Welcome to the Science Division in the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Diplodactylus stenodactylus
(Image - Allan Burbidge)

We have the State's greatest capacity to undertake conservation biology research. Our research is a source of up to date, independent and reliable scientific knowledge about the species, communities and ecosystems of Western Australia. It underpins strategies to protect, conserve and manage Western Australia's unique environment.

Research programs

The Science Division incorporates the following major areas of research:

• Animal Conservation Research (animal biology, ecology, genetics, threatening processes, systematics)
• Plant Conservation Research (plant biology, ecology, genetics, threatening processes)
• Marine Conservation Research (biodiversity assessment, ecosystem research, marine protected area monitoring & evaluation)
• Landscape Research (ecology of ecosystems and communities, landscape restoration and monitoring, fire research)
• Biological Surveys (biogeography, biodiversity patterning and inventories, CAR reserve system)
• Information Systems Research (biometrics, bioinformatics research)
• Western Australian Herbarium (plant collections)
• Perth Observatory (astronomical research and education)
• Biodiversity and Climate Change Unit (the effects of climate change on biodiversity in Western Australia)

Our research findings can be accessed in a variety of publications, databases and further resources, including our specialist journals: Nuytsia - Western Australia's Journal of Systematic Botany, and Conservation Science Western Australia.

Projects and Activities

• Projects and Activities (A-Z)
• Science Division's Research Activity Report 2008-2009 (1.15 MB PDF)
• Postgraduate Projects
  (includes potential student projects)

Recent research information sheets

• Ephemeral clay-based wetlands of the South West  (PDF 301 KB)
• A new, rare Hibbertia discovered on Bandalup Hill  (PDF 194 KB)
• Ravensthorpe Range Biological Survey  (PDF 159 KB)
• Soil seed bank persistence of two South African geophytes (PDF 216 KB)
• Management of the Ramsar-listed Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands (PDF 150 KB)
• More...

Categories in this section

• Animal conservation research  ( 10 items )
• Biological surveys  ( 4 items )
• Fungi research  ( 4 items )
• Information systems research  ( 4 items )
• Landscape conservation research  ( 3 items )
• Marine research  ( 2 items )
• Our researchers  ( 2 items )
• Plant conservation research  ( 8 items )
• Projects and activities  ( 16 items )
• Publications and resources  ( 15 items )
• Science and research  ( 1 items )
• Science events  ( 5 items )
• WA Herbarium  ( 5 items )