Two swift parrot chicks sit in the hands of an ecologist.

Biodiversity & conservation

About

The Fenner School is a world-leading centre for interdisciplinary research on the conservation and management of Australia’s distinctive biodiversity.

Our innovative research is helping to stem the rate of species endangerment and extinction by informing best practice management and policy for long-term biodiversity conservation.

Groups

Two researchers doing field work on a forest floor in Tasmania.

The Difficult Bird Research Group (DBRG), led by Prof. Rob Heinsohn at the Fenner School, ANU, seeks to promote understanding of the ecology and conservation of Australia’s rarest and most elusive threatened bird species. Such species are often hard to find, occur in wild and rugged terrain, and move around the landscape, and are consequently put in the ‘too hard basket”; however the DBRG develop new cutting edge techniques that address the challenges posed by these species, and apply the knowledge gained to manage them more effectively.

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A researcher kayaks down a river in a yellow inflatable raft.

It's crucial that we as a society communicate the huge importance of this system, celebrate its majestic wonder - and continue efforts to preserve and encourage river stewardship for future generations.

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A student takes notes at the edge of a dam with eucalyptus trees and kangaroos in the distance.

Sustainable Farms draws upon research programs across the Australian National University, focussing on three key research topics: Healthy Farms, Healthy Farmers, and Healthy Profits.

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Projects

This research looks at options for more effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature.

Widespread death of eucalypts has been observed in forested landscapes across Australia, including the alpine regions of Victoria, NSW and the ACT.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

Bees are crucial for the function of many of our crops, and part of the system of producing food such as apples, almonds, berries, beans, eggplants and pumpkins.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

A range of post-grad projects that can be formulated to suit Honours, Masters or PhD. These will cover areas such as farm productivity, hydrology, ecological function, and social capital.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

A variety of projects that can explore the genetics; growth and survival; or management of a wide range of rare and endangered tree species (including Wollemi Pine).

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

Informing the re-emergence of First Nations burning in contemporary endangered woodlands in south-eastern Australia

Student intake

Open for PhD students

People

Members

Academic staff

Dr Fernanda Alves de Amorim

Postdoctoral Fellow

A picture of Dr Elle Bowd. She wears framed glasses, and has long gold-blonde hair. Behind her head and shoulders is a blurred bushland landscape.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

John Evans looks at the camera. He wears a black polo shirt.

Research Fellow

Photo of Claire Foster

Research Fellow

Affiliate

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Suzi Bond cups a butterfly in her hands

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Honorary Professor

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Honorary Associate Professor

Honorary Associate Professor

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Student

Articles

We are all about wicked problems.

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Snow gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) thrive in cooler, wetter conditions. But as temperatures warm, these iconic trees are being threatened by drought, fire and disease.

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Two juvenile swift parrots sit in the hands of a researcher. They are lime green in colour.

Bruny Island is virtually the only remaining habitat left where swift parrots can safely raise their hatchlings. Fenner School Researcher Dr Stojanovic tells his story about how his team has been trying to protect them for more than a decade.

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To any informed reader, the idea of farming cold-ocean seabirds in the Australian desert is mind-numbingly silly. But this hypothetical idea helps us better understand how environmental governance in Australia has gone badly wrong.

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Campaigners warn of ‘disturbing trend’ of proposed mines falling just below the threshold requiring environmental impact statement

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Ecologists fear the widespread loss of native mistletoe due to drought could leave nectar-feeding birds even more vulnerable.

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