Bushrocks provide critical habitat for reptiles and are a common feature in agricultural landscapes that can support a diverse range of plants and animals. Recent advances in soil amelioration practices have triggered a resurgence in the large-scale removal of bushrock from commodity production regions. Rock removal practices have untold impacts on biodiversity, particularly for range-restricted and rock-dependent reptile species.

Jackie’s PhD explores the ecological role of bushrocks through several observational and experimental studies in agricultural landscapes. Her research examines the importance of bushrock habitat, tests whether this habitat can be restored and highlights the species dependent on rock habitat and the consequences of removal. Her research aims to inform land management and restoration practices to improve conservation outcomes for reptiles.

About the Speaker

Jackie O’Sullivan (she/her) is a PhD scholar at the Fenner School of Environment and Society on Ngunnawal Country. Her PhD examines the conservation of reptiles in agricultural landscapes. She is an interdisciplinary ecologist, primarily focusing on wildlife conservation and management. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Environmental and Applied Science. She was awarded First-Class honours and a University Medal for her research on the habitat selection of brush-tailed rock-wallabies. Outside of her PhD, Jackie works in water management and freshwater ecology and teaches several undergraduate courses.

Jackie hopes that her current and future work in conservation ecology can assist in making evidence-based decisions to redress species decline across a wide variety of Australia's ecosystems.