Dr Stephen Bell
Adjunct Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Career Summary
Biography
I work as a vegetation ecologist and consultant botanist, and have been involved in native vegetation survey, classification and mapping in the Greater Sydney and Hunter Regions of New South Wales since 1990. Under contract to State government, I have undertaken comprehensive plant surveys for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in over 30 conservation reserves, and have been Lead Botanist for several large scale regional projects within the Sydney Basin bioregion. On behalf of Local government, I have co-ordinated and completed LGA-wide vegetation classification and mapping projects across a number of local Council areas, and have examined the distribution and ecology of several legally protected Threatened Ecological Communities and numerous threatened plant species. Also dabbling in the plant taxonomy field, I have discovered and co-described a small number of new plant species from the Hunter Valley, with ongoing studies continuing into other regional novelties.
In October 1996, I established a specialist botanical consultancy providing high quality services to government and the private sector, a business which remains my principle employer. After 25 years in the consulting field, I have developed a wide network of contacts both in government and industry, which I use to facilitate my research interests. Following 15 years of data collection in the private consulting field, I began my PhD studies in 2004 to tackle strategic planning issues that became evident from many years attempting to ‘pigeon-hole’ the vegetated environment. In particular, I found the lack of recognition of geographically restricted and rare plant communities in regional strategic planning initiatives frustrating, and an improvement in methods of classification and mapping was seen as paramount. During this process, a number of restricted plant communities have been defined and delineated, some of which (eg: Kincumber Scribbly Gum Forest, Quorrobolong Scribbly Gum Forest) are now legally protected through threatened species legislation. Revisions to other legally-defined communities are ongoing.
Linking back with the School of Environmental and Life Sciences in 2014, I now hope to use my skills, experience and contacts to further research into the ecology of plant species and vegetation communities of the Hunter and Greater Sydney Regions.
Research Expertise
My research priorities sway between two related streams of investigation. First and foremost, all of my research involves native plant species, the communities in which they occur, and how the activities of Man impact upon them. In this regard I strive to apply the same principles behind individual plant species recognition and conservation to the habitats (plant communities) in which they live. I am particularly interested in the detection, recognition and mapping of rare plant communities, as it is these that are most often overlooked in strategic planning instruments. I do this by investigating how such communities can be best sampled, analysed and depicted in vegetation maps, so that land-use planners and practitioners can manage landscapes accordingly. Legally protected plant communities (such as can be listed on the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 or the Commonwealth Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) are a specific avenue of research, as in many cases these threatened communities are also geographically restricted. Other fields of interest include:
• Vegetation classification of the Sydney Basin bioregion – in collaboration with other researchers from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, I have been classifying and mapping the native vegetation of the Sydney Basin since the early 1990’s. Continuing data collection and analysis furthers our understanding of how different plant communities are related to one another, and also opens up a number of new research opportunities.
• Threatened and significant plant taxa - the ecology and distribution of individual plant taxa is also of research interest, particularly threatened plant species and those that are endemic to the Hunter region. Many of the Hunter’s endemic species (of which there are >100 taxa) are legally protected; however the vast majority are not. It is these unprotected endemic taxa that require further research, as some of these may become threatened in coming years.
• Restoration of disturbed landscapes - being based in the Hunter Valley of NSW, home to the largest coal export port in the World, I am also interested in the return of native vegetation following coal mining and associated ground disturbances, and in the management of former grazing lands that have been purchased for conservation offsets. As much of the Hunter Valley floor supports threatened ecological communities, it is particularly important that the regeneration of former grazing lands adds to the conservation of these communities.
• Historical botany - in recent years, I have begun to appreciate the value of the writings and journals of early Australian botanical explorers as they moved through the Hunter region and other parts of New South Wales. The observations made by some of these are truly astounding, and provide important commentary on what the originally vegetation must have been like. Part of my research on plant species and communities incorporates investigation into these historical writings, to aid current-day understanding of the vegetation we see today.
Collaborations
With support from the University of Newcastle Foundation, I am collaborating with Chris Rockley and past and present students from the University’s Bachelor of Natural History Illustration course to prepare a monograph highlighting the endemic plant species of the Hunter and Central Coast region. Several Hunter endemic species are new to science and remain scientifically undescribed, and many others have never been illustrated in detail before. Over 100 plant species are endemic to our region, and it is hoped that the monograph will highlight both their plight and the incredible artistic talents of the University's natural history illustrators. See http://engage.newcastle.edu.au/capturing-the-rare-beauty-of-hunter-flora/ for more information.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Science, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- endemic plants
- historical botany
- native vegetation
- strategic planning
- threatened & rare plants
- threatened communities
- vegetation classification & mapping
- vegetation communities
- vegetation restoration
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 310302 | Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology) | 40 |
| 310899 | Plant biology not elsewhere classified | 60 |
Professional Experience
Membership
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1/2018 - 30/6/2019 |
OEH Expert Panel on Threatened Plant Species A NSW-wide expert panel process to generate the data required to determine habitat suitability assessments for threatened species under the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM). Generated data will be used to update the Threatened Biodiversity Data Collection database within BioNET. Contributions to the South East, North West, Hunter and Sydney Metropolitan project regions. |
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
| 1/11/2017 - 28/9/2018 |
OEH Expert Panel on Threatened Ecological Communities Provide expert advice on the identification, distribution, threats and management of eleven Hunter and Central Coast Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) as part of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Saving our Species initiative. |
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
| 1/11/2015 - |
IAVS Vegetation Classification Working Group Member of the IAVS Vegetation Classification Working Group, an international network dealing with all aspects of vegetation classification at all spatial and organisational scales. |
International Association for Vegetation Science Czech Republic |
| 1/1/2015 - |
Membership - Australasian Systematic Botany Society (ASBS) The Australasian Systematic Botany Society is an incorporated association of people with professional and amateur interests in Australasian systematic botany. The aim of the Society is to promote the study of plant systematics in Australasia. |
Australasian Systematic Botany Society (ASBS) Australia |
| 1/1/2014 - 31/12/2014 |
Hunter Valley Woodlands Expert Technical Workshop Member of technical workshop convened by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and tasked with defining and describing the threatened Hunter Valley woodlands, ultimately listed as the Central Hunter Valley Eucalypt Forests and Woodlands Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. |
Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra Australia |
| 1/1/2014 - 31/12/2014 | Biodiversity Modelling & Prioritisation: Hunter, Central & Lower North Coast Region Technical Workshop | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
