Dr David Hilbert, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems

Dr David Hilbert: understanding ecosystems and landscape dynamics

Dr David Hilbert is working to understand the impacts of global warming on rainforests and the resilience of agro-ecosystems through non-linear system dynamics and other modelling techniques.

• 31 January 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

Overview

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements 

Current activities

As a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Dr David Hilbert is currently researching the impacts of global warming on tropical landscapes, rainforest growth and community dynamics.

He is also studying the resilience of agro-ecosystems and uses complex systems science techniques involving modelling and non-linear system dynamics.

Background

Dr Hilbert completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory in Colorado State University, Colorado, USA, 1982-83.

From 1983-92, at the San Diego State University, California, USA, he worked as a scientist with the Systems Ecology Research Group and as an Adjunct Professor in the San Diego State University departments of Biology and Mathematics.

He was a Visiting Professor with the Department of Biological Sciences, Lecturer in Environmental Sciences and a Associate Member of the Forest Ecology Research Group with the Université du Québec à Montreal from 1992-96. Over this period, Dr Hilbert was also a Fellow at the Center for Climate & Global Change Research and Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Academic qualifications

Dr Hilbert has received a Bachelor of Arts in environmental biology from the University of Colorado in 1975.

He was awarded a Master of Science in Ecology in 1978 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Ecology in 1982, both from Colorado State University.

Achievements

Dr Hilbert is currently an Associate Editor with the International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management.

He is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the School of Tropical Environmental Studies and Geography at the James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

Read more about Biodiversity & Ecology research at CSIRO.