100 Year Forest_Michael Pez_DBCA
100 Year Forest. Photo Michael Pez/DBCA

About Ecosystem Science 

The Ecosystem Science Program undertakes applied research to understand the environmental, ecological, and biogeographical processes that determine the conservation values, health and productivity of the lands and inland waters managed by the department.  

The program's research spans three broad themes:

  • Biogeography
  • plant genetics to inform landscape rehabilitation
  • how ecosystems function and respond to threatening processes and management

Biological surveys provide information on the composition of communities and distribution of the State's flora and fauna at scales relevant to management questions. Survey data provide the foundation for a range of management activities, including conservation estate planning, assessing the conservation status of species and communities, and predicting the impacts of other land uses and threats.  

The Ecosystem Science Program investigates how ecosystems function and respond to water and land resource management practices and to broadscale threats including salinity, altered hydrology, climate change and habitat fragmentation. Projects include investigations into the nature of threats and monitoring associated ecological responses and effectiveness of mitigation strategies.  

The program also investigates genetic diversity, evolutionary history, and ecological plasticity of plant populations to guide seed collection for restoration.  

The program collaborates with other parts of the department, museums and herbaria, universities, cooperative research centres, natural resource management groups, CSIRO and other research providers. Partnerships also exist with traditional owners, resource companies and the environmental consulting industry. 

Our people

Adrian Barrett 
Technical Officer 

David Cale 
Senior Technical Officer 

Josephine Hyde 
Research Scientist (Ecosystems Genomics) 

Margaret Langley 
Technical Officer 

Michael Lyons 
Research Scientist 

Adrienne Markey 
Research Scientist 

Marika Maxwell 
Technical Officer 

Richard Mazanec 
Senior Research Scientist 

Gavan McGrath 
Research Scientist 

Kirsty Quinlan 
Senior Technical Officer 

Jasmine Rutherford 
Senior Research Scientist 

Katinka Ruthrof 
Senior Research Scientist 

Michael Venarsky 
Research Scientist 

Adrian Wayne 
Senior Research Scientist 

Allan Wills 
Senior Technical Officer 

Related

Dunnart at Julimar State Forest. Photo by G Anderson
Animal Science Program

Research program to understand the factors and processes critical to the conservation of WA’s unique native fauna.

Murchison Gorge, Kalbarri National Park. Photo by H.Ensikat
Biodiversity Information Office

Making Western Australian biodiversity data more discoverable, accessible, and usable.

An experimental burn moving slowly through the understory of an open forest
Fire Science Program

Research to inform fire management and biodiversity conservation in Western Australia.

A scientist sitting in an arid landscape with surverying equipment to their right
Kings Park Science Program

Research program in native plant biology and ecology, ex situ conservation, and ecological restoration, informing the conservation and management of Western Australia's biodiversity and ecosystems.

outhern right whales at Point Ann, Fitzgerald River National Park. Photo by Peter Nicholas/DBCA
Marine Science Progam

Science program to undertake marine research and monitoring to support and improve the scientific basis for the conservation and management of WA’s marine protected areas, threatened and protected marine fauna and marine biodiversity.

A small turtle hatchling curled up on a hand
Perth Zoo Science Program

Research program to support the breed-for-release programs for six threatened species.

Verticordia insignis subsp. insignis. Photo by Kevin Thiele/DBCA
Plant Science and Herbarium Program

Research, collections management and biodiversity knowledge program to create and disseminate new knowledge on the diversity, distribution, evolution and ecology of the state’s flora. 

False colour images showing how the same landscape is imaged by different sensors from a drone.
Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis Program

Research program to integrate the science and application of remote sensing and spatial analysis into departmental programs.

Dolphin and pelican
Rivers and Estuaries Science Program

Research program to undertake and support research across a wide range of disciplines to address knowledge gaps and inform management of the Swan Canning Riverpark. 

Close up of a small black triangular seed in the dirty palm of a researcher
Species and Communities Program

Species and Communities Program coordinates the listing, management and recovery of threatened species, ecological communities and wetlands.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.