Blending new science and ecological thinking

Ana is a plant ecologist with over twenty years’ experience in the fields of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration, working as an Ecological Consultant for 15 years. She has worked on projects for local and state government organisations, in addition to private industry and universities. Ana has a proven track record of managing large-scale projects, while producing high quality ecological outcomes. She has undertaken and managed a range of botanical and conservation-based projects in terrestrial, riparian and floodplain ecosystems across Victoria. Her skills include leading ecological restoration projects, assessing and monitoring floristic communities, translocation of endangered plant species, and indigenous plant production and nursery management. She specialises in leading large field teams to execute flora surveys for biodiversity monitoring programs in remote locations.

Ana’s research interest is in novel ecosystems. She is currently completing a PhD investigating socio-ecological management benchmarks for novel ecosystems. The aim of this study is to identify key socio-ecological attributes that shape and define novel ecosystem management decisions, and to explore mechanisms and processes that facilitate or impede the development of effective management strategies for these highly modified systems.