A5080478360- Seed Germination and Physiology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Plant responses to water stress
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Plant and animal studies
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Plant Genetic and Mutation Studies
- Plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Soil and Land Suitability Analysis
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Cassava research and cyanide
- Soybean genetics and cultivation
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Agricultural Science and Fertilization
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Bioenergy crop production and management
The University of Western Australia
2016-2025
The King's College
2018-2023
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
2022-2023
Curtin University
2017-2019
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
2016-2017
Summary Trait‐based approaches have improved our understanding of plant evolution, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. A major challenge for the upcoming decades is to understand functions evolution early life‐history traits, across levels organization ecological strategies. Although a variety seed traits are critical dispersal, persistence, germination timing seedling establishment, only mass has been considered systematically. Here we suggest broadening range morphological,...
Abstract Demand for restoration of resilient, self‐sustaining, and biodiverse natural ecosystems as a conservation measure is increasing globally; however, efforts frequently fail to meet standards appropriate this objective. Achieving these requires management underpinned by input from diverse scientific disciplines including ecology, biotechnology, engineering, soil science, ecophysiology, genetics. Despite research activity, gap between the immediate needs practitioners outputs science...
The use of native plant seeds is fundamental to large-scale rehabilitation and the re-establishment self-sustaining ecosystems after high-impact mining activity has ceased. However, many biological attributes are often overlooked in programs. Multi-disciplinary, long-term research collaborations required improve seed-based mine rehabilitation. In this paper, we review steps that BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), a large iron ore company operates Pilbara bioregion north-west Australia,...
Seeds are a primary source for generating plants large-scale restoration and understanding the requirements seed germination establishment is fundamental to ecological restoration. Seed traits central defining niche identifying that may limit seedling provides insights into how seeds interact with abiotic environment soil substrates specific each site informs management practices. In this paper we review trait data derived from research improve practice across diverse ecosystems within...
Energetics is considered a fundamental ‘currency’ of ecology and the way that metabolic rate (MR)—the energy expenditure on biological processes—scales relative to size organism can be both an adaptive benefit constraint in mediating energetic demands ecological processes. Since few investigations have examined this relationship for angiosperm seeds, we measured standard (SMR) 108 species’ spanning broad suite species. We used fluorescence-based closed-system respirometry at temperatures...
Summary Seeds are a key pathway for plant population recovery following disturbance. To prevent germination during unsuitable conditions, most species produce dormant seeds. In fire‐prone regions, physical dormancy (PY) enables seeds to germinate after fire. The pyro‐thermal niche, incorporating temperature effects into seed and mortality, has not been characterised PY from environments. We aimed assess variation in thermal thresholds between with whether the niche is correlated mass,...
Abstract Recruitment for many arid‐zone plant species is expected to be impacted by the projected increase in soil temperature and prolonged droughts associated with global climate change. As seed dormancy considered a strategy avoid unfavorable conditions, understanding mechanisms underpinning vulnerability these factors critical recruitment intact communities, as well restoration efforts arid ecosystems. This study determined effects of water stress on processes six grass genus Triodia...
Regeneration dynamics in many arid zone grass species are regulated by innate seed dormancy mechanisms and environmental cues (temperature, moisture fire) that result infrequent germination following rainfall. This study investigated bet-hedging strategies associated with Triodia from north-west Australia, assessing (1) the effects of mechanical restriction imposed indehiscent floral bracts (i.e. floret) covering (2) impact alleviation on florets cleaned seeds removed) when germinated under...
Societal Impact Statement Conservation seed banks maintain collections of many seed‐bearing plant species, providing germplasm and data to support management wild populations. However, a proportion species produce seeds that are difficult collect, dry, store utilise; these known as ‘exceptional’ species. Here we tested framework for identifying exceptional document examples provide case studies within the Australian flora. We present workflow may be used identify additional direct efforts...
Specialized mycorrhizal interactions have the potential to limit geographical range of plant species and contribute reproductive isolation. We investigated these predictions in Caladenia (Orchidaceae) from south-western Australia, a group known specialized associations with genus Sebacina s.l. Sequencing fungal isolates 47 136 Western Australian was undertaken resolve habitat preferences operational taxonomic units (OTUs) their host breadth Caladenia. Eight different OTUs were used by...
Context Seeding is common practice for ecological restoration, but establishment rates can be low. For seeds to successfully establish they must transition through early life stages of germination, emergence, and (initial) survival. Examining these demographic processes sown under a range abiotic conditions identify failure points inform techniques improve seed use. Aims Here we quantified seedling life-stage transitions in five reconstructed soils across four varying levels simulated...
There is increasing investment globally in seed storage facilities for a wide array of purposes, from food security to biodiversity conservation. Best practice when storing seeds this manner periodically test collections viability, such that declining viability can be used as trigger management actions. Typically, testing time consuming and/or destructive, involving germination testing, cut-testing or range potential biochemical indicators. Given respiration (i.e. metabolic activity) the...
Substantial evidence supports the hypothesis that morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) is basal kind of seed in angiosperms. However, only physiological (PD) reported seeds ANA-grade genus Nymphaea. The primary aim this study was to determine six species Nymphaea from wet-dry tropics Australia.The effects temperature, light and germination stimulants on were tested multiple collections N. immutabilis, lukei, macrosperma, ondinea, pubescens violacea. Embryo growth prior hypocotyl emergence...
Myrtle rust is a plant disease caused through infection by the fungus
We explore a recent innovative variation of closed-system respirometry for terrestrial organisms, whereby pO2 is repeatedly measured fluorometrically in constant-volume chamber over multiple time points. outline protocol that aligns this technology with the broader literature on aerial respirometry, including calculations required to accurately convert O2 depletion metabolic rate (MR). identify series assumptions, and sources error associated technique, thresholds where becomes limiting,...
Abstract Morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) is predominantly found in seeds of temperate regions and uncommon arid biomes. MPD has been reported a number Hibbertia (Dilleniaceae) species Australia, single the zone, H. glaberrima . This study aimed to examine germination ecology glaberrima. Seeds were subjected temperature stratification treatments designed mimic summer autumn conditions Pilbara region Western Australia. Seed embryo growth measured. We also tested interaction between cycles...
Eighteen native species of Nymphaea (waterlilies) inhabit a range freshwater wetlands in northern Australia, which are threatened by increased development and the potential impacts climate change. To investigate conservation seed banking these vulnerable species, we aimed to characterize their storage physiology determining (i) desiccation tolerance (ii) effects moisture content temperature on germination viability. Seeds N. immutabilis, lukei, macrosperma violacea (including multiple...