How are microorganisms and nutrient cycling in saline soils affected by soil matric potential? Dryland agriculture is threatened by salinity and drought, and it is well-known that individually, both can decrease not only crop growth but also microbial activity and nutrient cycling which are critical for sustainability. As our climate becomes drier, it is necessary to understand how microbial activity and nutrient cycling in saline soils will be affected by drought and sporadic summer rainfall ev ....How are microorganisms and nutrient cycling in saline soils affected by soil matric potential? Dryland agriculture is threatened by salinity and drought, and it is well-known that individually, both can decrease not only crop growth but also microbial activity and nutrient cycling which are critical for sustainability. As our climate becomes drier, it is necessary to understand how microbial activity and nutrient cycling in saline soils will be affected by drought and sporadic summer rainfall events. As an international team of soil biologists, we will investigate the interactions between salinity and soil moisture on microbial activity and nutrient cycling. The results will provide insights into nutrient cycling in saline soils now and in the future and the benefit of amelioration strategies.Read moreRead less
Ecosystem Assembly in Old Fields in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. This project aims to examine the process of ecosystem re-assembly on land which is taken out of agricultural production and left without further management. Land abandonment is common in many parts of the world and could increase dramatically in Australia due to land degradation, salinity and structural change. We will investigate the factors which influence whether native plant species can recolonise abandoned farmland, usin ....Ecosystem Assembly in Old Fields in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. This project aims to examine the process of ecosystem re-assembly on land which is taken out of agricultural production and left without further management. Land abandonment is common in many parts of the world and could increase dramatically in Australia due to land degradation, salinity and structural change. We will investigate the factors which influence whether native plant species can recolonise abandoned farmland, using field and greenhouse studies. We will do this within the context of ecosystem assembly, thereby answering a practical question and also providing input to a conceptual area which is currently of great interest inRead moreRead less
Synthesis and evaluation of labelled germination stimulants for determining the role of butenolide in promoting seed germination. The discovery of the germination promotive agent in smoke (a butenolide) represents a major and internationally significant scientific discovery for Australia and provides exciting opportunities for benefits in agriculture, natural lands management and restoration sciences. The activity demonstrated with a broad range of species shows that the butenolide has general a ....Synthesis and evaluation of labelled germination stimulants for determining the role of butenolide in promoting seed germination. The discovery of the germination promotive agent in smoke (a butenolide) represents a major and internationally significant scientific discovery for Australia and provides exciting opportunities for benefits in agriculture, natural lands management and restoration sciences. The activity demonstrated with a broad range of species shows that the butenolide has general applicability worldwide. This study now provides a unique opportunity for Australian research to establish a world-leading position in understanding the butenolide mode of action within plant seeds which will result in a significant advance in our understanding of the processes that regulate seed dormancy in many plant species. Read moreRead less
The evolution and maintenance of specificity, mutualism and diversity in plant-soil microbe interactions. This research will significantly advance knowledge regarding the evolution of mutualisms between plant and soil microbes. Results will provide valuable data on the importance of below-ground microbial community structure to growth and productivity of an ecologically important component of the Australian flora (Acacia spp.), and contribute to the development of best ecosystem restoration prac ....The evolution and maintenance of specificity, mutualism and diversity in plant-soil microbe interactions. This research will significantly advance knowledge regarding the evolution of mutualisms between plant and soil microbes. Results will provide valuable data on the importance of below-ground microbial community structure to growth and productivity of an ecologically important component of the Australian flora (Acacia spp.), and contribute to the development of best ecosystem restoration practices. Furthermore, it will see the continued development of the Acacia-rhizobia system as a world-class model for exploring interactions between perennial legumes and microbial symbionts. The research also investigates the adaptability and potential for rapid evolution of critical elements of the soil microflora to environmental change.Read moreRead less
Regulation of ion homeostasis by two-component signalling elements. Dryland salinity is continuously claiming Australian lands and is a serious threat to our agricultural industry, native flora and fauna, and infrastructure. Attempting to feed an increasing population whilst agricultural land is disappearing, places an ever-increasing burden on our remaining land. While there is no simple solution to this problem, understanding how plants regulate cellular ion concentrations will help to generat ....Regulation of ion homeostasis by two-component signalling elements. Dryland salinity is continuously claiming Australian lands and is a serious threat to our agricultural industry, native flora and fauna, and infrastructure. Attempting to feed an increasing population whilst agricultural land is disappearing, places an ever-increasing burden on our remaining land. While there is no simple solution to this problem, understanding how plants regulate cellular ion concentrations will help to generate plants that are suitable for restoration of damaged lands or crop plants that are more tolerant to saline soils. Furthermore, knowledge acquired from the proposed project will also be useful for generating healthier crop plants with enhanced levels of ions essential for the human diet. Read moreRead less
