Long-term survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in black gravel soils on mining leases in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. Approximately 41% of the 5750 plant species in Western Australia are susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi a pathogen recognised as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity by the Federal Government. This project will enhance our understanding of how the pathogen survives in soil and tolerant plant species. It will determine how the pathogen is able to su ....Long-term survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in black gravel soils on mining leases in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. Approximately 41% of the 5750 plant species in Western Australia are susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi a pathogen recognised as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity by the Federal Government. This project will enhance our understanding of how the pathogen survives in soil and tolerant plant species. It will determine how the pathogen is able to survive long-term as dormant propagules and how this dormancy can be broken. This project will be relevant to managers of natural ecosystems and to the horticultural industries throughout Australia and will assist in developing effective ways to manage this ecologically devastating plant pathogen. Read moreRead less
In vitro propagation (through somatic embryogenesis) of rush and sedge species important for land rehabilitation. This project aims to transform existing propagation methods for rushes and sedges (recalcitrant, but key colonizer species) for restoring critical biodiversity in Australian mine-site restoration. This will be achieved through the process of somatic embryogenesis and will result in cost effective and efficient mass propagation. Significantly, this somatic embryogenesis research will ....In vitro propagation (through somatic embryogenesis) of rush and sedge species important for land rehabilitation. This project aims to transform existing propagation methods for rushes and sedges (recalcitrant, but key colonizer species) for restoring critical biodiversity in Australian mine-site restoration. This will be achieved through the process of somatic embryogenesis and will result in cost effective and efficient mass propagation. Significantly, this somatic embryogenesis research will provide the springboard for development of seed analogues (coated, desiccated somatic embryos) with subsequent economies from bypassing more costly nursery production of whole plants, utilizing existing infrastructure for direct seeding of restoration sites, and reducing dependence on dwindling reserves of wild-harvested seed.Read moreRead less
Ecophysiological limitations that affect water and carbon balance within large tree canopies: a comparative investigation. Supply of water to forest canopies is a major control of hydrological, atmospheric and biotic processes that impinge on groundwater stability, catchment yield, the fate of pollutants and plant productivity. Fundamental aspects of water transport and distribution within plant tissues remain obscured by conflicting experimental data and conflicting theoretical models that des ....Ecophysiological limitations that affect water and carbon balance within large tree canopies: a comparative investigation. Supply of water to forest canopies is a major control of hydrological, atmospheric and biotic processes that impinge on groundwater stability, catchment yield, the fate of pollutants and plant productivity. Fundamental aspects of water transport and distribution within plant tissues remain obscured by conflicting experimental data and conflicting theoretical models that describe physiological functioning.
Potential hydraulic constraints to the exchange of water and carbon between leaf and atmosphere require investigation before accurate models and informed decisions can be made with respect to the role of forests in biosphere-atmosphere processes. I will use large trees to investigate physiological and morphological determinants of hydraulic function and consider relationships between tree size, water requirements and water supply.
This project will foster comparative analyses of hydraulic functioning in large angiosperm and conifer species to elucidate universal principles that relate form to function and explain relationships between trees and their environment.
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A comparative study of the distribution and spread of potential molecular markers for Mundulla Yellows disease. Mundulla Yellows (MY), a newly recognised widespread lethal disease of Eucalyptus spp.in Australia, is a serious threat to national biodiversity and conservation. It is contagious, apparently biotic, but the causal agent is unknown. Identification of the cause is essential to establish sustainable control measures. We have detected a range of MY-associated RNAs constituting a disease ' ....A comparative study of the distribution and spread of potential molecular markers for Mundulla Yellows disease. Mundulla Yellows (MY), a newly recognised widespread lethal disease of Eucalyptus spp.in Australia, is a serious threat to national biodiversity and conservation. It is contagious, apparently biotic, but the causal agent is unknown. Identification of the cause is essential to establish sustainable control measures. We have detected a range of MY-associated RNAs constituting a disease 'fingerprint'. To identify individual RNAs uniquely associated with MY we aim to compare MY-RNA fingerprints from a range of affected species from different sites and with varying symptoms. Candidate RNAs will be cloned both for establishing molecular diagnostics for MY and identifying the cause.Read moreRead less
Forestry effects on headwater ecosystem health: a multi-catchment experiment. Most catchments in southern Australia have been logged historically. Increasingly, native forest harvesting occurs in regrowth or drier areas. Although foresters have empirical data on ecological effects of harvesting in pristine or wetter catchments, little exists for drier regrowth areas, hampering effective management to minimize impacts on stream ecosystem health. This project will supply ecological data on stre ....Forestry effects on headwater ecosystem health: a multi-catchment experiment. Most catchments in southern Australia have been logged historically. Increasingly, native forest harvesting occurs in regrowth or drier areas. Although foresters have empirical data on ecological effects of harvesting in pristine or wetter catchments, little exists for drier regrowth areas, hampering effective management to minimize impacts on stream ecosystem health. This project will supply ecological data on stream ecosystems to supplement 4 years of hydrological data collected by Forests NSW from 5 experimental catchments. Results will provide a firmer scientific basis for ecologically sustainable harvesting in this forest type, with flow-on benefits to our national economy, biodiversity, and environment.Read moreRead less
