Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial ana ....Tree-mediated methane fluxes: A new frontier in the global carbon cycle. Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Recent evidence suggests that tree-mediated fluxes may be a significant, but overlooked source of methane to the atmosphere. This project aims to quantify the magnitude and drivers of tree-mediated methane fluxes from Australia’s dominant forest types. Innovatively, we will be using a novel combination of empirical field based measurements, gas tracer experiments, microbial analysis and modelling methods. Expected outcomes are a mechanistic understanding of tree-mediated methane fluxes, helping to constrain regional, national and global methane budgets. The results of this study will help inform publicly funded greenhouse gas abatement strategies, ensuring a maximal return on investment.Read moreRead less
Engineering plants via modified microtubule dynamics. The plant microtubule cytoskeleton is involved in many economically important functions such as controlling growth and development, cellulose deposition, and responses to pathogens and salinity. This project will increase our understanding of how the regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton affects these processes and move us nearer to achieving economically important goals, such as the development of crop plants with improved traits. Thi ....Engineering plants via modified microtubule dynamics. The plant microtubule cytoskeleton is involved in many economically important functions such as controlling growth and development, cellulose deposition, and responses to pathogens and salinity. This project will increase our understanding of how the regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton affects these processes and move us nearer to achieving economically important goals, such as the development of crop plants with improved traits. This project will also help maintain Australia's position at the forefront of plant cell and molecular biology.Read moreRead less
Comparative eco-physiology of two contrasting arid-zone woodlands in Central Australia: hydrological niche separation and ecosystem resilience. This proposal addresses two fundamental questions: how do co-occurring species co-exist and why do Australian ecosystems have larger ecosystem water-use-efficiencies than those in the USA? This proposal will: determine the resilience of two contrasting arid-zone woodlands; compare variation in hydraulic-related plant traits across co-existing species; an ....Comparative eco-physiology of two contrasting arid-zone woodlands in Central Australia: hydrological niche separation and ecosystem resilience. This proposal addresses two fundamental questions: how do co-occurring species co-exist and why do Australian ecosystems have larger ecosystem water-use-efficiencies than those in the USA? This proposal will: determine the resilience of two contrasting arid-zone woodlands; compare variation in hydraulic-related plant traits across co-existing species; and, determine the relative contribution of changes in assimilation and stomatal conductance to variation (across species and time) in water-use-efficiency. Outcomes of this work include a mechanistic understanding of the behaviour of water-limited woodlands in current and future climates. This is significant because such biomes are globally important and are home to two billion people. Read moreRead less
Impacts of groundwater extraction on ecophysiology of Australian trees. The aim of this project is to determine the response of trees to the extraction of shallow groundwater. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems rely on a supply of groundwater to maintain ecosystem health, structure and function, and excessive depletion of groundwater resources has a negative impact on these ecosystems. The project intends to combine a field-scale experimental depletion of groundwater resources simultaneously with ....Impacts of groundwater extraction on ecophysiology of Australian trees. The aim of this project is to determine the response of trees to the extraction of shallow groundwater. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems rely on a supply of groundwater to maintain ecosystem health, structure and function, and excessive depletion of groundwater resources has a negative impact on these ecosystems. The project intends to combine a field-scale experimental depletion of groundwater resources simultaneously with alterations in rainfall input and measurements of tree responses. The results of the project are intended to inform industry regulators and the water supply industry on how to improve management of both groundwater and vegetation resources.Read moreRead less
Genome Approaches to Investigate Metabolic Coordination in Plant Cells. Metabolism of C and N in legume nodules requires interaction between the symbiotic bacteria and plant organelles, particularly metabolism in plastids and mitochondria. Fixed N is assimilated through the de novo synthesis of purines in both plastids and mitochondria. However, each of the nine pathway enzymes is encoded by a single gene, indicating each protein is targeted to both organelles. Purine metabolism will provide ....Genome Approaches to Investigate Metabolic Coordination in Plant Cells. Metabolism of C and N in legume nodules requires interaction between the symbiotic bacteria and plant organelles, particularly metabolism in plastids and mitochondria. Fixed N is assimilated through the de novo synthesis of purines in both plastids and mitochondria. However, each of the nine pathway enzymes is encoded by a single gene, indicating each protein is targeted to both organelles. Purine metabolism will provide a model to assess the more general occurrence of dual-targeted proteins in plants. The aim is to identify and eventually exploit the signalling mechanism(s) that mediate communication between plastids and mitochondria.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national i ....An Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility for Applications in Proteomics and Organic Chemistry. Biomolecular research and research training, in which proteomics is core, has become a critical component of post-industrial development in the Hunter region. Development of a cutting edge proteomics facility will benefit a research community comprising over 50 researchers and 150 undergraduate students significantly enhancing their research productivity and translation of outcomes in areas of national importance. These include understanding the impact of the environment on plant and animal development, pest animal control, development of new biotechnology tools, new drugs and new methods for the detection of narcotics and explosives.Read moreRead less
Turning water into carbon: a synthesis of plant water-use efficiency from leaf to globe. The efficiency with which plants use water to gain carbon is a fundamental aspect of plant growth that has been frequently measured but is poorly understood. Using our new theory to draw together major datasets, the project will make a dramatic advance in our ability to understand and predict this key aspect of ecosystem function.