Research

The research conducted by TREND broadly addresses the following questions:

  • Are changes in our climate driving shifts in the way communities of species are composed, and the timing of periodic biological processes like flowering, breeding and migration?
  • When we think of a warmer drier future, we naturally think of a warmer drier (and in South Australia, more northerly) location with which we are already familiar. Can we accurately model climate change effects by looking at current conditions in these areas? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach?

There are four active research themes assessing these questions in different South Australian environments, Terrestrial Ecosystems, Marine Ecosystems, Terrestrial Primary Production and Human Dimensions. The research undertaken by TREND is also closely aligned with government strategic plans and current policy priorities.