The Australian Ecosystems Models Framework

The Australian Ecosystem Models Framework project is collating, synthesising and summarising scientific knowledge of ecosystem dynamics and will capture this knowledge in a set of dynamic ecosystem models. These models will describe the dynamic characteristics and drivers of Australian ecosystems in unmodified and modified states.

Ecosystem dynamics are the relationships between and among all biological and physical components of ecosystems, including their responses to disturbance regimes. Natural resource managers require an understanding of ecosystem dynamics in order to make informed management decisions that take into account the response of ecosystems, in a range of condition states to disturbance.

The dynamic ecosystem models will be developed through best-available expert knowledge of ecosystem characteristics and dynamics.  This includes through expert workshops and literature reviews.

A set of foundational dynamic ecosystem models will be organised into a network-style information framework which can be continuously updated as new information comes to hand. The models have the potential to:

• provide the conceptual architecture for a national system of environmental accounts
• be developed into detailed, quantitative / mechanistic models
• underpin an integrated knowledge management system that can incorporate additional understanding of ecosystem dynamics over time, including ecosystem responses to climate change
• provide a robust architecture for natural resource management prioritisation, as well as monitoring and evaluation activities, including supporting the development of methods to assess ecosystem resilience.

More detail is available in the project flyer.

Project Team

• Anna Richards
• Garry Cook
• Dan Metcalfe
• Helen Murphy
• Suzanne Prober
• Steve Roxburgh
• Amy Warnick
• Kristen Williams
• Fiona Dickson (DCCEEW)

Project publications

Conference presentations

Richards A, Dickson F, Prober SM, Williams K, Cook G, Doherty M, Metcalfe D, Murphy H, Roxburgh S, Warnick A (2019) The Australian Ecosystem Models Framework. NRM Regions Australian Conference, 17-20 November 2019, Wodonga, Victoria.

Richards A, Dickson F, Prober SM, Williams K, Cook G, Metcalfe D, Murphy H, Roxburgh S, Warnick A, Bartolo R, Liddle D, Bellairs S, Schmidt B, Mount R (2019) Applying dynamic ecosystem models to natural resource management: case studies from the AusEcoModels framework. Ecological Society of Australia Annual conference, 25-29 November 2019, Launceston, Tasmania.

Richards A, Dickson F, Prober SM, Williams K, Cook G, Doherty M, Metcalfe D, Murphy H, Roxburgh S, Warnick A (2019) The Australian Ecosystem Models Framework. Ecological Society of Australia Annual Conference, 25-29 November 2018, Brisbane.

Richards, Anna; Dickson, Fiona; Prober, Suzanne; Roxburgh, Stephen; Cook, Garry; Metcalfe, Dan; Murphy, Helen; Warnick, Amy; Williams, Kristen; Doherty, Michael. The Australian Ecosystem Models Framework. In: Dr Dana Bergstrom, editor/s. Boden Conference: Ecological surprises and ecosystem collapse; 8-9 May 2018; Canberra. Boden Conference, Australian Academy of Science; 2018. 1

Reports

Richards AE*, Dickson F*, Williams KJ, Cook GD, Roxburgh S, Murphy H, Doherty M, Warnick A, Metcalfe D, Prober SM (2020) The Australian Ecosystem Models Framework project: A conceptual framework. Client Report EP1810177. CSIRO, Australia.

* Co-lead authors

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the AusEcoModels project scientific consultative committee, who provided extensive guidance and oversight on the development of the Framework: Prof. Glenda Wardle, Prof. Simon Haberle, Dr Matt White (Australian Government, Threatened Ecological Communities Listing Section), Prof. David Keith, Dr Dan Rogers, Dr Don Butler, Dr Stephen van Leeuwen, Dr David Parkes, Dr Margaret Friedel, Dr Sue McIntyre, Ms. Louise Gilfedder, Prof. Mark Westoby and Prof. Ben Gawne.

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