IALE-OZ
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE
1.1 March
2000
EDITORIAL
Thanks
to all who contributed to this first issue. We hope you find the
newsletter a useful forum for discussing issues related to landscape
ecology. Ideas about improving the format of the newsletter are
welcome. The next issue will be published in June so start thinking
about any contributions you can make.
Send
all contributions to:
Gary Luck g.luck@cowan.edu.au
Diane Pearson dpearson@gis.ntu.edu.au
Amy Hahs a.has@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au
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PRESIDENT’S
ADDRESS – RICHARD HOBBS
Welcome
to the first newsletter of IALE-Oz, the Australasian chapter of
IALE, the International Association for Landscape Ecology. IALE
was formed in 1982 and now has members from 39 countries. IALE
is an international body representing all those with an interest
in landscape ecology, including professional and academic scientists,
planners, and landscape architects. Landscape ecology is emerging
as a central discipline which links scientific ecology with planning
and management of natural resources. IALE’s aims are to develop
landscape ecology as a scientific basis for analysis, planning
and management of the landscapes of the world. IALE advances international
co-operation and interdisciplinary synergism within the field,
through scientific, scholarly, educational and communication activities.
The
Australasian chapter of IALE was formed in 1999, and aims to act
as a point of contact for landscape ecologists in Australia. This
newsletter is one way of increasing communication, and the website
is another. We aim to hold a symposium as part of ESA2000 in Melbourne
in December, and hope to organise further activities in the future.
The IALE World Congress will be held in Australia in 2003 – at
present we are considering bids to hold the congress in either
Brisbane or Darwin, and will make an announcement on the final
decision as soon as it is made. We welcome input and suggestions
for activities and ways to promote interaction across the country.
The Chapter will only be as useful as its members make it, so
I urge you to be involved and active.
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COMMITTEE
MEMBER PROFILES
Richard
Hobbs - President
Richard is currently Officer in Charge of CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology
in Western Australia. He has worked extensively in the fragmented
landscapes of the Western Australian wheatbelt, and has aimed
to combine advances in the science of landscape ecology with practical
on-ground outcomes. He was President of the Ecological Society
of Australia in 1998-99, and is currently President of IALE. He
is also on the editorial boards of the journals Landscape Ecology,
Landscape and Urban Planning, and Ecosystems, and is chair of
the Editorial Board for the new journal Ecological Management
and Restoration, which is due out this year.
Diane
Pearson – Secretary
Diane is currently a lecturer in GIS at Northern Territory University.
She gained a BSc (Hons) in Human Ecology in 1990 and a MSc in
GIS from Edinburgh University in 1991. Diane came to Australia
to study for a PhD at ANU in 1995 on “The impact of human activity
on landscape diversity in space and time: measurement and analysis
of spatial structure and change in the Milton-Ulladulla area of
New South Wales.” Her research interests include: spatial analysis
and landscape ecology - measuring landscape structure; monitoring
land use/ land cover change; habitat modelling and biodiversity
assessment; effect of scale on landscape analysis and integrating
socio-economic data with environmental data for resource management.
Gary
Luck - Treasurer
Gary is currently a PhD student in the Centre for Ecosystem Management
at Edith Cowan University, Perth. He is studying landscape differences
in the ecology of the Rufous Treecreeper. The aim of his project
is to use a detailed case study on a single species to identify
landscape related mechanisms that may threaten population persistence.
His research interests include: ornithology, landscape ecology,
ecological economics, conservation in agricultural landscapes
and human impacts on the environment.
Tara
Martin – Committee Member
Tara has a background in ecology and geographical information
systems and currently works with CSIRO, Brisbane, investigating
the sustainability of rangeland systems in southeastern Queensland.
Being a keen birder led her into the field of landscape ecology,
in particular the study of landscape modification and its impact
on flora and fauna. Originally from Canada, Tara has worked with
the Smithsonian Institutions' Man and the Biosphere program in
Canada and the US. She completed her Honours at Griffith University
and is about to begin her PhD investigating ecosystem function
in a variegated rural landscape (see
Project Profile).
