Professor Rod Fensham
Professor

Rod Fensham

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 67737

Background

In 2020 I formed the Fellowship of the Spring, an international consortium of people concerned with understanding dryland springs and securing their preservation. We are about 40 people spanning 25 countries from a broad range of disciplines, who collaborate with particular attention to fostering work in countries with disadvantage. This platform, focussed on the concept of an 'oasis' provides for multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary exchange. The Felloship of the Spring has its foundation in quantitative field ecology in Queensland. I have ongoing research interest in threatened plant species assessment, and other interests relating to avoiding extinction and better managing our natural resources. I have far more ideas than capacity to fulfil them, so welcome committed post-grads to discuss potential projects.

Research themes:

Artesian springs

Artesian springs are isolated oases in a sea of arid-lands containing weird and wonderful endemic creatures including snails, crustacea, plants and fish. The springs provide a focus for research relating to their hydrological function, cultural significance conservation, optimum management and biogeographic history.

Threatened species

Applied ecology relating to the ecology of threatened species generates insights into their habitat and leads to tangible conservation outcomes.

Availability

Professor Rod Fensham is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Ecology Environmental Sciences Plant biology

Search Professor Rod Fensham’s works on UQ eSpace

253 works between 1988 and 2025
All (253) Book (3) Journal Article (220) Other Outputs (19) Conference Publication (4) Book Chapter (7)

121 - 140 of 253 works

2013

Journal Article

Propagule pressure, not fire or cattle grazing, promotes invasion of buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris

Fensham, Rod J., Donald, Sam and Dwyer, John M. (2013). Propagule pressure, not fire or cattle grazing, promotes invasion of buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris. Journal of Applied Ecology, 50 (1), 138-146. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12009

Propagule pressure, not fire or cattle grazing, promotes invasion of buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris

2013

Journal Article

Arid vegetation in disequilibrium with livestock grazing: evidence from long-term exclosures

Silcock, Jenny L. and Fensham, Rod J. (2013). Arid vegetation in disequilibrium with livestock grazing: evidence from long-term exclosures. Austral Ecology, 38 (1), 57-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2012.02374.x

Arid vegetation in disequilibrium with livestock grazing: evidence from long-term exclosures

2013

Book

The Leichhardt diaries: early travels in Australia during 1842-1844

Thomas A. Darragh and Roderick J. Fensham eds. (2013). The Leichhardt diaries: early travels in Australia during 1842-1844. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum: Cultural Heritage Series, South Brisbane, QLD Australia: Queensland Museum.

The Leichhardt diaries: early travels in Australia during 1842-1844

2013

Journal Article

Conservation of the endangered red-finned blue-eye, Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis, and control of alien eastern gambusia, Gambusia holbrooki, in a spring wetland complex

Kerezsy, Adam and Fensham, Rod (2013). Conservation of the endangered red-finned blue-eye, Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis, and control of alien eastern gambusia, Gambusia holbrooki, in a spring wetland complex. Marine and Freshwater Research, 64 (9), 851-863. doi: 10.1071/MF12236

Conservation of the endangered red-finned blue-eye, Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis, and control of alien eastern gambusia, Gambusia holbrooki, in a spring wetland complex

2012

Journal Article

The biggest estate on earth: how Aborigines made Australia

Fensham, Roderick J. (2012). The biggest estate on earth: how Aborigines made Australia. Australian Geographer, 43 (3), 325-327. doi: 10.1080/00049182.2012.706210

The biggest estate on earth: how Aborigines made Australia

2012

Journal Article

Potential aboveground biomass in drought-prone forest used for rangeland pastoralism

Fensham, R. J., Fairfax, R. J. and Dwyer, J. M. (2012). Potential aboveground biomass in drought-prone forest used for rangeland pastoralism. Ecological Applications, 22 (3), 894-908. doi: 10.1890/11-1123.1

Potential aboveground biomass in drought-prone forest used for rangeland pastoralism

2012

Journal Article

The effect of clearing on plant composition in mulga (Acacia aneura) dry forest, Australia

Fensham, R. J., Dwyer, J. M., Eyre, T. J., Fairfax, R. J. and Wang, J. (2012). The effect of clearing on plant composition in mulga (Acacia aneura) dry forest, Australia. Austral Ecology, 37 (2), 183-192. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2011.02261.x

The effect of clearing on plant composition in mulga (Acacia aneura) dry forest, Australia

2012

Book Chapter

Fire regimes in Australian tropical savanna: perspectives paradigms and paradoxes

Fensham, Rod (2012). Fire regimes in Australian tropical savanna: perspectives paradigms and paradoxes. Flammable Australia: fire regimes, biodiversity and ecosystems in a changing world. (pp. 172-194) edited by Ross A Bradstock, A Malcolm Gill and Richard J Williams. Australia: CSIRO Publishing.

