I am an ecologist who works predominantly in urban areas because although they are the cause of many of the world’s environmental problems cities also offer humanity great hope for a sustainable future. I seek to understand urban biodiversity patterns and ecosystem processes and then develop applied solutions to reduce the negative impacts of urbanization such as biodiversity loss, excess urban heat, stormwater runoff and CO2 emissions.
I am predominantly a plant ecologist with particular expertise in how urbanisation influences plant traits, native grassland conservation and restoration and weed invasions but I have also worked on mammals, molluscs and insects. Together with social scientist colleagues I have even investigated the most complex aspect of urban environments – humans! In 2007 I established a research program to develop and evaluate the benefits of green infrastructure, in particular vegetated roofs and facades, as a climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy for Australian cities. This has since become a major research focus of the Burnley Campus, attracting substantial funding and has led to the construction of three green roofs and development of specialist subjects and courses.
Find out more about Nicholas Williams' experience
Nicholas Williams' highlights
FEATURED Journal article
Biochar made from low density wood has greater plant available water than biochar made from high density wood
Read moreNicholas Williams' selected work
Researching the benefits of demonstration green roofs across Australia
Research Grant
Greening our grey cities: here's how green roofs and walls can flourish in Australia
NEWS ARTICLE
Green roof and ground-level invertebrate communities are similar and are driven by buildin..
Journal article
ECOSYSTEMS SERVICES FROM LARGE URBAN GREEN SPACES - THE BIODIVERSITY AND CARBON BENEFIT OF..
Research Grant
Here's how to design cities where people and nature can both flourish
NEWS ARTICLE
Footpaths, tree cut-outs and social contagion drive citizen greening in the road verge
Journal article
Nicholas Williams' selected work
Projects
Displaying the 10 most recent projects by Nicholas Williams.
Project Types
17
Research Grant
12
Research Contracts
5
Internal Research Grant
Scholarly Works
Displaying the 10 most recent scholarly works by Nicholas Williams.
News
Displaying the 5 most recent news articles by Nicholas Williams.
Honours, Awards and Fellowships
Project: Biodiversity Monitoring in Melbourne’s East with City of Boroondara and Easten Alliance for Greenhouse Action
Nancy Millis Science in Parks Award
Vice-Chancellors Engagement Award
Credentials
Positions
Positions
Associate Professer In Urban Hort/Natural Resource
Ecosystem And Forest Sciences
Member
Ecological Society of America
Member
Green Roofs Australia
Member
Field Naturalists Club of Victoria
Member
British Ecological Society
Chair
Evans St Wildflower Grassland Advisory Commitee (for City of Hume)
Member
Ecological Society of Australia
Education
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Arts
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science
University of Melbourne