| 2/9/2013 - 30/9/2013 |
Hunter Valley Grasslands Expert Panel & Workshop Member of expert panel convened by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to consider conservation strategies for derived native grasslands in the Hunter region. |
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
| 1/1/2013 - 31/12/2013 |
Grevillea parviflora Expert Panel & Workshop The vulnerable Grevillea parviflora subsp. parviflora occurs within the Lake Macquarie local government area and neighbouring regions. An expert workshop convened by Lake Macquarie City Council aimed to collate all ecological and distributional information on the taxon, as a precursor to the creation of management guidelines that ensure its persistence into the future. |
Lake Macquarie Council Australia |
| 1/11/2012 - 30/11/2012 |
Review of Benchmarks for Greater Hunter Vegetation Classification Expert Panel Expert workshop to review benchmark values for floristic and structural characteristics of vegetation communities comprising the classification used in the Greater Hunter Vegetation Map product. |
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
| 1/1/2012 - 31/12/2012 |
Priority Action Statements for Threatened Species Expert Panel The NSW Priority Action Statements (PAS) list all of the actions required for managing threatened species, ecological communities, endangered populations and key threatening processes in NSW. To inform the PAS, a series of expert workshops were held to collate the latest information on threatened entities and list potential future management actions. The overall aim of this process is to maximise the number of threatened species in NSW that remain viable in the wild after 100 years. |
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |
| 1/1/2011 - |
Membership - International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) The International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVS) is a worldwide union of scientists and others interested in theoretical and practical studies of vegetation: its composition and structure, history, classification, distribution, ecology, dynamics, management and uses in the landscape. Its main goals are to facilitate personal contacts among vegetation scientists across the world and to promote research in all aspects of vegetation science and its applications. |
International Association for Vegetation Science Czech Republic |
| 1/1/2009 - 31/12/2009 | Hunter Vegetation and the NSWVCA Expert Panel | Hunter Vegetation and the NSWVCA Expert Panel Australia |
| 1/1/2009 - 31/12/2009 | Tetratheca juncea Expert Panel & Workshop | Lake Macquarie Council Australia |
| 1/5/2008 - 30/5/2008 |
Climate Change & Biodiversity Impacts Expert Panel The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) convened a series of regional workshops to assist developing climate impact statements for biodiversity, with participants asked to consider how ecosystems would respond to the supplied 2050 climate projection. Focus regions were the NSW North Coast, Tablelands and Hunter. |
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water |
| 1/1/2008 - 31/12/2008 | Vegetation Classification Expert Panel | Vegetation Classification Expert Panel Australia |
| 1/1/2006 - 31/12/2007 |
Hunter Valley Threatened Flora Recovery Team The Hunter Valley Threatened Flora Recovery Team was convened by the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW to work towards the recovery of four key threatened species in the Hunter region: Acacia bynoeana, Acacia pendula, Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. decadens and Persoonia pauciflora. |
NSW Department of Environment and Conservation |
| 1/1/2005 - 31/12/2005 | Regionally Significant Vegetation Expert Panel | Regionally Significant Vegetation Expert Panel Australia |
| 1/1/2005 - 31/12/2005 |
Kurri Sands Swamp Woodland EEC Recovery Team The Kurri Sands Swamp Woodland Recovery Team was convened by the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW to work towards the recovery of this Endangered Ecological Community. |
NSW Department of Environment and Conservation |
| 1/1/2003 - 31/12/2003 | Hunter Valley High Conservation Value Vegetation Expert Panel | Hunter Valley High Conservation Value Vegetation Expert Panel Australia |
| 1/1/2000 - |
Membership - Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) The Ecological Society of Australia Ltd (ESA) is the peak group of ecologists in Australia, aiming to promote and foster the scientific study of all organisms and their environments. |
Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) Australia |
| 1/7/1998 - 30/7/1998 |
Expert Panel for the Lower North-east CRA division As part of the Comprehensive Regional Assessments (CRA) undertaken in NSW, an expert panel was convened by Environment Australia to consider the response to disturbance of threatened and rare forest species in north-eastern NSW. Independent Expert advising on the southern extent of the study region. |
Environment Australia Australia |
| 1/1/1996 - 1/1/2017 |
Membership - Australasian Native Orchid Society (ANOS) The Australasian Native Orchid Society Inc. is the major organisation promoting the understanding and appreciation of orchids growing naturally in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and the adjacent western Pacific. Focus areas include conservation, research, and the breeding of species and hybrids. |
Australasian Native Orchid Society (ANOS) Australia |
| 1/1/1995 - |
Membership - Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) The Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) promotes an ecological focus in on-ground conservation, rehabilitation and management of remnant vegetation, threatened plants and ecological communities, and encourages actions which conserve Australian flora. |
Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) Australia |
Professional appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 6/6/2022 - |
Environmental Research Grants Program Technical Review Committee, NSW Environmental Trust To provide advice and recommendations to the Environmental Trust regarding applications received under the Environmental Research Grants Program. |
NSW Environmental Trust |
| 25/2/2021 - |
Botanical Analyst (s.107GC of the Commonwealth Excise Act 1901) Appointed pursuant to section 107GC of the Excise Act 1901 (Cth) to advise on illegal plant seizures in New South Wales. |
Australian Taxation Office Australia |
| 27/11/2019 - 27/11/2021 |
Committee Member The Australian Network for Plant Conservation Incorporated (ABN : 70 861 480 818) is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation, governed by a constitution and listed on the Register for Environmental Organisations. Its mission statement is to “Promote and develop plant conservation in Australia". |
Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) Australia |
| 1/11/2019 - |
Review Board - Sustainability Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050; CODEN: SUSTDE) is an international, cross-disciplinary, scholarly, www.mdpi.com/editorial_process">peer-reviewed</a> and open access journal of environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings. Sustainability provides an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development, and is published semi-monthly online by MDPI. |
Sustainability - an international peer-reviewed journal of environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings Switzerland |
| 1/1/2019 - |
Editorial Board - Phytocoenologia Phytocoenologia (ISSN 0340-269X) is an international, peer-reviewed journal of plant community ecology. It is devoted to vegetation survey and classification at any organizational and spatial scale and without restriction to certain methodological approaches. The journal publishes original papers that develop new vegetation typologies as well as applied studies that use such typologies, for example, in vegetation mapping, ecosystem modelling, nature conservation, land use management or monitoring. Particularly encouraged are methodological studies that design and compare tools for vegetation classification and mapping, such as algorithms, databases and nomenclatural principles. Papers dealing with conceptual and theoretical bases of vegetation survey and classification are also welcome. While large-scale studies are preferred, regional studies will be considered when filling important knowledge gaps or presenting new methods. |
Phytocoenologia - an international journal on vegetation classification Germany |
| 1/7/2017 - 30/6/2022 |
Committee Member (Ministerial Appointment) The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee is established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/bca2016309/" rel="external">. It is an independent committee of scientists appointed by the Minister for the Environment, and oversees the listing of threatened flora, fauna and ecological communities in New South Wales. Committee member representing the Ecological Society of Australia. |
NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee Australia |
| 1/7/2014 - |