Andrew
Fisher - Committee Member
Andrew obtained a BSc at the University of Adelaide (1991) and
studied damage by rosellas in cherry orchards for his Honours
(1992). After managing a bird-control campaign at a vineyard in
the south-east of South Australia he moved to Charles Sturt University
in Bathurst, NSW to work on a PhD on woodland birds, graduating
in 1998. He is currently a lecturer in ornithology and conservation
biology at CSU. His research interests include: modelling the
distribution and abundance of vertebrate fauna across a range
of spatial scales, birds as indicators and how to integrate nature
conservation and agricultural production.
Clive
McAlpine – Committee Member
Clive is currently in the Department of Geographical Sciences
and Planning at the University of Queensland. His research interests
include forest, woodland and wildlife ecology, biodiversity conservation,
GIS, remote sensing and landscape planning.
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PROJECT
PROFILE
Landscape ecology in south-east Queensland: Grazing in a variegated
landscape
Grazed
landscapes in Australia are not amenable to the common research
model of habitat fragmentation. The native vegetation loss is
more limited than is typical for fragmented landscapes and the
different disturbances that destroy and modify habitats are not
tightly correlated1. Cropping regions tend to result in classically
fragmented landscapes, where extensive clearing of native vegetation
is always associated with cultivation and fertiliser. In the grassy
eucalypt woodlands of southeast Queensland, the landscape is variegated.
Different disturbances are imposed singly, or in various combinations,
and lead to habitats that may be modified, but are still moderately
extensive and do not necessarily represent a barrier to the movement
of biota. These landscapes present new challenges for research
in landscape ecology in Australia.
Since
1996, the Grazing Lands Management Project has used the conceptual
model of variegated landscapes to consider rural land management
in areas of sub-coastal Queensland under beef cattle production.
Our group set out to build detailed case studies of four grazing
properties in terms of their ecological status and economic performance.
This involved mapping ecological and physical property features
using GIS, ecological and botanical surveys, liaison with landholders,
and economic modeling. A pivotal part of the project has been
the development of a set of land-use thresholds and management
principles2 for grazing lands. We are in the process of detailing
the economic costs and management issues associated with moving
from current management to ‘best practice’ scenarios.
Our
project has made advances by considering the landscape as a series
of layers (soil, grassy vegetation, tree, shrub, structurally
defined wildlife habitat) and key process-related features (watercourses,
recharge zones). Through the synthesis of existing information
and use of theoretical landscape concepts we have been able to
define the extent and condition in which each layer must be maintained
and the spatial configuration necessary for landscape function.
The great challenge ahead is to further test these thresholds
and principles. New experimental approaches are needed for variegated
landscapes, where the concept of ‘habitat’ versus ‘non-habitat’
does not usually apply. Any ideas, experiences or suggestions
from IALE members would be most welcome.
Sue McIntyre - Email: Sue.McIntyre@tag.csiro.au
Tara Martin - Email: Tara.Martin@tag.csiro.au
CSIRO Tropical Agriculture, Brisbane
1.
McIntyre, S. and Hobbs, R. J. (1999) A framework for conceptualizing
human impacts on landscapes and its relevance to management and
research models. Conservation Biology 13, 1282-92.
2.
McIntyre, S. & McIvor, J. G. and MacLeod, N. D. (1999) Principles
for sustainable grazing in eucalypt woodlands: landscape-scale
indicators and the search for thresholds. In ‘Management for sustainable
ecosystems’ Eds. P. Hale, A. Petrie, D. Moloney and P. Sattler.
Centre for Conservation Biology, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
In Press.
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JOB
ADVERTISEMENT
Position
Vacant
Position: Project Officer (GIS and Planning) - a permanent position
Commencing salary: $35,000 to $40,000 per annum, dependent upon
applicant skills and experience
Employer: Bushfire and Environmental Services Pty. Ltd.
