Quantifying fire-load changes to dryland headwater streams from invasive buffel grass

Project Information

This research project will investigates the impact of invasive buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris and C. pennisetiformis) on dryland headwater river systems in Australia.  Buffel grass originally introduced for pastoral and land rehabilitation purposes, has become a significant ecological threat by altering fluvial geomorphology, suppressing native vegetation, and increasing fire risks. However, its full extent and impact in headwater streams remain poorly understood. This project will examine the fire-load changes in dryland headwater streams and associated mesic environments from invasive buffel grass.

This research project will use a combination of field mapping and remote sensing, combining multispectral 8-band satellite imagery for broad-scale mapping and drone-derived aerial imagery for high-resolution detection of emerging buffel grass infestations. This will then be paired with remote sensing approaches to examine the changes in fire load across a series of dryland headwater sites, informed by fire scar mapping from Sentinel 2 data.  Depending on the candidates’ interests, this project could also apply chronological methods such as Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), or radiocarbon dating (likely carried out at ANSTO) to assess how buffel grass has changed fire-load and river dynamics over time.

Key research questions include:

1. Whether dense infestations detected via satellite imagery result in changes to fire load in dryland headwater channels
2. What are the geomorphic implications of suspected increased fire load in headwater channels.
3. How does this inform future land management practices in dryland ecosystems

The project will be based at UNSW Canberra and will benefit from collaboration and expertise from the UNSW Bushfire group.  It is expected that the candidate will undertake short periods of fieldwork to collect data and validate remote sensing methods, however this can be adapted where necessary depending on the candidates preferred research direction. The candidate will join a supportive cohort of geographers based at UNSW Canberra with opportunities to visit other institutions as the research progresses.

Requirements

The ideal candidate would have interests in remote sensing and dryland rivers. The candidate will need to have completed an Honours or Masters degree in a related field, demonstrating that a substantial research project has been undertaken. Applications are invited from candidates with:

• Interest in applying remote sensing methods and GIS to geomorphic problems.
• Knowledge and/or experience in terrestrial or freshwater ecology
• Willingness and enthusiasm to learn new analytical and/or numerical techniques.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Supervisor