OEH Species Technical Group A body of scientists convened by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage providing peer review for major changes to NSW Saving our Species (SoS) conservation projects proposed by Species Project Coordinators, and to allocate newly listed threatened species, ecological communities or populations to the most appropriate SoS management stream. |
NSW Species Technical Group: Flora (SoS Program) Australia |
| 1/1/2001 - 1/12/2003 |
Committee Member (Ministerial Appointment) Representative of Scientific Interests on the Hunter Regional Vegetation Committee, established by the NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation to oversee production of the Hunter Regional Vegetation Management Plan. |
Hunter Regional Vegetation Committee Australia |
Awards
Award
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2003 |
UDIA NSW Award for Excellence - Thornton-Killingworth Sub-regional Conservation and Development Strategy Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW |
Invitations
Keynote Speaker
| Year | Title / Rationale |
|---|---|
| 2019 |
Endemic Flora of the Hunter Region: Trees & Larger Shrubs Organisation: Australian Plant Society (NSW) |
Speaker
| Year | Title / Rationale |
|---|---|
| 2015 |
Developing and monitoring ‘SMART’ rehabilitation completion criteria for the establishment of native vegetation communities on mine rehabilitation. Organisation: Hunter Coal Environment Group |
| 2014 |
Effective Biodiversity Offsets: Improving planning, valuation and monitoring practice (with Martin Fallding). Organisation: The Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment Description: Mine Rehab Conference 2014: Best Practice Ecological Rehabilitation, 25 September 2014, Singleton. |
| 2014 |
Introduction to the flora of the Hunter Valley - history, diversity and ecology Organisation: Australian Network for Plant Conservation Description: Plant Identification for Flora of the Hunter Valley, 7th - 8th April 2014, Kurri Kurri, Australian Network for Plant Conservation |
| 2011 |
Vegetation of the Worimi Conservation Lands, Lower North Coast, New South Wales Organisation: Nature Conservation Council Description: HOTSPOTS Fire Project: Awabakal and Worimi Fire Forum, 27th July 2011, Williamtown, Never Never Resources |
| 2010 |
Vegetation of Wanaruah Lands, Sandy Hollow, Upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales Organisation: Nature Conservation Council Description: HOTSPOTS Fire Project: Wanaruah Fire Forum, 17th – 19th August 2010, Sandy Hollow, Upper Hunter Valley, Nature Conservation Council |
| 2009 |
Surveying, classifying and mapping vegetation on the Tomago Sandbeds, Lower North Coast, New South Wales Organisation: Geoscience Australia Description: Coastal Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Workshop, 3rd – 4th September 2009, South West Rocks, NSW (Geoscience Australia) |
| 2000 |
An evaluation of vegetation survey and threatened plant species listings in the Hunter Region Organisation: Hunter Environment Lobby Inc. Description: Vegetation Management & Biodiversity Conservation - Hunter Region. Proceedings of a Workshop held in May 2000, organised by the Hunter Environment Lobby Inc. |
Prestigious works / other achievements
| Year Commenced | Year Finished | Prestigious work / other achievement | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2029 | Species Expert: Pittosporum kororoensis & Fontainea sp. Coffs Harbour Translocations Coffs Harbour Bypass Long-term monitoring and maintenance of Pittosporum sp. Coffs Harbour and Fontainea sp Coffs Harbour. | Reviewer |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Book (3 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Bell S, Rockley C, Llewellyn A, Flora of the Hunter Region Endemic Trees and Larger Shrubs, CSIRO and University of Newcastle, Victoria, Australia, 129 (2019) [A1] | Nova | |
| 2008 | Bell SAJ, Driscoll C, Vegetation of the Cessnock-Kurri Region: Survey, Classification & Mapping, Cessnock LGA, New South Wales, Department of Environment & Climate Change, Sydney South, 271 (2008) | ||
| 1998 | Bell C, Bell S, Helman S, Cannon G, Key Guide to Eucalypt & Related Species, Singleton Shire. A Pocket Guide for Identification of Eucalypts in the Field, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Muswellbrook, New South Wales, 102 (1998) |
Chapter (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Gallagher R, Barrett S, Bell S, Copeland L, Dillon R, Gosper C, et al., 'Blackened roots and green shoots: emerging trends in decline and recovery in Australian plant species after the 2019-20 wildfires', Australia's Megafires: Biodiversity Impacts and Lessons from 2019-2020, CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South 111-126 (2023) |
Journal article (56 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |
Bell S, Driscoll C, 'Acacia pendula (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales: Cunningham s collection from April 1825 and its implications', Telopea, 26 [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2023 | Bell S, Lamrock P, Ransom L, Cameron M, Hanthorn A, ' Between basalt and sandstone : Rediscovery of a significant population of a critically endangered shrub'', Australasian Plant Conservation, 32 10-12 (2023) | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Bell S, 'The importance of fire in replenishing Banksia conferta populations', Research Matters: Newsletter of the Australian Flora Foundation, 37 9-14 (2023) | ||||||||||
| 2022 |
Bell S, 'Differing habitat defines two metapopulations of a threatened Hunter Valley eucalypt: Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. decadens', Cunninghamia, 22 11-25 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Bell SAJ, Lamrock P, Haines HA, Turney C, 'Multiple lines of evidence infer centurial-scale habitat change and resilience in a threatened plant species at Mount Dangar, Hunter Valley, New South Wales', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY, 70 432-446 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Bell SAJ, Phillips GP, Nicolle D, 'Resolution of a 35-year taxonomic dilemma: Eucalyptus sp. Howes Swamp Creek (Myrtaceae) from eastern Wollemi National Park, New South Wales', TELOPEA, 25 151-163 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Doyle C, Pellow B, Bell S, Reynolds D, Silcock J, Commander L, Ooi M, 'Threatened Plant Translocation for Mitigation: Improving Data Accessibility Using Existing Legislative Frameworks. An Australian Case Study', Frontiers in Conservation Science, 2 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Bell SAJ, Hunter N, Steed A, 'Lack of fire rather than pollinator absence may drive population decline in the critically endangered', Australian Journal of Botany, 70 372-383 [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 | Kellerman J, Clowes C, Bell S, 'A review of the Spyridium eriocephalum complex (Rhamnaceae: Pomaderreae)', Swainsona, 36 75-88 (2022) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Bell S, 'Floristic community diversity in derived native grasslands: a case study from the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 21 27-82 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Bell SAJ, Driscoll C, 'Data-informed sampling and mapping: an approach to ensure plot-based classifications locate, classify and map rare and restricted vegetation types', Australian Journal of Botany, 69 357-374 (2021) [C1] A new approach to vegetation sample selection, classification and mapping is described that accounts for rare and restricted vegetation communities. The new method (data-informed ... [more] A new approach to vegetation sample selection, classification and mapping is described that accounts for rare and restricted vegetation communities. The new method (data-informed sampling and mapping: D-iSM) builds on traditional preferential sampling and was developed to guide conservation and land-use planning. It combines saturation coverage of vegetation point data with a preferential sampling design to produce locally accurate vegetation classifications and maps. Many existing techniques rely entirely or in part on random sampling, modelling against environmental variables, or on assumptions that photo-patterns detected through aerial photographic interpretation or physical landscape features can be attributed to a specific vegetation type. D-iSM uses ground data to inform both classification and mapping phases of a project. The approach is particularly suited to local- and regional-scale situations where disputes between conservation and development often lead to poor planning decisions, as well as in circumstances where highly restricted vegetation types occur within a wider mosaic of more common communities. Benefits of the D-iSM approach include more efficient and more representative floristic sampling, more realistic and repeatable classifications, increased user accuracy in vegetation mapping and increased ability to detect and map rare vegetation communities. Case studies are presented to illustrate the method in real-world classification and mapping projects.
