I am currently a Research Scientist within the Biogeography and Wetland Conservation Programs. My main area of research has centred on conducting plot-based regional vegetation and flora surveys to determine the conservation status of plant communities and species. Botanical surveys to date have included the coastal areas of the south coast, Swan Coastal Plain, Goldfields ranges, Carnarvon Basin, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, and most recently the islands along the Kimberley Coast. Surveys of the Wheatbelt and Pilbara have focused on the riparian and aquatic flora of wetlands and rivers.
My other primary work has been a long-term monitoring project (1997- present) documenting trends in wetland vegetation condition in the south-west. This is has focused on the impacts of altered hydrology and salinity on vegetation health and the population dynamics of riparian tree species.
I have a keen interest in the flora and plant communities of naturally saline wetlands especially those with landforms containing gypseous soils.
Regional botanical surveys.
Wetland survey.
Vegetation monitoring.
Conservation status of plant communities and species.
I completed an honours degree in botany from University of Western Australia. My honours research examined the interaction of honeybees and native insect pollinators in the Northern Sandplains. Prior to joining the formerley CALM Science Division at Woodvale in 1989, I was employed by CALM’s Wheatbelt region to conduct reserve surveys and reserve management duties.
Since that time I have been involved in wetland and terrestrial vegetation surveys throughout much of the state, including intensive monitoring of wetland vegetation in the south west. I have also undertaken the description of novel wetland taxa discovered during major survey projects.
Fortescue Marsh flora and mapping project.
Kimberley Islands Biological Survey.
State Salinity Strategy Wetland Monitoring.
Pilbara Biological Survey.
Latorre B, Moret-Fernández D, Lyons MN, Palacio S (2021). Smartphone-based tension disc infiltrometer for soil hydraulic characterisation. Journal of Hydrology 600,
Lyons MN, Markey A (2021). Fortescue Valley Dunes PEC, South East Marillana Station: botanical values, condition assessment and approaches to minimize stock impacts. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 33 p.
Binks RM, Wilkins CF, Markey AS, Lyons MN, Byrne M (2020). Genomic data and morphological re-assessment reveals synonymy and hybridisation among Seringia taxa (Lasiopetaleae, Malvaceae) in remote north-western Australia. Taxon 69, pp. 307–320
Kruse J, Shivas RG, McTaggart AR, Lyons MN (2020). Macalpinomyces collinsiae J. Kruse, M.N. Lyons, McTaggart & R.G. Shivas, sp. nov.. Persoonia 44, pp. 410–411
Lyons M, Collins M, Pryde J, English V (2020). Flora. In Biodiversity survey, mapping, delineation and assessment of selected organic mound springs of the Kimberley Region Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. pp. 7–19, 108–133
García FJP, Akhani H, Olvera HF, Kurt L, Lorite J, Lyons M et al. (2019). A first evaluation of the conservation status of the global gypsum flora (ABSTRACT). In Libro de Resúmenes: Congreso de Biología de la Conservación de Plantas: Granada, 9-12 Julio 2019 p. 77
Lyons MN (2019). The gypsum flora and plant communities of Western Australia (ABSTRACT). In Book of Abstracts and Field Trip Guide: 2nd International Workshop GYPWORLD, 1-4 April 2019, Reggio Calabria (Italy) p. 14
Lyons MN (2019). The gypsum flora and plant communities of Western Australia. PowerPoint presentation at 2nd International Workshop GYPWORLD, 1-4 April 2019, Reggio Calabria (Italy). 39 p.
Tejero P, Moore M, Ochoterena H, Martín-Bravo S, Martín-Hernanz S, Fernández-Mazuecos M et al. [Lyons M, van Leeuwen S] (2019). Tracking gypsophily across the phylogeny: 3 study cases (ABSTRACT). In Book of Abstracts and Field Trip Guide: 2nd International Workshop GYPWORLD, 1-4 April 2019, Reggio Calabria (Italy) p. 26
Lyons M, Pinder A, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2018). Wetland biodiversity patterning along the middle to upper Fortescue valley (Pilbara, Western Australia) to inform conservation planning (POSTER ABSTRACT). In Program: 14th Annual WA Wetland Management Conference 2018: Celebrating World Wetlands Day, Friday 2nd February 2018, 9am to 4pm, Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre, 184 Hope Road, Bibra Lake, Western Australia p. 15
Lyons M, Pinder A, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2018). Wetland biodiversity patterning along the middle to upper Fortescue valley (Pilbara, Western Australia) to inform conservation planning. Poster presented at the 14th Annual WA Wetland Management Conference 2018, Friday 2nd February 2018, Bibra Lake, Western Australia. 7 p.
