Research
Current research
Zoë Metherell is currently undertaking research as a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne focusing on the integration of ecology and design in the creation of urban green spaces. Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Mark McDonnell, Director of the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology (ARCUE). ARCUE are affiliated with the School of Botany, University of Melbourne and a division of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Images: Urban Ecology Park Scenario section and plan drawings. Moonee Valley City Council engaged ZM Environments with ARCUE to explore how ecological concepts can be applied to park design, to improve parks for people and biodiversity. The proposed design bridges the gap between conservation reserves and recreational parks and can inform Council's biodiversity strategy. It also forms part of Zoë's ongoing research. |
A comparative study of Melbourne’s freeway planting designs – implications for biodiversity conservation
Authors: Zoë Metherell Research undertaken with A Prof Mark McDonnell, ARCUE Extensive planting projects are undertaken along freeways in Melbourne, Australia and these projects provide opportunities to improve urban biodiversity conservation on a grand scale. This research compared planting designs from seven projects representing a 40 year time span; in order to understand the implications for biodiversity and make recommendations to the profession for future ecological designs. The research is significant in terms of the results found regarding Melbourne’s freeways but, more broadly for the profession, it also demonstrates how ecological analysis can be applied to landscape architectural designs and opens the door to a range of possibilities for use as a design tool to measurably improve biodiversity. This project received the AILA National Research & Communication Award 2012 and the AILA Vic Research & Communication award 2011. |
The effects of fire and phytophthora on heathy woodlands in the Grampians National Park: implications for management.
This research was completed as part of a Masters subject looking at the Management of Australian Ecosystems in the School of Land and Environment (previously SAGES), University of Melbourne. The co-authored report was published by the university and received the Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Award for Sustainability &Environmental Writing in 2006. Citation: Phil Pegler and Zoë Metherell, 2006, A report on the effects of fire and phytophthora on heathy woodlands in the Grampians National Park: implications for management, Research Paper No. 32, SAGES, The University of Melbourne, ISBN 0 7340 3668. |