Post-fire vegetation resilience

Monitoring and mapping of post-fire vegetation structural change and recovery

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 June 2024

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic / International

Scholarship

$32,192pa for 3.5 years

About the research project

The 2019/2020 Black Summer fires in eastern Australia burnt an unprecedented area of forest and other vegetation. While many areas are showing recovery post-fire, high rates of recovery are not universal, and vary by vegetation type and geographic location.  In particular, it is hypothesized that post-fire drought may significantly impact vegetation recovery, and frequent past fire could reduce reliance and drive vegetation change.  Climate change is increasing the prevalence, intensity and severity of fire in eastern Australia, and there is a need to identify good metrics of ecosystem recovery that can be applied over broad spatial scales to understand the drivers of vegetation resilience, to map vulnerable communities, and to identify changes in vegetation structure that can alter fire regimes.

This PhD project aims to develop and validate remote sensing-based indices of post-fire vegetation recovery, in order to identify areas of poor vegetation resilience and evidence of flammability feedbacks in different vegetation types.  Landscape, vegetation, drought, fire severity and fire regime attributes associated with differing levels of these recovery indices will be analysed to understand the drivers of vegetation change.  The project will heavily utilize a variety of remote sensing data, including multispectral and radar satellites, as well as field-based vegetation structural data, and geostatistical analysis.

The project is supported by the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre and will primarily analyse vegetation and structural data from New South Wales, although with the aim of developing a universal methodology that can be applied in a wider context.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Grant Williamson

Funding

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:

  • a living allowance stipend funded by the University of Tasmania as an in-kind commitment for the NSW Bushfire Natural Hazards Research Centre project of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years,
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • An honours degree or equivalent in ecology, plant science, environmental science, or spatial science
  • Good familiarity with GIS software (eg. ArcMap, QGIS, R or Python)
  • Experience working with and processing remotely sensed imagery
  • Good written and verbal English and scientific communication skills

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Strong analytical skills using R or similar software and a keen interest in developing those skills
  • Statistical analysis experience
  • A strong research background in ecology, spatial science or similar fields though a publication record or high-quality thesis

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Grant Williamson to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. In your application:
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
  4. Apply prior to 1 June 2024.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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