Overview
Background
My research focusses on soil health in cropping and pasture systems, specialising in soil carbon and soil organic matter dynamics, microbial ecology, and plant-soil interactions. I am interested in how agronomic interventions impact soil health and in developing methods to reverse soil fertility decline and build healthier, more productive soils. This includes understanding the impacts of tillage, cover cropping, crop rotational diversity, nutrient management, and organic amendments on soil functional processes and crop development and productivity.
I have extensive experience in designing and analyzing field and glasshouse experiments and implementing advanced statistical models using R. I have excellent verbal and written communication skills, maintain positive relationships with collaborators both nationally and internationally, and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Availability
- Dr Alwyn Williams is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Biology, Imperial College London
- Masters (Coursework) of Forest Science, Imperial College London
- Doctor of Philosophy of Forestry, University of Canterbury
Works
Search Professor Alwyn Williams’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Other Outputs
Soil functional attribute data from Pampas, QLD 2017-2018
Williams, Alwyn , Kay, Phillip, Stirling, Graham, Weng, Xinting and Bell, Lindsay (2021). Soil functional attribute data from Pampas, QLD 2017-2018. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/e1f6e2b
2020
Journal Article
Root architecture for improved resource capture: trade-offs in complex environments
van der Bom, Frederik J. T., Williams, Alwyn and Bell, Michael J. (2020). Root architecture for improved resource capture: trade-offs in complex environments. Journal of Experimental Botany, 71 (19), 5752-5763. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eraa324
2020
Journal Article
Assessing yield and yield stability of Hevea clones in the southern and central regions of Malaysia
Ali, Muhammad Fadzli, Abdul Aziz, Ammar and Williams, Alwyn (2020). Assessing yield and yield stability of Hevea clones in the southern and central regions of Malaysia. Agronomy, 10 (5) 643, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/agronomy10050643
2020
Journal Article
Rapid and distinct responses of particulate and mineral-associated organic nitrogen to conservation tillage and cover crops
Jilling, Andrea, Kane, Daniel, Williams, Alwyn, Yannarell, Anthony C., Davis, Adam, Jordan, Nicholas R., Mortensen, David A., Smith, Richard G., Snapp, Sieglinde S., Spokas, Kurt A. and Grandy, A. Stuart (2020). Rapid and distinct responses of particulate and mineral-associated organic nitrogen to conservation tillage and cover crops. Geoderma, 359 114001, 114001. doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114001
2020
Book Chapter
Resilient and dynamic soil biology
Williams, Alwyn, van der Bom, Frederik and Young, Anthony J. (2020). Resilient and dynamic soil biology. No-till farming systems for sustainable agriculture: challenges and opportunities. (pp. 251-266) edited by Yash P. Dang, Ram C. Dalal and Neal W. Menzies. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-46409-7_15
2020
Journal Article
Seed enhancement technologies to improve germination and emergence of Australian native Poaceae
Beveridge, Fernanda Caro, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve W. (2020). Seed enhancement technologies to improve germination and emergence of Australian native Poaceae. Seed Science Research, 30 (4), 1-11. doi: 10.1017/s0960258520000276
2019
Journal Article
Seed enhancement of Australian native species to improve seed-based restoration
Beveridge, Fernanda Caro, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve (2019). Seed enhancement of Australian native species to improve seed-based restoration. Australasian Plant Conservation: journal of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation, 27 (4), 11-13. doi: 10.5962/p.373776
2019
Conference Publication
Estimating soil organic carbon under different land-use types in Australia’s northern grains region using mid-infrared spectroscopy
Williams, Alwyn, Farquharson, Ryan, Lawrence, David, Baldock, Jeff and Bell, Mike (2019). Estimating soil organic carbon under different land-use types in Australia’s northern grains region using mid-infrared spectroscopy. International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036141
2019
Conference Publication
Phenology, fecundity and dormancy of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana from plants grown under late season soil water stress
Ali, Mohammad, Widderick, Michael, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve W. (2019). Phenology, fecundity and dormancy of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana from plants grown under late season soil water stress. 27th Asian Pacific Weed Science Society Conference, Kuching, Malaysia, 3-6 September 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Impact of soil water stress at seed development stage on phenology, fecundity and seed dormancy of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana
Ali, Mohammad, Widderick, Michael, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve (2019). Impact of soil water stress at seed development stage on phenology, fecundity and seed dormancy of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana. International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036001
2019
Conference Publication
Impact of late season heat stress on the phenology and reproductive biology of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana
Ali, Mohammad, Widderick, Michael, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve W. (2019). Impact of late season heat stress on the phenology and reproductive biology of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana. Cells to Satellites, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, 25-29 August 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Promoting soil health in dryland agriculture by increasing cropping intensity
Williams, Alwyn and Bell, Lindsay W. (2019). Promoting soil health in dryland agriculture by increasing cropping intensity. 19th Australian Agronomy Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, 25-29 August 2019. Australian Society of Agronomy.