Markey AS, Wilkins CF, Coppen RA, Lyons MN (2018). Targeted rare and priority flora survey: La Grange project area. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 164 p.
Gibson LA, Cowan MA, Lyons MN, Palmer R, Pearson DJ, Doughty P (2017). Island refuges: conservation significance of the biodiversity patterns resulting from natural fragmentation. Biological Conservation 212, pp. 349–356
Pinder A, Lyons M, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2017). Clay-rich landscapes mould unique wetland assemblages in the Pilbara’s Fortescue Valley (POSTER). Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA.
Pinder A, Lyons M, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2017). Clay-rich landscapes mould unique wetland assemblages in the Pilbara’s Fortescue Valley. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 91/2017, 2 p.
Pinder A, Lyons M, Collins M, Lewis L, Quinlan K, Shiel R et al. [Coppen R, Thompson F] (2017). Wetland biodiversity patterning along the middle to upper Fortescue valley (Pilbara, Western Australia) to inform conservation planning. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. 121 p.
Gibson LA, Williams KJ, Pinder AM, Harwood T, McKenzie NL, Ferrier S et al. [Lyons MN, Burbidge AH] (2015). Compositional patterns in terrestrial fauna and wetland flora and fauna across the Pilbara biogeographic region of Western Australia and the representativeness of its conservation reserve system. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 78, pp. 515–545
Lyons MN (2015). The riparian flora and plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 78, pp. 485–513
Lyons MN, Keighery G (2015). A new species of Angianthus (Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Gnaphalieae) from the south-west of Western Australia. Nuytsia 25, pp. 125–129
Pinder A, Lane J, Lyons M, Cale D (2015). Aquatic fauna of the seasonal wetlands in Wandoo National Park. PowerPoint presentation at Seasonal Clay-Based Wetlands Workshop: Wandoo National Park: Friday 13 November 2015, Margaret Forrest Centre, John Forrest National Park. 19 p.
Lyons M (2014). Kimberley islands: microcosms of the mainland's flora and vegetation. Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 78/2014, 2 p.
Lyons MN, Keighery GJ, Gibson LA, Handasyde T (2014). Flora and vegetation communities of selected islands off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 81, pp. 205–243
Cale DJ, McCormick C, Lyons MN, Pinder AM (2011). State Salinity Strategy wetland biodiversity monitoring report: Lake Wheatfield 1997-2009. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 62 p.
Keighery G, Lyons M, Gibson N, Keighery B (2011). Vascular flora of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Conservation Science Western Australia 8, pp. 31–60
Cale D, Lyons M, McCormick C, Pinder A, Walker C (2010). State Salinity Strategy wetland biodiversity monitoring report: Lake Eganu 1998-2007. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 42 p.
Keighery G, Lyons M, Gibson N, Keighery B (2010). Vascular flora of the Margaret River Plateau national parks, conservation parks and state forest, south-western Western Australia. Conservation Science Western Australia 7, pp. 481–502
Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons MN, Webb A (2009). Terrestrial flora and vegetation of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Appendices. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. pp. 289–366
Halse SA, Lyons MN, Pinder AM, Shiel RJ (2009). Biodiversity patterns and their conservation in wetlands of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Appendices. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. pp. 555–611
Lyons MN, Dunlop JA (eds) (2009). Data appendices: a biodiversity survey of the Western Australian agricultural zone. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 624 p.
