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School of Plant Science

Potential Honours Projects in 2012

HONOURS PROJECTS 2

HONOURS PROGRAMME 3

SCHOLARSHIPS 4

DEVELOPMENTAL GENETICS 6

CELL BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY 8

ECOLOGY 10

ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF OUR FLORA 12

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 14

RESTORATION ECOLOGY 16

FOREST PRACTICES AUTHORITY 18

FORESTRY TASMANIA 20

CURRENT PLANT SCIENCE HONOURS STUDENTS 22

CONTACTS 24

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Honours Projects

In this booklet we have listed the potential projects available in 2012 for students interested in undertaking an honours year in the School of Plant Science. The teaching and research excellence of the School of Plant Science is recognised at the local, national and international levels. Plant Science staff have won numerous research grants, including prestigious ARC Discovery grants over the last few years to support our research students. Furthermore, we are able to provide our students with access to a network of researchers in Tasmania, interstate and around the world. The School is very diverse and covers the entire spectrum of plant science research:

• plant development • ecology • climate change • environmental change • forestry • plant/animal interactions • population genetics • breeding • evolution • biogeography • palaeoclimatology • taxonomy • cell biology • biotechnology

We encourage you to contact the supervisors listed for further information about the projects or to discuss options. For general Honours questions contact our Honours coordinator, Mr Paddy Dalton: [email protected] or phone 03 6226 7873.

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Honours Programme

The Honours course for 2012 will consist of a number of components, which are outlined below. Literature Review: An individual topic will be decided by the School for the literature review, which may be related to your research interests. It is to be no more than 5000 words, excluding references, and should be submitted for assessment in accordance with the guidelines below, as an unbound copy. This review will be completed and assessed in the first half of the Honours year. At the end of the year it is to be bound and submitted with the experimental thesis. Seminars: Each student will give two seminars during the course of the year 1. An introductory seminar in which an outline of the research topic and

proposed research plan will be presented. This will be given about 6 weeks after the start of the Honours course.

2. A final seminar will be given about one month before the submission of your thesis. This will provide the opportunity to present the results of your research project.

In addition to your own seminar presentations, other members of the School (academic, postgraduate and visitor) will also present seminars throughout the year. It is imperative that you are available to attend these as well. Grant Application: A budgeted research proposal, which is prepared in accordance with the current ARC guidelines and submitted on a modified application form. Experimental Thesis: Present a thesis on a research project, which has been supervised by a member(s) of the academic staff. Part of the assessment of this component will include a short oral interview before an examining panel. This takes place after the submission of your thesis but before marks (grades) are determined. Three (3) hardbound copies of the Thesis, submitted in accord with the guidelines, are required for assessment. Any approved corrections can be made on a copy following the determination of your grade and this should be lodged with the Honours Coordinator before you leave the School.

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Scholarships

Professor Bill Jackson Tasmanian University Scholarship For entry into any area of Plant Science Honours. Valued up to $10,000. Professor Newton Barber Honours Scholarship For entry into any area of Plant Science Honours Based on academic performance in 3rd year Plant Science Valued at $6000 Jane R. Gillies Scholarship. For entry into Honours Based on 3rd year academic performance. Valued at $2000 J. Malcolm Gillies Scholarship For entry into Honours Based on 3rd year academic performance. Valued at $2000 To apply go to: www.utas.edu.au/plantsci then click on the scholarships link. Questions? Contact Paddy Dalton on 03 6226 7873 or [email protected]

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Molecular Genetics of Eucalyptus

The School of Plant Science has a long history of internationally recognised research in native plant genetics, mainly eucalypts. This research group involves strong alliances between molecular and quantitative geneticists, ecologists, as well as numerous external collaborators. Major advances in eucalypt genomics occurred in 2011 with the public release of a genome sequence and development of a high throughput genotyping system developed specifically for eucalypts.

We have opportunities for Honours students interested in the following:

Forest tree genomics 1. Genetic studies to identify and exploit natural allelic variation in candidate

genes controlling wood quality in E. globulus.

2. Studies of the genetic control of flowering, heteroblasty, production of defensive compounds, disease resistance using a mixed molecular and quantitative genetic approach in eucalypts.

Conservation and evolutionary genetics 3. Population genetics of the Tasmanian endemic Eucalyptus barberi- focusing

on evolutionary processes which have shaped the endemic flora. Contacts: Rebecca Jones, Brad Potts or René Vaillancourt.

4. Species resurrection – it has long been been hypothesised that population of some of our eucalypt species have resurrected themselves from hybrid populations created during past periods of climate change. We have now developed the molecular tools (DArT array and genome sequence) to study this question, and provide insights into the genes underlying this process.

