New approaches to discovering biodiversity and understanding its response to past climate change

The science that underpins species discovery and understanding of evolutionary history will be transformed by rapid advances in genomics, statistical inference and spatial modeling of dynamics. Exploiting the unique biodiversity of Australia, especially the under-explored monsoonal tropics, this project will harness these methods to improve prediction of biodiversity hotspots, discover diversity and infer evolutionary responses to past climate change. Through training and mentoring, the project will build capacity in cutting-edge biodiversity analysis and establish world-leadership in this science. Through direct engagement with key agencies, and by making new forms of data web-available, conservation policy and practice will be improved.