Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management a ....Genetic architecture of species divergence and hybridisation in eucalypts. Eucalypts are an icon of Australia and are of great economic and ecological significance to the nation. They are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world, but Australia is the centre of origin of most species and the custodian of this important native bioresource. Understanding the evolutionary processes that shape diversity in this internationally significant genus is important for its long-term management and conservation. This project links to large international initiatives currently underway for high-density mapping and sequencing of the eucalypt genome, to enhance the flow of information gained back to Australia for scientific, economic and environmental benefit.Read moreRead less
Hybridisation and gene flow in Eucalyptus. We propose to use a molecular approach to study hybridisation in eucalypts. We will study the genetic barriers to gene flow and provide base-line data to assess the potential threat of genetic pollution from exotic plantations to our native forest gene pools. We will concentrate our studies on species of subgenus Symphyomyrtus which includes all the major plantation species. This will allow us to extend our long-running studies of hybridisation towar ....Hybridisation and gene flow in Eucalyptus. We propose to use a molecular approach to study hybridisation in eucalypts. We will study the genetic barriers to gene flow and provide base-line data to assess the potential threat of genetic pollution from exotic plantations to our native forest gene pools. We will concentrate our studies on species of subgenus Symphyomyrtus which includes all the major plantation species. This will allow us to extend our long-running studies of hybridisation towards understanding the dynamics and consequences of genetic invasion and help develop guidelines to minimise the risk of genetic pollution.Read moreRead less
Community and ecosystem consequences of adaptive evolution in Eucalyptus. There is emerging evidence across plant systems that genes in one species influence biodiversity and the services ecosystems provide, including soil fertility, carbon storage, and pollination. These results suggest that adaptive evolution in plants can lead to change in biodiversity and ecosystem function. If this finding proves to be true, results from this proposal might be critical to future decisions on the ecosystem ....Community and ecosystem consequences of adaptive evolution in Eucalyptus. There is emerging evidence across plant systems that genes in one species influence biodiversity and the services ecosystems provide, including soil fertility, carbon storage, and pollination. These results suggest that adaptive evolution in plants can lead to change in biodiversity and ecosystem function. If this finding proves to be true, results from this proposal might be critical to future decisions on the ecosystem consequences of landscape level selective events. There may be major implications for the rapidly expanding environmental and forestry plantings across Australia and temperate regions of the world where choice of seed source may have far reaching consequences.Read moreRead less
Impacts of Eucalypt genetics at the community and ecosystem levels. The genetics of a dominant tree species has recently been shown to have far reaching effects on associated biodiversity and ecosystem processes. If this finding proves to be general and is shown to be the case for Australia's iconic eucalypts then understanding their genetics will provide significant insights into the drivers of biological organisation and ecological processes in Australia's native forests and woodlands. This w ....Impacts of Eucalypt genetics at the community and ecosystem levels. The genetics of a dominant tree species has recently been shown to have far reaching effects on associated biodiversity and ecosystem processes. If this finding proves to be general and is shown to be the case for Australia's iconic eucalypts then understanding their genetics will provide significant insights into the drivers of biological organisation and ecological processes in Australia's native forests and woodlands. This will also have major implications for the rapidly expanding environmental and forestry plantings across Australia where choice of seed source may have far reaching consequences.Read moreRead less