Dr Mick Ashcroft

Staff Profile

Key Info

  • Position Title
    Spatial Analyst
  • Section
    Collection Informatics
    Branch
    Natural Science Collections
    Division
    Australian Museum Research Institute

Profile

I am a Spatial Analyst in the Collections Informatics Unit of the museum. This role involves mapping and analysing the distribution of species using museum records and associated environmental data.

The largest project I am currently involved in is collecting fine-scale climate data from a range of environments in the Hunter and Macquarie valleys in NSW. With the help of an Environmental Trust grant from the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, and a subsequent ARC linkage grant, we have deployed 260 weather stations between Gosford, Forster, Jenolan Caves and the Macquarie Marshes and are collecting hourly temperature and humidity data. We are producing fine-scale climate grids for the region that will allow us to better understand species-environment relationships, identify refugia, and improve predictions of how biodiversity may be affected by climate variability.

See my publications

Professional Memberships

  • Ecological Society of Australia
  • International Biogeography Society
  • International Society of Biometeorology

Qualifications

  • PhD. University of Wollongong. 2009. Thesis titled "The spatial variation of environmental factors on the Illawarra Escarpment and their influence on vegetation patterns"
  • MEnvSci. University of Wollongong. 2003.
  • BMath/BE (Elec.) University of Wollongong. 1993.

Awards

  • Environmental Trust grant (2011) John Gollan, Mick Ashcroft, Daniel Ramp - The role of vegetaion structure in dampening climate extremes. $80K.
  • ARC linkage grant LP100200080 (2010) Daniel Ramp, David Warton, Kim Jenkins, Mick Ashcroft, John Gollan, Patrick Driver - Innovative approaches to identifying regional responses of biodiversity to climate change. $561K including ARC and partner cash contributions.
  • Environmental Trust grant (2009) John Gollan and Mick Ashcroft - Piloting Fine-Scale Climate Data Collection in the Hunter Valley. $10K
  • W. V. Scott Charitable Trust grant (2008) John Gollan, Mick Ashcroft & Michael Batley - Ecology of a recently discovered exotic bee in Australia. $80K.
  • University of Wollongong conference travel grant (2006)
  • Ecological Society of Australia conference travel grant (2005)