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Bell SAJ, 'Successful recruitment following translocation of a threatened terrestrial orchid (Diuris tricolor) into mining rehabilitation in the Hunter Valley of NSW', ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION, 22 205-208 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Bell S, Hillier P, 'Targeted surveys of a poorly conserved threatened orchid (Pterostylis chaetophora) in Columbey National Park (Hunter Valley, NSW) reveal substantial populations and elucidate occupied habitat', Cunninghamia, 20 199-207 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Bell SAJ, Klaphake V, 'Eucalyptus calidissima (Myrtaceae), a new ironbark species from the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia', Telopea, 23 73-87 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Bell SAJ, 'Translocation of threatened terrestrial orchids into non-mined and post-mined lands in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia', Restoration Ecology, 28 1396-1407 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Mickaill LNN, Bell SAJ, Beranek CT, 'Dispersal potential in two restricted and five wide-ranging Senecio (Asteraceae) taxa from central eastern New South Wales, Australia', Australian Journal of Botany, 68 333-344 (2020) [C1] Knowledge on how life history traits affect distribution in range-restricted and endemic plants is paramount for conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. ... [more] Knowledge on how life history traits affect distribution in range-restricted and endemic plants is paramount for conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. Traits relating to dispersal ability are important in the ongoing persistence of range restricted species and may present a pathway to extinction or invasion. This is evident in the highly diverse and cosmopolitan genus Senecio (Asteraceae), where both threatened and invasive species occur within Australia. In this study, propagule geometry, settling velocity and dispersal potential for two range-restricted and threatened native taxa (S. linearifolious var. dangarensis Belcher ex I.Thomps., S. spathulatus var. attenuatus I.Thomps.) are contrasted with four native taxa that occupy wider ranges (S. amygdalifolius F.Muell., S. l. var. arachnoideus I.Thomps., S. l. var. macrodontus (DC.) I.Thomps., S. pinnatifolius A.Rich. var. pinnatifolius) and one introduced, wide-ranging species (S. madagascariensis Poir.). Differences were found in settling velocity and propagule morphology across all taxa. Based on propagule morphology, S. amygdalifolius has the greatest dispersal potential, S. spathulatus var. attenuatus the smallest, whereas all other taxa were similar. Although useful, dispersal potential alone does not fully explain distributional differences between all range-restricted and widespread taxa, and close assessment of habitat attributes may be required to further elucidate dispersal limitations in some taxa.
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Bell SAJ, Nicolle D, 'Glen Gallic Mallee (Eucalyptus dealbata subsp. aperticola, Myrtaceae), a new taxon from the sandstone escarpment of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales', Telopea, 23 141-150 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Fensham RJ, Laffineur B, Collingwood TD, Beech E, Bell S, Hopper SD, et al., 'Rarity or decline: Key concepts for the Red List of Australian eucalypts', Biological Conservation, 243 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Yare B, Bell S, Hunter N, 'Phenology of the threatened Diuris praecox (Orchidaceae), a range-restricted terrestrial orchid from central eastern New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 20 105-113 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2019 |
Bell S, 'Macrozamia flexuosa C. Moore (Zamiaceae): a review of distribution,
habitat and conservation status of an endemic cycad from the Hunter
Region of New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 19 7-27 (2019) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2019 |
Bell S, 'Additions and amendments to the rare or threatened vascular plants of Wollemi National Park, central eastern New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 19 43-56 (2019) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2018 |
Bell SAJ, 'Fate of a rare flowering event in an endangered population of Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall) from the Hunter Valley, New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 18 79-88 (2018) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2017 |
Bell S, Driscoll C, 'Acacia wollarensis (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae sect. Botrycephalae), a distinctive new species endemic to the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia', Telopea, 20 125-136 (2017) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2016 |
Bell S, Driscoll C, 'Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland is it really definable and defendable with and without Weeping Myall (Acacia pendula)?', Cunninghamia, 16 15-30 (2016) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2015 |
Bell S, Walsh NG, 'Leionema lamprophyllum subsp. fractum (Rutaceae); a new and highly restricted taxon from the Hunter Valley of New South Wales', Telopea, 18 505-512 (2015) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2015 | Bell S, Holzinger B, 'Wildfire reveals new populations of the endangered 'Commersonia rosea' and 'Monotaxis macrophylla' in northern Wollemi National Park, NSW', Australasian Plant Conservation, 23 2-4 (2015) [C2] | ||||||||||
| 2014 |
Bell S, Driscoll C, 'Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall) in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales: early explorers journals, database records and habitat assessments raise doubts over naturally occurring populations', Cunninghamia, 14 179-200 (2014) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2012 |
Bell SAJ, Nicolle D, 'Eucalyptus expressa (Myrtaceae): a distinctive new stringybark from the sandstone ranges north-west of Sydney, New South Wales', TELOPEA, 14 69-76 (2012)
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| Show 53 more journal articles | |||||||||||
Conference (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Bell S, 'An evaluation of vegetation survey and threatened plant species listings in the Hunter Region', Proceedings of Vegetation Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Hunter Region - Where to from here?, Singleton, NSW (2000) |
Report (269 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bell S, 'Mapping of Koala (Phascolarctus cinereus) Habitat at Coolah Tops National Park, New South Wales', NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 21 (2023) | ||||
| 2023 | Bell S, 'Box Gum CEEC Monitoring at Glenalvon , Cattle Creek Road, Cassilis: Year 2 Results', Hunter Local Land Services, 41 (2023) | ||||
| 2023 | Bell S, 'Peer Review: Maxwell Underground Coal Mine Project: Modification 2', Malabar Resources Limited, 20 (2023) | ||||
| 2015 |
Bell S, 'Distribution, habitat and conservation status of Macrozamia flexuosa (Zamiaceae) in Lake Macquarie LGA and the lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales', Lake Macquarie City Council, 52 (2015) [O1]
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| 2015 | Bell S, 'External Review: Draft Threatened Plant Survey Guidelines', Office of Environment & Heritage, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, 20 (2015) [O1] | ||||
| 2014 | Bell SAJ, 'Supplementary Assessment of Kincumber Scribbly Gum Forest CEEC: Erina Land Capability Study', GeoLink Pty Ltd & Gosford City Council, 30 (2014) [R2] | ||||
| 2014 | Bell S, 'Preliminary Data Analysis of Slaty Gum (Eucalyptus dawsonii) Forests & Woodlands in the Hunter Valley', Department of Environment, Ecological Communities Section, Protected Species & Communities Branch, 20 (2014) [R2] | ||||
| 2014 | Bell S, 'Tablelands Snow Gum TEC: Field Survey & Classification Analysis, Southern Tablelands, New South Wales. Tallaganda & Badja State Forest Trial Areas.', NSW Office of Environment & Heritage, 98 (2014) [R2] | ||||
| Show 266 more reports | |||||
Thesis / Dissertation (2 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Bell SAJ, Defining and mapping rare vegetation communities: improving techniques to assist land-use planning and conservation, University of Newcastle (2013) | ||
| 1990 | Bell SAJ, Effects of the weed Scotch Broom on bird communities in open forests on Barrington Tops, University of Newcastle (1990) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 11 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $276,249 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20231 grants / $95,700
Vegetation and koala habitat mapping of Port Stephens local government area$95,700
As an integral component of enhancing and protecting habitat for the Koala, this project aims to map and describe local-scale vegetation communities that can be used to delineate high-value Koala habitat within the Port Stephens LGA. It forms one of three inter-related tasks that form the body of this project: comprehensive plant community type and wildlife corridors mapping, scientific analysis of Koala scats to identify dietary patterns among local sub-populations, and identification of key weed and revegetation focus areas (latter two tasks coordinated by Port Stephen Council from separate funding sources).
