I am an interdisciplinary scientist focused on ecology, spatial science and remote sensing, trophic cascades, and the interplay of climate and ecosystem change. As a member of the Ecological Cascades Lab within the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, I collaborate with Matthew Luskin, Andrew Letten and Nicolas Clark to use camera trap data and statistical modelling to uncover the dynamics of species assemblage changes that result from pulse resource and disturbance events. I am interested in combining the power of large, collaborative datasets and advanced detection methods to shed light on how land and species change and adapt to anthropogenic impacts. Traditional ecological knowledge and co-creation of knowledge ethics are strong influences on my work.

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My PhD work aims to develop a synthesised dataset of general flowering and mast fruiting events among large trees in Southeast Asia. With this I will generate region-scale spatial analysis of these phenomenon that spans eleven countries over thirty years. My colleagues and I will use this map to explore broader fauna population dynamics influenced by these highly volatile reproductive patterns of trees.

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I have a BA from Connecticut College, where I studied ecological biology and anthropology. In 2019 I earned my MSc from Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology. My professional background includes extensive work in conservation program development, biological data collection, mapping and geospatial science, and human–wildlife coexistence. 

Some of my passed work includes the Allen Coral Atlas, National Geographic Society’s World Water Map, Human-Predator Coexistence Project, and Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project. 

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Currently I am developing a new dataset about general flowering and fruiting in order to create the most up-to-date high resolution map of tropical masting events. Please get in touch if you are interested in tropical pulse resource events, tree phenology, or general flowering!

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Publications:

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Impact of livestock guardian dogs on livestock predation in rural Mongolia (Lieb et al. 2021)

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Mapping Multiple Wild Pig Species’ Population Dynamics in Southeast Asia During the African Swine Fever Outbreak (2018–2024) (Lieb et al. 2025)

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If you are curious about my research or have any similar interest and would like to reach out, please feel free to contact me: z.lieb@uq.edu.au

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For more info, check out my CV here.

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