HIE Research

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Richmond, NSW, Australia

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment is one of seven research institutes within Western Sydney University. In the space of just a few years, the Institute has rapidly become the leading centre of excellence in ecosystem function and environmental responses to changing climates with a strong reputation for delivering research outcomes of the highest quality. With a unique suite of world-class research facilities, the Institute is ready to collaborate with Australian and international institutions. To Western Sydney University >>

EucFACE

The world’s only Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment experiment in a mature, warm temperate forest ecosystem. This innovative experiment aims to predict decades in advance the effects of exposure to rising CO₂ levels on native forests, animals, soils and grasses.

Plantsuccess

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture aims to transform plant science for the next generation through strong science, interdisciplinary collaborations, mentoring and communication. HIE is home to the WSU node of the Centre. Macquarie University is a key collaborator.

Bushfire

Fire ecology and bushfire management are core research areas. The research includes the biophysical interactions between climate, fire and vegetation, vegetation dynamics related to fuel accumulation, fire impacts on vegetation and post-fire recovery, impacts of climate change on fire risk, and fire risk modelling.

Ecosystems

We monitor the environment at a high level of detail as a part of TERN, Australia’s land ecosystem observatory. With the research facilities “Pastures and Climate Extreme” (PACE), “Drought and Root Herbivore Impacts on GRASSlands” (DRIGrass) and Whole Tree Chambers researchers can vary different parameters as air temperature, soil moisture, irrigation and CO2 levels.

Conservation

The conservation plan, which include local Aboriginal Knowledge and collaboration as an important part, will deliver the knowledge needed by stakeholders working to conserve the plants and animals of the Cumberland Plain.

Reception:
Building R2, Room G.67
Western Sydney University
Hawkesbury Campus
Bourke Street, Richmond
2753 NSW Australia

Mail:
Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Western Sydney University
Hawkesbury Campus
Ground Floor, Building R2
Locked Bag 1797
Penrith 2751 NSW Australia

Phone (international): +61 2 4570 1335
Phone (national): 02 4570 1335

Email: hieinfo@westernsydney.edu.au

For individual telephone numbers please visit the HIE staff pages