Funding body: Australian Commonwealth Government
| Funding body | Australian Commonwealth Government |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell; Port Stephens Council |
| Scheme | Koala Conservation and Protection Community Grants Program |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | C1500 - Aust Competitive - Commonwealth Other |
| Category | 1500 |
| UON | N |
20221 grants / $10,000
Vegetation mapping of Stockrington State Conservation Area to aid Koala management$10,000
Project to compile a map of vegetation and potential koala habitat for Stockrington State Conservation Area, a reserve on the outskirts of Lake Macquarie (NSW).
Funding body: Hunter Local Land Services
| Funding body | Hunter Local Land Services |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell |
| Scheme | Koala Baseline Mapping |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2022 |
| Funding Finish | 2023 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
| Category | 2OPS |
| UON | N |
20212 grants / $73,799
Floristic and structural change, Box Gum Grassy Woodland Critically Endangered Ecological Community$38,900
Research conducted under this grant will focus on two areas of Box Gum Grassy Woodland Critically Endangered Ecological Communities near Merriwa and Cassilis in the Hunter Valley. The project aims to assess the effects of changed grazing regimes on vegetation condition and structure over time, including assessment of regeneration of grasslands and canopy development.
Funding body: Commonwealth Department for the Environment and Heritage.
| Funding body | Commonwealth Department for the Environment and Heritage. |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell, on behalf of Hunter Local Land Services and MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd |
| Scheme | Regional Land Partnerships Program - Box Gum Grassy Woodland |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Commonwealth |
| Category | 2OPC |
| UON | N |
Reintroduction of fire to manage habitat for the Critically Endangered Persoonia pauciflora (Proteaceae)$34,899
Continuing on from previous work, this research will examine how the reapplication of fire into the landscape will impact on habitat for the critically endangered shrub, Persoonia pauciflora. This will include ongoing monitoring of the response of two native woody weed species (Breynia oblongifolia and Leptospermum polyanthum) to fire, with a focus on constraining ongoing recruitment and therefore opening up habitat for Persoonia.
Funding body: Biodiversity Conservation Trust
| Funding body | Biodiversity Conservation Trust |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell; Monica Oppen |
| Scheme | Conservation Partner Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
| Category | 2OPS |
| UON | N |
20191 grants / $18,500
Management of habitat for the Critically Endangered Persoonia pauciflora (Proteaceae)$18,500
Funding has been obtained for research aimed at informing habitat restoration of the critically endangered and fire sensitive shrub Persoonia pauciflora (Proteaceae). This Hunter Valley endemic species occurs naturally and as translocated populations in both private and public lands, and invasive native weeds and fire absence may be constraining persistence and new recruitment in this species. Monitoring of vegetation response to woody weed removal in Persoonia habitat forms the basis of this research.
Funding body: Biodiversity Conservation Trust
| Funding body | Biodiversity Conservation Trust |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell, Monica Oppen |
| Scheme | Conservation Partner Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2021 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
| Category | 2OPS |
| UON | N |
20121 grants / $45,600
Protection of the Criticlly Endangered Acacia dangarensis at Mt Dangar, Hunter Valley$45,600
Acacia dangarensis is a small tree restricted to Mt Dangar within the Goulburn River National Park, in the Hunter Valley of NSW. This project aims to collect life history data for and map distribution of this species, and also assess and manage incursions of Prickly Pear which have colonised large sections of habitat.
Funding body: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
| Funding body | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Greg Lowe; Stephen Bell; David Crust |
| Scheme | Find It and Fix It |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2012 |
| Funding Finish | 2016 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
| Category | 2OPS |
| UON | N |
20071 grants / $2,500
Habitat enhancement for Box-Gum Grassy Woodland at Rouchel cemetery, Hunter Valley$2,500
Funding has been obtained through the Threatened Species Network Grants program of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for a habitat enhancement program of White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland at Rouchel Cemetery. Known formally as the Rouchel Community Grassy Box Woodland Enhancement Program, the project aims to raise awareness and enhance habitat of the White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland on publicly owned lands at the local cemetery, public school, recreation grounds and along road corridors. White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland (WBYBBRGGW) is listed both Nationally (EPBC Act 1999, as Critically Endangered) and in New South Wales (TSC Act 1995) as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) on respective threatened species legislation.
Funding body: Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra
| Funding body | Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell; Main Camp Recreation Trust |
| Scheme | Threatened Species Network Grants |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2007 |
| Funding Finish | 2008 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Commonwealth |
| Category | 2OPC |
| UON | N |
20061 grants / $20,000
Improved Methods of Predicting Threatened Species Preferred Habitat$20,000
Funding body: NSW Environmental Trust
| Funding body | NSW Environmental Trust |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell |
| Scheme | Environmental Education Program |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2006 |
| Funding Finish | 2007 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
| Category | 1CS |
| UON | N |
20041 grants / $1,500
An assessment of the vegetation occurring on coastal sands at Pelican Flats, Lake Macquarie LGA$1,500
Sixteen vegetation communities have been mapped and defined through numerical and intuitive classification for Pelican Flats, within Lake Macquarie local government area. This area, occupying 768 ha between Belmont and Swansea, is comprised almost exclusively of Holocene sand deposits which have developed a diversity of vegetation communities dependent on drainage and proximity to oceanic onshore winds. Due to a long history of human occupation in this area, only 29% (or 225 ha) currently supports native vegetation. The diversity of vegetation communities present at Pelican Flats includes one grassland (Beach Spinifex), one saltmarsh (Saltmarsh), two rushlands (Estuarine Juncus Rushland, Phragmites Rushland), seven scrubs and heaths (Coastal Sand Banksia Scrub, Coastal Sand Bottlebrush Wet Heath, Coastal Sand Foredune Scrub, Coastal Sand Wallum – Heath, Mangrove – Estuarine Complex, Tomago Clay Wallum Scrub, Bitou Bush Scrub), two dry forests (Lake Macquarie Spotted Gum Forest, Pelican Bangalay Forest), and three swamp forests (Coastal Sand Swamp Forest, Swamp Mahogany – Livistonia Swamp Forest, Swamp Oak – Rushland Forest). Detailed descriptions of each of these communities is provided, and their distributions mapped. Nearly all are present elsewhere in the local government area and region; the exceptions are Tomago Clay Wallum Scrub (which also occurs in Port Stephens LGA) and Pelican Bangalay Forest (endemic to Lake Macquarie). The latter is floristically related to three other regional communities; a focused numerical analysis of these four communities has shown that Pelican Bangalay Forest is significantly different (p<0.001) to the Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland from Gosford LGA (a listed Endangered Ecological Community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995), Pearl Beach Sand Forest (Gosford LGA) and Tomago Apple-Banksia Forest (Port Stephens LGA). Vegetation present at Pelican Flats is representative of three Endangered Ecological Communities (Coastal Saltmarsh, Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains), incorporating six of the defined communities for the area. Although not currently listed as such, the highly restricted Pelican Bangalay Forest meets the IUCN criteria for a Critically Endangered ecosystem, based on an estimated 72% loss of geographical distribution since 1750 (32 ha down to 9 ha), a current-day Extent of Occurrence of 145 ha (1.45 km2), and an Area of Occupancy of just one single 10 x 10 km grid cell. It follows, therefore, that Pelican Bangalay Forest qualifies as Critically Endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and it is suggested that a nomination to this effect be prepared.
