Graduate Profile
Narelle Weston
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate
Research Overview:
The effect of timber harvesting and wildfire on bird populations in a managed state forest.
My research focuses on bird assemblages within a native forest utilized for timber harvesting. It investigates the effect that timber harvesting has
on bird populations in forest regrowth of up to 60 years old since harvesting.
I am also studying the effect of forest disturbance on large forest owls and their occurrence and throughout an actively-harvested native forest. Due
to unexpected fires in the study area (two in one year!) I am also investigating the short term impact of wildfires on bird assemblages.
My study is based at the Churchill campus in Gippsland, this rural location provides the perfect opportunity to conduct my research locally and experience
the country lifestyle. My major challenges apart from the unexpected fires are time management and organisation. The concept of completing a large scientific
research project in three years is very exciting but also slightly daunting at times because of its complexity. However, I also have had the opportunity to
further develop my personal and professional skills through various training, seminars and conferences.
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