Contacts: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected], [email protected]

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Developmental Genetics

Honours projects in this area concern key developmental events in the life of the plant, including stem and leaf growth, the response to environmental stimuli, and the formation of symbiotic relationships with other organisms. These phenomena are important not only from a theoretical perspective, but from a practical, agricultural viewpoint as well. We focus on two aspects: the genes controlling the processes, and the plant hormones involved. The research provides experience in a range of techniques, including molecular biology, plant physiology, genetics and analytical chemistry/biochemistry. Plants respond to their environment in many different ways and our understanding of this has increased dramatically over the past few years due to the power of molecular genetics. We are using genetics as a tool to understand a number of different basic processes in plant physiology and development. The projects we offer usually combine molecular genetics and physiology experiments to examine the function of specific genes in the plant’s response to environmental factors such as daylength, light and cold, and in the synthesis and response to plant hormones such as gibberellin, auxin, ethylene, and the newly-discovered branching hormone strigolactone. These factors have important effects on growth and yield in many crop species, and knowledge about the genes that influence plant hormones and the plant’s response to its environment is being used to improve crop performance in a wide range of species. Most projects incorporate elements of: • classical genetics - crosses, segregations, genetic mapping • molecular genetics- PCR, gene isolation, sequencing and expression analysis • developmental physiology - plant measurements, grafting, hormone treatments Examples of projects/project areas on offer include: Control of flowering time Potential supervisor: Jim Weller Flowering is an important step in the life of a plant, and many plants use environmental cues such as daylength and temperature to regulate flowering. In nature, genetic variation for flowering allows plants to grow successfully across a wide range of climatic zones, and the same applies for many crop plants. Projects in my group investigate the genes, physiology and evolution of flowering in a number of different legumes, including pea, lentil, bean and chickpea. We are interested in discovering the fundamental molecular mechanisms that control flowering, but also in applying our finding to practical problems in agriculture, and in using DNA to investigate how these species were first domesticated and have spread around the planet. I am happy to shape projects to suit individual student interests and preferences for molecular or glasshouse work.

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Biosynthesis of the “master hormone”, auxin Potential supervisors: John Ross Auxin was the first growth hormone to be discovered, but we still do not understand how it is produced in the plant. Honours projects in this area would exploit the large size and accessibility of the pea plant, as well as exciting new developments in the University’s Central Science Laboratory that enable the detection of minute amounts of auxin and its precursors with a minimum of work-up. In this area we also have a fruitful collaboration with members of the School of Chemistry. Nitrogen fixation Potential supervisors: Eloise Foo, Jim Reid Atmospheric nitrogen is unavailable to the plant, but certain plants form a relationship with bacteria, which convert nitrogen to a form that the plant can take up. In return, the plant houses the bacteria, in specialised structures termed nodules. Nodulation is of enormous agronomic significance, and we have been studying its regulation, using mutants affected in plant hormone levels or responses. Other projects are also available in the area of plant light responses and other plant hormones. We are open to discuss more options, including the possibility of joint supervision. For more information contact Jim Weller [email protected] John Ross [email protected] Jim Reid [email protected] Eloise Foo [email protected]

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Cell Biology & Biotechnology

Hop breeding and understanding genetic variation in hop Potential supervisors: Anthony Koutoulis, Simon Whittock The cones of female hop are important to the brewing industry as they contain the resins and essential oils that impart bitterness and aroma to beer. What is the natural range of variation in hop chemical characteristics? What proportion of this variation is under genetic control, and what contribution does the environment play make? What are the genetic relationships between hop chemical characteristics? A project based on these questions would make a fundamental contribution to hop breeding in Australia. Skills acquired would include hop chemistry, field operating skills, genetic and statistical analysis and data management. In conjunction with Hop Products Australia, this research utilises conventional and modern biotechnological approaches to improve the efficiency of the Australian hop breeding program. Applying Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) in hop Potential supervisors: Anthony Koutoulis, Simon Whittock UTAS in collaboration with other hop researchers around the world and DArT (Canberra) has developed a set of dominant molecular markers for use in hop. Such markers could: 1) be developed for use in quality control (varietal identification); 2) provide insight into the genes controlling biosynthesis important hop chemicals such as bitter-acids (alpha and beta), phyto-estrogens, xanthohumol and essential oils; 3) provide the basis on which to identify marker-trait associations with a view to developing marker assisted selection in hop breeding. Acacia polyploid breeding Potential supervisors: Anthony Koutoulis, Jane Harbard Several species of Australian Acacia are of high commercial importance in tropical to temperate regions. In conjunction with researchers in Australia and Vietnam, polyploid breeding strategies are being developed and evaluated for Acacia improvement, including the generation of sterile triploids.