Fire regimes in Australian tropical savanna: perspectives paradigms and paradoxes

2011

Journal Article

Plant species richness responses to grazing protection and degradation history in a low productivity landscape

Fensham, R. J., Silcock, J. L. and Dwyer, J. M. (2011). Plant species richness responses to grazing protection and degradation history in a low productivity landscape. Journal of Vegetation Science, 22 (6), 997-1008. doi: 10.1111/j.1654-1103.2011.01305.x

Plant species richness responses to grazing protection and degradation history in a low productivity landscape

2011

Journal Article

Four desert waters: Setting arid zone wetland conservation priorities through understanding patterns of endemism

Fensham, R. J., Silcock, J. L., Kerezsy, A. and Ponder, W. (2011). Four desert waters: Setting arid zone wetland conservation priorities through understanding patterns of endemism. Biological Conservation, 144 (10), 2459-2467. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2011.06.024

Four desert waters: Setting arid zone wetland conservation priorities through understanding patterns of endemism

2011

Journal Article

When is a 'forest' a savanna, and why does it matter?

Ratnam, Jayashree, Bond, William J., Fensham, Rod J., Hoffmann, William A., Archibald, Sally, Lehmann, Caroline E. R., Anderson, Michael T., Higgins, Steven I. and Sankaran, Mahesh (2011). When is a 'forest' a savanna, and why does it matter?. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 20 (5), 653-660. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2010.00634.x

When is a 'forest' a savanna, and why does it matter?

2011

Conference Publication

The capacity of Australia's protected-area system to represent threatened species

Watson, James E. M., Evans, Megan C., Carwardine, Josie, Fuller, Richard A., Joseph, Liana N., Segan, Dan B., Taylor, Martin F. J., Fensham, R. J. and Possingham, Hugh P. (2011). The capacity of Australia's protected-area system to represent threatened species. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01587.x

The capacity of Australia's protected-area system to represent threatened species

2011

Journal Article

Rail survey plans to remote sensing: Vegetation change in the Mulga Lands of eastern Australia and its implications for land use

Fensham, Roderick J., Powell, Owen and Horne, James (2011). Rail survey plans to remote sensing: Vegetation change in the Mulga Lands of eastern Australia and its implications for land use. Rangeland Journal, 33 (3), 229-238. doi: 10.1071/RJ11007

Rail survey plans to remote sensing: Vegetation change in the Mulga Lands of eastern Australia and its implications for land use

2011

Journal Article

Assessing rarity and threat in an arid-zone flora

Silcock, J. L., Fensham, R. J. and Martin, T. G. (2011). Assessing rarity and threat in an arid-zone flora. Australian Journal of Botany, 59 (4), 336-350. doi: 10.1071/BT10318

Assessing rarity and threat in an arid-zone flora

2011

Journal Article

Origins of a morphological cline between Eucalyptus melanophloia and Eucalyptus whitei

Holman, James E., Hughes, Jane M. and Fensham, Roderick J. (2011). Origins of a morphological cline between Eucalyptus melanophloia and Eucalyptus whitei. Australian Journal of Botany, 59 (3), 244-252. doi: 10.1071/BT10209

Origins of a morphological cline between Eucalyptus melanophloia and Eucalyptus whitei

2010

Journal Article

An evaluation of the ALOS PALSAR L-band backscatter—Above ground biomass relationship Queensland, Australia: Impacts of surface moisture condition and vegetation structure

Lucas, R., Armston, J., Fairfax, R., Fensham, R., Accad, A., Carreiras, J., Kelley, J., Bunting, P., Clewley, D., Bray, S., Metcalfe, D., Dwyer, J., Bowen, M., Eyre, T., Laidlaw, M. and Shimada, M. (2010). An evaluation of the ALOS PALSAR L-band backscatter—Above ground biomass relationship Queensland, Australia: Impacts of surface moisture condition and vegetation structure. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 3 (4, Part 2), 576-593. doi: 10.1109/JSTARS.2010.2086436

