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Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The Discipline of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is concerned with understanding, managing and conserving the natural systems of the Australian continent. Marine and coastal systems, natural and constructed wetlands, estuaries, woodlands and the arid zone are all covered. More than 100 staff and postgraduate students undertake research on the biology of plants and animals from taxonomic and systematic studies, to physiological and behavioural studies on individual organisms, to ecological studies on populations, communities and ecosystems. A suite of strategically placed field stations on islands, on coasts and inland promote field research.

Undergraduates can undertake B.Sc. degrees that lead to majors in ecology, zoology, botany, entomology and marine biology or undertake one of three named degrees Marine Science, Natural Resources or Evolutionary Biology. Another major, Wildlife Science, will be offered shortly. We aim to equip undergraduates with skills that allow them to pursue higher degrees, as well as careers associated with the management and restoration of marine, terrestrial and freshwater systems, including the conservation of flora and fauna. Our teaching not only provides an evolutionary background to Australia’s unique wildlife, but also outlines the threats caused by excessive resource use and climate change, and solutions.

Links with the South Australian Museum, Adelaide Zoo, State Herbarium of South Australia , SARDI Aquatic Sciences, and the State Government’s Department for Environment and Heritage and the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation facilitate research partnerships and adoption of research findings by governments leading to beneficial environmental outcomes.

Research staff contribute to the CRC for Freshwater Ecology, the CRC for Weed Management, the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment, the Water Research Cluster, the newly established Research Institute for Climate Change, Marine Innovations SA, the Centre of Soil and Plant Interactions and CLLAMMecology, part of CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country Flagship.

Research Groups and Centres

Australian Centre of Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA
BioCity, Centre for Urban Habitats
Marine Biology
Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Staff

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