Our Research Strategy program’s PhD candidate Joshua Lee received an award from the Ecological Society of Australia’s 2024 conference in Melbourne last week.
Joshua received the society’s Fundamental Ecology Award for his research to assess biodiversity more effectively on conservation agreements.
(left) Rachael Gallagher, Associate Professor at Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
and (right) NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Principal Ecologist, James Bazill-Boast.
In receiving his award, Joshua presented his research to conference attendees saying efficient monitoring is essential to the private land conservation goals to protect and enhance biodiversity.
“Traditional methods often focus on species counts, which, while valuable, can miss the ecological nuances that drive ecosystem function and resilience,” the Western Sydney University PhD candidate said.
Joshua’s project emphasised the functional characteristics of species—such as the size, structure and chemistry of plant parts—and their collective contributions to ecosystem functionality.
“By looking at functional diversity we also consider the roles different species play within their ecosystems, providing a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity,” Joshua said.
"This approach has the potential to enhance our ability to track ecosystem changes and inform conservation strategies.”
Funding for Joshua’s research is part of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust’s Research Strategy, committed to advancing scientific knowledge and finding practical solutions to biodiversity conservation challenges.
Principal ecologist James Brazill-Boast said throughout his project Joshua collaborated with researchers, landholders, and staff to make sure his findings were rigorous and applicable to the organisation’s conservation efforts.
“The outcomes of this research are expected to provide more scope to drive decisions about restoration planning, and prioritising areas in the landscape that are of high conservation value,” James said.
“It will go a long way to help us build a more representative, diverse, and resilient conservation network.“
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust PhD scholarship program provides supplementary funding for students working on research which aligns with the Research Strategy.
Six students are supported under the program, with more joining each year.