Simon Hart

Dr. Simon Hart is a Senior Lecturer in Quantitative Biology at the School of the Environment, University of Queensland. His research focuses on understanding ecological processes driving population dynamics in freshwater systems, emphasizing species coexistence, rapid evolution, and conservation solutions. He leads the HartLab Ecology, exploring freshwater biodiversity threats and agroforestry innovations for climate mitigation.

Research Themes:

• DRAMATIC ECOLOGY: Investigating abrupt ecosystem changes and population collapses.
• EVOLUTION MEETS ECOLOGY: Analyzing rapid evolutionary impacts on ecological dynamics.
• ECOLOGY FOR CONSERVATION: Developing strategies to reconcile agriculture with biodiversity preservation, particularly in cocoa agroforestry.

His work highlights freshwater ecosystems' critical role in biodiversity and their vulnerability to human activities. Key contributions include quantifying hydrological impacts on herbivore populations and identifying shade-tree benefits in sustainable farming.

Labs/Teams: HartLab Ecology