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Near Infrared Spectroscopy in hop and/or Acacia Potential supervisor: Anthony Koutoulis, Simon Whittock, Jane Harbard Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) is a broadly applicable tool for the indirect assessment of biochemical variation. By relating NIR spectra to lab based chemical assessments it is possible to develop models for the assessment of chemical traits. Such technology could potentially reduce the need for lengthy lab based chemical assays, and would reduce the use of chemicals such as lead-acetate and toluene, resulting in faster, more efficient assessment of plant traits. Plant tissue culture for conservation and commercialisation Potential supervisor: Anthony Koutoulis This work focuses on the conservation of rare and threatened Tasmanian plants using in vitro techniques. An additional aim of this work is to generate elite quality Tasmanian plants for local and export markets. Barley Malt Quality: Making better quality beer and more of it! Potential supervisors: Evan Evans, Mandeep Kaur, Anthony Koutoulis The theme of Dr Evans’ research has been to improve the quality and processing efficiency of food products from agricultural crops primarily by facilitating genetic selection by plant breeders. For brewing and barley malt quality the research objectives are to modify malt quality to improve beer quality and the efficiency of the brewing process. In malting barley research, Dr Evans’ philosophy is to follow malt quality from barley genetics through biochemistry to the finished beer, that is from “Grass to Glass”. This ensures that the selection of new quality genes by Australian barley breeders results in the desired changes in malt quality without unexpected negative consequences that can occur. The specific areas for which honours projects could be developed are as follows: • Malt components that influence mash and beer filtration – barley modification during germination. • The diastase enzymes that hydrolyse starch into fermentable sugars. • The microbial safety and quality of barley – more good than bad. • Protein modification during malting and mashing. For more information contact: Anthony Koutoulis [email protected] 03 6226 2737 Evan Evans [email protected] 03 6226 2638

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Ecology

Ecological requirements of threatened plant species. Potential supervisors: Mark Hovenden, Greg Jordan, Rob Wiltshire (eucalypts)

Summary: Tasmania has approximately 450 plant species threatened with extinction. We have little to no ecological information on many of these. There are several possibilities for project, mostly focussed on ascertaining the ecological (habitat, disturbance, biological) requirements of these species. These projects will involve collaboration with Nature Conservation Branch of National Parks and Wildlife. Ecology of bryophytes. Potential supervisors: Paddy Dalton, Greg Jordan.

Summary: The diversity of bryophytes in Tasmania is exceptional. In wet forests, bryophytes account for nearly all of the plant diversity, yet we have few details of the ecological requirements of these species, particularly their response to disturbance such as logging. As a major component of the flora, further studies are available that explore their ecological distribution (substrate preferences), biogeography, phyto-associations and life history attributes. Plant-animal interactions. Potential supervisors: Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra, Brad Potts, Joe Bailey

Summary: Plants and their herbivores have a coevolutionary relationship somewhat akin to an arms race. Plants from low productivity environments, such as occur in Tasmania, are constantly adapting to browsing pressure from animals and the animals are responding. This interaction has resulted in many specific adaptations and whole evolutionary pathways. Research projects into the details of these poorly understood relationships would concentrate on how browsing pressure and other environmental factors affect plant physiology and chemistry and how that impacts on animal behaviour and health. Global Change Ecology. Potential supervisor: Mark Hovenden.

Summary: The University of Tasmania has world class facilities for studying the impacts of global climate change on plant species and ecological processes. We are currently looking at the impacts of climate change on physiology, growth, survival and reproduction of grassland species through the TasFACE experiment. We are also looking at ecosystem ecology by following the impacts of elevated CO2 and temperature on cycling of nutrients. Possibilities for work in this area are virtually limitless. Environmental Change Biology Potential supervisor: David Bowman Summary: The environment of organisms is changing but understanding what is happening demands a historical context. The environmental change biology lab

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uses a broad array of methods to detect environmental change including dendrochronology and historical reconstructions using aerial photography, satellite imagery and stable isotopes. Such knowledge is vital for sustainable land management and the conservation of biodiversity. There is enormous scope to apply these techniques to Tasmanian landscapes. Evolutionary ecology. Potential supervisors: Greg Jordan, Mark Hovenden

Summary: Tasmania has a history of isolation and glaciation. This has lead to the local extinction of many species that still exist on mainland Australia and the subsequent radiative evolution of species that have managed to persist here. There is scope for Honours projects in comparing the ecological requirements of species that have survived with those that have disappeared, as well as in investigating the ecological radiation of particularly successful Tasmanian species, such as Banskia marginata and Nothofagus cunninghamii. Ecological ramifications of polyploidy. Potential supervisors: Rob Wiltshire, Mark Hovenden.

Summary: Polyploidy is the possession of two or more complete sets of chromosomes. Polyploidy is quite common in the wild and our understanding of its consequences is only just developing. Polyploidy is a method by which a species can invade habitats currently unavailable to it, so it is an important ecological consideration. Plant ecology in production forests. Potential supervisors: Neil Davidson, Rob Wiltshire, Mark Hovenden (with staff from Forestry Tasmania, Forest Practices Board).

Summary: The impacts and sustainability of production forestry in terms of plant ecology can be divided into two aspects: the impact on sensitive or threatened species; the impact on ecological processes and services. Impacts of forestry activities on threatened species is dealt with by the Forest Practices Board and we have strong collaboration with botanists there. Research projects into the long term impact of forestry on the forest ecosystem are detailed in a separate hand-out. These projects can be supervised by Plant Science staff. Plant Ecophysiology. Potential supervisors: Mark Hovenden, Neil Davidson, Tim Brodribb.

