Tal completed her PhD with Hugh Possingham, Joseph Bennett, Josie Carwardine, James Watson and Kerrie Wilson in 2016. Tal’s research investigated the cost-effectiveness of conservation planning for two major conservation problems: 1) mitigating the effects of roads on wildlife; and 2) the planning of protected area networks. Tal explored the cost-effectiveness of several aspects of planning at different conservation scales (i.e. single vs. multiple species, ecosystems vs. species). Tal developed tools that were able to optimize cost-effective actions for a given conservation scenario and thus maximize conservation benefit for a relative low cost.

Tal’s conservation biology experience includes working as park ranger in Ein Gedi nature reserve in Israel followed by BSc in Life Science and MSc in Ecology focusing on seed dispersal by reintroduced ungulates. Upon finalizing her PhD Tal was selected for the esteemed position of Regional Ecologist in the Israeli Nature and Park Authorities responsible for conservation management and research in the Eilat and Arava region in the south of Israel. Tal will be happy to collaborate with interested researchers.