SERF is a living laboratory for research and educational experiences for our researchers, students and visitors. The 51-hectare property is located in the Samford Valley, 25-minutes northwest of Brisbane. The facility is a base for research, teaching and learning in a range of ecological, engineering, built environments relating to urban development, and its impact on ecosystems.

Website

https://www.qut.edu.au/research/why-qut/infrastructure/samford-ecological-research-facility

Organisation type

• University Core Facility

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

148 Camp Mountain Road, Camp Mountain QLD 4520

Strengths and capabilities

• Vegetation and water studies
• Flora and fauna studies
• Cadastral and topographical surveys
• Social impact assessments
• Built environment projects
• Greenhouse gas monitoring
• Acoustic sensors
• Drones and aviation
• Robotics and autonomous systems

Facilities and major equipment

• Barracks conference space
• Barracks accommodation
• Screen houses
• Agricultural plots
• Greenhouse gas measuring chambers
• Acoustic sensors
• Eddy covariance Flux tower
• Soil moisture probes
• Pitfall traps
• Soil pits

Lead researchers

• Professor David Rowlings - specializes in the development and utilization of improved sensing and monitoring technologies for mitigating environmental greenhouse gases, improving crop fertiliser-use efficiency and monitoring soil carbon, reactive nitrogen and biogeochemical processes.
• Associate Professor Carrie Hauxwell – specializes in microorganisms in food production.
• Associate Professor Andrew Baker – specializes in Mammal taxonomy, evolution, ecology and conservation
• Professor Paul Roe – specializes in ecological acoustic monitoring systems which enable new scales of environmental monitoring through big data collection and analysis
• Professor Grant Hamilton – specialises in Environmental management, Ecological applications, Agriculture, land and farm management

Achievements of the centre

• Host of the Engaging Science Trail – the first interactive science trail designed to educate participants on the environment and research infrastructure
• SEQ Peri-urban Supersite of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN)

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture
• Social sciences