Professor of Environmental Science, Charles Darwin University
See Lindsay’s full research profile here.
Research outputs linked to policy change and decision-making
- Managing mangrove dieback and coastal change in the Gulf. Working with the NT Government, Bureau of Meteorology, NESP Tropical Water Hub, NESP Northern Hub, we are quantifying drivers of mangrove dieback and coastal change by linking climate and sea level dynamics over space and time with mangrove cover change. This knowledge is critical to aid coastal management and assess risk posed by climate change on coastal ecosystem resilience and livelihoods.
- Two decades of research funded by CRCs, ARC, TRaCK and NERP have driven projects aimed at quantifying carbon and water balance of northern savanna ecosystems and assessing impacts of climate and land use change (clearing, forestry, weed invasion).
- NESP commissioned project examining potential impacts on riparian vegetation following the decommissioning Ranger Uranium Mine, Kakadu National Park. The rehabilitated landform is predicted to become a source of exfiltrating groundwater with elevated MgSO4 levels derived from the waste rock that may be excess of current chronic exposure limits for surface waters. Saline (MgSO4) groundwater plumes are identified as threats to the ecology of Magela Creek and this work is assessing susceptibility of riparian vegetation to elevated levels of MgSO4. Outcomes are critical for Commonwealth agencies to assess risk and shape rehabilitation and post-closure monitoring.
- NESP Northern Hub projects: Tree water use and sensitivity to contaminated mine water, Fire and weeds in the Top End and Assessing mangrove dieback in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Current academic employment and positions
- Professor, Charles Darwin University, 2008-Present
Highest Qualification
- 1997, PhD, The University of Queensland
Major Prizes, Medals and Honours
- Winner, 2006 Carrick Institute of Higher Education, Citation Award – Master of Tropical Environmental Management
- Winner, 2008 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Exceptional Performance in Research – Individual Award.
- Winner, 2009 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Exceptional Performance in Research CDU – Team Award – Setterfield, Douglas, Hutley, Rossiter-Rachor, McMaster.
- Winner, 2015 Best Research in NRM, Territory Natural Resource Management Awards, Team Award – Setterfield, Douglas, Hutley, Rossiter-Rachor, McMaster, Ferdinands and Barrow
- ARC Discovery x 5, ARC Linkage x 3, ARC LIEF x 3, NESP x 2, TERN Ecosystem Processes (OzFlux)
Roles on government or regional organisation committees
- TERN Ecosystem Processes Scientific Committee
- Commonwealth Committee’s – ERF methodology development, Blue carbon, Savanna burning.
Links with non-government groups or networks
- Member, Australia Marine Sciences Association – NT Branch Committee
- Links to AIMS Darwin laboratory
- Links to Keep Top End Coasts Healthy, NT
My Projects
Current project
Completed project
NESP, 2015-2021NERP, 2012-2015TRaCK, 2005-present