Summary: There are so many potential ecophysiological projects that it is impossible to list them all. Potential projects could be on the physiological properties of threatened species or weeds that make them successful or otherwise, the impact of climate change on physiological performance of any native or introduced species, or an interspecfic comparison of light utilisation and photoinhibition, water relations, competition of resources (nutrition, light, water), and/or tolerance to forest or drought.

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Origins and Evolution of our Flora

(1) Evolution of key traits in Eucalyptus Supervisors: Brad Potts, Dot Steane, Greg Jordan This project is to reconstruct the evolution of features of eucalypts that have made this group of plants so successful. Some of the most obvious of these characters may have contributed to the high adaptability of species (e.g. the very marked phase change from juvenile to adult foliage), and some reflect on the relationship between flowers and pollinators (e.g. fruit size, nectar production and flower colour) The project involves reconstructing the relative timing of the evolution of key traits, and testing whether these traits are correlated with each other in time, whether they show evolutionary linkage with major features of the environment (climate, soils, fire frequency, spatial distribution) and whether they are associated with major changes in environment. It will involve field and laboratory measurement of the key traits, and analysis using phylogenetic methods. (2) Changes in the interactions between herbivores and leaves through deep time Supervisor: Greg Jordan This project uses the fossil record to reconstruct changes in the incidence of herbivory over the last 50 million years in Australia. In particular, it will use recently developed methods that use fossil leaves to reconstruct how tough the leaves of past plants were, and compare this with actual signs of leaf damage. This is significant because many models predict that tougher, longer-lived leaves should be more protected against herbivory. Thus, we can use these methods to reconstruct important changes in herbivory through time. (3) History of southern hemisphere alpine floras Supervisor: Greg Jordan The alpine floras of the different southern hemisphere landmasses (Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and South America) are striking in their similarities and differences. Although there are important similarities and differences in the environments of these regions, history has played a large part in the assembly of these alpine floras. This project will look at key traits of the plants in these regions, and use phylogenetic methods to reconstruct the histories of these traits and the floras. (4) Evolution of drought tolerance Supervisors: Tim Brodribb and Greg Jordan This project is about what drives the success or failure of the major groups of vascular plants (Ferns, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms). Although we have long known that there are large differences in the ecology of these groups of plants, it is only recently that the physiological basis of these differences has become apparent. How these plants use water and carbon dioxide are critical factors. This project will use physiological methods to identify some of the key components of these differences, and use phylogenetic methods to reconstruct their evolution.

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(5) Why is Allocasuarina crassa rare? Supervisors: Greg Jordan, Anthony Koutoulis The Cape She-oak, Allocasuarina crassa, is a rare, endemic Tasmanian species that only occurs on the Cape Pillar Peninsula. It is one of the dominant species on this further end of this peninsula, but small populations occur further inland mostly in close proximity to a related species, the Necklace She-oak (A. monilifera). Even though the two species are obviously different in form, A. crassa is an octoploid (8n) that appears to be derived from chromosome doubling in a tetraploid (4n) species (possibly A. monilifera). Even more interestingly, the two species hybridise to produce hexaploid (6n) hybrids, and possibly even 5n and 7n forms. Futhermore, while the plants at the end of the Peninsula are octoploid, the isolated inland plants are 6n. This raises the possibilities that these plants are either the last remnants of old populations of A. crassa or that they are new hybrids of the species. This project will assess the origins of this species – whether it is a recently evolved species that is expanding its range by hybridising with A. monilifera, or a species that evolved much earlier (perhaps under the different climatic conditions of the ice ages) and is being overrun by A. monilifera. It will do this by using morphological measurements and flow cytometry to assess the distribution of different hybrid forms. (6) Refugia for sclerophyll species Supervisors: Rene Vaillancourt, Greg Jordan It is critical that we understand how plants respond to major environmental change. Our best ways of understanding long term responses are studies of how the massive climate changes of the ice ages over the last two million years affected the distribution of plant genotypes (i.e. using plant phylogeographic methods). We now have good evidence for these processes in eucalypts and some rainforest trees, but know relatively little about the sclerophyll shrubs that make up much of Australia’s plant diversity (including a high proportion of threatened species). This project will use DNA analysis and field work to identify where species of the sclerophyll genus Correa survived the extreme climates of the ice ages.

