Understanding the Ecology of an Invasive Weed
Emilie-Jane Ens
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Emilie amid the dunes |
School of Biological Sciences
Emilie-Jane Ens is a 3rd year PhD student in the Institute of Conservation Biology and Law at the University of Wollongong. She graduated from UNSW
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Bitou Bush |
in 2002 with a BSc (Honours) in Ecology and has a keen interest in invasive plant ecology and native ecosystem protection. Her studies on the impacts and mechanisms of plant invasions have been facilitated by significant contributions to on-ground bush regeneration. Emilie’s honours research investigated the impacts of Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana) on the microhabitat and invertebrate community of the endangered
Cumberland Plain Woodland of Greater Sydney. Currently, her PhD research aims to increase our understanding of the mechanisms promoting the success of South African bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata) on the eastern Australian coast. Recruitment limitation via fitness, growth and allelopathic effects on indigenous flora are key concepts of her thesis.
Emilie describes how she came to science: “Growing up on an isolated bush block adjoining Wollemi National Park fostered my passion for natural history and indigenous Australian ecosystems. I am captivated and fascinated by the interconnectedness of natural systems and how humans can and have interfered with them. My travels across the globe have provided me with further depths of awareness and the desire to better understand both natural and anthropocentric systems. After completing my HSC, I was encouraged to integrate into the workforce through a “recognized” profession. Hence I initially enrolled in a Psychology degree. However, after venturing out into the world as an individual, I became disillusioned by the human condition and I yearned to once again be immersed in “nature”. Subsequently, I changed my course of study to follow my passion for natural systems and enrolled in an Ecology degree. Throughout my course of study, I was continuously inspired by my lecturers and ecology theory. Since then I have never looked back – only deeper into the patterns and processes of present, past and future ecosystems.”