The physiological ecology of forest succession: explaining shade tolerance variation in evergreen and deciduous trees. This work will strengthen both the theoretical framework and the local knowledge base for sustainable timber production from natural forests, and for habitat restoration programs (National Research Priority 1.5: Sustainable Use of Australia's Biodiversity). These same advances of global and local relevance will also enable better quality input into models predicting vegetation d ....The physiological ecology of forest succession: explaining shade tolerance variation in evergreen and deciduous trees. This work will strengthen both the theoretical framework and the local knowledge base for sustainable timber production from natural forests, and for habitat restoration programs (National Research Priority 1.5: Sustainable Use of Australia's Biodiversity). These same advances of global and local relevance will also enable better quality input into models predicting vegetation dynamics under climate change scenarios (Research Priority 1.7: Responding to climate change & variability). Furthermore, by clarifying relationships of shade tolerance with other stress-tolerance strategies, this work will help us understand the evolutionary potential of local floras to respond to global change.Read moreRead less
Environmental and genetic control over blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) timber colour, density, and recovery. The project will investigate the roles of environment and genetics in the expression of wood characteristics in blackwood. It will determine the potential heritability of valuable blackwood wood traits and provide a sound understanding of the basis of colour expression. Heartwood characteristics, particularly colour, density, ring width and knottiness determine the commercial value of blac ....Environmental and genetic control over blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) timber colour, density, and recovery. The project will investigate the roles of environment and genetics in the expression of wood characteristics in blackwood. It will determine the potential heritability of valuable blackwood wood traits and provide a sound understanding of the basis of colour expression. Heartwood characteristics, particularly colour, density, ring width and knottiness determine the commercial value of blackwood. The limited research on these characteristics, all undertaken outside Australia, points to combined genetic and environmental control. By understanding the relative importance that environmental conditions and genetic material have in producing desirable wood traits, growers will be better able to realise the full commercial value of blackwood.Read moreRead less
Assessing the risk of genetic pollution from Eucalyptus globulus and Corymbia plantations. We will provide the biological information necessary to assess the risk of genetic pollution of native eucalypt forest from plantations of Eucalyptus globulus and Corymbia torelliana. Key biological factors that can act as barriers to hybridisation including flowering time, pollen and seed dispersal distances, crossability, hybrid fitness and the potential for backcrossing will be identified and used to de ....Assessing the risk of genetic pollution from Eucalyptus globulus and Corymbia plantations. We will provide the biological information necessary to assess the risk of genetic pollution of native eucalypt forest from plantations of Eucalyptus globulus and Corymbia torelliana. Key biological factors that can act as barriers to hybridisation including flowering time, pollen and seed dispersal distances, crossability, hybrid fitness and the potential for backcrossing will be identified and used to develop strategies to reduce the risk of genetic pollution. The molecular differentiation between populations of the E. globulus complex, including plantations, will be studied to provide a genetic framework for the management of the genepool of this most important hardwood plantation species.Read moreRead less
Genetic legacy of climate change in Australian temperate forests. This work will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the Quaternary history of the forests of south-eastern Australia. Finding the location of glacial refugia is crucial to the development of long-term conservation strategies, as they are areas of high genetic and species diversity. Understanding the evolutionary processes that affect genetic diversity and gene flow of these keystone species (Nothofagus cunningha ....Genetic legacy of climate change in Australian temperate forests. This work will make a significant contribution to the understanding of the Quaternary history of the forests of south-eastern Australia. Finding the location of glacial refugia is crucial to the development of long-term conservation strategies, as they are areas of high genetic and species diversity. Understanding the evolutionary processes that affect genetic diversity and gene flow of these keystone species (Nothofagus cunninghamii, N. moorei, Acacia melanoxylon, Eucalyptus viminalis) will help their long-term management.Read moreRead less
Increasing sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) recruitment in regional Western Australia through mammal conservation. The highly prized sandalwood is the basis of an industry that employs over 100 people and generates $12 million export income annually in regional WA. Natural recruitment of sandalwood is poor. This project will build on research, conducted by Murdoch University and the Forest Products Commission, that indicates natural recruitment of the tree is greatly enhance in the presence of nat ....Increasing sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) recruitment in regional Western Australia through mammal conservation. The highly prized sandalwood is the basis of an industry that employs over 100 people and generates $12 million export income annually in regional WA. Natural recruitment of sandalwood is poor. This project will build on research, conducted by Murdoch University and the Forest Products Commission, that indicates natural recruitment of the tree is greatly enhance in the presence of native rat-kangaroos who cache the seeds. This project will train an APA(I) postgraduate through an industry based project that will evaluate increased recruitment of sandalwood by native mammal caching. Many of these mammals are Conservation Dependent or Threatened with extinction.Read moreRead less