Terrestrial Carbon Research Group

Terrestrial Carbon Research Group - Logo

Introduction

The Terrestrial Carbon Research Group applies rigorous science to questions relating to the storage, distribution and cycling of carbon in the terrestrial system. Our work relates to both the above-ground and below-ground (soil) environment, and the nature, quantity and mechanisms of carbon re-distribution through these systems. Using state-of-the-art techniques (LECO, IRMS Stable Isotope Analysis, Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy, 14C dating etc.), our work ranges from detailed analysis of the fundamental processes of carbon accumulation and its movement and re-distribution in the soil environment, to broad scale assessment of carbon storage potential at the landscape scale and its value for climate change abatement.

The research group has a proven research record in emissions reduction/carbon capture having led a range of programs across a portfolio of national and regional initiatives – Soil Carbon Research Program, Filling the Research Gap 1, Filling the Research Gap 2, NSW State-wide Soil Monitoring Program, NSW Forest Soil Monitoring Program, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 20 Million Trees Program, Emissions Reduction Fund etc.

We work closely with a wide range of regional, national and international collaborators to provide research results that can be applied by practitioners, government and non-government agencies alike.

Our Research

Our research is focused on the nature, quantity and dynamics of carbon across the landscape – in both managed/agricultural and protected areas.  This includes the mechanisms of carbon cycling, the interactions of carbon environmental factors and the effects of management and management change on carbon in the system.  This work has growing significance in a world where decarbonisation and climate change mitigation are a primary concern.

Recent projects include:

  • National Soil Carbon Research Program – Management effects on soil carbon across NSW
  • National Filling the Research Gap Program – Temporal variability in soil carbon, Significance and behaviour of deep soil carbon
  • CRC Spatial Information - High definition biomass and carbon inventories in ‘farmscapes’
  • Importance of root contributions to soil carbon
  • Pasture species as an option for soil organic carbon sequestration to restore abandoned croplands in Nepal
  • Fate and stabilization of Dissolved Organic Carbon in deep soil of NSW, Australia
  • Changes in soil microbial attributes and nutrient status in response to environmental plantings of acacia and eucalyptus in south-eastern Australia
  • Thermal ramping for soil carbon fractionation
  • Vetiver Grass in Australia and Ethiopia: Soil Organic Carbon Storage potential and Mechanisms for Carbon Sequestration
  • The effects of burrow nesting seabirds on soils and vegetation on Broughton Island, New South Wales
  • National Soil Organic Carbon Monitoring (SOC-M) Program
Join Us

As a group, we are keen to attract new, enthusiastic researchers to the team and would welcome enquiries relating to our current or potential future work.

Group Shot of Research Group

Our People

Prof Brian Wilson

Dr Ivanah Oliver

Dr Mary Garrard

Dr Rubeca Fancy

Contact Us

Prof Brian Wilson brian.wilson@une.edu.au

Follow Us

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