A5016583253- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Hydrology and Watershed Management Studies
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Plant and animal studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Flood Risk Assessment and Management
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Climate change and permafrost
- Climate variability and models
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Hydrology and Drought Analysis
- Mining and Resource Management
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Landslides and related hazards
- Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Forest Management and Policy
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
Western Sydney University
2023-2024
University of Tasmania
2023
UNSW Sydney
2022
Macquarie University
2019-2022
Environment Agency
2019-2021
University of Geneva
2021
University of Zurich
2021
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
2011
Abstract We introduce the AusTraits database - a compilation of values plant traits for taxa in Australian flora (hereafter AusTraits). synthesises data on 448 across 28,640 from field campaigns, published literature, taxonomic monographs, and individual taxon descriptions. Traits vary scope physiological measures performance (e.g. photosynthetic gas exchange, water-use efficiency) to morphological attributes leaf area, seed mass, height) which link aspects ecological variation. contains...
Abstract Aim To quantify the impact of 2019–2020 megafires on Australian plant diversity by assessing burnt area across 26,062 species ranges and effects fire history recovery potential. Further, to exemplify a strategic approach prioritizing affected for actions conservation planning at national scale. Location Australia. Methods We combine data geographic range, extent, response traits assess proportion in both fires past. Results Across Australia, suitable habitat 69% all was (17,197...
Potential future increases in flooding due to climate change need be taken into consideration when designing flood defences or planning new infrastructure housing developments. Existing guidance on allowances Great Britain was based research that developed a sensitivity-based approach estimating the impacts of peaks, which applied with catchment-based hydrological models. Here, is national-scale grid-based model, producing modelled response surfaces for every river cell 1 km grid. This...
Groundwater systems provide an important source of water supply as well contributing baseflow to rivers, lakes and dependent ecosystems so the impact climate change on these needs be understood. Calculating recharge groundwater is, therefore, necessary quantify what is typically one largest components balance. This study uses national-scale model developed for British mainland 11 ensemble members from Hadley Centre rainfall potential evaporation created by Future Flows Levels (FFGWL) project...
Climate change and related impacts over the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) remains poorly quantified.The present study reviews observed modelled changes in climate, cryosphere to hazards, agriculture ecosystems.An increasing temperature trend IHR is reported, which a few locations found be higher than global average.For precipitation, complex inconsistent response with considerable variation sign magnitude of observed.Future projections show significant warming.Climate-driven are clearly...
Societal Impact Statement Plants are fundamental to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems key human livelihoods. To protect plant diversity, systematic approaches conservation assessment needed. Many nations have legislation or other policy instruments that seek biodiversity (including plants), species‐level assessments essential for identifying the most threatened species require special immediate protection measures. Some plants occur in only one place (for instance, a single country) here we...
Abstract As climate change may modify the hydrological cycle significantly, understanding impact on river flow is important because it affects long‐term water resources planning. Here, we describe a high‐resolution British assessment of changes in flows 2050s under 11 different realisations HadRM3. In winter, either increase or decrease, with wide range possible decreases summer flow. These results should encourage adaptation that copes broad future conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley...
The IUCN Red List criteria are a globally accepted method of assessing species extinction risk, and countries around the world adapting these for domestic use. First, we compared trends in used threatened plant listings Australia globally. Second, using state New South Wales (NSW), Australia, as study region, conducted two complementary analyses: (1) An assessment ~ 5000 currently unlisted NSW against thresholds geographic range criterion (Criterion B) to identify which may require full...
Abstract The impacts of climate change on future river flows are a growing concern. Typically, simulated by driving hydrological models with model ensemble data. U.K. Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) provided probabilistic projections, enabling risk‐based approach to decision‐making under change. Recently, an update was released—UKCP18—so there is need for information how may differ. projections from UKCP18 and UKCP09 here applied using the factor method catchment‐based modelling 10...
