The extension of our work on insect-plant interactions has led to broader studies considering how trophic and competitive interactions influence the ecology of insects, especially ground-dwelling invertebrates. This broader work has been pursued on a range of fauna and has become a major theme in our current research. The roles of habitat characteristics and trophic relationships in regulating assemblages of ground-dwelling invertebrates and dominant herbivores have been central questions in this research.

The view of Sydney Heads from our field site at Dobroyd Head, part of Sydney Harbour National Park.

The natural history of Sydney and the unique fauna harboured in habitats provided by the abundant and characteristic rock outcrops have provided opportunities for new projects. The rock outcrops support a diverse assemblage of crevice-dwelling organisms and our studies have considered the competitive interactions structuring these assemblages, the behavioural ecology of habitat selection , and habitat fidelity and species turnover over time.

We have also examined aspects of the ecology of prominent species in these habitats, especially ants (Polyrachis and Iridomyrmex) and flat-rock spiders (Hemicloea major). We have also examined the ecology of madicolous habitats (see pages) on sandstone, examining microhabitat associations and responses to urbanisation in these unique habitats.

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