Prof Angela Moles | Head of lab
I lead the Big Ecology Lab, in the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UNSW Sydney. My primary research goal is to quantify the ecological strategies employed by plant species in different environments, and to better understand the selective processes underlying global patterns in ecological strategy. I am also Chair of the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee.
Click here to to see past publications, and here for my researcher profile.
Iain Campbell | PhD student
My doctoral research is based on a new Habitats of the World mid-level habitat classification system with around 500 habitats worldwide. My research focuses on investigating the optimal scale at which bird assemblages can better indicate habitats compared to existing mapping using the IUCN or IVC systems. Additionally, I aim to explore whether bird assemblages of conspicuous species can serve as indicators for cryptic birds, mammals, and herptiles. I am also interested in determining whether the absence of a species in naturally depauperate or recently impoverished habitats can be considered a valid indicator of the habitat type.
I am eager to assist other ecologists interested in classifying habitats in their respective areas of work, so please feel free to contact me.
iain.campbell@unsw.edu.au
www.habitatsoftheworld.org
+61477016469
Zirui (Zeary) Zou | M Phil student
My MPhil research is on the spread of introduced plant species. Specifically, I am exploring the relationship between the rate of morphological changes of introduced plants and the spread rate in the new environment.
Emily Joyce | Honours student
My honours project will be exploring potential predictors of seed germination and viability across a broad range of Australian native plants. I will explore whether germination and viability levels are phylogenetically conserved, and whether they differ between threatened and non-threatened species or across threatened species categories. I will also explore whether heatwave occurrence during seed development is related to seed germination and viability.
Melanie Notaras | Honours student
For my Honours year, I’m excited to be researching whether the long-term trend in herbivory in Australia has changed between 1770 and 2026, using data drawn from herbarium specimens. I’ll also be examining whether there is a relationship between herbivory and climate, in terms of precipitation, the El Nino–Southern Oscillation, and soil moisture.
Charlie | Lab support officer
I provide love and attention to all members of The Big Ecology Lab, and to lab visitors.
