Honours Projects

Professor Giles Hardy

Position: Professor in Forest Pathology

Phone: 9360 6272

Room: BioSc/3.037

Research

Much of our work is looking at the impact of plant diseases on ecosystem function and health. Therefore, our research interests are very broad and range from plant physiology, molecular plant pathology, fungal genetics, plant-pathogen interactions, mycorrhizal fungi and impact of diseases on fauna and biodiversity in general. A number of project outlines are listed below. Please come and talk to us for more detail and other project ideas.

Potential PhD and Honours Student Projects

Unless specified projects listed can be adapted to either PhD or Honours projects.

Projects listed under the following areas

Phytophthora related Projects at CPSM
Other Plant Pathology Projects
Fauna Related projects
Projects in conjunction with DAFWA

1) Phytophthora Related Projects In CPSM
Phytophthora research at the Centre of Phytophthora Science and Management (CPSM)
(A range of projects are listed below, and depending on the topic chosen, appropriate co-supervisors will be chosen from Murdoch University, DEC and Industry).

Phytophthora cinnamomi and other Phytophthora species are the cause of huge ecological disruption in our natural and managed ecosystems. For example some 40% of approximately 6000 plant species in the Southern Botanical Province are susceptible to Phytophthora. This is having a major impact on ecosystem function and health. We have a number of projects related to Phytophthora that will cover:

impact of Phytophthora on fauna
impact of Phytophthora on flora
biology, ecology, pathology, genetics and control of Phytophthora species.

Projects

Project 1: Determining the effect of Climate Change on the impact and distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Western Australia (WA)

The researcher will get field, glasshouse and laboratory experience in studying the epidemiology of Phytophthora cinnamomi in the National Parks of the south-west of WA. Further the researcher will get experience in modeling climate change scenario’s and risk assessment methodologies. The impact of the introduced plant pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi, is recognized as one of the key threatening processes to the biodiversity of the south-west of WA. It is unclear how the impact and distribution of Phytophthora cinnamomi may change under the expected climate change scenario’s to influence. This proposed project aims to describe how the impact and distribution of the pathogen may change under the possible climate change scenarios proposed by CSIRO scientists. The project will require trips to National Parks across the south-west of WA with DEC scientists. Further, the project will involve temperature controlled glasshouse experiments that investigate the likely epidemiology of the pathogen under various climate scenarios.

Project 2: The role of canker fungi as mediators of climate change in the native plant communities from the South Coast of WA

The researcher will acquire molecular identification skills using fungal isolates obtained in the following study and gain field disease diagnosis and sample collection skills. The investigation aims to quantify the incidence and severity of canker and normally benign endophytic fungi that switch to facultative parasitic roles in plant hosts during increased plant stress associated with predicted climate change scenarios. Additionally the expected epiphytotic process and patterns associated with these climate change scenarios will be recorded. Identification, distribution and impact of canker pathogens will be systematically surveyed at the local scale for five geographically restricted Banksia species and Actinostrobus accuminatus and at the regional scale in two Banksia spp. and Calothamnus quadrifidis in the Swan, Jarrah forest, Avon wheatbelt and Esperance plains IBRA regions of south western Australia. The distribution will be compared with current and predicted future patterns of rainfall and temperature. The sub project will involve assisting in quantification, collection and identification of plant pathogens. Outside of a plants abiotic requirements fungal pathogens can mediate host species distribution. Moisture, humidity and temperature regimes (changes in all expected due to predicted climate change) play a major role in determining the pathogenic potential of fungi in the disease host-pathogen-environment triangle. Canker pathogens both primary and facultative constantly take advantage of changes in the environment and host susceptibility and will provide direct measures of the mechanisms of climate change fluctuation on species distribution. The central tenant is that there will be increases in future canker pathogen expression and consequent mortality affecting species distribution. These increases occurring both regionally and at the local level, will likely express on the extreme edge of a species range when compared to the central refuge habitat during climate stress events such as reduced rainfall and increased temperatures. The contribution of canker fungi to stem and branch death in south western Australia has largely been ignored. There has been a steady increase in canker reports and samples received by D.E.C. particularly amongst the declared rare flora. A. accuminatus, Banksia baxteri, B. brownii, B. coccinea, Banksia sessilis and Calothamnus quadrifidus are all recorded as having high rates of branch and stem cankers, observation suggests these are increasing leading to changes in distribution and making them well suited to the study.

