Understanding issues, developing solutions
The Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security emphasises that food security and human well-being depend on the health of our ecosystems. Our researchers seek ways to improve the health of both natural and managed ecosystems with research that cuts across disciplines and creates an impact globally.
Our research encompasses biodiversity conservation, sustainable agricultural systems, zoonotic and wildlife disease ecology, chemical pollution, human/nature interactions and ecosystem carbon futures.
Director's Welcome
At the Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, we recognise that global ecosystems are under pressure from anthropogenic activities including climate change, biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and the need to sustainably feed a growing population.
Our teams of dedicated researchers, students and project partners are inspired to ask and answer the vital environmental questions of today. We use what we know and learn to make tangible differences in natural and disturbed ecosystems.
Our applied research approach cuts across disciplines and creates impact regionally, nationally and globally. Join us on our journey.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Explore our research
Biodiversity Conservation
Healthy ecosystems, which are critical to human well-being and survival, are underpinned by biodiversity. Unfortunately, the rate of species extinction worldwide is higher than ever due to the compounding effects of anthropogenic threats such as habitat loss and degradation, climate change, disease, pollution, overexploitation, and invasive species. Our research focuses on understanding the cause and extent of biodiversity loss and the subsequent environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts. We create solutions to protect species from further decline, and support evidence-based conservation and management with interdisciplinary qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Food insecurity and malnutrition is rapidly increasing globally as our food production systems become more fragile due to climate change, biodiversity loss and global disruption such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted the urgent need to transform our food systems to be more sustainable and resilient. Our people research ways to improve agricultural systems through better management of pests, diseases, nutrients and bees, pollination, carbon, tree crops, fruit and nuts, as well as food waste prevention, and biodiverse agricultural systems such as agroforestry.
Zoonotic and Wildlife Disease Ecology
Human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected and inherently reliant on the maintenance of healthy, functioning ecosystems. We specialise in transdisciplinary research on infectious disease ecology at the interfaces between wildlife health, environmental and ecosystem health, and human and domestic animal health. Spanning from molecular- to landscape-scales, our research uses a range of field, laboratory, and modelling approaches to understand these complex interrelationships and inform conservation and public health policy and management.
Chemical Pollution
Our research seeks to support global chemical policy through the delivery of sufficient and reliable chemical risk data, particularly from sentinel Antarctic ecosystems. Our scientific focus is understanding chemical transport mechanisms, their behaviour in changing climates, and ultimately their impact upon wildlife.
Human/Nature Interactions
Environmental successes and failures, and human successes and failures, are invariably embedded in complex relationships between humans and the rest of the natural world. Whilst endeavouring not to separate humans from nature, we include in that natural world the animals, plants, ecosystems and geographical features with which humans interact. This theme incorporates a wide range of interdisciplinary national and international projects which share the aim of understanding those complex relationships. The goal of that understanding is to facilitate a viable and equitable future for all.
Ecosystem Carbon Futures
Carbon emission remains as one of the factors exacerbating global climate change. It is increasingly important to consider innovative approaches and step-change technologies to increase carbon storage of terrestrial ecosystems against the current and long-term effects of climate change. Research in this theme aims to apply cost effective approaches to increase terrestrial carbon storage and improve ecosystem services, with an increasing emphasis on building up ecosystem carbon futures.
Latest News
Coffee, coastlines and a cutting-edge vaccine: Griffith’s Advanced Queensland...
15 Apr 2024
Griffith researchers among 19 scientists share in $5.56 million of funding.
Plan encourages habitat protection to prevent pandemics
26 Mar 2024
Study urges conserving natural areas and promoting biodiversity to prevent disease outbreaks.
Rope entanglement behind low breeding in right whales
14 Mar 2024
Entanglements and ship strikes heavily impact critically endangered species’ future.
All eyes on koala movements with AI tech in full swing this spring
27 Sep 2023
September is coupled with the arrival of spring, which inspires a flurry of activity in the animal...
Human-bird backyard interactions soar during lockdowns
03 Aug 2023
COVID-19 created global appetite to care for feathered friends.
Forest regeneration project puts tools in community hands
19 Jul 2023
Griffith works with communities on use of forests and what they want and need from future forests.
Alpine habitat may be more susceptible to bushfire
11 Jul 2023
Findings reveal how Australia’s alpine habitat responds to climate change and bushfires.
Funding boost creating a buzz for insect research
23 Jun 2023
A study looking into the effects of climate change on insects within Lamington National Park is set...