An evaluation of the ALOS PALSAR L-band backscatter—Above ground biomass relationship Queensland, Australia: Impacts of surface moisture condition and vegetation structure

2010

Journal Article

Agricultural legacy, climate, and soil influence the restoration and carbon potential of woody regrowth in Australia

Dwyer, John M., Fensham, Rod J. and Buckley, Yvonne M. (2010). Agricultural legacy, climate, and soil influence the restoration and carbon potential of woody regrowth in Australia. Ecological Applications, 20 (7), 1838-1850. doi: 10.1890/09-1690.1

Agricultural legacy, climate, and soil influence the restoration and carbon potential of woody regrowth in Australia

2010

Journal Article

Fire management for biodiversity conservation: Key research questions and our capacity to answer them

Driscoll, Don A., Lindenmayer, David B., Bennett, Andrew F., Bode, Michael, Bradstock, Ross A., Cary, Geoffrey J., Clarke, Michael F., Dexter, Nick, Fensham, Rod, Friend, Gordon, Gill, Malcolm, James, Stewart, Kay, Geoff, Keith, David A., MacGregor, Christopher, Russell-Smith, Jeremy, Salt, David, Watson, James E. M., Williams, Richard J. and York, Alan (2010). Fire management for biodiversity conservation: Key research questions and our capacity to answer them. Biological Conservation, 143 (9), 1928-1939. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2010.05.026

Fire management for biodiversity conservation: Key research questions and our capacity to answer them

2010

Journal Article

Resolving conflicts in fire management using decision theory: Asset-protection versus biodiversity conservation

Driscoll, Don A., Lindenmayer, David B., Bennett, Andrew F., Bode, Michael, Bradstock, Ross A., Cary, Geoffrey J., Clarke, Michael F., Dexter, Nick, Fensham, Rod, Friend, Gordon, Gill, Malcolm, James, Stuart, Kay, Geoff, Keith, David A., MacGregor, Chris, Possingham, Hugh P., Russel-Smith, Jeremy, Salt, David, Watson, James E. M., Williams, Dick and York, Alan (2010). Resolving conflicts in fire management using decision theory: Asset-protection versus biodiversity conservation. Conservation Letters, 3 (4), 215-223. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2010.00115.x

Resolving conflicts in fire management using decision theory: Asset-protection versus biodiversity conservation

2010

Journal Article

Effect of woody vegetation clearing on nutrient and carbon relations of semi-arid dystrophic savanna

Schmidt, Susanne, Lamble, Rebecca E., Fensham, Rod J. and Siddique, Ilyas (2010). Effect of woody vegetation clearing on nutrient and carbon relations of semi-arid dystrophic savanna. Plant and Soil, 331 (1-2), 79-90. doi: 10.1007/s11104-009-0233-5

Effect of woody vegetation clearing on nutrient and carbon relations of semi-arid dystrophic savanna

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2026
    Cryobiotechnology innovations to help fight the Myrtle rust pandemic (ARC Linkage Project administered by Curtin University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2026
    Collaborative Research in Aquatic Toxicology
    Queensland Government Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2026
    Lake Eyre Basin Springs Assessment
    Queensland Government Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Springs monitoring in relation to bore capping
    Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Hydrogeological drivers and fate of spring flow in a semi-arid setting (ARC Linkage Project led by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Springs monitoring in relation to bore capping
    DC Solutions Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Factors determining the spread and impact of the exotic grass Bothriochloa pertusa (Indian couch) into native pastures.
    The Ecological Society of Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2021
    NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub
    National Environmental Science Program
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Grassland Research Project
    Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Predicting the consequences of drought-induced mortality for tree species in a changing climate
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Taroom wetlands flora survey
    Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Ecological & hydrogeological survey of Great Artesian Basins
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    The biological diversity and carbon sequestration of rainforest regrowth in tropical Queensland (ARC Linkage Project adminstered by James Cook University)
    James Cook University
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Water remote grazing management
    South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Trioncinia Retroflexa (Asteraceae) Reintroduction Project
    Rio Tinto Coal Australia Pty Limited
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Rod Fensham is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Microneurae group of the genus Acacia Mill. (Fabaceae Lindl., A. sect. Plurinerves): phylogenetics and species delimitation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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communications@uq.edu.au