School of Science

Ana Carvalho

Overview of thesis

Title: Studies of fire regimes and interaction with soil erosion parameters in the Jarrah Forest ecosystem in South-western Australia using geospatial techniques.

The recent records of wildfires around Australia have been of increasing concern particularly for the management of drinking water reservoirs within forested catchments. Wildfires are often identified as a major agent for vegetation loss and soil erosive responses post-fire. Numerous studies in fire-prone regions, including Mediterranean type-forests, have shown that the historical occurrence of fires is associated with changes in fire regime patterns (fire frequency, severity and extent) and an increase in soil erosion. Several studies have also demonstrated that the reduction of vegetation cover and impact on soil properties post-fire are highly variable when correlated to fire frequency, severity, and extent which further interferes in the vegetation recovery rate, and therefore, the likelihood of erosion. In the forested drinking water catchments of south-western Australia (SWA), little is known regarding the relationship between fire history, fire regime and soil erosion potential. This research aims to analyse this relationship by understanding the influence of fire history on the fire regime, specifically the relationship between fire frequency and fire severity; the seasonality of the fire, the changes in the mosaic of burned patches over fire events, and how this relates to soil erosion potential. A database of historical fire records in SWA will be used for spatial and temporal analysis of the fire history and fire regimes in SWA. Satellite imagery will also be incorporated to further analyse the impacts of fire on the surface cover using various remote sensing indices, and soil erosion model parameters such as rainfall, soil attributes, slope, and cover management will be analysed in relationship to fire regime parameters.

Qualifications

• Geography Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho: Sao Paulo/ Brazil - UNESP Ourinhos. ( 2009 to 2014)
• Keystone College of Business and Technology Diploma in Project Management (2019)

Other qualifications

• First aid training
• Working at Heights  (RIIWHS204D )
• Tower rescue (ICTTCR203)

Research

Research Interests

• Geography, fire science, remote sensing, GIS, erosion potential, Mediterranean forest

Undergraduate research– for the honours project

• Project title: “Analysis of erosivity and extreme rainfall events (2013-2014)
• Project title: “Study of rainfall erosivity on the management unit for water resources of mid-sector Paranapanema Basin (2011-2012).

Other work

1. Research assistant - Edith Cowan University (since 2020)

• Project 1- Predicting Impacts of Fire, Water Quality and the Yanchep Wetland Fire investigation – 2020
• Project 2- Wetland vegetation monitoring 2020 survey of Gnangara and Jandakot Wetlands - 2020
• Project 3- Oz Flux -  Australian and New Zealand research and monitoring (Richard Silberstein project (current)

1. Field officer - Green Skills Inc. Ecojobs (2020)
2. Work experience placement as GIS officer - City of Stirling Council / Parks & Sustainability (2019 -2020)

Teaching experiences

• Tutor for Professional Science Essentials (SCI1125) – School of Science (ECU) (current)
• Geography Teacher – Secondary school “Amelia Abujamra Maron” -  Sao Paulo/ Brazil (2014 -2015)

Current memberships

• Graduate Research Student Member - Centre for People, Place & Planet - ECU Strategic Research Centre

Scholarships and Awards

• 2020-2023 - Grant - Department of Education, Australian Government (Canberra, SA, AU)
• 2013-2014 - Scholarship FAPESP (Sao Paulo Research Foundation). Project title: “Analysis of erosivity and extreme rainfall events
• 2011-2012 - FAPESP (Sao Paulo Research Foundation). Project title: “Study of rainfall erosivity on the management unit for water resources of mid-sector Paranapanema Basin

Supervisors (PhD)

Contact