Funding body: Lake Macquarie City Council
| Funding body | Lake Macquarie City Council |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell |
| Scheme | Environmental Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2004 |
| Funding Finish | 2005 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
20011 grants / $4,250
Demography and conservation status of selected Acacia bynoeana populations within the Lake Macquarie LGA$4,250
Acacia bynoeana is an endangered low shrub endemic to the Central Coast and Tablelands of New South Wales, with a previously reported total population in NSW of only a few hundred plants. Estimates of population size are provided for all known populations of this species in Lake Macquarie LGA, and a brief assessment of the conservation status of the species given for its entire distributional range. On current knowledge, Lake Macquarie LGA represents a major stronghold for the species, with a total approaching 3000 plants. Of the 18 populations recorded for the City, only one of these occurs within a secure conservation zoning (Lake Macquarie SRA). During field survey, two new populations were discovered after examining potentially suitable habitat. The significance of the Lake Macquarie populations cannot be understated, and in particular the north-south corridor existing between Morisset and Wyee supports nearly 90% of the known population, a total in excess of 2400 plants. Any proposed developments within this corridor will need to seriously consider the implications on this species, both locally and State wide.
Funding body: Lake Macquarie Council
| Funding body | Lake Macquarie Council |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell |
| Scheme | Lake Macquarie Council Environmental Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2001 |
| Funding Finish | 2002 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
19991 grants / $4,400
Distribution, habitat and conservation of the rare cycad Macrozamia flexuosa$4,400
Macrozamia flexuosa (Zamiaceae) is a rare cycad endemic to the Hunter Region of New South Wales. Currently carrying a conservation risk code of 2K, a review of the distribution and habitat of this poorly known species has found that it occupies a range of habitats within the LGA and region, and that on current information is not under immediate threat. An existing IUCN Red List assessment of Endangered is current for this species (although it is not listed in threatened species legislation), but a re-evaluation using contemporary data suggests this to be inappropriate. In the light of this study, a review of the conservation significance of Macrozamia flexuosa suggests that the existing conservation risk code of 2K be revised to 3RCa (distributional range >100km; rare but not immediately threatened; adequately conserved in at least 13 conservation reserves). Under the IUCN (2001) threat criteria, a code of NT (Near Threatened) is here considered appropriate for Macrozamia flexuosa, recognising some of the uncertainties applicable to the assessment of Criteria A and B. This finding is in contrast to the current Red List assessment of Endangered for this taxon, but is consistent with studies on other Macrozamia that are also listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Based on anecdotal observations of reproduction and dispersal in this species, it is plausible that Macrozamia flexuosa may currently be in decline due to limitations in flowering, pollination, or dispersal mechanisms over a long period of time (many decades), with the longevity of individual specimens confounding any observable trends. The suggested further research (population age structure, flowering cues, pollinator presence, pollination success, seed production rates, seed predation and dispersal, and the impacts of repeated fire) will go some way towards clarifying this situation, particularly in regard to quantifying recruitment in this species and how that may impact on IUCN assessments of observable continuing decline (Criterion A). Depending on the outcomes of such research, and the extent of land clearing and development in existing habitat that may continue in coming decades, a review of the NT coding for Macrozamia flexuosa may be necessary.
Funding body: Lake Macquarie Council
| Funding body | Lake Macquarie Council |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Stephen Bell |
| Scheme | Lake Macquarie Council Environmental Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 1999 |
| Funding Finish | 2000 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Past Supervision
| Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Honours |
Defining hanging swamps on the Somersby Plateau, NSW. An examination of floristics, structure and the influence of fire The Somersby Plateau consists of a diverse array of vegetation types many of which have been well studied and documented. However, for the wet heath vegetation of hanging swamps little work has been carried out on exactly what a hanging swamp is, where they occur in the landscape and how fire influences floristic and vegetation structure. Without an understanding of the dynamics of hanging swamps, management to maintain both site and landscape diversity is difficult. Hanging swamps generally occur in locations where an interaction of geology, groundwater and topographic position combine to produce edaphic conditions suitable to support a vegetation assemblage adapted to moist conditions. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to provide a definition of what a hanging swamp is (and what it is not) by examining the floristics of a number of hanging swamps in relation to past fire events and these environmental factors. To manage hanging swamps, it is clear that the influence of fire on floristics and structure also have to be managed. To produce the most species diverse community an intermediate fire disturbance regime is required (fires occurring every 4-6 years). However this fire regime will not provide for a diversity of structural forms as will very short fire intervals (1-3 years), which produce a community type much different to other fire treatments. As a consequence, to maintain both species and structural diversity in hanging swamps a combination of both fire regimes is necessary across the Somersby Plateau. |
Ecology and Evolution, University of Newcastle | Consultant Supervisor |
Research Projects
Plant Taxonomy 2000 -
With other taxonomists from various institutions, I have formally described several new plant taxa from the Sydney Basin bioregion. Without such published descriptions, these novel entities rarely attract management or research funding and would remain poorly known.