Bushfire and Environmental Services operates primarily within
NSW and is a successful, well-established company that is continuing
to grow. The company specialises in bushfire: planning, management,
GIS and environmental impact assessment. The vacancy is for a
key position within a very professional consultancy team of 6
people.
Location: Falls Creek (between Nowra and Huskisson, near Jervis
Bay, NSW)
The workplace is in a purpose built air-conditioned office, attached
to a residence in a bushland setting 7 minutes drive from Huskisson.
Main
Duties of Position:
- Assisting
in the writing of fire management plans, environmental impact
assessments and bushfire threat analyses;
- Project
management and client liaison;
-
Creation and maintenance of GIS databases using ArcView GIS
and occasionally other GIS programs;
-
ArcView GIS analysis, building of models (Spatial Analyst),
preparation of scripts (Avenue);
-
Assisting in the design of new models and GIS procedures;
- Overseeing
and troubleshooting the use of ArcView by other staff during
the preparation of maps, statistics, reports and management
plans;
- Occasional
field work and public consultation;
- Occasional
training of clients in the application of GIS projects;
Essential Qualifications:
Tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Botany or related
fields. Highly competent user of the ArcView, Spatial Analyst
and Microsoft Word. Good report writing and verbal communication
skills, self-motivated and a desire to produce the highest quality
work.
Desirable
Qualifications:
Experience and/or qualifications in bushfire fighting, bushfire
management planning and fire ecology. Competent user of Avenue
and Excel. Skills in a variety of other computer applications
e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Access and Outlook.
General
Information:
Subject to satisfactory performance an enthusiastic and competent
person can expect rapid advancement, opportunities and remuneration
incentives. Individual workplace agreement available. On-the-job
and some formal training provided. Award equivalent conditions
apply. Duty statement and company profile available on request.
Our
Company has grown rapidly since it was established about 5 years
ago. It has four full time staff and two part time staff. We use
high quality equipment and the latest technology appropriate to
our market. A casual yet highly professional work environment
with an innovative and progressive work ethic is provided. Our
main clients are NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department
of Land and Water Conservation, Parks Australia, Department of
Rural Fire Services, Local Government Councils, Department of
Defence, private developers and homeowners.
Enquires
to:
Mr Rod Rose (Managing Director);
PH: (02) 4447 8066 (all hours)
Fax: (02) 4447 8766;
Email: bushfire@shoal.net.au
Applications
to:
Bushfire and Environmental Services,
25 McArthur Drive,
Woollamia, NSW, 2540
Applications
Close: 31st March 2000
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UPCOMING
SYMPOSIUM
SYMPOSIUM AND WORKSHOP ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Discovery Centre, CSIRO, Black Mountain, Canberra, April
12-13, 2000
How
to Register
If
you would like to attend this symposium and workshop, please do
the following:
- contact
us by e-mail, letter, fax or phone to register (free of charge);
- let
us know whether you want to attend the workshop on the second
day (places limited).
Background
In 1999, CSIRO and the Myer Foundation launched a new project
called "The Nature and Value of Australia's Ecosystem Services.
Ecosystem services include:
- production
of goods (e.g. food, pharmaceuticals, genetic resources);
- regeneration
processes (e.g., maintenance of soil fertility, filtration of
water, dispersal of seeds, pollination of crops and native vegetation);
- stabilising
processes (e.g., control of pests and diseases, regulation of
hydrology, detoxification and breakdown of wastes);
- life-fulfilling
functions (e.g., aesthetic and cultural values, spiritual inspiration).
The project aims to produce detailed assessments of:
- ecosystem
services from a range of Australian ecosystems;
- likely
changes to these services under a set of plausible future land
management scenarios developed in collaboration with the full
range of stakeholders;
- costs
and benefits, in forms useful to decision makers from local
to national levels;
-
raise awareness of the benefits of better natural resource management
among Australians.
