management and Sustainability
Students examine the basic theories and practical issues underlying the concept of sustainable development and its role in environmental planning and management; including factors that influence environmental resource depletion and damage, including land and water degradation and loss of biodiversity and related socio-economic issues. Students conduct research and analyse particular aspects of environmental sustainability, planning and management in a topic of special interest to the student in a critically rigorous and independent manner.
ENVT2221 Global Climate Change and the Biosphere
Students understand and appreciate (1) the geo-ecological, climatic and biological interplay that has created biodiversity; (2) the geo-ecological history of southwest Australia; (3) how climate change has driven the emergence of groups of plant species; (4) how present climate change affects biodiversity of southwest Australia; (5) what the major threats of climate change are to habitats; (6) the diversity of its major habitats, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts put in place; (7) the predictions of future climate change models and their consequences for the conservation of species and habitats; and (8) the importance of critically analysing and summarising information from a wide range of resources.
EART2221 Coastal Geomorphology and Sediments
Students are able to search and critically review relevant literature; interpret geomorphological information on maps and aerial photographs; collect, collate, interpret and report geomorphological data including information describing weather, coastal processes and environmental change; describe characteristics of coastal sediments; describe relationships between morphologic units in the field and interpret them in terms of their potentially formative processes; appreciate the relevance of coastal geomorphology and sedimentology to coastal planning and management; plan and compile a technical report; and use Excel software for analysis and presentation of results.
New and noteworthy
We are currently seeking PhD students for new Australian Research Council grant on climate refugia in the southwest of WA. If you have a background in biogeography, ecology, GIS and spatial modelling, or similar, please contact me for more information.
Current projects
Space-time modelling of disturbance and forest change for landscape conservation of vascular plant species
Marine habitat and species distribution modelling: Western Australia, Victoria and Malaysia
Physical activity and urban design
Marine habitat and species distribution modelling: Western Australia, Victoria and Malaysia
Physical activity and urban design
Research profile