| YEAR | TAXON | FAMILY | REGION |
| 2022 | Eucalyptus sp. Howes Swamp Creek | Myrtaceae | Greater Sydney |
| 2022 | Spyridium undulifolium | Rhamnaceae | Hunter Region |
| 2020 | Eucalyptus dealbata subsp. aperticola | Myrtaceae | Hunter Valley |
| 2020 | Eucalyptus calidissima | Myrtaceae | Hunter Valley |
| 2017 | Acacia wollarensis | Fabaceae | Hunter Valley |
| 2015 | Leionema lamprophyllum subsp. fractum | Rutaceae | Hunter Valley |
| 2012 | Eucalyptus expressa | Myrtaceae | Hunter Valley and Greater Sydney |
| 2004 | Commersonia rosea | Malvaceae | Hunter Valley |
Resulting Publications
Bell SAJ, Phillips G, Nicolle D, 'Resolution of a 35-year taxonomic dilemma: Eucalyptus sp. Howes Swamp Creek (Myrtaceae) from easter Wollemi National Park, New South Wales', Telopea, 25 151-163 (2022) [C1]
Kellerman J, Clowes C, Bell S, 'A review of the Spyridium eriocephalum complex (Rhamnaceae: Pomaderreae)', Swainsona, 36 75-88 (2022) [C1]
Bell SAJ, Nicolle D, 'Glen Gallic Mallee (Eucalyptus dealbata subsp. aperticola, Myrtaceae), a new taxon from the sandstone escarpment of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales', Telopea, 23 141-150 (2020) [C1]
Bell S, Klaphake V, 'Eucalyptus calidissima (Myrtaceae), a new ironbark species from the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia', Telopea, 23 73-87 (2020) [C1]
Bell S, Driscoll C, 'Acacia wollarensis (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae sect. Botrycephalae), a distinctive new species endemic to the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia', Telopea, 20 125-136 (2017) [C1]
Bell S, Walsh NG, 'Leionema lamprophyllum subsp. fractum (Rutaceae); a new and highly restricted taxon from the Hunter Valley of New South Wales', Telopea, 18 505-512 (2015) [C1]
Bell SAJ, Nicolle D, 'Eucalyptus expressa (Myrtaceae): a distinctive new stringybark from the sandstone ranges north-west of Sydney, New South Wales', Telopea, 14 69-76 (2012) [C1]
Bell S, Copeland L, 'Commersonia rosea (Malvaceae s.l.: Lasiopetaleae): a new rare fire ephemeral species from the upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales', Telopea, 10 581-587 (2004) [C1]
Threatened Plant Ecology 2000 -
I have undertaken contract and private research on numerous threatened and rare Australian plant species, particularly in regard to improving knowledge on distribution and ecology of these often poorly known taxa. Several taxa have been the subject of separate investigations over many years.
| YEAR (finish) | YEAR (start) | TAXON | STATUS | RESEARCH TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2019 | Persoonia pauciflora | critically endangered | Habitat management |
| 2020 | 2019 | Diuris praecox | vulnerable | Phenology |
| 2022 | 2013 | Pomaderris reperta | critically endangered | Distribution and populations dynamics |
| 2022 | 2013 | Acacia dangarensis | critically endangered | Distribution and population dynamics |
| 2022 | 2016 | Senecio linearifolius var. dangarensis | vulnerable | Distribution, population dynamics and dispersal ecology |
| 2022 | 2016 | Kennedia retrorsa | vulnerable | Distribution and habitat |
| 2019 | 2002 | Hibbertia procumbens | endangered | Distribution, habitat and expert report |
| 2019 | 2015 | Macrozamia flexuosa | near threatened | Review of distribution, habitat and conservation status |
| 2022 | 2007 | Diuris tricolor | vulnerable | Distribution, habitat, translocation and expert report |
| 2022 | 2007 | Prasophyllum petilum | endangered | Distribution, habitat, translocation and expert report |
| 2019 | 2005 | Tetratheca juncea | vulnerable | Peer review; translocation |
| 2022 | 2018 | Eucalyptus castrensis | endangered | Distribution and habitat |
| 2022 | 2018 | Eucalyptus pumila | vulnerable | Distribution and habitat |
| 2021 | 2017 | Pterostylis chaetophora | vulnerable | Distribution and population dynamics |
| 2020 | 2016 | Pterostylis gibbosa | endangered | Population dynamics |
| 2022 | 2016 | Lasiopetalum longistamineum | vulnerable | Distribution and population dynamics |
| 2022 | 2016 | Banksia conferta | critically endangered | Distribution, population dynamics and pollination ecology |
| 2022 | 2007 | Acacia pendula | endangered population | Distribution, population dynamics and reproductive ecology |
| 2018 | 2017 | Dracophyllum macranthum | vulnerable | Distribution and habitat |
| 2017 | 2015 | Melaleuca biconvexa | vulnerable | Distribution and habitat |
| 2017 | 2001 | Cryptostylis hunteriana | vulnerable | Distribution, habitat, population size and expert report |
| 2015 | 2015 | Eucalyptus glaucina | vulnerable | Verification and peer review |
| 2015 | 2015 | Commersonia rosea | critically endangered | Population dynamics |
| 2015 | 2015 | Monotaxis macrophylla | endangered | Population dynamics |
| 2010 | 2002 | Acacia bynoeana | endangered | Distribution and habitat |
| 2006 | 2006 | Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. decadens | vulnerable | Distribution and habitat |
| 2005 | 2005 | Thelymitra adorata | critically endangered | Distribution and habitat |
| 2005 | 2002 | Hibbertia procumbens | endangered | Distribution and habitat |
| 2004 | 2001 | Angophora inopina | vulnerable | Distribution and habitat |
| 2005 | 2001 | Prostanthera junonis | endangered | Distribution and population dynamics |
Resulting Publications
Doyle C, Pellow B, Bell S, Reynolds D, Silcock J, Commander L, Ooi M, 'Threatened Plant Translocation for Mitigation: Improving Data Accessibility Using Existing Legislative Frameworks. An Australian Case Study', Frontiers in Conservation Science, 2 (2022)
Bell SAJ, 'Successful recruitment following translocation of a threatened terrestrial orchid (Diuris tricolor) into mining rehabilitation in the Hunter Valley of NSW', Ecological Management and Restoration, 22 205-208 (2021)
Bell S, 'Voucher specimens vs observation records: why collecting is better than observing for plant conservation', Australasian Plant Conservation, 29 3-7 (2020)
Bell SAJ, 'Translocation of threatened terrestrial orchids into non-mined and post-mined lands in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia', Restoration Ecology, 28 1396-1407 (2020) [C1]
Bell S, Hillier P, 'Targeted surveys of a poorly conserved threatened orchid (Pterostylis chaetophora) in Columbey National Park (Hunter Valley, NSW) reveal substantial populations and elucidate occupied habitat', Cunninghamia, 20 199-207 (2020) [C1]
Yare B, Bell S, Hunter N, 'Phenology of the threatened Diuris praecox (Orchidaceae), a range-restricted terrestrial orchid from central eastern New South Wales', Cunninghamia 20 105-113 (2020) [C1]
Bell S, 'Macrozamia flexuosa C. Moore (Zamiaceae): a review of distribution, habitat and conservation status of an endemic cycad from the Hunter Region of New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 19 7-27 (2019) [C1]
Bell S, 'Additions and amendments to the rare or threatened vascular plants of Wollemi National Park, central eastern New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 19 43-56 (2019) [C1]
Bell S, 'Translocation success is all about detection: experiences with two threatened orchids from the Hunter Valley of NSW', Australasian Plant Conservation, 28 27-31 (2019)