Theoretically derived calibration of the neutron moisture meter. The moisture content of soils is of key importance in a wide range of situations including agriculture, engineering and land and water management. The measurement of soil moisture contents in the field is problematic, and even commonly used methods like the neutron probe give results of limited accuracy. This research will enable calibration curves for the neutron probe to be determined theoretically, thereby improving the accuracy ....Theoretically derived calibration of the neutron moisture meter. The moisture content of soils is of key importance in a wide range of situations including agriculture, engineering and land and water management. The measurement of soil moisture contents in the field is problematic, and even commonly used methods like the neutron probe give results of limited accuracy. This research will enable calibration curves for the neutron probe to be determined theoretically, thereby improving the accuracy of moisture content measurements and enhancing its usefulness to industry and research.Read moreRead less
Carbon, nutrient and sediment dynamics in a semi-arid catchment. Carbon, nutrient and sediment dynamics has a large impact on stream ecology so our ability to better understand and manage disturbance in a catchment is essential if we are to better manage our resources and natural systems. The project will provide fundamental data and insight into carbon, nutrient and sediment dynamics in a semi-arid region.
Setting and achieving realistic restoration goals in human-dominated ecosystems. Federal and state programs and community and NGO activities increasingly focus on ecosystem restoration as a tool in conservation and natural resource management. Clearer understanding of ecosystem dynamics and better articulation of realistic restoration goals can lead to much improved restoration success and better investment of government and private funds. This project will provide a better understanding of ecos ....Setting and achieving realistic restoration goals in human-dominated ecosystems. Federal and state programs and community and NGO activities increasingly focus on ecosystem restoration as a tool in conservation and natural resource management. Clearer understanding of ecosystem dynamics and better articulation of realistic restoration goals can lead to much improved restoration success and better investment of government and private funds. This project will provide a better understanding of ecosystem dynamics both under current conditions and also as influenced by future environmental changes. The contribution to the theoretical and conceptual development of the field of restoration ecology will increase the profile of Australian science and enhance our reputation as leaders in this field. Read moreRead less
Biodiversity conservation, vegetation restoration and landscape design. There has been considerable recent activity through major Government-funded programs to restore native vegetation. Despite extensive expenditure, the biodiversity conservation values of restoration remain very poorly known. This innovative project will address this major knowledge gap. It will generate quality data and new principles to guide restoration that maximizes biodiversity conservation. The principal aim is to estim ....Biodiversity conservation, vegetation restoration and landscape design. There has been considerable recent activity through major Government-funded programs to restore native vegetation. Despite extensive expenditure, the biodiversity conservation values of restoration remain very poorly known. This innovative project will address this major knowledge gap. It will generate quality data and new principles to guide restoration that maximizes biodiversity conservation. The principal aim is to estimate tree planting effects on vertebrates and assess whether the effects are consistent across different landscapes, farm units and regions. New insights from the project will aid the design of cost-effective and ecologically-effective restoration programs for future landscapes in rural Australian production environments.Read moreRead less
Dealing with an indigenous despot - the Noisy Miner, a keystone species in the rural landscape of eastern Australia. This study will identify sustainable means of limiting the domination of remnant native and planted woodland by the hyper-aggressive Noisy Miner. This species excludes insectivorous birds from remnant woodlands, contributing to the decline of birds in eucalypt woodlands in rural southern Australia. Halting the decline in insectivorous birds in our agricultural areas is critical if ....Dealing with an indigenous despot - the Noisy Miner, a keystone species in the rural landscape of eastern Australia. This study will identify sustainable means of limiting the domination of remnant native and planted woodland by the hyper-aggressive Noisy Miner. This species excludes insectivorous birds from remnant woodlands, contributing to the decline of birds in eucalypt woodlands in rural southern Australia. Halting the decline in insectivorous birds in our agricultural areas is critical if we are to ever achieve truly sustainable agricultural production. This study will identify habitat characteristics that can be manipulated by land holders to make remnants and plantations less suitable for Noisy Miners, while enhancing the re-establishment of other threatened birds.Read moreRead less