
Large areas of parkland in western Sydney have been invaded by European olive. Governments are currently investing substantial funds to remove this woody invader and to control it spread.
European olive is thought to be dispersed by birds. Therefore, the current distribution of olives should reflect the distribution of the native vegetation, which influences the distribution and activity of the main dispersal vectors.
The project: “Population dynamics of invasive shrubs” will examine the current distribution of European olive seedlings and their population structure, and compare these with characteristics of native shrubs. The research will be carried out in large reserves in western Sydney where European olive invasion is a major issue, but where native shrubs are also found.
The aims of this project are to:
This is a multi-disciplinary project that will expose you to a diverse range of skills. During this project, you will have the opportunity to: