Kark Group | Biodiversity Research Group

Biodiversity Group Research Themes:

The Biodiversity Research Group is a dynamic research team led by Associate Professor Salit Kark with interests in conservation science and ecology. The Kark Group works on a wide range of conservation, environmental and ecological aspects and collaborates with multiple groups worldwide in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and across spatial scales, ranging from regional to global to help solve key environmental questions, ecological and conservation challenges. We are members of the Environmental Decisions Group and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and Kark is leader of a large project on island conservation (with the the NESP Threatened Species hub).

Biological invasions, urban ecology and biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes

1. Invasive species and their interactions with native species
2. The role of spatial and behavioral interactions in the establishments of cavity nesting birds: A cross continental study
3. Aboriginal cultures and invasive species: investigating indigenous communication and perception of invasive species
4. Biodiversity conservation in urban and agricultural landscapes

Biodiversity Conservation across Ecosystems, Gradients and Boundaries

1. Conservation and collaboration on an international and national scale
2. The role of collaboration in conservation in terrestrial, marine and river systems (e.g., the Nile and Amazon)
3. Conservation on islands: threatened species and threatening process
4. Biodiversity along species ranges, transitional environments (ecotones) and ecological gradients

Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Conservation Planning, Decisions and Prioritisation

1. Conservation planning and prioritization at local, regional and global scales with emphasis on the Mediterranean Basin and Sea
2. Systematic conservation planning and the importance of collaboration in the Mediterranean Basin and Mediterranean Sea
3. Exploring the use of big data in conservation.
4. Emerging conservation challenges and prospects in an era of offshore oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation and other threats to marine ecosystems.
5. Pathways for narrowing the gaps between science, policy, management and practice in conservation.

Projects

The Kark Group studies the patterns and processes shaping biodiversity and their implications for conservation in a changing world. Past and present project can be found using the projects tab.

Publications

Kark Group updated publication list along with PDF and web links to articles can be found using the publications tab.

Publication List

Opportunities

We have opportunities within the Biodiversity Research Group to apply for postdoctoral, PhD and Honours projects, as well as volunteer work. Our group has a range of exciting current projects that involve both field work and large spatial data analyses, GIS and global biodiversity research in both terrestrial and marine systems.

Inquire Now

Project - invasive species 40

Project - conservation 40

Project - mediterranean 40

Our research crosses multiple spatial scales, from global and continental to local. We apply large scale and “big data” analyses, spatial modelling and field work to explore key conservation, environmental and ecological questions and help support science-based conservation decisions.

Salit Lab

Back row (Left to Right): Isabella Oliveira, Steve Wilson, Carly Martin, Andrew Rogers, Hernán Cáceres Escobar, Diego Bezerra, Matt McKinney, Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao.
Front row (Left to Right): Carla Archibald, Salit Kark, Ruben Venegas, Maggie McKeown, Matt Philben, Emma Lee.
Photo Credit: Biodiversity Research Group