Valuing non-crop vegetation in horticultural landscapes of Australia
Project overview
Project title
Valuing non-crop vegetation in horticultural landscapes of Australia: increasing biodiversity for profit and cultural value
Project description
This project will explore the extent to which areas on farms such as semi-natural vegetation, tree plantings, woodlands, and shelterbelts benefit producers through ecological mechanisms, such as enhancing pollinators or pest predators along with broader aesthetic and Indigenous cultural benefits. The outcome of this project will provide an improved understanding of the scale and relative importance of these benefits in the agricultural production landscape of northern New South Wales. This project will directly support horticulturalists in the region and guide future policy.
Supervisory team
University
| Name of university supervisor | Distinguished Professor Geoff Gurr |
| Name of university | Charles Sturt University |
| Email address | ggurr@csu.edu.au |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science and Health |
CSIRO
| Name of CSIRO supervisor | Dr Hazel Parry |
| Email address | hazel.parry@csiro.au |
| CSIRO Research Unit | Agriculture and Food |
Industry
| Name of industry supervisor | Alan Coates |
| Name of business/organisation | SoilCare |
| Email address | coatesagriculture52@gmail.com |
Further details
| Primary location of student | CSIRO Dutton Park, 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia |
| Industry engagement component location | SoilCare Incorporated, 1/8 Megan Crescent Lennox Head NSW 2478, Australia |
| Other locations | Charles Sturt University, Leeds Parade, Orange NSW 2800, Australia |
| Ideal student skillset | Essential: BSc (Honours) or MSc in relevant discipline (e.g. Agriculture, Environmental Science, Ecology or Environmental Economics), ideally having completed a project involving some fieldwork. Capable of traveling to field sites in northern New South Wales to collect data. Excellent writing and communication skills, and willingness for collaboration. Good problem-solving skills and interest in landscape ecology and ecosystem services research as well as sustainable agricultural practices. Desirable: Experience with programming/statistics (e.g. Python or R skills). |
| Application close date | Open until position filled |
| Apply | Contact Distinguished Professor Geoff Gurr |