Andy Marshall joined the Tropical Forests and People Research Centre at UniSC in March, 2017 as a Senior Research Fellow, continuing as ARC Future Fellow from January 2018.
Andy is a conservation scientist aiming to measure and improve the management of threatened ecosystems. His primary interests are the quantification of human and environmental influences on species and ecosystem health; and the implications of these for people and conservation. Andy's research has assessed the impacts of tropical forest damage on plant and animal biodiversity, population density, and biomass. He mainly works in tropical forests with a focus on Tanzania, Australia, Vietnam and Colombia, and his data has contributed to continental, tropical and worldwide assessments of species, biomass and productivity.
His current Forest Restoration and Climate Experiment (FoRCE) is investigating patterns in natural and managed recovery of forests across the tropics, including the influence of vines. He is also developing new methods for forest restoration, landscape planning, and selecting conservation indicators. Andy's broader research also assesses the impacts of protected areas and forest health on people and their wellbeing.
Andy is dedicated to achieving practical results from his research findings. His work has contributed information for the improved management of forest health, natural resources in African villages, and conservation planning/monitoring. He established and directed Reforest Africa, a not-for-profit company registered in East Africa. He has also directed the management of a tropical forest and has discovered tens of plants and animals new to science.
Professional Memberships
- British Ecological Society
- Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation
- Society for Ecological Restoration
Awards/Fellowships
- 2016: BIAZA Education Award for public understanding of wildlife and conservation
- 2013: PraxisUnico Impact Award for achievement in African biodiversity conservation
- 2013: University of York Vice Chancellor Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement
- 2011–16: David Bellamy Conservation Gold Award
- 2011: BIAZA Best Field Conservation Project Award
- 2007: Katherine Stott Prize for best Ph.D. thesis in academic year
Professional Social Media
Research Grants
Grant/Project name | Investigator(s) | A$ value | Year(s) |
Understanding the importance of lianas for forest health and management | PI* | A$1,686,166.02 | 2018-2022 |
Establishment of Reforest Africa as a New NGO | PI* | A$14,750 | 2017–ongoing |
Developing a New Forest Nature Reserve and Management / Monitoring plan in Tanzania | PI* | A$1,004,450 | 2016–ongoing |
FoRCE, Forest Restoration and Climate Experiment | PI* | A$108,912 | 2015–ongoing |
Assessing Tropical Forest Protection for Wildlife and People | PI*/Co-I* | A$302,601 | 2011–2016 |
CIRCLE, Centre for Integrated Research, Conservation and Learning | PI* | A$465,347 | 2010–2016 |
Measurement and Management of Tropical Forest Conservation | PI* | A$624,921 | 2007–2016 |
Measuring and Modelling Plant Biodiversity and Biomass in Africa | Co-I*/named postdoc | A$224,065 | 2008–2011 |
Investigating Human Impacts on Threatened Monkeys | Co-I*/Ph.D. | A$150,133 | 2001–2007 |
PI* = Principal Investigator
Co-I* = Co-Investigator
Acknowledging the support of donors: Australian Research Council, UK Research Councils, Rainforest Trust, Flamingo Land Ltd., World Land Trust, IUCN, Conservation International, United Bank of Carbon, Leverhulme Trust, Liz Claiborne Art Ortenburg Foundation, National Geographic, Innovate UK, Greenpop, University of York, University of the Sunshine Coast, and 25 corporate donors.
Potential Research Projects for HDR & Honours Students
Part-funded Ph.D. available to investigate methods for restoring forest on degraded land in Africa |
Various honours projects available in the fields of forest restoration, vine ecology and measurement of conservation success, both desk- or field-based. I am particularly keen to hear from students who are interested in developing a project to assist conservation measurement or planning in a particular nature reserve, anywhere in Australia or beyond |
Research areas
- Conservation science
- Forest restoration
- Tropical forest ecology
Dr Andy Marshall’s specialist area of knowledge is conservation science, particularly forest ecology and management. He is seeking industry, NGO and government partners to help develop simple sets of conservation indicators for monitoring the success of conservation and management for both wildlife and local people.
In the news
Shining the spotlight on World Environment Day 2023
2 Jun 2023To celebrate World Environment Day on 5 June, we've gathered stories from the last year highlighting some of the environmental action and research happening at UniSC