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Environmental Change Biology

Fire ecology in Kakadu National Park As part of a larger research team there is the opportunity to undertake a fire ecology experiment to determine lethal fuel loads for the fire sensitive conifer Callitris intratropica that is declining in Kakadu National Park. An experiment will be conducted in an abandoned plantation near Darwin and fuel and fire measurements made during the dry season helicopter controlled burning program in Kakadu. The project builds on a number of previous studies on the ecology of Callitris and has the full support of Kakadu National Park. Using dendrochronology to understand fire regimes in western Tasmania Tree growth rings provide insights into past environments including climate and fire events. Although dendro-fire ecology is a well-established discipline in the USA it has not been widely used in Australia, in part because of the limited number of suitable species. However, Tasmania has several species that are excellent for dendrochronological research. As part of a larger program there is a potential honours project looking at the fire regimes in the wet forests in western Tasmania based on dendrochronological techniques. This project builds on the first application of dendrochronology that aged a Eucalyptus regnans forest at over 500 years and a current project looking at past fire impacts on the fire sensitive endemic Tasmanian conifer species in the genus Athrotaxis. Contact: Professor David Bowman

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Forest Biodiversity Numerous honours projects are available in the field of Forest Biodiversity, many of which are linked to research that Plant Science staff is involved with the CRC for Forestry. Projects can be developed that fit student interests as well as link with organizations have the responsibility for the management of forest biodiversity in Tasmania (e.g. Forest Practices Authority). Possible areas for honours projects include: 1. Plant ecology in production forests. Contacts: Neil Davidson, Robert Wiltshire, Mark Hovenden (with staff from Forestry Tasmania, Forest Practices Board). The impacts and sustainability of production forestry in terms of plant ecology can be divided into two aspects: the impact on sensitive or threatened species; the impact on ecological processes and services. Impacts of forestry activities on threatened species is dealt with by the Forest Practices Board and we have strong collaboration with botanists there. Research projects into the long term impact of forestry on the forest ecosystem are detailed in a separate hand-out. These projects can be supervised by Plant Science staff. 2. Genetics of growth and survival in a changing environment. Contact: Brad Potts

We have an ARC grant to study the genetic control of growth and survival of Eucalyptus globulus in a changing environment. This project will mainly adopt a quantitative approach, will study large breeding experiments already established and will inform us of the extent to which these traits are under genetic control in different environments, whether different genes are responsible for differences in growth and survival in different environments, and ultimately the adaptive potential of E. globulus to differing environmental gradients.

3. Community and ecosystem genetics Contacts: Joe Bailey, Jen Schweitzer, Julianne O’Reilly Wapstra and Brad Potts

Community genetics is an emerging research field, which links genetics and ecology. It aims to understand the extent to which genetic variation extends beyond the phenotype of an individual to affect the composition of dependent communities and ecosystem processes and ultimately community evolution.

4. Impacts of contemporary forestry practices on plant diversity. Contacts: Greg Jordan and Julianne O’Reilly Wapstra

This project will investigate how proximity to forest edges affects the ability of species to regenerate after disturbance. It will be based in Tasmanian forestry areas, and will be directed at understanding the effects of different forest practices, but is relevant to the effects of disturbance in any forested ecosystem.

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Restoration Ecology

1. The contribution of restoration plantings to carbon sequestration, water use and biodiversity

Contacts: Neil Davidson, Mark Hovenden, Tony O’Grady (CSIRO), Dugald Close (School of Agriculture) We are participants in a $ million project involving a large ARC grant ($530,00) and a State Government grant ($540,000) which aims to demonstrate how to establish restoration plantings of local native species (eucalypts and their common understorey species) in degraded farmland in the dry Midlands of Tasmania. We will be planting five 20 ha demonstration sites across a range of soil types between Hamilton and Tunbridge. This will lay the way for carbon credits (as carbon stored in restoration plantings) to be used to fund landscape scale restoration of the dry agricultural landscapes of Tasmania. This project has strong links with Greening Australia – the projects’ industry partner. Questions we will be addressing

• What contribution does restored native forest make to carbon sequestration? Comparisons will be made between farm land, restoration plantings and healthy remnant forest.

• How much water is stored and consumed by restored native forest? Again, comparisons will be made between farm land, restoration plantings and healthy remnant forest.

• What plantation design [eucalypt and grass, eucalypt and early successional species (Acacia, Bursaria), or eucalypt and late successional species (Callitris, Allocasuarina)] maximises survival, productivity and carbon storage.

• What animal biodiversity arises from establishing restoration plantings, and in what order do functional groups start to use restoration plantings?

2. Oldfield succession as a model for restoration Contacts: Neil Davidson, Dugald Close (School of Agriculture) Important in restoration ecology is the proposal that degraded forests pass through thresholds from which they will not recover without intervention. However in the Midlands of Tasmania there are many examples of ‘oldfield succession’, where native plants are slowly returning to abandoned degraded farmland. An insight into the changes in soil processes that are occurring during ‘oldfield succession’ will play a major role in informing approaches to restoration.

