RIEL’s Research Groups provide a mechanism for pursuing research excellence, building partnerships and supporting postgraduate students. They foster purposeful, collaborative and dynamic research environments.
Groups are led by RIEL’s senior academics and typically include post-doctoral researchers, PhD students and often Masters or Honours students.
Groups work on a wide range of topics and projects of regional, national and international significance, usually via interdisciplinary and multi-sector collaborations.
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Animal physiological ecology
In order to develop adequate conservation responses to climate change challenges, it is crucial that we understand the interface between animals and their environment.
Applied plant ecology
The Applied Plant Ecology Group applies understanding of plant ecology to develop solutions to conserve and utilise native plants, and to manage introduced species.
Arid-zone wildlife ecology and conservation
Our research is centred on the ecology, sustainable management and conservation of wildlife in arid Australia.
Bioscience North Australia
We conduct high impact research and customized research consultancies that focus on detecting and interpreting microbiological threats in a complex world. We specialise in microbiological and molecular analyses in aquatic and terrestrial environments, including animal-microbe interactions, and analyses of sediment, water and biota.
Cropping systems
The broadacre cropping systems group carries out multidisciplinary research with a strong foundation in crop physiology, agronomy, and soil science, aimed at enhancing the production, sustainability, and resilience of tropical cropping systems.
Communities, livelihoods and natural resources
Our research aims to enhance the livelihoods and wellbeing of Indigenous and local communities
Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods
Conservation biology fuses many fields from pure biology through to social science, law and ethics. Our research grapples with this complexity through collaboration with skilled and committed people from across the world.
Conservation Genomics
We study biodiversity in northern Australia and the broader region, applying research approaches in genomics and landscape ecology.
Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research
The Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research delivers applied fire management research and training opportunities to land managers in northern Australia, South East Asia, Africa and South America.
Ecosystem Services
Our research aims to assess the importance of natural resources for human well-being, applying various ecological economics approaches. We undertake trans-disciplinary research focusing on, and integrating various socio-economic, cultural and ecological aspects, particularly for the Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs)
Freshwater, estuarine and marine ecology
We study aquatic biodiversity and environmental management of freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems.
Landscape water and carbon dynamics group
We use a combination of methods to better understand water and carbon cycles in tropical ecosystems – tropical savannas, rangelands, vine forests, wetlands, pasture and croplands, through to mangroves and peat forests.
Movement and landscape ecology
Tools and techniques for tracking the movement, migration and dispersal of animals in their natural habitat.
Remote sensing and Earth observation
Centre for Ecological and Agricultural Remote Sensing (CEARS) is focused on the application of Earth observation data and artificial intelligence for landscape-scale monitoring of tropical savannas, rangelands, and agriculture in northern Australia
Sustainable pastoral systems
The sustainable pastoral systems group applies an understanding of the plants, animals and environments that make up the pastoral systems of the Northern Territory and Asia to provide research for sustainable pastoral systems now and into the future.
Top End Hydrology Lab
The Top End Hydrology Lab studies the physical and chemical components of critically important and iconic rivers of the Northern Territory and beyond
Tropical aquaculture
The tropical aquaculture group studies biology, animal behaviour and animal welfare as applied to tropical aquaculture systems and provides support to both industry and Indigenous communities in developing and growing aquaculture sustainably.
Tropical biosecurity
The tropical biosecurity group aims to build research capacity in tropical biosecurity to support a science-based approach to prepare, respond and manage pests, diseases and weeds and contribute to the protection of northern Australia’s unique environment and economy.
Tropical savanna ecology
Our research investigates the sustainable management of tropical savanna landscapes.