John Dwyer
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/1246 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/strategy-values/2032-games/our-experts/better-future-environment
Dr
John Dwyer
Email: : j.dwyer2@uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 336 52863
Positions
Affiliate of Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science : Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science : Faculty of Science
Associate Professor : School of the Environment : Faculty of Science
Background
My research focuses on applied and theoretical questions in the fields of restoration, population and community ecology. In general, I use Australian plant communities, both human-impacted and natural, to provide empirical tests of ecological theory. I am particularly interested in the processes that maintain species diversity and ecosystem function, and how these processes may be altered by human activity and ongoing climate change. I am also interested in natural regrowth vegetation and how it can be used to sequester carbon and enhance biodiversity in fragmented landscapes. Overall, I aim to advance ecological knowledge and inform better management of our unique ecosystems and landscapes.
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Availability
Dr John Dwyer is: : Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Search Professor John Dwyer’s works on UQ eSpace
All (91) Journal Article (89) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (1)
2025
Journal Article
Several candidate size metrics explain vital rates across multiple populations throughout a widespread species' range
Baudraz, Maude E. A., Childs, Dylan Z., Kelly, Ruth, Smith, Annabel L., Villellas, Jesus, Andrzejak, Martin, Bachelot, Benedicte, Benedek, Lajos K., Blomberg, Simone P., Bodis, Judit, Brearley, Francis Q., Bucharova, Anna, Caruso, Christina M., Catford, Jane A., Coghill, Matthew, Compagnoni, Aldo, Csergő, Anna Mária P., Duncan, Richard P., Dwyer, John, Ehrlén, Johan, Elderd, Bret D., Finn, Alain, Fraser, Lauchlan, García, Maria B., Gremer, Jennifer R., Groenteman, Ronny, Hamre, Liv Norunn, Helm, Aveliina, Höhn, Maria ... Buckley, Yvonne M. (2025). Several candidate size metrics explain vital rates across multiple populations throughout a widespread species' range. Journal of Ecology, 113 (11) 1365-2745.70148, 3159-3176. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.70148
2025
Journal Article
Drier, more seasonal climates strengthen coordination of hydraulic, leaf economic and reproductive strategies in subtropical forest tree communities
Radford‐Smith, Julian and Dwyer, John M. (2025). Drier, more seasonal climates strengthen coordination of hydraulic, leaf economic and reproductive strategies in subtropical forest tree communities. Ecography, 2025 (6) e07620, 1-12. doi: 10.1111/ecog.07620
2025
Journal Article
Juvenile mangrove growth is restricted by belowground competition with mature tree roots
Hill, Jack W., Bennion, Vicki, Cunningham, Emer T., Dwyer, John M. and Lovelock, Catherine E. (2025). Juvenile mangrove growth is restricted by belowground competition with mature tree roots. Bulletin of Marine Science, 101 (3), 1-14. doi: 10.5343/bms.2024.0016
Juvenile mangrove growth is restricted by belowground competition with mature tree roots
2024
Journal Article
Decadal trends in surface elevation and tree growth in coastal wetlands of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia
Bennion, Vicki, Dwyer, John M., Twomey, Alice J. and Lovelock, Catherine E. (2024). Decadal trends in surface elevation and tree growth in coastal wetlands of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Estuaries and Coasts, 47 (7), 1955-1971. doi: 10.1007/s12237-024-01325-y
2024
Journal Article
A functional basis for the assembly of Australian subtropical tree communities
Radford-Smith, Julian, Lai, Hao Ran, Cathcart-van Weeren, Ella and John M. Dwyer (2024). A functional basis for the assembly of Australian subtropical tree communities. Ecology Letters, 27 (11) e70014, e70014. doi: 10.1111/ele.70014
A functional basis for the assembly of Australian subtropical tree communities
2024
Journal Article
Some reef-building corals only disperse metres per generation
Prata, Katharine E., Bongaerts, Pim, Dwyer, John M., Ishida, Hisatake, Howitt, Samantha M., Hereward, James P., Crandall, Eric D. and Riginos, Cynthia (2024). Some reef-building corals only disperse metres per generation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 291 (2027) 20231988, 20231988. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1988
Some reef-building corals only disperse metres per generation
2024
Journal Article
Individual vital rates respond differently to local‐scale environmental variation and neighbour removal
Catling, Alexandra A., Mayfield, Margaret M. and Dwyer, John M. (2024). Individual vital rates respond differently to local‐scale environmental variation and neighbour removal. Journal of Ecology, 112 (6), 1369-1382. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.14308
2024
Journal Article
Can faster growth compensate for increased mortality in subtropical dry forest fragments?
Moscato, Vanessa, McDonald, William J. F., Balle‐Hosking, Birte and Dwyer, John M. (2024). Can faster growth compensate for increased mortality in subtropical dry forest fragments?. Journal of Applied Ecology, 61 (7), 1546-1559. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.14688
Can faster growth compensate for increased mortality in subtropical dry forest fragments?