Lyons MN, Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons SD (2009). Wetland flora and vegetation of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Appendices. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. pp. 53–144
Shepherd KA, Lyons MN (2009). Three new species of Tecticornia (Chenopodiaceae, subfamily Salicornioideae) identified through Salinity Action Plan surveys of the central wheatbelt region, Western Australia. Nuytsia 19, pp. 167–180
Keighery GJ, Gibson N, van Leeuwen S, Lyons MN, Patrick S (2007). Biological survey and setting priorities for flora conservation in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 55, pp. 308–315
Lyons M (2007). Juncus acutus occurrence in the wheatbelt (ABSTRACT). 11 digital slides
Lyons MN (2007). The current distribution of Juncus acutus and aspects of its occurrence in the SW agricultural zone. In Managing Sharp Rush (Juncus acutus): proceedings of a workshop held at Wollaston College Conference Centre, Mt Claremont, Perth, Western Australia, Friday 4 August 2006 Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. pp. 19–25
Lyons MN, Dunlop JA (comps) (2007). Western Australia agricultural zone biodiversity survey database. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. 1 CD-ROM
Lyons MN, Halse SA, Gibson N, Cale DJ, Lane JAK, Walker CD et al. [Mickle DA] (2007). Monitoring wetlands in a salinizing landscape: case studies from the wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Hydrobiologia 591, pp. 147–164
Lyons MN, Keighery GJ (2007). A new species of Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) from saline wetland margins in Western Australia. Nuytsia 16, pp. 317–320
Keighery G, Gibson N, van Leeuwen S, Lyons M, Patrick S (2006). Biological survey and priorities for flora conservation (ABSTRACT). In Conference Book: Australian Systematic Botany Society, 13-15 November, 2006, James Cook University, Cairns p. 30
Lyons M, Keighery G (2006). A new species of Tribonanthes (Haemodoraceae) from saline wetland margins in Western Australia. Nuytsia 16, pp. 77–80
Lyons MN (2006). South-west wetlands: flora and plant communities (ABSTRACT). In Proceedings of the Seminar and AJ Swaby Address from the 23rd Biennial Conference of the Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants: Perth, October 2005. Ed. 2 p. 14
Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons MN, Keighery BJ (2005). Threatened plant communities of Western Australia. 2, the seasonal clay-based wetland communities of the south west. Pacific Conservation Biology 11, pp. 287–301
Keighery G, Gibson N, Patrick S, Lyons M, van Leeuwen S (2005). Biological survey and priorities for flora conservation (ABSTRACT). In Advances in Plant Conservation Biology: Implications for Flora Management and Restoration: Symposium Program and Abstracts 25-27 October 2005 p. 6
Pinder AM, Halse SA, Lyons ML, McRae JM (2005). Aquatic communities of salt lakes in the Western Australian wheatbelt (ABSTRACT). In ISSLR 9th Conference, Perth 2005, September 26-30, 2005: Program and Abstracts pp. 41–42
Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons MN, Webb A (2004). Terrestrial flora and vegetation of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 67, pp. 139–189
Halse SA, Lyons MN, Pinder AM, Shiel RJ (2004). Biodiversity patterns and their conservation in wetlands of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 67, pp. 337–364
Lyons MN, Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons SD (2004). Wetland flora and vegetation of the Western Australian wheatbelt. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 67, pp. 39–89
Davis JA, McGuire M, Halse SA, Hamilton D, Horwitz P, McComb AJ et al. [Lyons M] (2003). What happens when you add salt?: predicting impacts of secondary salinisation on shallow aquatic ecosystems using an alternative states model. Australian Journal of Botany 51, pp. 715–724
Keighery G, Gibson N, Lyons M (2003). Conservation and composition of the flora of the Western Australian agricultural zone (ABSTRACT). In State Landcare Conference: Conference Program & Abstracts: 7-10 October 2003, Katanning Leisure Centre, Western Australia p. 31
Davis J, McGuire M, Halse S, Hamilton D, Horwitz P, McComb A et al. [Lyons M] (2002). What happens when you add salt?: predicting impacts of secondary salinisation on shallow aquatic ecosystems using an alternative states model (ABSTRACT). In International Conference on Prospects for Biodiversity & Rivers in Salinising Landscapes: Albany, Western Australia, 20-27 October 2002: Conference Papers p. 122
Lyons MN, Gibson N, Keighery GJ (2002). Wetland plant communities of the Western Australian agricultural zone: claypans, naturally saline wetlands and secondary salinity. In International Conference on Prospects for Biodiversity & Rivers in Salinising Landscapes: Albany, Western Australia, 20-27 October 2002: Conference Papers Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, Perth. pp. 77–83
Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons MN (2001). Vascular flora of Scott National Park, Camping Reserve 12951 and Gingilup Swamps Nature Reserve, Western Australia. CALMScience 3, pp. 411–432
Gibson N, Lyons MN (2001). Flora and vegetation of the eastern goldfields ranges. Part 4, Highclere Hills. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 84, pp. 71–81
Gibson N, Lyons MN (2001). Flora and vegetation of the eastern goldfields ranges. Part 5, Hunt Range, Yendilberin and Watt Hills. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 84, pp. 129–142
Keighery G, Lyons M (2001). Existing and potential natural diversity recovery catchments indicative list. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 3 p.
