Biography
Dr Joanne Bennett, a Senior Researcher in Applied Ecology at the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, Charles Sturt University. Her research investigates how anthropogenic change, particularly the interaction of climate and land-use affects ecosystem function. Her work integrates physiology, community ecology, and evolutionary history to inform landscape management strategies that promote ecological resilience.
Dr Bennett’s research addresses key questions in climate adaptation, including how evolutionary history constrains thermal tolerance in plants and animals, how species interactions, especially plant–pollinator dynamics respond to environmental stress, and how to identify and protect climate refugia. Combining data synthesis, long-term field studies, and the mobilisation of historical collections, her research provides a multi-scale understanding of ecological change across both managed and natural landscapes. Ultimately, Dr Bennett aims to test ecological theory while delivering practical solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management in a rapidly changing world.