Phyloinformatics and biodiversity: developing bioinformatic tools for understanding the dynamics of extinction and invasion within species assemblages. DNA sequence data provides an exciting new way to study biodiversity, because the genome of each organism records its evolutionary history. By analysing DNA sequences co-existing species, we can reconstruct the ecological and evolutionary history of a biological community. This allows us to track biodiversity changes over time, and examine how th ....Phyloinformatics and biodiversity: developing bioinformatic tools for understanding the dynamics of extinction and invasion within species assemblages. DNA sequence data provides an exciting new way to study biodiversity, because the genome of each organism records its evolutionary history. By analysing DNA sequences co-existing species, we can reconstruct the ecological and evolutionary history of a biological community. This allows us to track biodiversity changes over time, and examine how the state of a species assemblage determines which species are lost through extinction or gained through the invasion of exotic species. Understanding the factors that govern changes in biodiversity over time is essential for planning for future conservation in the face of a rapidly changing environment. Read moreRead less
Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management. The project leverages recent research and infrastructure investments and our determined and collaborative team as it aims to: 1) assess the future geography of snow gum dieback in the high country and identify priority locations for pro-active management, 2) quantify the impact of snow gums on high country water and carbon budgets and thus the socio- economic and biodiversity values, and 3) determine options for mitigation. ....Understanding snow gum dieback for effective and integrated management. The project leverages recent research and infrastructure investments and our determined and collaborative team as it aims to: 1) assess the future geography of snow gum dieback in the high country and identify priority locations for pro-active management, 2) quantify the impact of snow gums on high country water and carbon budgets and thus the socio- economic and biodiversity values, and 3) determine options for mitigation. Dieback of our iconic snow gum forests is diminishing the ecological, hydrological and cultural values of the Australian Alps and will impact state and national water-supply and power-generation systems. Our research will inform Alps-wide management efforts designed for long-term success.Read moreRead less
Optimal photosynthetic traits on ecological time-scales. This project aims to understand how soils and climate shape plant ecological strategies for nutrient and water use in photosynthesis. Terrestrial biosphere models (including ecosystem, land surface and vegetation models) are based on a biochemical model for photosynthesis that accurately represents processes on physiological time-scales but lacks the ecological-evolutionary perspective needed to understand species’ adaptations along geogra ....Optimal photosynthetic traits on ecological time-scales. This project aims to understand how soils and climate shape plant ecological strategies for nutrient and water use in photosynthesis. Terrestrial biosphere models (including ecosystem, land surface and vegetation models) are based on a biochemical model for photosynthesis that accurately represents processes on physiological time-scales but lacks the ecological-evolutionary perspective needed to understand species’ adaptations along geographic gradients of soils and climate. This project will integrate theory based on microeconomic and optimality principles with empirical analysis of local- and global-scale trait datasets. This knowledge is intended to form the core of a ‘next-generation’ global vegetation model. This will allow government agencies to discover the likely effects of future climate and carbon dioxide changes on Australian vegetation structure, function and composition, forest productivity, and biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Drought and Salinity Tolerance in Metal Hyperaccumulating Plants: A Functional Role for the Metals? A few plant species can ?hyperaccumulate? metal ions to 100-1000 times the concentrations seen in ?normal? plants. Just why these plants have evolved such an extreme response to metalliferous soils remains an enigma. Many of the hyperaccumulators so far described are endemic to xeric environments, or saline soils prone to rapid drying. We hypothesize that the metals might act as osmotica, enha ....Drought and Salinity Tolerance in Metal Hyperaccumulating Plants: A Functional Role for the Metals? A few plant species can ?hyperaccumulate? metal ions to 100-1000 times the concentrations seen in ?normal? plants. Just why these plants have evolved such an extreme response to metalliferous soils remains an enigma. Many of the hyperaccumulators so far described are endemic to xeric environments, or saline soils prone to rapid drying. We hypothesize that the metals might act as osmotica, enhancing plant survival during water stress. This will be tested for Australian native and non-native hyperaccumulator plants. The study will clarify our understanding of the evolutionary significance of hyperaccumulation, and has important applications for extracting metals from contaminated soils.Read moreRead less
The renaissance predator: complex predator-prey interactions and vertebrate diversity in arid Australia. This project will greatly increase understanding of how predators influence the ecology and diversity of their prey in Australia's deserts, and thus improve our ability to conserve and manage our iconic but fragile inland landscapes. It will increase awareness locally about the richness of desert life and stimulate national and international interest by contributing to emerging debate about h ....The renaissance predator: complex predator-prey interactions and vertebrate diversity in arid Australia. This project will greatly increase understanding of how predators influence the ecology and diversity of their prey in Australia's deserts, and thus improve our ability to conserve and manage our iconic but fragile inland landscapes. It will increase awareness locally about the richness of desert life and stimulate national and international interest by contributing to emerging debate about how predators influence diversity. It will also establish an unparalleled 24-year time series of ecological data, and thus provide a key resource to chart the biological effects of climate change and assist sustainable management of biodiversity across the continent's vast interior. Read moreRead less
Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant competition: revealing underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. This project will increase understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable widespread beneficial symbiotic soil fungi to influence plant productivity and biodiversity of natural and managed plant ecosystems. It will also aid biotechnological and agronomic goals of maximizing use of scarce soil nutrients, especially phosphate. Results will be important ....Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant competition: revealing underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. This project will increase understanding of physiological and molecular mechanisms that enable widespread beneficial symbiotic soil fungi to influence plant productivity and biodiversity of natural and managed plant ecosystems. It will also aid biotechnological and agronomic goals of maximizing use of scarce soil nutrients, especially phosphate. Results will be important for agro-industry and Government groups focusing on 'healthy soil'. The project adds considerably to investment in research, infrastructure and international collaboration in this priority area. It will enhance Australia's reputation for research in soil biology and provide high standards in research education and training in an internationally recognised environment.Read moreRead less
Boom and bust: the role of fire and rain in driving the dynamics of seeds and rodents in arid Australia. The arid Australian environment oscillates between spectacular boom periods, when biotic productivity and diversity are high, and busts, when biotic resources are depleted. This project first outlines a conceptual model of this dynamic and complex system. It then investigates the roles of rainfall and fire in driving boom-bust events, focusing particularly on food resources (seeds) and their ....Boom and bust: the role of fire and rain in driving the dynamics of seeds and rodents in arid Australia. The arid Australian environment oscillates between spectacular boom periods, when biotic productivity and diversity are high, and busts, when biotic resources are depleted. This project first outlines a conceptual model of this dynamic and complex system. It then investigates the roles of rainfall and fire in driving boom-bust events, focusing particularly on food resources (seeds) and their consumers (desert rodents) in the hyper-variable Simpson Desert. We propose observations and experiments to quantify how these climatic events affect seed production, seed fate, and ultimately the dynamics of desert rodents, and outline their importance for effective management of the desert environment.Read moreRead less
Toad vs Toad: Innovative approaches to understand and control an invasive species. Understanding the ecology of an invasive pest species can be a powerful tool for developing control methods. Cane toads pose a major threat to Australian native species, and are spreading increasingly rapidly through the Australian tropics. Unfortunately, we still know very little about the biology of invasion-front populations of toads. This project will provide that understanding, and will explore new ideas a ....Toad vs Toad: Innovative approaches to understand and control an invasive species. Understanding the ecology of an invasive pest species can be a powerful tool for developing control methods. Cane toads pose a major threat to Australian native species, and are spreading increasingly rapidly through the Australian tropics. Unfortunately, we still know very little about the biology of invasion-front populations of toads. This project will provide that understanding, and will explore new ideas about ways to control toad populations. For example, if we can reduce the survival of feral animals by increasing the intensity of competition within their own popualtions rather than relying on effects of other species, we may be able to use the toads to control their own populations.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100208
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
How species interactions shape range boundaries. This project aims to discover how biotic interactions limit plant species distributions. This knowledge is crucial for improving models of plant response to climate and land-use change. Current modelling techniques routinely ignore interactions such as competition, focusing solely on the environment as a predictor of species range. Using trait-based analyses at a continental scale and targeted transplant experiments, this project aims to better un ....How species interactions shape range boundaries. This project aims to discover how biotic interactions limit plant species distributions. This knowledge is crucial for improving models of plant response to climate and land-use change. Current modelling techniques routinely ignore interactions such as competition, focusing solely on the environment as a predictor of species range. Using trait-based analyses at a continental scale and targeted transplant experiments, this project aims to better understand range limits of Australian plant species. This approach is expected to improve the ability to identify which plants will be the 'winners and losers' as the climate changes and to manage the risk to Australia’s flora.Read moreRead less
Understanding coastal biodiversity: The impact of marine production subsidies upon arid coastal environments. Many of the Earth's coastlines have productive seas next to arid terrestrial habitats. Much of the coastline of Western Australia is arid. Our project will determine if biodiversity in fringing terrestrial areas is controlled by the supply of marine plant material that is transported to land by waves, wind and birds. A consequence of increasing coastal usage is associated growing anthrop ....Understanding coastal biodiversity: The impact of marine production subsidies upon arid coastal environments. Many of the Earth's coastlines have productive seas next to arid terrestrial habitats. Much of the coastline of Western Australia is arid. Our project will determine if biodiversity in fringing terrestrial areas is controlled by the supply of marine plant material that is transported to land by waves, wind and birds. A consequence of increasing coastal usage is associated growing anthropogenic pressures on the coastal environment. Our aim is to enhance awareness of the interactions that occur between terrestrial and marine systems, and hence to increase the capacity of the public and private sector to manage marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and the interface between them.Read moreRead less