Research themes

Landscape change is driven by many factors, such as:

• changes in the kinds of foods and goods people want to consume, and their expectations about how these goods are produced
• technological advances that create new ways of doing things
• globalisation and global commodity markets
• climate change and its impact on productivity and liveability in a given location
• government policy and financial incentives for particular land-uses
• infrastructure expansion and proximity to major population centres
• changes in where people want to live, and where they can find employment, and
• a desire to conserve or restore wildlife and natural areas.

These drivers impact landscapes, people and nature in diverse and profound ways.

Our research examines the consequences of landscape change to inform and devise new solutions, tools and approaches to the challenge of conserving nature in regional and rural landscapes.

We do this through research that examines the drivers and outcomes of landscape change for nature and people, increases our understanding of ecological function in modified landscapes, informs and evaluates new interventions and solutions to increase environmental and social sustainability, and helps shape land-use and management options for people, communities and future landscapes.