Our group investigates pressing questions for the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity using diverse, inter-disciplinary approaches. A key idea underlying many projects is that the lens of disturbance ecology can provide unique insights into the conservation of biodiversity in the Anthropocene. The core values of our group are an inclusivity, respect, and acdemic excellence to create a welcoming and supportive environment. The group is led by Gunnar Keppel and is based at Adelaide University.
2026 MEMBERS:
Gunnar Keppel (group leader)
Chloe Bentze (PhD student, Adelaide University) – Project: The ecology of stringybark dieback in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Donna Fitzgerald (PhD student, Adelaide University) – Project: Quantifying dieback of stringybarks in the Mount Lofty Ranges using remote sensing.
Michael Otasowie Eguagie (PhD student, Adelaide University) – Project: Cyclone impacts on the functioning of rain forests.
Selected Alumni:
Alivereti Naikatini (Director of Research & Development, Ministry of Forestry, Fiji): former PhD student.
Stephen Fricker (Operations Manager, Medical Entomology, Northern Territory Government ·): former Masters student
Sean Sparrow (Contaminated Sites Assessment Officer, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water}: former Masters student
Xiang Ning ‘Charlotte’ Kok (Wildfild Ecologist, Department of Environment and Water): former honours student
Anthony Randell (Site Contamination Officer, Environmental Protection Agency South Australia): former honours student
RESEARCH THEMES
Current projects within our group can be summarised under five broad research themes.
Drought-Driven Dieback in Trees
Increasing frequent and more intense droughts are causing escalating dieback events globally. Using the three species of stringybarks in South Australia (Red Stringybark, Eucalyptus macrorhyncha; Messmate Stringybark, E. obliqua; Brown Stringybark, E. baxteri) as a study system, we have demonstrated that drought is a key driver of current dieback and that trees are increasingly under chronic stress (the time intervals between drought disturbaces are insufficient for recovery). This project aims to build this basic knowledge to enable improved management. It is now moving into a new phase that will investigate the iimpacts of prescribed burns on trees under drought stress. Key collaborators are Stefan Peters (Adelaide University), Rachael Nolan (Western Sydney University), and the Department of Environment and Water.
Disturbance Ecology of Islands
Islands are home to unique and rich biodiversity. While often thought of as idyllic places, islands experience frequent and severe disturbances that impact their biodiversity. So far, we have been focussing our research tropical cyclones, which can cause severe damage to nature and ecosystems. As cyclones are predicted to increase in intensity and to occur at higher latitudes dues to anthropogenic climate change, we are investigating the impacts of tropical cyclones on the structure and functioning of rain forests. Key collaborators are Thomas Ibanez (IRD Noumea) and Julian Schrader (iDiv).
Microclimate and Biodiversity
Microclimate can have profound impacts on the distribution of biodiversity. Despite this we know little about how vegetation modifies prevalent conditions to create unique microclimates. This project investigates how native vegetation is moderating microclimatea. We use temperature and humidity sensors to investigate how vegetation and topography moderate prevalent climates. Key collaborators Stefan Peters and Chloé Bentze.
Refugia as safe havens for biodiversity in the Anthropocene
Refugia are locations that facilitate the persistence of biota when the surrounding landscape becomes inhabitable for a species due to environmental change. The ability to foster the persistence of biodiversity is facilitated by refugia their ability to buffer environmental change, often as result of topographic complexity. Given the rapid ongoing environmental changes in the Anthropocene, refugia have received considerable attention for their potential to facilitate in situ persistence of biodiversity. We investigate the role of refugia in facilitating the persistence of biodiversity under anthropogenic climate change. Key collaborators are Zoltán Bátori (University of Szeged) and Toni Lynn Morelli (USGS).
Conservation and Monitoring of Biodiversity in Melanesia
Melanesia is a region with extraordinary biodiversity but limited resources. Our research seeks to support biodiversity conservation by meeting research needs identified by our regional partners and through capacity building. Current projects are comipling a comprehensive checklist for the flora of Fiji, establishing a regional network of rainforest monitoring plots (The Melanesian Observatory), and to develop suitable conservation approaches for key biodiversity components. Key collaborators are NatureFiji-MareqetViti, Thomas Ibanez (IRD Noumea and leader of Melanobs), and Gregory Plunkett (New York Botanical Garden).
Biodiversity in Oceania 