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3. Restoration and fire Contacts: Neil Davidson, Dugald Close (School of Agriculture) For 3 years we have been running a Bushfire CRC project, ‘Eucalypt decline in the absence of fire’ in which we have demonstrated a link between poor fire management practice, altered soil processes and death of eucalypts in their prime. We have also shown loss of regeneration in long unburnt dry sclerophyll forests. We are keen to:

• Study trajectory of nutrient dynamics following fire and its effect on forest structure and function. It is possible that nutrient dynamics can be used to predict a point where fire should be applied

• Study the effect of fire on seeding regeneration in native forests across a rainfall gradient now we know that hot fire next to logs provides safe sites for seeding regeneration (85% of seedling are in this position) and improves moisture infiltration.

Contact: Neil Davidson (Greening Australia and UTas) ph 6226 2676, mob 0427 308 507 Email Neil.Davidson@utas .edu.au

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Proposed higher degree projects with the Forest Practices Authority, Biodiversity Program.

This document lists higher degree projects which would enhance the applied research being undertaken in the FPA Biodiversity program. See www.fpa.tas.gov.au for FPA student grants. Publications by FPA staff and information on current research priorities can also be found on this web page. Contact Dr Amy Koch for more information ([email protected], Tel. 6233 8187). Please note that the viability of these projects is dependent on the support of an academic supervisor within the appropriate disciplines. A retrospective assessment of swift parrot foraging resource in dry eucalypt forests that have been partially harvested.’ (Masters or PhD) Eucalyptus globulus and E. ovata dry forests are an important foraging resource for the Endangered Swift Parrot. It has been suggested that partial harvesting of these forest types may actually ‘enhance’ the potential foraging resource through large tree crowns and increased flowering. There is very little literature on the response of Eucalyptus globulus and E. ovata flowering after partial harvesting. A retrospective study in areas of E. globulus and E. ovata forest subject to partial harvesting in the past (e.g. 5, 10, 15 years ago) to assess the regeneration of foraging trees and the crown size and flowering density of the trees compared to ‘control’ (unharvested) sites will provide data on this unique Tasmanian threatened species issue. Assessing the contribution of wildlife habitat strips to landscape scale management of the hollow resource (Honours) Wildlife habitat strips are one of the features that have been implemented by the forest industry to connect larger forested areas and provide some habitat (such as tree hollows) for fauna. Wildlife habitat strips were originally implemented where there was a perceived lack of other features in an area. The distribution of habitat strips and the current spatial patterning of areas containing hollows has not been examined for some time. This study will examine the distribution of formal and informal reserves (including wildlife habitat strips) to determine those areas which have a lack of reservation. This information can be coupled with species-distribution information which will allow the impact of this lack of reservation to be examined. The outcomes of this project could be used to make recommendations for landscape scale management of the forest estate. Assessing the implementation and effectiveness of Phytophthora cinnamomi management prescriptions under the forest practices system (Honours or Masters) Phytophthora cinnamomi (PC) is an introduced pathogen that attacks the roots of susceptible plants and can result in death of individual plants or even a localised population. Many of Tasmania’s threatened flora species and communities are susceptible to PC. Infection of PC into an area can cause local extinction of species and change the floristic structure and composition of the vegetation community. This may have flow on effects to fauna. It is important to reduce the risk of spreading this pathogen into sites supporting threatened vegetation communities or species or sites with the potential to support these values. FPA Flora Technical Note 8 details when PC management prescriptions are required in forestry operations and what level of management should be applied. There are specific hygiene measures that should be used for road and track construction and maintenance and other measures for quarry

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works. This study will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of PC prescriptions applied to Forest Practices Plans involving road construction or maintenance in State Forest. Student research projects through the FPA’s Treefern Project The manfern or soft treefern, Dicksonia antarctica, is a forest species of commercial interest and is harvested from approved logging coupes for sale in nurseries both locally and overseas. The FPA regulates the harvesting of this species in Tasmania. The FPA is interested in furthering knowledge of the role of Dicksonia in the ecology of the state’s wet forests. Several areas of research suitable for student research projects have been identified. Student grants of $1000 to assist with field expenses or other project costs will be made available to suitable candidates undertaking these projects. Please contact Amy Koch to discuss any of these projects or others that may be relevant to the FPAs treefern research interests. Please note that the viability of these projects is dependent on the support of an academic supervisor within the appropriate disciplines.

Treeferns as a substrate for epiphytic ferns and bryophytes in Tasmania’s northwest. Question: How does Dicksonia compare to other prominent wet forest substrates (e.g. logs) as a host for epiphytes in Tasmania’s northwest? (part of this project would be to establish a list of epiphytic species associated with Dicksonia for the NW of the state, to compare with that published in Roberts et al 2003 for the southeast) Method: Record epiphytic diversity and abundance of epiphytes on Dicksonia at multiple wet forest sites in the northwest of the state (preferably in a range of forest types). Approximately 10 sites, with 12 Dicksonia trunks sampled at each, would provide a dataset comparable to that of Roberts et al 2003. Fern and bryophyte epiphytes would be identified to species level.

