Belinda Medlyn – The Conversation

Gregory Heath/CSIRO

February 17, 2026

Intense heatwaves directly threaten crops and native species. Here’s what we can do

Owen Atkin, Australian National University; Adrienne Nicotra, Australian National University; Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University, and Michael Kearney, The University of Melbourne

Sustained extreme heat can damage, weaken and kill all living things, from wheat crops to koalas and fruit bats.

Kara Peak/Unsplah

January 6, 2026

Yes, forest trees die of old age. But the warming climate is killing them faster

Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University; Laura Williams, Western Sydney University, and Ruiling Lu, Western Sydney University

The warming climate is killing Australia’s forest trees at a faster rate. This offers a glimpse of what may lie ahead for forests globally.

Shutterstock

June 6, 2024

A fierce battle is being fought in the soil beneath our feet – and the implications for global warming are huge

Kristine Crous, Western Sydney University; Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University, and David S Ellsworth, Western Sydney University

Trees are supposed to grow faster as a result of increased CO₂ in the atmosphere - but this research suggests there are many exceptions to the rule.

Torychemistry, Shutterstock

September 24, 2023

We need urban trees more than ever – here’s how to save them from extreme heat

Renée M Prokopavicius, Western Sydney University; Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University; David S Ellsworth, Western Sydney University, and Mark G Tjoelker, Western Sydney University

New research reveals how trees respond to extreme heat. Most trees lose more water than models predict. Some species cope better than others. Access to water will be critical for the hot summer ahead.

Rachael Nolan

March 8, 2020

Entire hillsides of trees turned brown this summer. Is it the start of ecosystem collapse?

Rachael Helene Nolan, Western Sydney University; Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University; Brendan Choat, Western Sydney University, and Rhiannon Smith, University of New England

The drought has pushed many trees to the brink, and whole stands are now dying. The ecological consequences are huge.

As climate change threatens Australian trees, it’s important to identify which are at risk. Nicolás Boullosa/flickr

March 26, 2019

Are more Aussie trees dying of drought? Scientists need your help spotting dead trees

Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University; Brendan Choat, Western Sydney University, and Martin De Kauwe, UNSW

Climate extremes are killing Australian trees, but we don’t know where they’re dying. Scientists are asking the public to use their phones to help.

Contact Belinda for