Research
We develop high-quality, high-impact solutions to environmental and land management challenges, working across disciplines and scales and across urban, rural and wild land environments.
We focus on impact, working in research partnerships in industry, government and community to implement solutions. Our graduate research program provides opportunities for high-quality training and engagement with partners.
Research prospectus
Faculty of Science researchers conduct diverse and varied research in our state-of-the-art facilities. Our scientists are global leaders in their fields, finding solutions to the biggest issues we face today.
The School of Ecosystem and Forest Science embraces a wide range of disciplines in the study of ecosystem processes and ecosystem management. Our staff and students work in urban, rural, and wildland settings in Australia and across the globe. Our school undertakes research to address environmental issues such as climate change, bushfires, urban sustainability, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, invasive species and biosecurity threats.
Explore our research prospectus to find out what projects our leading academics are investigating.
Research themes
Research groups
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Biodiversity Dynamics Research Group (biodynamos)
Undertaking research on plant evolution and global change, fire management, animal ecology and conservation decision making.
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Bushfire Behaviour and Management
Understanding and predicting fire behaviour and the impact on human and environmental features in the landscape, with the goal of better quantifying fire risk decisions.
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Ecophysiology
Interactions of plants with their environment and the processes that control the functioning of ecosystems in urban and natural environments.
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Environmental Social Science
Understanding how people relate to environments, ecosystems and non-human species, and how this knowledge can support more sustainable forests and cities.
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Fire Ecology and Biodiversity
How fire causes patterns in the landscape, and how plants and animals respond to these patterns.
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Forest and Water
Ecohydrology, evapotranspiration and streamflow dynamics, sediment dynamics and geomorphology, catchment evolution, with a particular interest in the hydrologic effects of fire.
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Forest Carbon
Improving knowledge of forest carbon stores and underlying ecosystem processes, including interactions with other forest values (water, biodiversity), and impacts of changing fire and climate regimes.
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Forest Dynamics
Understanding how native forests develop, how they respond to disturbances and climate, and how this knowledge can inform better forest management.
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Forest Ecology and Silviculture
How native forests develop, how they change over time, how they respond to disturbances and climate, and how this knowledge can inform better forest management.
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Forest Molecular Biology and Genetics
Meristem differentiation and pattern formation in the vascular cambium and genetic diversity in relation to wood formation and environmental stress tolerance.
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Green Infrastructure Research Group (GIRG)
Creating and embedding knowledge and technologies in smart design, construction and maintenance of green spaces, trees, parks, rain gardens, green roofs and facades throughout the urban landscape.
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Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group
Environmental decision making, ecosystem management and conservation biology, emphasising the careful and thoughtful use of quantitative methods and models that underpin ecological inquiry.
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Sustainable and Renewable Forest Products
Creating knowledge and building capability in the innovative uses of sustainably-managed timber resources for high-performance timber products.
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Tree Biotechnology
Utilising trees for the production of valuable natural products such as terpenes and flavonoids.
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Urban Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation (UrBEC)
Understanding the ecology of urban environments and how this can be applied for improved conservation management in cities.
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Waterway Ecosystem Research Group (WERG)
Interactions between landscapes and waterways and development of tools for achieving healthy streams and rivers in urban and rural landscapes.
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Agricultural and Urban Waste Management
The Agricultural and Urban Waste Management research group aims to improve nutrient and resource recovery by investigating nutrient re-use and recycling and the recovery of other valuable resources from agricultural and urban waste
Research partnerships
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Integrated Forest Ecosystem Research (iFER)
A research initiative between the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences and the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), which aims to enhance the evidence base for managing the impacts of fire, climate and management regimes on multiple forest values in Victoria’s forest ecosystems now and into the future.
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Melbourne Waterway Research-Practice Partnership
Acollaboration between Melbourne Water and the University of Melbourne to conduct and apply research to improve Melbourne’s waterways.
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National University of Laos
Collaborative projects with the Faculty of Forestry at the National University of Laos to increase value from plantation-grown wood products and support policies to improve the environmental, economic and social outcomes from plantations.
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Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub
Taking a holistic view on the sustainability and liveability of urban environments, producing the evidence base and collaborative partnerships to deliver better cities.
Infrastructure and facilities
Our research is supported by excellent research infrastructure and facilities, on campus or in the field. Some of our facilities are directly linked with national and international research initiatives and accessible to the wider scientific community.
PhDs and Masters by research
Start your research career here with a graduate research course.
Connect with us
If you would like to study with us, or discuss opportunities for collaboration, or helping to fund our work, see below for how to get in touch.
Study with us
Join over 10,000 students at the Faculty of Science with a range of honours, graduate, and research degrees. Visit the Graduate hub for information and enquiries about graduate studies.
Support us
Our generous benefactors make our work possible. Visit Support us to find out how you can support our leading research and help change the lives of future generations by funding science scholarships.
Collaborate with us
The Faculty of Science invites interested organisations who would like to explore collaborative research or use our developed technologies. Please get in touch with our Business Development team to discuss.
Frances Guyett
Director, Business Development, Physical Sciences
Research, Innovation & Commercialisation | The University of Melbourne
Incorporating UoM Commercial Ltd and the School of Melbourne Custom Programs
Phone: +61 417 535 617
Email: frances.guyett@unimelb.edu.au