2024
Journal Article
Damage to tropical forests caused by cyclones is driven by wind speed but mediated by topographical exposure and tree characteristics
Ibanez, Thomas, Bauman, David, Aiba, Shin‐ichiro, Arsouze, Thomas, Bellingham, Peter J., Birkinshaw, Chris, Birnbaum, Philippe, Curran, Timothy J., DeWalt, Saara J., Dwyer, John, Fourcaud, Thierry, Franklin, Janet, Kohyama, Takashi S., Menkes, Christophe, Metcalfe, Dan J., Murphy, Helen, Muscarella, Robert, Plunkett, Gregory M., Sam, Chanel, Tanner, Edmund, Taylor, Benton N., Thompson, Jill, Ticktin, Tamara, Tuiwawa, Marika V., Uriarte, Maria, Webb, Edward L., Zimmerman, Jess K. and Keppel, Gunnar (2024). Damage to tropical forests caused by cyclones is driven by wind speed but mediated by topographical exposure and tree characteristics. Global Change Biology, 30 (5) e17317, e17317. doi: 10.1111/gcb.17317
2024
Journal Article
Annual species' experimental germination responses to light and temperature do not correspond with their microhabitat associations in the field
da Silva, Isis A., Merritt, David J., Erickson, Todd E., Mayfield, Margaret M. and Dwyer, John M. (2024). Annual species' experimental germination responses to light and temperature do not correspond with their microhabitat associations in the field. Journal of Vegetation Science, 35 (2) e13252. doi: 10.1111/jvs.13252
2024
Journal Article
Comparative study reveals management of a dominant invasive plant facilitates subtropical forest regeneration
Dann, Leah E., Guja, Lydia, Kark, Salit and Dwyer, John (2024). Comparative study reveals management of a dominant invasive plant facilitates subtropical forest regeneration. Biological Invasions, 26 (1), 299-313. doi: 10.1007/s10530-023-03174-5
2023
Journal Article
Weak evidence of trade-offs modulated by seed mass among a guild of closely related winter annuals
da Silva, Isis A., Mayfield, Margaret M. and Dwyer, John M. (2023). Weak evidence of trade-offs modulated by seed mass among a guild of closely related winter annuals. Oecologia, 202 (3), 561-575. doi: 10.1007/s00442-023-05416-8
Weak evidence of trade-offs modulated by seed mass among a guild of closely related winter annuals
2023
Journal Article
Unpacking the recruitment potential of seeds in reconstructed soils and varying rainfall patterns
Erickson, Todd E., Dwyer, John M., Dalziell, Emma L., James, Jeremy J., Muñoz-Rojas, Miriam and Merritt, David J. (2023). Unpacking the recruitment potential of seeds in reconstructed soils and varying rainfall patterns. Australian Journal of Botany, 71 (7), 353-370. doi: 10.1071/bt22141
Unpacking the recruitment potential of seeds in reconstructed soils and varying rainfall patterns
2023
Journal Article
Patterns of frequency and density dependence are highly variable in diverse annual flowering plant communities
James, Aubrie R. M., Mayfield, Margaret M. and Dwyer, John M. (2023). Patterns of frequency and density dependence are highly variable in diverse annual flowering plant communities. Ecology, 104 (5) e4021, e4021. doi: 10.1002/ecy.4021
2022
Journal Article
Drivers of Acacia and Eucalyptus growth rate differ in strength and direction in restoration plantings across Australia
Staples, Timothy L., Mayfield, Margaret M., England, Jacqueline R. and Dwyer, John M. (2022). Drivers of Acacia and Eucalyptus growth rate differ in strength and direction in restoration plantings across Australia. Ecological Applications, 32 (6) e2636, 1-17. doi: 10.1002/eap.2636
2022
Journal Article
Changes in trait covariance along an orographic moisture gradient reveal the relative importance of light‐ and moisture‐driven trade‐offs in subtropical rainforest communities
Brown, Alison, Butler, Donald W., Radford‐Smith, Julian and Dwyer, John M. (2022). Changes in trait covariance along an orographic moisture gradient reveal the relative importance of light‐ and moisture‐driven trade‐offs in subtropical rainforest communities. New Phytologist, 236 (3), 839-851. doi: 10.1111/nph.18418
2022
Journal Article
How important is fire-induced disturbance in the maintenance of a threatened perennial forb, Solanum papaverifolium?
