Dr Jeff Garnas

Academic Staff
Tree Protection Co-operative Programme

Research Interests

 

Forest ecology / population dynamics of forest insects and fungi

I am a population and a community ecologist, primarily focused on questions related to insects and fungi with the propensity to cause forest pestilence. My research interests are quite broad within the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, and I use a variety of tools including field surveys and experiments, modeling and molecular analyses to test hypotheses and search for strong inference within the systems I study. I always attempt to approach ecological questions using a strong theoretical framework, while producing and communicating products that will have applied value to conservation, and to land and forest managers.

Current projects are focused around the ecology and management of the Eucalyptus snout beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus), the pine woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) and a native wood-feeding (Cossid) moth in Eucalyptus (Coryphodema tristis).