Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0668388
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,458.00
Summary
The genetic basis for bioactivity in the traditional medicine plants of Australia. A plant species that produces a bioactive compound usually produce the compound in very small amounts. To allow for marketable levels of production of the bioactive compound, numerous amounts of plants would need to be removed from the environment. This not only removes the limited supply of possibly rare types of plants from the environment but also denies the use of this plant by traditional people. Locating and ....The genetic basis for bioactivity in the traditional medicine plants of Australia. A plant species that produces a bioactive compound usually produce the compound in very small amounts. To allow for marketable levels of production of the bioactive compound, numerous amounts of plants would need to be removed from the environment. This not only removes the limited supply of possibly rare types of plants from the environment but also denies the use of this plant by traditional people. Locating and using the genes responsible for producing these bioactive compounds will allow their sustainable biosynthesis.Read moreRead less
Future climate change: consequences for decomposition and pathways of carbon flow through rhizosphere fungal communities. The proposed collaboration will provide novel insights into likely consequences of global climate change on decomposition and pathways of carbon flow through forest soils. This will refine predictive models of future climate change and its impacts on the sustainability of Australia's forests. It will also enhance the protection of our valued habitats and their important soil ....Future climate change: consequences for decomposition and pathways of carbon flow through rhizosphere fungal communities. The proposed collaboration will provide novel insights into likely consequences of global climate change on decomposition and pathways of carbon flow through forest soils. This will refine predictive models of future climate change and its impacts on the sustainability of Australia's forests. It will also enhance the protection of our valued habitats and their important soil biodiversity. The knowledge gained will help land managers to adapt current practices to meet the demands of future climate change. This will maximize the opportunities for sequestering carbon in Australia's forests and so contribute to meeting Australia's global responsibility for mitigation of climate change.Read moreRead less
Plant : fungal symbioses in Australian forests - new perspectives using laser microdissection. Ericaceae are important components of the Australian flora in many habitats, including forests and fragile alpine regions that are significant to Australia's cultural and natural heritage, and several species are considered threatened. This project addresses the fundamental question of whether networks of symbiotic fungal mycelia act as below-ground bridges between Ericaceae plants and tree roots. If d ....Plant : fungal symbioses in Australian forests - new perspectives using laser microdissection. Ericaceae are important components of the Australian flora in many habitats, including forests and fragile alpine regions that are significant to Australia's cultural and natural heritage, and several species are considered threatened. This project addresses the fundamental question of whether networks of symbiotic fungal mycelia act as below-ground bridges between Ericaceae plants and tree roots. If demonstrated, this would alter current views of carbon and nutrient cycling in Australian forests and provide the basis for better informed decisions for the sustainable management of Australian forest resources. This is particularly important in the context of carbon sequestration and future climate change.Read moreRead less
Understanding fungal diversity and functioning in forest soils using molecular and stable isotope approaches. The project aims to investigate fungal community structure and functioning in forest soils using novel molecular, stable isotope and physiological approaches. This will provide new insights into the linkage between diversity and functioning in forest soil fungal communities and the importance of these organisms in ecosystem processes. In addition, this pioneering research will facilitate ....Understanding fungal diversity and functioning in forest soils using molecular and stable isotope approaches. The project aims to investigate fungal community structure and functioning in forest soils using novel molecular, stable isotope and physiological approaches. This will provide new insights into the linkage between diversity and functioning in forest soil fungal communities and the importance of these organisms in ecosystem processes. In addition, this pioneering research will facilitate development and refinement of methodologies that will pave the way for future investigations of fungal ecology. The on-going collaboration will produce high quality joint publications and provide significant opportunities for early career researchers to gain international experience in a dynamic research environment.Read moreRead less