Dr Benjamin Scheele

PhD
Research Fellow
ANU College of Science
T: +61 2 6125 4267

Areas of expertise

  • Ecology 0602
  • Population Ecology 060207
  • Terrestrial Ecology 060208
  • Evolutionary Biology 0603
  • Landscape Ecology 050104
  • Life Histories 060308

Research interests

I am an ecologist currently leading research across five broad topics: the macroecology of declining species, threatened species adaptive management and monitoring, biodiversity in farmland, farm dam management, and amphibian ecology. I emphasise testing and refining ecological theory, while also working closely with conservation practitioners to inform management.

I have conducted extensive research on amphibian ecology, and in particular, the impacts of the devastating disease, chytridiomycosis, on the world’s amphibians. My research in this area is aligned with informing the development of effective management strategies to prevent population declines and species extinctions.

Where needed, I use a mix of population and landscape ecology to better understand patterns of threat distribution. I also use landscape ecology approaches to investigate the occurrence of wildlife in human-modified landscapes and have conducted research in farmland regions in south-eastern Australia, and the traditional rural landscapes of Transylvania, Romania.

 

Biography

2011-2014 PhD Ecology

Australian National University

2015 Postdoctoral Fellow

James Cook University

2016 – ongoing Postdoctoral Fellow

2021-2023 ARC DECRA Fellow

Australian National University

 

Researcher's projects

I have several projects investigating the population ecology of declining amphibians in south-eastern Australia impacted by chytrid fungus; a key global threat to amphibians. My current research focuses on investigating how the emergence of pathogens can alter host life-history, as well as amphibian demography and realised niche. An overarching question is why some species, and some populations of declined species, persist following the emergence of chytrid fungus, while others become extinct?

Publications

Projects and Grants

Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.

Return to top

Updated:  29 March 2024 / Responsible Officer:  Director (Research Services Division) / Page Contact:  Researchers