National Committee for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

The committee deals with the ecology, evolution, and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including ecological and conservation issues related to food and fibre production, as well as native species subject to commercial and traditional harvest.   

The National Committee for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation aims to:  

• provide strategic evidence-based advice on ecology, evolution and conservation science to the Academy and other bodies as required   
• support scientific literacy and excellence in ecology, evolution and conservation by engaging with researchers, professionals and relevant national organisations  
• liaise with relevant international bodies, ensuring Australian involvement in international activities  
• promote interdisciplinary collaboration and take a multi-disciplinary approach in providing advice to the Academy  

Related Organisations

• International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)

Reports and activities

• Submission - 2021 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft, December 2021
• Submission—Senate Inquiry into Threatened Species, September 2018
• Letter—Kosciuszko Wild Horses Heritage Bill, June 2018
• Submission—Consultation on the Draft Revision of Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, March 2018
• Submission to the National Research Infrastructure Capability Consultation, September 2016

The Academy and the NCEEC have endorsed the following publications.

• National Marine Science Plan, published by the National Marine Science Committee in 2015
• Foundations for the future: A long-term plan for Australian ecosystem science, published July 2014

Members

• Chair: Professor Alan Andersen FAA
  • Charles Darwin University, University Professorial Fellow
  • Research expertise: Ant ecology, invertebrate bio-indicators, fire ecology and management, ecology and management of tropical savannas, biogeography
• Committee member: Dr Margaret Byrne
  • Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, Science and Conservation Division.
  • Research expertise: Population and conservation genetics of plants, phylogenetics, phylogeography and evolutionary patterns in the Australian flora Pollen dispersal genetics, climate adaptation strategies.
• Committee member: Emeritus Professor Helene Marsh FAA
  • James Cook University, Environmental Science and a Professorial Fellow
  • Research expertise: Marine conservation biology, marine natural resource management, and Indigenous marine resource management
• Committee member: Dr Rachel Przeslawski
  • Department of Primary Industries (NSW) Fisheries, Marine Ecologist
  • Research expertise: Spatiotemporal biodiversity patterns, resource management, impacts of anthropogenic stressors
• Committee member: Professor Carla Sgro
  • Monash University, School of Biological Sciences
  • Research expertise: Evolution in response to climate change, managing biodiversity under climate change
• Ex-officio: Professor Stephen van Leeuwen
  • Curtin University, BHP/Curtin Indigenous Professor in Biodiversity & Environmental Science
  • Research expertise: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Knowledge, biogeography, phylogeography
• Committee member: Professor Martine Maron
  • The University of Queensland, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Research expertise: Conserving biodiversity
• Committee member: Professor Stuart Bunn
  • Griffith University, Director of the Australian Rivers Institute
  • Research expertise: Freshwater ecology, environmental management
• Committee member: Dr Claire Mason
  • CSIRO, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Socio-Ecological Systems Team
  • Research expertise: Climate variability, climate adaptation strategies for conservation, terrestrial biodiversity conversation, threatened species, protected places
• Committee member: Dr John Morgan
  • La Trobe University, Ecological Plant and Animal Sciences
    
  • Research expertise: Long-term vegetation dynamics, conservation of native plant biodiversity