Dr Barbara Bowen

Room: BioSc/2.013

Research

The response of plants to fire and their allocation of resources to different modes of recovery, with special interest in the family Proteaceae. Animal and plant interactions. Histological and taxonomic studies of the Proteaceae.

Response of plants to fire: Plants in WA display a number of strategies which aid in their persistence in fire prone environments including the short lifecycle of fire ephemerals, avoidance of fire by geophytes, seedling recruitment by seeder species or shoot recovery by resprouting. These strategies are optimal where the season of fire and the interval between fires is consistent with historical patterns. In recent times fire regimes have been altered either with increasing or decreasing frequency of burns and burning out of season. The effect of these changes needs to be monitored to determine if there is an effect on the plant community structure and on the persistence of individual species.

Plant/animal interactions: Related to above is also the need to look at the effect of altered fire regimes and other disturbances on fauna within a given habitat particularly in relation to animal/plant interactions.

The following research projects have been proposed by the Research Division at Kings Park and Botanic Garden for 2006. These projects would be carried out at Kings Park under the supervision of Dr David Merritt and Dr Shane Turner(contact details below) with co-supervision from Dr Barbara Bowen (Murdoch University).

Kings Park and Botanic Garden - 2006 Honours Research Programs

Research Area: “Understanding seeds for bushland restoration”

1. Physical/combinational dormancy and smoke/butenolide responsiveness in native leguminous taxa.
Many leguminous native species are stimulated by smoke under field conditions, yet the mode of action of this stimulation is poorly understood. This project will involve a comprehensive evaluation of each selected species seed/germination characteristics in order to more fully understand their germination requirements.

2. Physical/combinational dormancy in Australian native taxa.
Worldwide approximately 15 plant families are known to possess physical dormancy yet this type of dormancy has only been well documented in Australian legumes and Rhamnaceae species This project will involve a comprehensive evaluation of selected species seed/germination characteristics in order to more fully understand their germination requirements.

3. Seed dormancy in endemic Australian native species.
Seed biology of endemic Australian species is poorly understood. These projects will involve a comprehensive evaluation of each selected group’s seed/germination characteristics in order to more fully understand their germination requirements and dormancy characteristics.

4. Seed enhancement technologies for restoration purposes.
Seed germination in the field is often slow and asynchronous, resulting in unreliable germination of broadcast seed and poor seedling emergence. This project will investigate ways of increasing seedling recruitment rates using a variety of innovative techniques such as seed coating, hydropriming and anti-stress treatments.

5. Germination stress testing for assessing viability loss in stored seeds.
This study will explore the use of germination stress testing as a means of more rapid identification of sub-optimal storage conditions. The study will include evaluation of the impacts of seed ageing (using accelerated ageing techniques) and sub-zero temperatures on the ability of seeds to germinate under water and temperature stress, and the stress tolerance of subsequent seedlings.

6. Understanding seed storage physiology of aquatic species for bushland restoration.
Native aquatic species are poorly represented in current seedbanking programs and little is known of their seed germination and storage requirements. This project will investigate germination methods and seed storage behaviour (seed desiccation tolerance, optimal storage regimes and seed longevity) of key aquatic species. The group includes the threatened species Aponogeton hexatepalus and Hydrocotyle lemnoides, as well as Triglochin and Utricularia species.

7. Understanding seed storage physiology of canopy stored seeds for bushland restoration.
Seed maturity upon collection can influence the storage characteristics of the seeds. Many Australian species store seeds in the canopy for extended periods of time, and seeds may be collected several years after the season in which they mature. This project will investigate the storage characteristics of seeds collected from fruits in different positions on the parent plant, representing seeds set over a number of seasons. Target genera include Callistemon, Calothamnus, Hakea and Melaleuca.

Further information: Dr David Merritt (9480 3639), Email: dmerritt@bgpa.wa.gov.au

Dr Shane Turner (9480 3639), Email: sturner@bgpa.wa.gov.au

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