Environmental science and conservation science aim to protect our planet – the natural resources and biodiversity within Earth’s many ecosystems. Research within environmental conservation looks to protect the world’s environments and provide solutions for their long-term sustainability.
At UNSW, honours projects in environmental science and conservation explore Australian environments, seeking to understand natural and human impacts on Earth’s ecosystems, marine, freshwater and terrestrial and their dependent organisms, to identify solutions for management. View our current projects and connect with an honours project supervisor to learn how you can get involved.
Echidna ecology in the arid zone
The project will use radio telemetry to look at the movement patterns and number of echidnas in the Fowlers Gap area. Supervisor: Dr Keith Leggett
How season & fire influences germination of threatened Zieria species
To unravel the complex dormancy mechanisms of Zieria, you’ll undertake a series of experiments using fire and seasonal temperature cues. Supervisor: Dr Mark Ooi
Environmental conditions associated with avian botulism outbreaks
This project aims to identify and quantify the presence of botulism spores at Lake Cowal. Supervisor: Dr Kate Brandis
Impact of kangaroos on temperate grasslands
This project will be based on field assessment of plants and soil function, laboratory assessment and statistical analyses of plant community composition over the last decade. Supervisors: Prof. David Eldridge | Dr Samantha Travers
Micro-habitat use by two species of Dasyurids in the arid zone
This project studies the habitat use of Sminthopsis macroura and Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Supervisor: Dr Keith Leggett
Vegetation change in a fragmented landscape
The aim of the project is to improve understanding of vegetation change in fragmented landscapes and the factors likely to promote persistence of local biodiversity. Supervisor: Prof David Keith
Is there an optimal camera-trap array?
Use high-resolution movement data from African large carnivores to optimize occupancy and density estimates. Supervisor: Dr. Neil Jordan
Factors affecting information accuracy in zoo signage
Establish a citizen science approach to understand factors affecting information accuracy in zoo signage. Supervisor: Dr. Neil Jordan
Resilience of soil moss and lichen communities after disturbance
Identify the relative importance of intensity and frequency of disturbance on biocrust communities. Supervisors: Prof. David Eldridge
Population dynamics of invasive shrubs
Compare the spatial distribution of exotic (European olive) and native (Bursaria, acacia) shrubs. Supervisors: Prof. David Eldridge
Community assembly and the maintenance of biodiversity
Real-world experimental test of the impact of colonization history, environmental disturbance and competition on the formation of ecological communities. Supervisor: A/Prof. Terry Ord
New methods to measure and forecast molecular biodiversity
Investigate the performance of new methods in molecular biodiversity, and maybe invent methods of your own. Supervisor: Em. Prof. Bill Sherwin
Do reintroduced greater bilbies change macroinvertebrate communities?
Use radiotelemetry and camera traps to determine bilby predation rates on macroinvertebrates. Supervisor: Dr Katherine Moseby, Dr Rebecca West, Prof Richard Kingsford
Optimum monitoring methods for assessing crest-tailed mulgara abundance
Compare camera trapping, track and burrow surveys and trapping techniques to determine crest-tailed mulgara abundance. Supervisor: Dr Rebecca West, Dr Katherine Moseby, Dr Reece Pedler, Prof Richard Kingsford
Do fenced conservation reserves benefit resident bat species?
Use ultrasonic surveys and light trapping to determine whether conservation fences benefit bat species. Supervisor: Dr Rebecca West, Dr Katherine Moseby, Dr Tanya Leary
Using spatial analysis to optimise feral cat control locations
Collect GPS data from feral cats to examine interactions with cat control measures across the Wild Deserts project area. Supervisor: Dr Reece Pedler, Dr John Read, Dr Katherine Moseby, Dr Rebecca West, Prof Richard Kingsford
Large-scale ecosystem regeneration at Fowlers Gap
Be part of the regeneration of Fowlers Gap Arid Zone station. Supervisor: Dr Keith Leggett or others
Use of acoustic deterrents to protect endangered Regent Honeyeater
This is zoo-based study where you will gain experience in developing techniques to protect critically endangered nesting Regent Honeyeaters from predation by small mammals. Supervisors: Drs Neil Jordan, Joy Tripovich and Ben Pitcher