Elle Robertson

Current PhD student focused on understanding how agricultural intensification, changing land management and water availability impacts fauna in North-west Queensland.

My background is highly interdisciplinary, including social science and sociology, business and environmental management, and environmental sciences, allowing me to bring a unique and holistic perspective to my work as an ecologist.

I currently work across all terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates - including reptiles, mammals, birds, insects and frogs - to better understand how we can balance conservation with productive land use. I use a variety of on-ground assessment methods (e.g. traps and surveys) as well as passive monitoring techniques (e.g. ecoacoustics). Ultimately, I want my research to help inform decisions that protect wildlife and ecosystems in real-world contexts, as well as support businesses and communities in achieving sustainable economic and environmental outcomes.

What I’m most interested in:
- Community ecology
- Natural resource use (and how it can support strong environmental outcomes)
- Ecoacoustics and on-ground monitoring of fauna
- Working with landholders and industry to find synergies between conservation and profitable business practices