Contact for further information:

Dr Chris Dunne Senior Research Scientist Department of Environment & Conservation Phone: 08 9334 0308 Mobile: 0439 093 270 Email: Chris.Dunne@dec.wa.gov.au

Prof Giles Hardy Director of the Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management
Murdoch University Phone: 08 9360 6272 Email: G.Hardy@murdoch.edu.au

PH.D SCHOLARSHIP
The Introduction, Transmission and Spread of Plant Pathogens in Plant
Nurseries using Phytophthora as a Model
The Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity is seeking a PhD Candidate to conduct a study on the mechanisms by which Phytophthora spp. are introduced, harboured and spread within plant nurseries. This information will enable subsequent surveillance strategies to be more targeted and increase the probability of detecting Emergency Plant Pests if present.
Phytophthora species are very difficult to control and eradications is problematic. The student will investigate each component of the 'disease triangle' as it relates to plant nurseries to determine which aspects of plant production pose the greatest risk in terms of introducing Phytophthora to nurseries, spreading it within nursery operations and ultimately to the wider environment. The efficacy of current best management practices and procedures will be tested with the aim of providing practical recommendations to the nursery industry on improvements.
The outcomes of this project will be directly relevant to the Australian plant bisecurity industry as the information obtained will assist the peak body and project collaborator, the Nursery and Garden Industry, to promote the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme, Australia (NIASA) within the industry which in turn will enhance detection and pest management generally.
The PhD student will be enrolled at Murdoch University and will be part of a large and active group working on Phytophthora diseases. A stipend of ศ,000 pa and a generous operatin allowance will apply. In addition there will be regular opportunities for travel, and interaction with other scientists and students within the CRC.
It is essential that the student has an interest in plant pathogens threatening Australian plant biosecurity, is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident and holds a First Class or Upper 2A Honours degree (equivalent).
For furnther information about the project please contact Professor Giles Hardy email: G.Hardy@murdoch.edu.au
Applicants are requested to submit the official CRC application form together with a copy of their academic transcript and the names and contact details for two referees (including a least on University referee). Please send applications to: Professor Giles Hardy by email or by mail to School of Biological Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150.

The successful applicant must be available for immediate commencement.

Genetic transformation of Phytophthora cinnamomi
To investigate the biology of the dieback pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi we need to be able to transform the pathogen with recombinant genes. We have successfully transformed Phytophthora cinnamomi with recombinant genes for antibiotic resistance and a fluorescent protein. However the frequency of transformation is low as the procedure has not been optimised. The aim of the project is to investigate factors that affect the transformation efficiency in an attempt to improve the efficiency. The project will be to optimise the current transformation procedure; to construct new vectors for transformation by Agrobacterium; and to analyze the phenotype of the transformants.

Interaction of fungicides and soil type on survival of Phytophthora
This project will examine the biology of P. cinnamomi in different south coast soils after treatment with a range of fungicides. This project will make up part of a large project that is looking at the eradication of P. cinnamomi from the south coast.

