Dr. Scott Mooney

Biography

Scott Mooney is an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, where he is part of the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences. His research primarily focuses on environmental change during the post-glacial period, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, and the human-environmental relationships that have unfolded over time. He has decades of experience in reconstructing fire regimes in humid environments, particularly in southeastern Australia, and has been actively investigating the role of climate and human activities in shaping these regimes. Mooney advocates for a better understanding of pre-colonial fire regimes, paying special attention to the practices of Indigenous Australians in using fire across various environmental settings. His work employs quantitative measures to assess fire frequency, intensity, and the impact of climatic variations, utilizing methods such as pollen analysis to reconstruct past climates and their influence on vegetation changes. His contributions to palaeoecology and archaeology provide valuable insights into contemporary environmental issues.

Research Interests

Experience