Background:  

Growing up in remote indigenous island communities I was immersed and interested in the natural world & its sustainable use from early on.  During undergrad I majored in Ecology & Conservation Biology (BSc) at USQ and followed a predilection in marine and freshwater systems.  I then had a stint with various agricultural research companies, Landcare & the DPI researching crops, diseases, insects, soil biology, chemicals etc.  However when cane toads arrived in Toowoomba I was stirred back to study the impressive amphibian for Honours (with Gordon Grigg & the Physiological Ecology lab at UQ St.Lucia) and investigated whether they could be rapidly evolving to colder climes.  This led to a spate of different roles including with CSIRO setting up breeding colonies and BBC as a scientific advisor for a David Attenborough documentary.   After a few years then running my own environmental consultancy, with clients ranging from sheep graziers to development firms, my interest in the environmental impacts of human land use took centre stage, cementing my broad range of experiences.  A period back at USQ researching the effects of grazing on vegetation communities furthered this and also got the academic juices flowing again for a PhD...          

Study Area: Managing the Natural Evironment

Project Title: Reducing matrix resistance for mammal community integrity

Project outline: The matrix is an integral part of the landscape mosaic.  In modified landscapes with low levels of traditional habitat remaining, it is especially critical to understand the role of matrix intensity in structuring animal communities. I’m investigating 4 key areas relating to the effect of the matrix on small mammals:

1. Species traits involved in their response;
2. Relative importance of habitat & matrix variables;
3. Thresholds of matrix intensity;
4. Animal use of entire landscape.

I hope to elucidate underlying causal mechanisms involved in matrix effects to inform innovative on-ground conservation planning and advance the theoretical and empirical base of this important research field.

Advisors:

Principal:Dr. Greg Baxter (NRSM)
Other:Dr.Clive McAlpine (SGPA), Prof. Hugh Possingham (SIB, Ecology Centre), Dr. Craig Miller (CSIRO)

Collaborating Organisations:

 CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems

Contact Details:

• Phone: 0400 599 687
• E-mail: m.brady@uq.edu.au
• Postal: NRSM, University of Queensland, Gatton QLD 4343