2018
Journal Article
Confronting herbicide resistance with cooperative management
Evans, Jeffrey A., Williams, Alwyn, Hager, Aaron G., Mirsky, Steven B., Tranel, Patrick J. and Davis, Adam S. (2018). Confronting herbicide resistance with cooperative management. Pest Management Science, 74 (11), 2424-2431. doi: 10.1002/ps.5105
2018
Journal Article
A regionally-adapted implementation of conservation agriculture delivers rapid improvements to soil properties associated with crop yield stability
Williams, Alwyn, Jordan, Nicholas R., Smith, Richard G., Hunter, Mitchell C., Kammerer, Melanie, Kane, Daniel A., Koide, Roger T. and Davis, Adam S. (2018). A regionally-adapted implementation of conservation agriculture delivers rapid improvements to soil properties associated with crop yield stability. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 8467, 8467. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26896-2
2018
Journal Article
A framework to identify indicator species for ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes
Birkhofer, Klaus, Rusch, Adrien, Andersson, Georg K.S., Bommarco, Riccardo, Dänhardt, Juliana, Ekbom, Barbara, Jönsson, Annelie, Lindborg, Regina, Olsson, Ola, Rader, Romina, Stjernman, Martin, Williams, Alwyn, Hedlund, Katarina and Smith, Henrik G. (2018). A framework to identify indicator species for ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Ecological Indicators, 91, 278-286. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.04.018
2018
Journal Article
Establishing the relationship of soil nitrogen immobilization to cereal rye residues in a mulched system
Williams, Alwyn, Scott Wells, M., Dickey, David A., Hu, Shuijin, Maul, Jude, Raskin, Daniel T., Chris Reberg-Horton, S. and Mirsky, Steven B. (2018). Establishing the relationship of soil nitrogen immobilization to cereal rye residues in a mulched system. Plant and Soil, 426 (1-2), 95-107. doi: 10.1007/s11104-018-3566-0
2018
Journal Article
Relationships between multiple biodiversity components and ecosystem services along a landscape complexity gradient
Birkhofer, Klaus, Andersson, Georg K. S., Bengtsson, Janne, Bommarco, Riccardo, Danhardt, Juliana, Ekbom, Barbara, Ekroos, Johan, Hahn, Thomas, Hedlund, Katarina, Jonsson, Annelie M., Lindborg, Regina, Olsson, Ola, Rader, Romina, Rusch, Adrien, Stjernman, Martin, Williams, Alwyn and Smith, Henrik G. (2018). Relationships between multiple biodiversity components and ecosystem services along a landscape complexity gradient. Biological Conservation, 218, 247-253. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.12.027
2018
Conference Publication
Seed enhancement of Australian native species to improve seed-based restoration outcomes
Caro, Fernanda, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve (2018). Seed enhancement of Australian native species to improve seed-based restoration outcomes. 12th Australasian Plant Conservation Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 11-15 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Enhancing seed-based restoration of Australian native species
Caro, Fernanda, Williams, Alwyn and Adkins, Steve (2018). Enhancing seed-based restoration of Australian native species. 2018 National Landcare Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 10-12 October 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Phenology and reproductive biology of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana as affected by late season heat stress
Ali, Mohammad, Williams, Alwyn, Widderick, Michael and Adkins, Steve (2018). Phenology and reproductive biology of Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana as affected by late season heat stress. Pest Animal and Weed Symposium 2019, Sea World Resort Conference Centre, Gold Coast, Australia, 20-23 May 2019.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Alwyn Williams is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Promoting soil health in Australian cropping systems
Soil health in Australian cropping systems is declining, undermining long-term production potential. Ongoing research opportunities are available to investigate soil health-related issues, including soil fertility and crop nutrient management (including impacts of contrasting fertiliser strategies as well as use of organic amendments), soil carbon, novel cropping practices (including methods of ecological intensification, e.g., cover cropping, and increasing crop rotational diversity), and analysis of soil biota and plant-soil interactions. Students with a strong GPA are welcome to contact Alwyn to discuss project opportunities.
-
Promoting soil health in Australian cropping systems
Soil health in Australian cropping systems is declining, undermining long-term production potential. Ongoing research opportunities are available to investigate soil health-related issues, including soil fertility and crop nutrient management (including impacts of contrasting fertiliser strategies as well as use of organic amendments), soil carbon, novel cropping practices (including methods of ecological intensification, e.g., cover cropping, and increasing crop rotational diversity), and analysis of soil biota and plant-soil interactions. Students with a strong GPA are welcome to contact Alwyn to discuss project opportunities.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Managing nitrogen in Ord valley irrigated cropping
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Carbon and Nitrogen cycling through diverse cover crop system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using stable isotope techniques to quantify the above and below-ground N contribution from legume residues to subsequent grain crops
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Chelsea Janke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of different crop residues affecting soil nutrient stratification, soil moisture dynamics and crop productivity under no-till agriculture systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Bell, Dr Yui Osanai
-
Doctor Philosophy
Soil biology impacts on sustainability and productivity of high value vegetable cropping systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Victor Galea
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in northern grain systems through quantifying the soil-plants dynamics of enhanced efficiency nitrogen products.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim McLaren, Professor Michael Bell
-
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions between seed functional traits and climate change in the Australian flora: implications for seed-based restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Steve Adkins
-
Doctor Philosophy
Determining the role of ground pearls in Pasture Dieback
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Shane Campbell, Associate Professor Anthony Young
-
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cover cropping in drylands for improved agronomic and environmental outcomes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
WEED DYNAMICS IN A SWEET CORN-BRASSICA CROPPING SYSTEM: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions between seed functional traits and climate change in the Australian flora: implications for seed-based restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave, Dr Sundar Kalaipandian, Professor Steve Adkins
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
A systems approach modelling the interdependence between livelihoods, wildfire and biochar on degraded peatlands in Central Kalimantan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of a variable changing climate on Avena sterilis ssp. ludoviciana management in conservation agriculture
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the opportunities to improve smallholder rubber production through the development of an integrated decision support system: A Malaysian case study
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ammar Abdul Aziz
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
GLYPHOSATE EFFICACY UNDER PROJECTED CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACT ON THREE SUMMER FALLOW WEEDS OF AUSTRALIAN NORTHERN GRAIN REGION
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chris O'Donnell, Professor Steve Adkins
-
2020
Master Philosophy
Enhancing seed-based restoration in south-east Queensland using Australian native species
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyn Cave, Professor Steve Adkins
Media
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