Associate Professor Michael Lawes
Theme leader, wildlife, Institute of Advanced Studies
Associate Professor Michael Lawes' background is in forest ecology and management. His research activities are in monsoon rainforest patches and savannas in the Top End, and include tree dynamics, faunal and floral diversity and conservation biology, biogeography and evolutionary history, and sustainable use and management of resources.
His aim is to provide a balance between pure scientific research and applied studies to facilitate the wise management, use and conservation of savanna woodlands and associated monsoon forest fragments.
International collaborative research projects have been established in Uganda with Professor Colin Chapman (McGill University, Montreal, Canada), and South Africa, as well as locally with Dr Stephane Boudreau (Laval University, Canada).
Associate Professor Lawes has conducted research projects with CIFOR in Indonesia and was closely involved in the development of criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of biodiversity in Indonesian rainforest.
He was director of the Forest Biodiversity Research Unit at the university of KwaZulu-Natal for 11 years, and has published one book, 14 book chapters and 80 peer reviewed scientific papers. Associate Professor Lawes is interested in continuing with forest research in South-East Asia.
