Kris French Research Area Back to Kris French HomePage   URBAN ECOLOGY

Current Work

Much of our work investigates bird assemblages in cities where we are testing ideas about the causes of decline of small birds. We are currently defining the factors that might influence the composition of birds in remnant bushland in cities. Our work points to a significant role of Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala in limiting species in suburban areas and we are beginning further work in this area. This work also emphasises the importance of the characteristics of the matrix in structuring assemblages in remnant vegetation.

Our remnant studies have expanded to try to understand the impacts on plant fitness, through reproductive output and photosynthetic rates. We have also investigated threshold sizes of remnants that affect diversity in a range of taxa, including fungi, invertebrates and vertebrates such as birds and frogs.

Current students

PhD

		Ian Drinnan Thresholds of biodiversity in urban environments.
		Holly Parson Factors affecting the insectivorous bird communities in suburban habitats.
		John Martin Movement, foraging and site fidelity of Ibis in urban areas.

 

Future opportunities

• Finding generalisations on how plant life history traits are affected by fragmentation/urban matrix.
• Defining the influence of garden structure and the role of street plantings in maintaining diversity.
• Determining the role of Noisy Miners in controlling diversity.
• Determining barriers to dispersal of birds.

 

Current publications

Martin, JM, French, K and Major, RE. (2007) The pest status of Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) in urban situations, and the effectiveness of egg-oil in reproductive control, Wildlife Research 34: 319-324

Hodgson P, French K and Major RE (2007) Avian movement across abrupt ecological edges: differential responses to housing density in an urban matrix. Landscape and Urban Planning,79,266-272

Hodgson P, French K and Major RE. (2006) A comparison of foraging behaviour of small, urban-sensitive insectivores in continuous woodland and woodland remnants in a suburban landscape. Wildlife Research 33: 591-603 2006

Parsons H, Major R. E. and French K. (2005) Species interactions and habitat preferences of birds inhabiting urban areas of Sydney, Australia. Austral Ecol 31, 217-227

Densmore, P and French K (2005) The effects of recreation areas and human presence on avian communities.’ Ecological Management and Restoration 6,182-9.

French, K. Major, RE, Hely, K. (2005) The role of nectar-producing plants in attracting birds to gardens. Biol Cons 21,545-559

Parsons, H., French, K. & Major R.E. (2003) The influence of remnant bushland on the composition of suburban bird assemblages’. Landscape and Urban Planning 66,43-56.

Other Kris French Research Pages:
Forest Ecology
Weed Ecology
Endangered Species