Osazuwa, Omofomwan Kingsley, Dwyer, John Matthew and Fensham, Roderick John (2022). How important is fire-induced disturbance in the maintenance of a threatened perennial forb, Solanum papaverifolium?. Australian Journal of Botany, 70 (5) BT21146, 335-343. doi: 10.1071/bt21146
2022
Journal Article
Plant size and neighbourhood characteristics influence survival and growth in a restored ex‐agricultural ecosystem
Atkinson, Joe, Freudenberger, David, Dwyer, John M., Standish, Rachel J., Moles, Angela T. and Bonser, Stephen P. (2022). Plant size and neighbourhood characteristics influence survival and growth in a restored ex‐agricultural ecosystem. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 3 (1) e12131. doi: 10.1002/2688-8319.12131
2022
Journal Article
‘Invasion debt’ after extensive land-use change: an example from eastern Australia
Lebbink, Gabrielle, Dwyer, John M. and Fensham, Roderick J. (2022). ‘Invasion debt’ after extensive land-use change: an example from eastern Australia. Journal of Environmental Management, 302 (Pt B) 114051, 114051. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114051
‘Invasion debt’ after extensive land-use change: an example from eastern Australia
2022
Journal Article
Variable seed bed microsite conditions and light influence germination in Australian winter annuals
Towers, Isaac R., Merritt, David J., Erickson, Todd E., Mayfield, Margaret M. and Dwyer, John M. (2022). Variable seed bed microsite conditions and light influence germination in Australian winter annuals. Oecologia, 198 (4), 865-875. doi: 10.1007/s00442-021-05091-7
Variable seed bed microsite conditions and light influence germination in Australian winter annuals
Past funding
- 2020 - 2024
How will Australia's subtropical rainforests respond to climate change?
The Hermon Slade Foundation
Open grant - 2019 - 2023
Diversity maintenance in patchy environments
ARC Discovery Projects
Open grant - 2018 - 2019
Continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS) and ancillary preparation systems for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope microanalysis for archaeology, biology, earth and environmental scie
UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
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 - 2015 - 2016
Demography without frontiers: the determinants of invasion and local extinction
UQ Early Career Researcher
Open grant - 2013 - 2019
Joint CSIRO/UQ Research Scientist for climate change adaptation and biodiversity _ John Dwyer Secondment
CSIRO
Open grant - 2006 - 2008
Restoration of remnant population and community structure in brigalow regrowth.
Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.
Availability
Dr John Dwyer is: : Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Structure and Floristics of a Subtropical Rainforest
Principal Advisor - Doctor Philosophy
##### From point clouds to tree strategies: combining laser scanning and trait-based ecology to reveal the integrated strategies of Australian rainforest trees
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stuart Phinn - Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving forest restoration by integrating soil microbial interactions with tree seedlings in a global biodiversity hotspot
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken, Associate Professor Paul Dennis - Doctor Philosophy
##### Plant traits and plant-animal interactions in tropical
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin - Doctor Philosophy
##### Socio-ecological drivers of natural forest regeneration in cocoa-growing landscapes.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller, Dr Wilma J. Blaser Hart, Dr Simon Hart - Doctor Philosophy
##### The potential for mitigation and adaptation in Western Australian coastal wetlands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock - Doctor Philosophy
##### Feral Cat Control for Threatened Mammal Recovery in Central Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Diana Fisher - Doctor Philosophy
##### Minimising the impacts of land use on microbially mediated soil ecosystem services
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jiarui Sun, Associate Professor Paul Dennis - Doctor Philosophy
##### The Life and Times of Coastal Wetlands: Factors Influencing Surface Elevation and Tree Growth
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock
Completed supervision
- 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Trait-based assembly of Australian subtropical rainforest tree communities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock - 2024
Doctor Philosophy
Principal Advisor - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### Demographic responses to plant-plant interactions along resource gradients in natural systems
Principal Advisor - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
##### Testing the processes required for coexistence mediated by spatially varying environments
Principal Advisor - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
##### Predicting the diversity and functional composition of woody plant communities under climate change
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller - 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Seed disperser populations and plant-animal interactions in tropical forests of the Anthropocene
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin - 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Mangrove tree architecture and ecosystem function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Lovelock - 2025
Doctor Philosophy
##### Barriers to the recruitment of native and threatened plant species on Norfolk Island
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Noam Levin, Professor Salit Kark - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cynthia Riginos - 2023
Doctor Philosophy
##### Restoration of Australian Subtropical Grasslands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rod Fensham - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg - 2022
Doctor Philosophy
##### Exploring the biological realism of species interaction models in plant communities
Associate Advisor - 2021
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rod Fensham - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Understanding the role of direct and indirect interactions in mediating local plant diversity
Associate Advisor - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Ecological drivers of the brown macroalgal genus Lobophora on Pacific coral reefs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Mumby - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### Improving outcomes and delivering multiple benefits in ecological restoration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Hugh Possingham - 2020
Doctor Philosophy
##### The Role of Dispersal in the Assembly of Invaded Annual Plant Communities
Associate Advisor - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
##### Designing productive and diverse carbon forests
Associate Advisor - 2018
Doctor Philosophy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Fuller
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