Dr Liz Reed

Contact Details

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinator BIOL3390 Vertebrate Palaeontology
• Lecturer in Palaeontology

Teaching

• Ecotourism
• Vertebrate Palaeontology
• Honours

BIOL3390 students excavating fossils at Naracoorte Caves during the 2-week field course

Research

My research centres on Pleistocene and Holocene age vertebrate fossil deposits within the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area. I am particularly interested in investigating site formation processes and taphonomy ("fossil forensics") of cave deposits. My other key area of interest is the palaeoecology of vertebrate faunas and vegetation at Naracoorte. I am currently involved in a large multi-disciplinary project to elucidate biodiversity change in response to climate change at Naracoorte during the past 50,000 years. This work is of particular relevance to biodiversity and conservation, having direct applications to conservation and restoration of the natural environment. I am a member of the Bioknowledge ASRI and have a strong interest in communicating the results of my research to the wider community.

My teaching includes coordinating BIOL3390 Vertebrate Palaeontology. This is a two week field school conducted during the summer and based at the Naracoorte Caves National Park. During the course students have lectures on history of palaeontology, comparative anatomy, marsupial systematics & palaeontology, reptile systematics & palaeontology, taphonomy & palaeoecology, excavation techniques and craniodental anatomy. The students participate in hands-on exercises which are based on the analysis of a fossil sample from the caves.

I also offer opportunities for Honours and graduate students interested in vertebrate palaeontology, palaeoecology and taphonomy.

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