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Caitlin Dagg

Thesis Title

Landscape scale ecosystem analysis: A data-driven approach to restoring the Cumberland Plain

Research Project

Caitlin DaggThe Cumberland Plain is a biodiverse region situated to the west of the city of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Due to its fertility, proximity to Sydney, and the accessibility of its open, rolling, grassy woodlands, it was one of the first areas to be colonised, cleared, and settled by Europeans in the late 18th Century. Urban development and agricultural clearing continue to this day, leaving the landscape in a highly fragmented and degraded condition. Ecosystem restoration and conservation efforts are now crucial to prevent further habitat and biodiversity loss and protect what remains of this landscape. This PhD project aims to employ a data-driven landscape-scale approach to build a comprehensive understanding of the vegetation structure, biodiversity, health, and resilience of remnant patches of vegetation of the Cumberland Plain to guide effective conservation and restoration efforts.

Supervisors

Uffe Nielsen, Elise Pendall, Paul Rymer