Dr Katinka Ruthrof

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. (Hons. Environmental Science) – Murdoch University (1996) Title: ‘Improving the success of limestone quarry revegetation’.
• Ph.D. (Department of Botany) – University of Western Australia (2002). Title: ‘Comparative ecology of an invasive eucalypt (E. cladocalyx) and two endemic eucalypts (E. gomphocephala and E. marginata) in an urban bushland in south-western Australia’.

Research Interests and Outcomes:

I am currently responsible for co-ordinating research investigating tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) woodland restoration and regeneration.

The underlying reasons for the tuart decline are not yet clear but are likely to be a combination of factors, including climate variability, hydrological and salinity factors, impact of plant pathogens, changes in the ecological balance between insects and their predators and parasites, and adjacent land clearing and road-works.

Research into the decline of tuart is continuing. Meanwhile, methods of increasing the success of restoration of declining and /or degraded woodlands are being investigated.

Since my appointment at Murdoch, I have been actively involved in assisting with a range of projects:

• Advising the Department of Environment and Conservation regarding the restoration of the Ludlow Tuart Forest. This involves running restoration trials that are applicable to large-scale restoration efforts in degraded woodlands.
• Researching methods of increasing the success of restoration of Yalgorup National Park, the epicentre of the tuart decline.
• Co-ordinating a seed collection program in Yalgorup National Park. This involves Members of Friends Groups, the Department of Environment and Conservation Fairbridge Trainees, staff from local councils and members of the community.
• Supervising PhD, Honours and Independent Study Contract students
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including State and Local government agencies, consultants, media and the community
• Organising workshops and meetings with internal and external stakeholders

Professional Interests

• Ecological restoration
• Environmental management
• Invasive plant ecology
• Endemic plant ecology
• Disturbance ecology

Student Supervision:

I have supervised and co-supervised a number of students

• So Thea (PhD): Methods of increasing the success of seed broadcasting methods for restoration.
• Tegan Douglas (Independent Study Contract): Methods of restoration of tuart woodlands.
• 2004: Honours student (Kings Park and Murdoch University). Public perceptions of recreational activities in urban bushland
• 2004: Honours student (Kings Park and Edith Cowan University). Feral animal control.

Publications:

Click here for a full list of publications and presentations >>

Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Woodland and Forest Health
School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Murdoch University
Western Australia 6150
Australia

Ph: +61 8 9360 2605
Fax: +61 8 9360 6303
[ Email Katinka ]

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