Associate Professor Peter Spooner is an ecologist based at Charles Sturt University's Port Macquarie Campus. His research endeavours to make a major contribution to the field of biodiversity conservation in rural landscapes. Major research interests include disturbance and landscape ecology of woodland ecosystems (grazing management, historical ecology, and fragmentation effects on plants - specifically Acacia species), and plant invasion processes in road corridors. On the latter, Peter had developed an expertise in the growing science of road ecology, which explores the relationship between the road system and the natural environment. This includes research on roadside vegetation and Travelling Stock Routes (TSRs), which make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation targets in many rural areas.

• Biodiversity conservation in rural landscapes
• Disturbance and landscape ecology of woodland ecosystems - grazing management, historical ecology, and fragmentation effects on plants
• Plant invasion processes in road corridors
• Road ecology - roadside vegetation management and Travelling Stock Routes (TSRs)

External Appointments & Memberships

• Infra Eco Network of Europe) (member)
• Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) (member)
• Murray LLS Travelling Stock Reserve Steering Committee (member)
• IALE Historic Ecology Working Group (member)
• NSW Local Government Council Roadsides Reserves Advisory Committee (member)