QUT | Staff Profiles | Jennifer Firn

Name: Professor Jennifer Firn
Position(s): Professor
Science and Engineering Faculty,
Biology & Environmental Science
Discipline *: Ecology, Ecological Applications, Plant Biology
Phone: +61 7 3138 9016
Email: jennifer.firn@qut.edu.au
Location: View location details (QUT staff and student access only)
Identifiers and profiles
Qualifications: PhD (University of Queensland)
Keywords: community ecology, ecosystem ecology, invasion plant species management, theoretical ecology

* Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008

From grasslands to tropical forests: understanding the implications of pervasive environmental change on plant populations, plant communities and local people. I am a restoration ecologist who specializes in studying ecological theory and then linking these theoretical constructs to the practical management of grasslands and tropical forests. The driving motivation in my Academic career is to find smarter, cheaper and more sustainable ways of restoring degraded plant communities, whether that be grasslands or forests. Globally, unsustainable land use has led to the degradation of many valuable ecosystems and the loss of irreplaceable biodiversity. My research and the research of my HDR students focuses on developing a better understanding of how the loss of native biodiversity impacts on ecosystems and subsequently finding better ways to bring it back. I am an Editor-in-Chief of the journal Ecology and Evolution and an Associate Editor with the Journal of Applied Ecology. To read more about our research, please follow this link.

I am also the discipline leader for QUT’s Sustainable Environments.

This information has been contributed by Professor Jennifer Firn.

Firn J, Ladouceur E, Dorrough J, (2018) Integrating local knowledge and research to refine the management of an invasive non-native grass in critically endangered grassy woodlands, Journal of Applied Ecology p321-330
Firn J, Schutz M, Nguyen H, Risch A, (2017) Herbivores sculpt leaf traits differently in grasslands depending on life form and land-use histories, Ecology p239-252
Harpole W, Sullivan L, Lind E, Firn J, Adler P, Borer E, Chase J, Fay P, Hautier Y, Hillebrand H, other a, (2016) Addition of multiple limiting resources reduces grassland diversity, Nature p93-96
Firn J, Maggini R, Chades I, Nicol S, Walters B, Reeson A, Martin T, Possingham H, Pichancourt J, Ponce Reyes R, Carwardine J, (2015) Priority threat management of invasive animals to protect biodiversity under climate change, Global Change Biology p3917-3930
Firn J, Martin T, Chades I, Walters B, Hayes J, Nicol S, Carwardine J, (2015) Priority threat management of non-native plants to maintain ecosystem integrity across heterogeneous landscapes, Journal of Applied Ecology p1135-1144
Firn J, Moore J, MacDougall A, Borer E, Seabloom E, Hille Ris Lambers J, other a, (2011) Abundance of introduced species at home predicts abundance away in herbaceous communities, Ecology Letters p274-281
Firn J, House A, Buckley Y, (2010) Alternative states models provide an effective framework for invasive species control and restoration of native communities, Journal of Applied Ecology p96-105
Firn J, MacDougall A, Schmidt S, Buckley Y, (2010) Early emergence and resource availability can competitively favour natives over a functionally similar invader, Oecologia p775-784
Firn J, Rout T, Possingham H, Buckley Y, (2008) Managing beyond the invader: manipulating disturbance of natives simplifies control efforts, Journal of Applied Ecology p1143-1151
Firn J, Erskine P, Lamb D, (2007) Woody species diversity influences productivity and soil nutrient availability in tropical plantations, Oecologia p521-533

For more publications by this staff member, visit QUT ePrints, the University's research repository.

Awards and recognition

Type: Editorial Role for an Academic Journal
Reference year: 2016
Details: Editor in Chief for the journal Ecology and Evolution http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2045-7758

Type: Appointment to Prestigious Positions
Reference year: 2016
Details: Australian Flora Foundation Invited member of the Scientific Research Committee Invited Council member http://www.aff.org.au/index.htm

Type: Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year: 2013
Details: WIT Rising Star Award

Type: Editorial Role for an Academic Journal
Reference year: 2011
Details: Journal of Applied Ecology, British Ecological Society

Type: Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year: 2010
Details: Fresh Science Award

Type: Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year: 2009
Details: University of Queensland Dean's Commendation for an Outstanding Research Higher degree theses

Type: Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year: 2007
Details: Smart State Women in Science Postgraduate Award (group entry)

Type: Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year: 2007
Details: Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries

Professor Jennifer Firn

Personal details

Biography

Publications

Awards

Awards and recognition