- Position:
- Research Scientist
- Phone:
- (+61 8) 9480 3682
- Fax:
- (+61 8) 9480 3601
- Email:
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Research Interests
- Ecosystem health
- Mycorrhizal symbiosis
- Indicator species
- Rare species conservation
- Urban ecology
- Orchid ecology
Background
I attended Murdoch University, completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science with a double major in environmental science and marine science. My honours project investigated changes in population structure and recruitment of the dominant overstorey species in a remnant of Banksia woodland over a ten year period. The results of this project highlighted the important role that episodic disturbances, such as fire, have on the development and maintenance of sustainable Banksia populations. During my honours project I worked at the State Herbarium preparing specimens for housing in the reference collection.
I undertook my PhD at the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority through Murdoch University (2004-2010 supervised by Phil Ladd and Kingsley Dixon). My thesis focused on the central question of whether orchids could be used as bioindicators of vegetation condition in urban reserves. This research took a holistic view looking at both the ‘health’ of the vegetation and ecosystem and how this was reflected in the response of orchids (ie. orchid abundance and distribution patterns, pollination success, formation and maintenance of mycorrhizal symbiosis). During my PhD I worked as an environmental consultant and gained a great appreciation for the diversity of flora across WA. In 2009 I also worked as a research assistant in the science branch of Department of Environment and Conservation.
In 2010 I began work at the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority maintaining and expanding the orchid fungal collection. In 2011 I took up a research scientist position working on the integrated conservation of the endangered orchid, Caladenia lodgeana. This project will investigate the pollination ecology, mycorrhizal symbiosis and habitat requirements of the orchid in order to optimize reintroduction efforts. This project dovetails with the other orchid conservation programs currently running.
Current Project
Title:
(2011 - current). Integrated conservation and translocation of Caladenia lodgeana.
Industry Partner:
Griffin Coal
Project aims:
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Mapping of fungal distribution and developing an understanding of the relationship between fungal presence and distribution and plant establishment.
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Determining the identity, abundance and distribution of pollinator species and the importance of each of the pollinating agents in successful pollination of Caladenia lodgeana.
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Propagation and experimental tuberisation of Caladenia lodgeana for translocations and reinforcement plantings.
Publications
Refereed Publications
Newman, B., Ladd, P., Batty, A., and Dixon, K. (2007). Ecology of orchids in urban bushland reserves – can orchids be used as indicators of vegetation condition? Lankesteriana, 7(2): 313.
Non-Refereed Publications
Newman, B. (2011). Orchids-intergrated conservation in a changing world. Breakthrough Science Newsletter, 5.
Newman, B., and Dixon, K. (2011). Life on the edge - The global crisis in terrestrial orchid conservation. Orchids, 80(8): 483-485.
Newman, B. (2011). Orchids - the canary in the coal mine. Friends of Kings Park Quarterly Magazine Spring. Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Western Australia.