Population Genetics of Fungal Pathogens that Threaten the Biosecurity of Australia's Eucalypts. Many new pathogens and diseases are emerging on exotic eucalypt plantations throughout the world. These emerging diseases pose a threat to native eucalypt forests and plantations in Australia. Vigilant quarantine measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of potentially devastating pathogens into Australia. However, incursions do occur and there is a great need to study these pathogens now, ....Population Genetics of Fungal Pathogens that Threaten the Biosecurity of Australia's Eucalypts. Many new pathogens and diseases are emerging on exotic eucalypt plantations throughout the world. These emerging diseases pose a threat to native eucalypt forests and plantations in Australia. Vigilant quarantine measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of potentially devastating pathogens into Australia. However, incursions do occur and there is a great need to study these pathogens now, before they enter Australia. By studying the population genetics of pathogens, their evolutionary potential can be estimated and with that the extent of the risk they pose to native and planted eucalypts in Australia can be determined.Read moreRead less
Do hotter and drier regions harbour adaptive variation for climate change? This project aims to improve our understanding of the capacity of trees to respond to climate change. This is essential for the maintenance of biodiversity, forest health and productivity. In south-west Australia, climate variation has increased the frequency and intensity of droughts, which has resulted in tree death and negatively affected essential ecosystem services. Adaptive land management is urgently needed to miti ....Do hotter and drier regions harbour adaptive variation for climate change? This project aims to improve our understanding of the capacity of trees to respond to climate change. This is essential for the maintenance of biodiversity, forest health and productivity. In south-west Australia, climate variation has increased the frequency and intensity of droughts, which has resulted in tree death and negatively affected essential ecosystem services. Adaptive land management is urgently needed to mitigate the risk of large-scale drought mortality in a rapidly changing climate. This project seeks to deliver a scientific basis for the adoption of assisted gene migration in south-west forests, through a detailed understanding of genetic adaptation and physiological tolerance, to improve drought-resilience under future hotter and drier climates.Read moreRead less