PhD Candidate: Caitlin Dagg

PhD Supervisors: Associate Professor Uffe Nielsen (WSU), Professor Elise Pendall (WSU), Associate Professor Paul Rymer (WSU)

Project Summary: This PhD project focuses on a landscape-scale analysis of the Cumberland Plain, a region that has experienced extensive clearing and agricultural activity due to its fertility, proximity to Sydney, and the accessibility of its open, grassy woodlands. The fragmented and degraded remnants of native vegetation that remain are under ongoing threat from further clearing and urban development. The project aims to guide conservation and restoration efforts by understanding the vegetation structure, biodiversity, health, and resilience of these remaining patches.

Key issues include limited accessibility of biodiversity data, a lack of landscape-scale understanding, and the need for decision-making support. To address these, the project will consolidate existing biodiversity data into a Biodiversity Survey Database, laying a foundation for understanding biodiversity across the region. It will then integrate remote sensing data to examine vegetation structure and biodiversity at a landscape scale, resulting in comprehensive mapping of remnant native vegetation.

The project will also explore the conservation value of the Cumberland Plain, applying theoretical frameworks to assess functional diversity and habitat integrity. This will inform conservation prioritisation and restoration planning. Finally, it will apply different prioritisation criteria to develop networks of protected sites, offering evidence-based recommendations to support conservation decision-making and enhance the resilience of the Cumberland Plain’s ecosystems.

The expected outcomes include essential insights for conservation planning, policy and management recommendations, and strategies for preserving the ecological integrity of the region.