To
assist in meeting these aims, we will run a symposium and workshop
on ecosystem services on April 12/13, 2000. Our special guest
(thanks to financial support from the Land and Water Resources
Research and Development Corporation) will be Dr
Gretchen Daily from Stanford University, USA
Dr
Daily is a leader in the assessment and communication of ecosystem
services. She edited the book "Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence
on Natural Ecosystems (Daily, G., Ed., 1997, Island Press), which
has made a major contribution to discussions about natural resource
management in recent years. Dr Daily will be in Australia from
April 5 till 14. We are also planning public presentations and
meetings with interested groups in Victoria, which will be advertised
separately.
Symposium/Workshop
Details
The
first day (April 12) will be a symposium in which representatives
of several groups involved in studies of ecosystem services in
Australia, the USA and Europe will summarise their work and experiences.
The presentations will each be followed by ample time for discussion
and for attendees to ask questions and clarify issues. On the
evening of the first day, Dr Daily will give a public lecture
in Canberra.
On
the second day (April 13), we will convene a workshop of people
actively involved in work on ecosystem services, or planning to
do such work. We have to limit the numbers for this workshop to
allow productive dialogue, so please let us know quickly if you
want to attend. Over the lunch hour there will be a parliamentary
briefing at Parliament House, in which Dr Daily and others will
address politicians and the public about Ecosystem Services. Informal
discussions will continue over dinner in the evening.
Costs
There will be no charge for registration and lunch for either
or both days, but we would appreciate early indication of intention
to attend. We ask that attendees meet their own costs for travel
and accommodation.
Further
Information
Dr Steven Cork, CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology,
GPO Box 284, Canberra ACT 2601,
PH: (02) 6242 1731;
Fax: (02) 6242 1705;
Email: s.cork@dwe.csiro.au
Mr
Dave Shelton CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology,
GPO Box 284, Canberra ACT 2601,
PH: (02) 6242 1538;
Fax: (02) 6242 1705,
Email: David.Shelton@dwe.csiro.au
TOP
POSTGRADUATE
OPPORTUNITIES
Postgraduate opportunities in environmental and resource management
and landscape ecology available at the Northern Territory University
(NTU)
NTU
is currently offering a range of postgraduate opportunities for
students interested in environmental and resource management and
landscape ecology. It is now possible for students enrolled in
the Master or Graduate Diploma in Tropical Environmental Management
at NTU to study landscape ecology and GIS. This unit is offered
out of the School for Biological, Environmental and Chemical Science's
Remote Sensing and GIS Program. The unit can also be used in the
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in GIS and the Graduate
Certificate in Tropical Wildlife Management. It is available in
flexible delivery mode and is available to distant learning students.
The
purpose of this unit is to provide students with a conceptual
background in landscape ecology. The aim is to make potential
environmental managers aware of why it is important to take a
holistic approach to environmental management, as well as providing
students with a knowledge of the basic GIS functionality and capabilities
for landscape studies. It is hoped that the material covered in
this unit will make students more aware of the importance of spatial
and temporal analysis and the need to apply the principles of
landscape ecology to help solve many of the environmental problems
facing the tropical north of Australia. This is achieved by using
a case study approach which provides students with an insight
into some of the applications of spatial analysis to landscape
scale problems in the north of Australia and world-wide.
Also
at NTU, the recently established Key Centre for Tropical Wildlife
Management is developing and delivering postgraduate research
and teaching programs to meet the needs of resource managers.
Its aim is to provide students with skills in biological and ecological
science and an understanding of economic and cultural influences
that affect wildlife conservation and management goals. The Key
Centre also supports a number of research degree students, so
there is excellent potential at NTU to undertake postgraduate
courses and projects that address wildlife management issues and
aspects of landscape ecology.
Anyone
interested in finding out more about the postgraduate opportunities
in landscape ecology, or wildlife management at NTU should contact:
Diane Pearson
Email: dpearson@gis.ntu.edu.au
or
Peter
Whitehead
Email: peter.whitehead@ntu.edu.au
or
check out the websites
http://www.gis.ntu.edu.au
http://www.wildlife.ntu.edu.au
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