Fellow
Applied ecological theory, fire ecology, biodiversity in fragmented landscapes
Phone: +61 2 6125 8130
Fax: + 61 (0)2 6125 0746
E-mail: don.driscoll@anu.edu.au

Research Website

• PhD, UNI WA, metapopulation ecology of endangered frogs.
• CSIRO Post-Doc, Canberra. Impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on reptiles and beetles in agricultural landscapes.
• ARC Post-Doctoral Fellowship, UTAS. Habitat fragmentation and metapopulations.
• Lecturer, Flinders University. Coordinating/teaching a post-graduate biodiversity course. Fire and fragmentation research.
• Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU.

NEW! PhD and Summer Research Projects

Professional Activities

All of my research has Conservation biology as a central theme, with a focus on how species use whole landscapes. I take a range of approaches, including manipulative experiments, natural experiments, dispersal studies and the application of population genetic techniques. I place a strong emphasis on testing ecological theory using applied conservation problems.

See Mallee Fire Ecology Research website

Ecological Synthesis

Using David Lindenmayer's large data sets, I am challenging a range of ecological theory, including metacommunity theory and assembly rules. My objective is to understand where particular theory has predictive value and how that knowledge might be applied in conservation biology.

Habitat Fragmentation and Loss

I am co-supervising two students who are examining the mechanics of connectivity for wildlife in agricultural landscapes. These will examine how reptiles and beetles use linear remnants and planted strips in mallee habitats. Collaborators include University of Melbourne, Flinders University and DEH SA. A new project currently available will examine dispersal out of remnant vegetation.

Fire Ecology

An ARC Linkage Grant will enable us to understand the mechanisms underlying fire responses using a combination of field and genetic techniques. Collaborators include ANU, Flinders Uni, Wollongong Uni, DEC NSW, DEH SA and the Native Vegetation Council, SA. PhD positions are currently available in association with this project.

Selected Publications

Driscoll, D.A., Kirkpatrick, J.B., McQuillan, P.B. & Bonham, K. In Press. Classic metapopulations are rare among beetle species from a naturally fragmented landscape. Journal of Animal Ecology.

Driscoll, D.A. & Lindenmayer, D.B. 2009. An empirical test of metacommunity theory using an isolation gradient. Ecological Monographs 79: 485-501.

Driscoll, D. A. 2008. The frequency of metapopulations, metacommunities and nestedness in a fragmented landscape. Oikos 117: 297-309.

Driscoll, D.A., Henderson, M.K., 2008. How many common reptile species are fire specialists? A replicated natural experiment highlights the predictive weakness of a fire succession model. Biological Conservation 141: 460-471.

Driscoll, D. A. 2007. How to find a metapopulation. Canadian Journal of Zoology 85: 1031-1048.

Driscoll D.A. & Hardy C.M. 2005. Dispersal and phylogeography of the agamid lizard Amphibolurus nobbi in fragmented and continuous habitat. Molecular Ecology 14,1613-29.

Driscoll D.A. & Weir T. 2005. Beetle responses to habitat fragmentation depend on ecological traits, remnant condition and shape. Conservation Biololgy 19,182-94.

Driscoll D.A. 2004. Extinction and outbreaks accompany fragmentation of a reptile community. Ecological Applications14, 220-40.