Assistant Professor in Plant Ecology

Institute of Applied Ecology University of Canberra ACT 2601 Australia Building 3, Room C29 - [Campus Map] Phone: (02) 6201 2169 Fax:     (02) 6201 2328 email: firstname.lastname@canberra.edu.au

Education

PhD, Plant Ecology, University of New England, 2002
BSc Honours, Plant Ecology, Australian National University, 1996
B.App.Sc, Environmental Science, University of Canberra, 1995

Research and Professional Interests
 
The main focus of Paul’s research is on plant invasions, specifically invasion processes, understanding the impacts of plant invasions (ie. to native species) – both positive and negative, weed risk assessment, native-alien range comparisons, long-term invasion dynamics, alien-native species interactions (including bird dispersal of alien plants), and monitoring (both the weed and the response of native species following control).

Paul is also involved in research on climate change, specifically with respect to plant invasions.

Other areas of research include integrating science into conservation management processes, the prioritisation of management actions for biodiversity conservation, protected areas management, threatened species management, vegetation ecology, disturbance and ecological restoration.

Paul is also interested in Australian mistletoes and their relationships with their host plants.
Paul is a member of the Ecological Society of Australia, Birds Australia, Society for Conservation Biology, NSW Weeds Society, and the Weed Science Society of America.

Teaching Interests

Paul supervises and co-supervises honours and postgraduate students working on all aspects of plant ecology – including plant invasions, restoration and management. His specific teaching responsibilities at undergraduate level are in ecology, vegetation and biodiversity conservation. Paul is also responsible for establishing and convening a new masters program by coursework.

Recent Publications

Manea, A., Leishman, M.R. and Downey, P.O. (2011). Exotic C4 grasses have increased tolerance to glyphosate under elevated carbon dioxide. Weed Science 59, 28-36. [DOI 10.1614/WS-D-10-00080.1]

Downey, P.O. (2010). Managing widespread alien plant species to ensure biodiversity conservation: a case study using an 11-step planning process. Invasive Plant Science and Management. DOI 10.1614/IPSM-D-10-00012.1

Downey, P.O., Johnson, S.B., Virtue, J.G. and Williams, P.A. (2010). Assessing risk across the spectrum of weed management. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources [invited article], DOI 10.1079/PAVSNNR20100038.

Turner, P.J. and Downey, P.O. (2010). Ensuring invasive alien plant management delivers biodiversity conservation: insights from a new approach using Lantana camara. Plant Protection Quarterly 25, 102-110.

Downey, P.O., Scanlon, T.J. and Hosking, J.R. (2010). Prioritising alien plant species based on their ability to impact on biodiversity: a case study from New South Wales. Plant Protection Quarterly 25(3), 111-126.

Downey, P.O., Williams, M.C., Whiffen, L.K., Auld, B.A., Hamilton, M.A., Burley, A.L. and Turner, P.J. (2010). Managing alien plants for biodiversity outcomes – the need for triage. Invasive Plant Science and Management 3: 1-11.

Williams, M.C., Auld, B.A., Whiffen, L.K. and Downey, P.O. (2009). Elephants in the room: widespread weeds and biodiversity. Plant Protection Quarterly 24(3), 120-122.

Wilson, P.D., Downey, P.O., Leishman, M., Gallagher, R., Hughes, L. and O’Donnell, J. (2009). Weeds in a warmer world: predicting the impact of climate change on Australia's alien plant species using MaxEnt. Plant Protection Quarterly 24(3), 84-87.

Hughes, N.K., Burley, A.L., King, S.A. and Downey, P.O. (2009). Monitoring Manual: for bitou bush control and native plant recovery. Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney.

Gooden, B., French, K., Turner, P.J. and Downey, P.O. (2009). Impact threshold for an alien plant invader, Lantana camara L., on native plant communities. Biological Conservation 142: 2631-2641.

Reid, A.M., Morin, L., Downey, P.O., French, K. and Virtue, J.G. (2009). Does invasive plant management aid the restoration of natural ecosystems? Biological Conservation 142: 2342-2349.

Downey, P.O. and Turnbull, I. (2009). Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H. Gentry. In: Panetta, D.F. (Ed.) The Biology of Australian Weeds. Volume 3. pp. 194-210. R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
Williams, P.A., Timmins, S.M., Smith, J.M.B. and Downey, P.O. (2009). Lonicera japonica Thunb. In: Panetta, D.F. (Ed.) The Biology of Australian Weeds. Volume 3. pp. 175-193. R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.

Vivian-Smith, G., Lawson B. E., Turnbull, I. and Downey, P.O. (2009). Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Stennis. In: Panetta, D.F. (Ed.) The Biology of Australian Weeds. Volume 3. pp. 1-15. R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.

Downey, P.O., Williams, M.C., Whiffen, L.K., Turner, P.J., Burley, A.L. and Hamilton, M.A. (2009). Weeds and biodiversity conservation: a review of managing weeds under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Ecological Management and Restoration 10(S1): S53-S58.

Beaumont, L.J., Gallagher, R.V., Thuiller, W., Downey, P.O., Leishman, M.R. and Hughes, L. (2009). Different climatic envelopes among invasive populations may lead to underestimations of current and future biological invasions. Diversity and Distributions 15: 409-420.

Beaumont, L.J., Gallagher, R.V., Downey, P.O., Thuiller, W., Leishman, M.R. and Hughes, L. (2009). Modelling the impact of Hieracium spp. on protected areas in Australia under future climates. Ecography 32: 757-764.