معرفی
Ewen Silvester is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecological, Plant and Animal Sciences at La Trobe University's School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment. He serves as Director of Graduate Research overseeing >250 higher degree students and Director of the Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology (RCAAE), with strong industry engagement in alpine landscape management. His research group conducts field studies across southeastern Australia's surface water systems including alpine wetlands, headwater streams, and coastal rivers.
- BSc Hons (Chemistry) - University of Melbourne
- PhD - University of Melbourne (1992, Physical Chemistry)
Professor Silvester's research centers on biogeochemical processes in rivers and wetlands, with three primary focuses: (i) hydrological controls on organic molecule mobility in landscapes, (ii) alpine moss-aqueous environment interactions using synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy, and (iii) peatland biogeochemical function during base-flow and storm events. His work integrates benchtop and synchrotron-based techniques to analyze natural organic matter and environmental contaminants, directly informing wetland management and peatland condition assessment in alpine regions. Key research areas include alpine ecosystem resilience, water quality dynamics, peatland carbon cycling, and legacy mining impacts on river systems.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals strong thematic consistency in alpine peatland research, with emphasis on carbon cycling, hydrological resilience, and contaminant impacts. His work increasingly incorporates molecular-level analysis (proteomics, amino acid profiling) and remote sensing to develop peatland condition metrics. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across environmental chemistry, ecology, and hydrology, with growing application of synchrotron techniques to understand ecosystem responses to climate change and human disturbance.
Professor Silvester leads significant research initiatives including the NESP PeatSense project (2025-2027) improving peatland monitoring, and previously directed the ARC-funded "Rivers of Gold" project examining historical mining impacts. His current grant portfolio includes Australian Government, catchment management, and national park authority funding focused on peatland condition assessment, remote sensing applications, and dissolved oxygen management in river systems.
He co-leads a specialized chemical laboratory for natural organic matter and contaminant analysis, utilizing both conventional and synchrotron-based techniques. His research group maintains strong industry partnerships with the Australian Alps National Parks, North East Catchment Management Authority, and Murray-Darling Basin organizations, ensuring practical application of findings to environmental management challenges in alpine and riverine ecosystems.