Bell S, Sims R, 'Extensive populations of Dracophyllum macranthum (Ericaceae) in Coorabakh National Park suggest a review of threat status', Australasian Plant Conservation, 27 11-14 (2018)
Bell SAJ, 'Fate of a rare flowering event in an endangered population of Acacia pendula (Weeping Myall) from the Hunter Valley, New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 18 79-88 (2018) [C1]
Bell S, 'New insights into the ecology of the critically endangered Banksia conferta (Proteaceae) from the mid-north coast of NSW', Australasian Plant Conservation, 26 15-18 (2017)Bell S, Holzinger B, 'Wildfire reveals new populations of the endangered 'Commersonia rosea' and 'Monotaxis macrophylla' in northern Wollemi National Park, NSW', Australasian Plant Conservation, 23 2-4 (2015) [C2]
de Lacey C, Bell S, Chamberlain S, Bossard K, 'Finding the leafless tongue orchid 'Cryptostylis hunteriana' Nicholls', Nature New South Wales, 57 24-25 (2013)
Bell SAJ, Elliott M, 'Preliminary results suggest fire is required to maintain Acacia dangarensis, a threatened single-population endemic from the Hunter Valley of NSW', Australasian Plant Conservation, 22 9-10 (2013)
de Lacey C, Bell S, Chamberlain S, Bossard K, 'Habitat of the Leafless Tongue Orchid Cryptostylis hunteriana Nicholls throughout its known Australian distribution', The Orchadian, 17 162-174 (2012)
Bell SAJ, 'Rare or threatened vascular plant species of Wollemi National Park, central eastern New South Wales.', Cunninghamia, 10 331-371 (2008)
Bell SAJ, Driscoll C, 'New records of the endangered Hibbertia procumbens from the Central Coast of NSW.', Australasian Plant Conservation, 13 24-25 (2005)
Bell SAJ, Branwhite B, Driscoll C, 'Thelymitra adorata (Orchidaceae): population size and habitat of a highly restricted terrestrial orchid from the Central Coast of New South Wales.', The Orchadian, 15 6-10 (2005)
Bell SAJ, 'Distribution and habitat of the vulnerable tree species, Angophora inopina (Myrtaceae), on the Central Coast of New South Wales.', Cunninghamia, 8 477-484 (2004)
Bell SAJ, 'Habitat of the endangered Hibbertia procumbens (Labill.) DC (Dilleniaceae) from the Central Coast of New South Wales', The Victorian Naturalist, 119 69-74 (2002)
Bell SAJ, 'Notes on population size and habitat of the vulnerable Cryptostylis hunteriana Nicholls (Orchidaceae) from the Central Coast of New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 7 195-204 (2001)
Bell SAJ, 'Notes on the distribution and conservation status of some restricted plant species from sandstone environments of the upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 7 77-88 (2001)
Threatened Communities 2000 -
As a component of classifying native vegetation communities, I continue to improve our understanding of rare and threatened ecological communities. Increasing numbers of communities are being recognised as threatened entities within threatened species legislation (e.g. the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016), and accurate understanding of their composition, ecology and distribution is paramount for management and conservation. Often in collaboration with scientists from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment I have worked on refining our knowledge on the following legally protected NSW ecological communities:
- Blue Mountains Basalt Forest (endangered)
- Blue Mountains Shale Cap Forest (endangered)
- Blue Mountains Swamps (vulnerable)
- Castlereagh Scribbly Gum Woodland (vulnerable)
- Central Hunter Grey Box-Ironbark Woodland (endangered)
- Central Hunter Ironbark - Spotted Gum - Grey Box Forest (endangered)
- Coastal Saltmarsh (endangered)
- Coastal Upland Swamps (endangered)
- Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest (endangered)
- Duffys Forest Ecological Community (endangered)
- Freshwater Wetlands on Coastal Floodplains (endangered)
- Hunter Lowland Redgum Forest (endangered)
- Hunter Valley Footslopes Slaty Gum Woodland (vulnerable)
- Hunter Valley Vine Thicket (endangered)
- Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland (critically endangered)
- Kincumber Scribbly Gum Forest (critically endangered)
- Kurri Sand Swamp Woodland (endangered)
- Littoral Rainforest (endangered)
- Low Woodland with Heathland on Indurated Sand at Norah Head (endangered)
- Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark Forest (endangered)
- Lower Hunter Valley Dry Rainforest (vulnerable)
- Lowland Rainforest (endangered)
- Newnes Plateau Shrub Swamp (endangered)
- Pittwater and Wagstaffe Spotted Gum Forest (endangered)
- Quorrobolong Scribbly Gum Forest (endangered)
- River-Flat Eucalypt Forest on Coastal Floodplains (endangered)
- Subtropical Coastal Floodplain Forest (endangered)
- Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest (endangered)
- Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplains (endangered)
- Sydney Freshwater Wetlands (endangered)
- Tablelands Snow Gum, Black Sallee, Candlebark and Ribbon Gum Grassy Woodland (endangered)
- Themeda Grassland on Seacliffs and Coastal Headlands (endangered)
- Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland (endangered)
- Warkworth Sands Woodland (endangered)
- White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Woodland (endangered)
Resulting Publications
Bell S, 'Floristic community diversity in derived native grasslands: a case study from the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 21 27-82 (2021)
Bell SAJ, Driscoll C, 'Data-informed sampling and mapping: an approach to ensure plot-based classifications locate, classify and map rare and restricted vegetation types', Australian Journal of Botany, 69 357-374 (2020)
Bell S, Driscoll C, 'Hunter Valley Weeping Myall Woodland is it really definable and defendable with and without Weeping Myall (Acacia pendula)?', Cunninghamia, 16 15-30 (2016) [C1]Bell SAJ, Stables M, 'Floristic variability, distribution and an extension of range for the endangered Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest, Central Coast, New South Wales', Cunninghamia, 12 143-152 (2012)
Bell SAJ, 'Defining and mapping an endangered ecological community within Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, New South Wales.', Australasian Plant Conservation, 18 18-19 (2010)
Bell SAJ, 'Vegetation and floristics of Columbey National Park, lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales.', Cunninghamia, 11 241-275 (2009)
Bell SAJ, Driscoll C, Vegetation of the Cessnock-Kurri Region: Survey, Classification & Mapping, Cessnock LGA, New South Wales, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney South, 271 (2008)
Bell SAJ, Parsons J, Meldrum R, 'Towards the protection and management of hanging swamps on the Somersby Plateau, Central Coast, New South Wales.', Australasian Plant Conservation, 13 10-11 (2005)
Bell SAJ, 'Vegetation of Werakata National Park, Hunter Valley, New South Wales.', Cunninghamia, 8 331-347 (2004)
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Dr Stephen Bell
Position
Adjunct Lecturer
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Contact Details
| stephen.bell@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Mobile | 0407 284 240 |
Office
| Room | BAG05 (by appointment) |
|---|
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