Dispersal ability of treefern epiphytes Question: Is spore/gemmae dispersal a limiting factor in the re-establishment of epiphytes on Dicksonia trunks in re-growth forests in Tasmania? Method: This study would examine epiphyte diversity in regrowth forests at various distances from retained mature forest with diverse epiphytic assemblages. Could be done for vascular epiphytes only, if familiarisation with bryophyte flora is considered too ambitious for an honours year.

Epiphyte reestablishment on Dicksonia trunks in regrowth forest Question: How do the epiphytic assemblages associated with Dicksonia trunks change over time in regrowth forests? At what age does diversity and composition approach that of old-growth forest? Method: Record the presence and abundance of vascular and non-vascular epiphytes from a sample of Dicksonia trunks in various ages of regrowth forest. Identify all epiphytes to species level if possible (or identify vascular species and record abundance data only for non-vascular species). This project would be an extension of the work undertaken by Chuter (2003), who looked at vascular epiphytes on Dicksonia in 15, 30 and 45 year

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regrowth and found no significant differences in diversity between these age classes, but that all three age classes had significantly less diversity than old-growth.

Projects associated with Forestry Tasmania’s Division of Forest Research and Development

Note: the primary contact within FT for further details of the research project appears in brackets after the project description, with email addresses at the end of the document. Potential University supervisors have also been identified and approached for some, but not all, of these projects. Forest pest entomology • Are Poa tussocks used as overwintering sites for the eucalypt leaf beetle

Paropsisterna bimaculata? (Leonie Jordan / Jane Elek) • How do populations of eucalypt leaf beetle (Paropsisterna bimaculata)

fluctuate in response to climatic conditions and geographic location? (Leonie Jordan)

• How do leaf beetles in native forests compare with those in eucalypt plantations? (Leonie Jordan/ Jane Elek)

Pathology and forest health • How useful is MODIS satellite imagery for detecting damage outbreaks in

plantations and native forests? (Karl Wotherspoon). • What is the identify and role of an Armillaria species in the mortality of celery

top pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius)? (Tim Wardlaw) • How does production of native truffles in eucalypt plantations compare with

native forests? (Tim Wardlaw) Forest Carbon • How do leaf physiological attributes of E. obliqua vary seasonally in mature and

regrowth trees?(Tim Wardlaw) Native forest silviculture • What are the relative impacts on the soil of aggregated retention harvesting

and clearfell burn and sow harvesting? (Robyn Scott). • How does stand development in thinned compare with unthinned stands of

silvicultural regeneration? (Mark Neyland). • How does stand development in wildfire-origin regrowth compare with

silvicultural regeneration? (Mark Neyland). • Have eucalypt germination rates, as determined by the Seed Centre’s testing,

changed over thirty years (Dean Williams).

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Eucalypt plantation silviculture • What is the relationship between seed maturity and seed dormancy /

germination in Eucalyptus nitens? (Dean Williams). Hydrology • How does sapwood area, leaf area and basal area vary in Tasmanian

plantation species in response to differences in site quality, plantation age and management regime? (Sandra Roberts).

Email contacts within Forestry Tasmania: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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Current Plant Science Honours Students

Kerry Black The trunks of the Soft Tree Fern Dicksonia antarctica support many species of epiphytic bryophytes and ferns (cryptogams). The ability of epiphytes to disperse and recolonise after disturbance is crucial to their survival. Kerry is studying the succession of epiphytic cryptogams on Dicksonia antarctica trunks across a range of sites from old growth forest to recently cleared sites.

Peter Harrison Peter is looking at the population genetics of Eucalyptus cordata. It is the last of the endemic alpine white gums to be investigated at a genetic level. Peter hopes to answer three central questions:

1) What is the level of genetic diversity both within and between populations?

2) Is the western form a derived or ancestral character state?

3) How does E. cordata fit within the alpine white gum complex.

Dominic Neyland Dominic’s project aims to understand the nature of historical forest-grassland boundary change and gain insight into the ecological drivers of such change.

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John Senior John is investigating the interactions between plant phylogenies and the important global change factors of elevated CO2 and N addition using 28 eucalypt species native to Tasmania. The questions he hopes to answer include: How do the Tasmanian eucalypt species respond to these factors and do more closely related species respond in a similar manner?

George Webster George is investigating the composition and influence of the microbes on barley and upon the quality of the finished malt. Using genetic fingerprinting techniques, the phylogenies and composition of microbial ecosystems can be determined at each stage of an industrial process.

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Contacts

Assoc/Prof Joe Bailey PhD (Northern Arizona University) [email protected] 03 6226 7238 I consider myself to be an evolutionary ecologist broadly interested in how species interactions link genes and ecosystems, how natural selection operates in a community context, and how these processes

scale geographically and with genetic resolution (i.e., small molecular differences to subpopulation structure). I try to take an integrative view of natural systems and have worked with native and introduced plants and herbivores, from microbes to mammals, linking genes to ecosystems.

