Professor Peter Erskine
Ecosystem assessment, landscape restoration and the environmental impacts of mining
Peter leads research into the environmental impacts and mitigation impacts from mining on ecosystem function. One of the key areas of his research activities has been to develop a robust set of monitoring methods to ensure mine impacts and rehabilitation outcomes are quantified and understood across diverse ecosystems and climatic zones. Part of this work also includes advancing spatial analysis and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to quantify vegetation condition and ecosystem function across large spatial scales.
We also explore the discovery and use of metallophyte (metal tolerant) plants in mine site rehabilitation and their potential for phytomining. By utilising unusual hyperaccumulator plants that have evolved to absorb and store high concentrations of minerals we assess the application of the plants under a range of environmental conditions.
Peter is currently the leader of the Ecosystem Assessment, Restoration and Resilience Group within The University of Queensland's Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR), which is part of the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI).
Since completion of his PhD he has worked with non-government organisations, as an environmental consultant and within the University system. Over the last two decades he has conducted research work on landscape restoration and mine rehabilitation. He has conducted this research in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Indonesia, Laos, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia. He has also trained students from a range of countries and taught into undergraduate courses on restoration ecology and plant biology.
Industry
MMG - applied monitoring to inform closure management
Glencore/Xstrata - two major project (2012-16) to improve the rehabilitation outcomes in Queensland and NSW
Centennial Coal - multiple projects to examine the impacts of long-wall mining on endangered plant communities
Wesfarmers - novel Unmanned Aerial Vehicle monitoring of rehabilitation
Queensland Energy Resources - developed multiple closure options and determined likely risk of spent oil shale
Rio tinto – developed completion criteria for rehabilitated ecosystems in the Weipa bauxite mine
Collaborations
Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia - Board member and National Standards Reference Group
University of Lorraine, Nancy, France - Hyperaccumulator discovery and phytomining
Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist - Ranger uranium mine closure and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems operations
The University of Adelaide - Synchrotron research and metallophytes plants
James Cook University - rainforest restoration work at Thiaki, NQ
China University of Mining and Technology - student supervision
Funding
Peter manages a wide portfolio of projects and has been involved in research grants worth $12 million over the last decade.
PhD and MPhil Supervision
- View current and completed supervisions on UQ Researchers.
Find out more information on how to apply for a Research Higher Degree (MPhil or PhD). For all enquiries regarding research supervision, please contact us.