Gibson N, Burbidge AH, Keighery GJ, Lyons MN (2000). The temperate to arid transition of the Irwin-Carnarvon phytogeographic boundary, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 61, pp. 155–173
Gibson N, Keighery GJ, Lyons MN (2000). The flora and vegetation of seasonal and perennial wetlands of the southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 61, pp. 175–199
Keighery G, Lyons M, Gibson N, Webb A (2000). Marchagee Nature Reserve preliminary flora list. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 10 p.
Keighery GJ, Gibson N, Lyons MN, Burbidge AH (2000). Flora and vegetation of the southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 61, pp. 77–154
Lyons MN, Keighery GJ, Gibson N, Wardell-Johnson G (2000). The vascular flora of the Warren bioregion, south-west Western Australia: composition, reservation status and endemism. CALMScience 3, pp. 181–250
Lyons MN (1999). Botanical values of wheatbelt salt lakes. In Proceedings of the Salt Lake Ecology Seminar: Wednesday, 7 July, 1999, Perth Zoo Conference Centre Centre for Land Rehabilitation, Perth. pp. 53–57
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1998). Flora and vegetation of the eastern goldfields ranges. 2, Bremer Range. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 81, pp. 107–117
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1998). Flora and vegetation of the eastern goldfields ranges. 3, Parker Range. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 81, pp. 119–129
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1997). Floristic survey of Middle and Southern Ironcap, Digger Rocks and Hatter Hill of the eastern goldfields of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 23 p.
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1997). Floristic survey of the Highclere Hills of the eastern goldfields of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 25 p.
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1997). Floristic survey of the Hunt Range, Yendilberin and Watt Hills of the eastern goldfields of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 27 p.
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1997). Floristic survey of the Mt. Manning Range of the eastern goldfields of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 24 p.
Gibson N, Lyons MN, Lepschi BJ (1997). Flora and vegetation. In A Biological Survey of the Helena and Aurora Range, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia (M.N. Lyons & A. Chapman) Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. pp. 5–23, 45–55
Gibson N, Lyons MN, Lepschi BJ (1997). Flora and vegetation of the eastern goldfield ranges. Part 1, Helena and Aurora Range. CALMScience 2, pp. 231–246
Lyons MN, Chapman A (eds) (1997). A biological survey of the Helena and Aurora Range, eastern goldfields, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 88 p.
Gibson N, Keighery BJ, Keighery GJ, Burbidge AH, Lyons MN (1995). A floristic survey of the southern Swan Coastal Plain: report to Heritage Council of W.A. and Australian Heritage Commission. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 228 p.
Gibson N, Lyons MN (1995). Floristic survey of the Bremer and Parker ranges of the eastern goldfields of Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 62 p.
Keighery G, Gibson N, Lyons M, Muir W (1995). A preliminary checklist for Zuytdorp National Park, September 1995. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 9 p.
Lyons M (1995). Dear diary, wrote letters, report, and fought fire. CALM News Jan/Feb, pp. 6–7
Gibson N, Keighery BJ, Keighery GJ, Burbidge AH, Lyons MN (1994). A floristic survey of the southern Swan Coastal Plain: report to Heritage Council of W.A. and Australian Heritage Commission. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 228 p.
Lyons MN, Gibson N (1994). Bibliography of location-based biological studies in Western Australia. 1, 136 p.
Wills RT, Lyons MN, Bell DT (1990). The European honey bee in Western Australian kwongan: foraging preferences and some implications for management. 16, pp. 167–176