Prof David Bowman BSc (Hons) PhD DSc [email protected] 03 6226 1943 My research is focused on the ecology, evolution, biogeography and management of Australian forested landscapes. Specifically, I undertake pure and applied research to understand the effects of

global environmental change, natural climate variability and the cessation of Aboriginal landscape burning on bushfire activity and landscape change.

Dr Tim Brodribb PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 1707 How plants transport and use water is one of the most important factors in determining the success of plants in different environments. I use physiological methods to study the movement of water in leaves and stems, and how this is different among major groups of plants

(conifers, flowering plants, cycads and ferns).

Mr Patrick (Paddy) Dalton BSc Hons, Dip Ed, MSc (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 7873 Paddy’s research interests and favourite plants are bryophytes – the mosses and liverworts - and he’s keen on ferns as well.

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Dr Neil Davidson PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 7606 Neil’s research interests include: The effect of ecological factors such as nutrition, temperature, water deficit, waterlogging and salinity on plant regeneration, growth and survival, ecological and physiological

factors which influence dominance patterns in eucalypt forests, eco-physiological differences between the eucalypt subgenera Monocalyptus and Symphyomyrtus, the relationships between plant parasites and their respective hosts, water relations, photosynthesis and water use efficiency and the effect of salinity and waterlogging on growth, water relations and ion uptake of salt-tolerant plants.

Dr Evan Evans PhD (Melbourne) [email protected] 03 6226 2638 The theme of Dr Evans’ research has been to improve the quality and processing efficiency of food products from agricultural crops primarily by facilitating genetic selection by plant breeders.

Dr Greg Jordan PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 7237 I am mainly interested in the evolution of Australia's vegetation and particularly Tasmania's unique flora. This involves both the study of Tasmania's rich fossil record from the last 50 million years and also

studies of the ecology and biogeography of the living flora.

Assoc Prof Mark Hovenden PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 7874 My main interest is in improving our understanding of ecological processes. In particular, how various plant strategies affect the way species interact and how this translates into ecosystem processes. My major projects focus on the functional response of various species to

global climate change and how physiological responses lead to population, community and ecosystem changes.

Dr Rebecca Jones BSc (Hons), PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 2736 Rebecca’s research interests include eucalypt gene pool management, genetic control of flowering in eucalypts and conservation genetics of Australian plants

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Assoc Prof Anthony Koutoulis PhD (Melb) [email protected] 03 6226 2737 Anthony’s research areas include cellular and molecular biology as well as biotechnology. Dr Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 2482 My research focuses on plant/animal interactions, predominantly plant/herbivore interactions. My core research investigates the ecological and evolutionary relationships between eucalypts and

their native mammalian herbivores.

Prof Brad Potts PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 2641 I am a specialist in eucalypt genetics with interests from gene pool utilization and conservation and genetic pollution, to understanding the evolutionary relationships and process that have shaped extant

variation patterns in this iconic genus. A major line of my research is understanding the genetic control and adaptive significance of variation in tree phenotype. I also work in the field of community and ecosystem genetics.

Distinguished Prof James Reid PhD (Tas), DSc (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 2604 I am investigating the biological functions and interactions of a number of different plant hormones, including the gibberellins, brassinosteroids, auxin, abscisic acid and ethylene. This work involves

defining biosynthetic pathways, characterising mutants deficient in hormone biosynthesis or signalling, environmental regulation of hormone biosynthesis, and cross-talk between hormone systems.

Assoc Prof John Ross PhD (Tas) [email protected] 6226 2602 I am interested in plant hormones and how they regulate plant growth and development. My work focuses on the genetic and environmental control of hormone biosynthesis and action, with an

emphasis on gibberellins and auxin.

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Dr Jen Schweitzer PhD (Northern Arizona University) [email protected] 03 6226 1899 My research has been focused on the ecological and evolutionary links between above- and below-ground processes in forest ecosystems. I take a community and ecosystems genetics approach

to understanding the ecosystem consequences of species interactions. I am interested in broadly addressing questions regarding the importance of biodiversity and genetic diversity, plant-animal interactions and invasive species to ecosystem ecology.

Dr Dorothy Steane DPhil (Oxford) [email protected] 03 6226 1828 Dorothy’s research focus is on genetic resource management of our native forests, in particular Eucalyptus globulus and E. obliqua. This work involves the use of molecular markers to determine

biogeographic patterns of relatedness within these species

Assoc Prof René Vaillancourt PhD (Saskatchewan) [email protected] 03 6226 7137 Rene’s research involves studying the natural history and genome structures of Tasmanian plants species.

Dr Jim Weller BSc PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 7828 Jim's research focuses on understanding how plants respond to environmental factors such as light and temperature. His work uses

genetics, physiology and molecular biology to investigate these basic biological mechanisms and their application to crop improvement..

Dr Rob Wiltshire PhD (Tas) [email protected] 03 6226 2690 Rob’s research interests include ecology, biodiversity and conservation, and eucalypt genetics.

The School of Plant Science

www.utas.edu.au/plantsci

Phone: 03 6226 2603

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