Abstract Aim Megafire events generate immediate concern for wildlife and human well‐being, but their broader ecological impacts likely extend beyond individual species single fire events. In the first mechanistic study of effects focussed on ecosystems, we aimed to assess sensitivity exposure ecosystems multiple fire‐related threats, placing in context changing regimes interactions with other threats. Location Southern eastern Australia. Time period 2019–2020. Major studied Australian...
Vegetation is composed of many individual species whose climatic tolerances can be integrated into spatial analyses climate change risk. Here, we quantify risk to vegetation at a continental scale by calculating the safety margins for warming and drying (i.e., tolerance projected in temperature precipitation respectively) across plants sharing 100 km × grid cells (locations). These measure how much warmer, or drier, location could become before its 'typical' exceeds observed limit. We also...
Abstract We introduce the AusTraits database - a compilation of measurements plant traits for taxa in Australian flora (hereafter AusTraits). synthesises data on 375 across 29230 from field campaigns, published literature, taxonomic monographs, and individual descriptions. Traits vary scope physiological measures performance (e.g. photosynthetic gas exchange, water-use efficiency) to morphological parameters leaf area, seed mass, height) which link aspects ecological variation. contains...
Abstract Aim Existing abiotic and biotic threats to plant species (e.g., disease, drought, invasive species) affect their capacity recover post‐fire. We use a new, globally applicable framework assess the vulnerability of 26,062 Australian suite active after 2019–2020 fires. Location Australia. Time period 2019–2020. Major studied Plants. Methods Spatial data for existing information on species‐level susceptibility were combined with estimates extent range burnt in southern Australia (>...
Societal Impact Statement Large quantities of diverse native seeds are required to scale up global restoration efforts. However, it remains unclear for many ecosystems how the diversity available seed in commercial stocks reflects composition where vegetation is being remade. This study highlights existing shortfalls presently use and identifies gaps supply chain while providing a new method optimising species selection given these constraints. work underscores improved collaboration between...
Globally, many species and ecosystems are experiencing landscape-scale wildfires (‘megafires’) these events predicted to increase in frequency severity as the climate warms. Consequently, capability rapidly assess likely impacts of such large fires identify potential risks they pose persistence is vital for effective conservation management. In this review, we propose novel frameworks which plant most need management actions a result megafires. We do by assessing fire event on plants context...
SUMMARY The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) ambitiously calls an assessment of extinction risk all recognised plant taxa by 2020 1 . It is now clear that this target will not be met in the short-term; only 21-26% known species have been assessed 2 – a monumental shortfall anticipated knowledge. Yet need assessments has never more urgent. Plants are rapidly going extinct 3,4 and face threats such as climate change 5 permanent deforestation 6 Extinction continue to provide...
Land clearing and protected area provision are two contrasting forces shaping the persistence of species in landscape. Using Australia's flora as a case study, we characterize three possible states persistence: protected, cleared, or at risk future loss based on agricultural capability, using comprehensive suite plant distributions traits. We test assumption that species, assemblages, growth forms adequately preserved areas Australia, contrast this result with historic driven by trajectories...
Natural resource managers need information about both human and natural systems interactions between those systems. Much data is available, but mostly from disparate sources have often been collected at different time steps geographic scales. We used insights the literature to select 270 relevant variables, available national scale, 33 unique (Australian) sources. There were numerous with repeat measures, so in total we 425 variables: 143 specific 2016, 148 2021, 134 for periods. GIS...
Abstract Accurately assessing community diversity patterns across distributional ranges is critically important for informed and effective management of ecological communities. Yet, many wide‐ranging communities broad are poorly known. We apply a range analytical approaches to an extensively studied determine the relative utility complementarity these their applicability improved management. White Box Yellow Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland (herein abbreviated BGW) occurs seven bioregions in New...
•Restoration plantings using native seed are frequently implemented to restore degraded ecosystems. However, it remains unclear how constraints on the diversity of germplasm available for use in these may limit restoration both species and plant functional diversity. •Using a dataset availability Australia’s major vegetation types, we explore variation breadth traits (leaf mass per area, mass, height) where is commercial markets relative unavailable. Using data, simulate theoretical mixes...