Enzymatic measurement of phosphite
The chemical phosphite (phi) is a major weapon against the dieback pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. Application to plants can delay the spread of a disease front by 2-5 years. However the response of plant species to phi varies, some plants are protected whilst others are not. The degree of protection also depends on the time of application (summer vs winter). This variation may be related to differences in the distribution and persistence of phosphite in the plant. Accumulation in the roots may enhance protection as P cinnamomi is root infecting, whereas species that do not accumulate it in the roots may lose it through leaf fall. To investigate this we need a method to measure the concentration of Phi in small tissue samples. Current chemical methods to measure phi are cumbersome and expensive and require a lot of tissue. An alternative is to use an enzymatic method that is more sensitive, cheaper and allows analysis of many samples in parallel. This project will test the development of such a method based on a microbial enzyme that converts Phi to phosphate and produces NADH as a byproduct. By measuring the absorbance of NADH we can determine the amount of Phi in the sample. The method will be used to measure the accumulation of Phi in different plant tissues.

Mechanism of Action of Phosphite in protecting plants against dieback disease.
Application of the phosphate analogue phosphite to trees and understory plants protects them from infection by the dieback pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. Other studies have shown that phosphite treatment inhibits the Phosphate Starvation Response (PSR) in plants. Is inhibition of PSR important for protection vs infection? This project will investigate this question by using other mechanisms to inhibit PSR. The results will yield valuable information on the mechanisms by which phosphite protects the plant and will be used to develop alternatives to phosphite.

Analysis of gene expression in phosphite treated P cinnamomi.
Exposure to Phi causes inhibition of growth of Phytophthora. Knowing the mechanism by which it inhibits growth is important for understanding resistance to phosphite. The initial approach to investigate the mechanism of action is to identify the genes that are affected by Phi. In this project we will use a proteomics approach to investigate phosphite induced changes in the P cinnamomi proteome.

The effect of soil type on sporulation, survival and dispersal
There are clear differences in conduciveness to Phytophthora cinnamomi between different soil types extending from the coast, across the Swan Coastal Plain and into the Darling Ranges. This project will examine how the different soil types influence sporangial production, zoospore release and subsequent disease development. Physical, chemical and biological factors will be examined. This information will help us to more thoroughly understand the pathogen and assist us in developing more long-lasting control strategies.

The effects of water stress on disease development caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi
Summer rainfall seldom occurs in the south-west of Western Australia. The consequence of high summer rainfall is significant because the resulting conditions can favour an outbreak of P. cinnamomi. This project aims to determine the effect of plant water status on the ability of P. cinnamomi to colonise plant tissue.

The molecular ecology of Phytophthora cinnamomi
In the past our knowledge of how P cinnamomi spreads could only be based on detection of the pathogen in samples of soil or plant material. We have developed molecular tools, which allow us to not only detect the fungus but to differentiate between isolates with much greater precision than before. We will track the spread of individual isolates from one place to another, and to assess the effect that importation of an isolate has on the resident population. This knowledge is essential for prediction of the evolution of the fungus, and for work on biological control.

Optimising phosphite prescriptions for protection of threatened communities from Phytophthora cinnamomi
To date, the majority of phosphite research has been conducted in plant communities in the Stirling Ranges and in the northern Jarrah forest. This project will increase the number of plant communities examined and will determine the effectiveness of phosphite against P. cinnamomi infection in field and glasshouse trials in order to optimise application of the fungicide for long-term control of the pathogen in a range of communities.

Fire/phosphite interactions
Fire is used as a management tool in the native vegetation in the south-west of Western Australia. It is important to know how these existing management practices affect the efficacy of phosphite in vegetation that has been treated prior and post fire.

Improving the effectiveness of hygiene/quarantine protocols
Confirmation on the efficacy of existing hygiene protocols on reducing disease spread. This study will use existing mapping and 'ground-truthing' to monitor the spread of P. cinnamomi across a range of sites which have previously been given different Phytophthora status (eg dieback-free, dieback or un-interpretable). This will then allow us to determine how effective current hygiene protocols (wash-down facilities, education and training, road building, forestry and mining activities) are.

Susceptibility of rare flora to Phytophthora
This project will test the susceptibility of taxa in CALM's comprehensive germplasm collection of rare and endangered plant taxa, particularly those under threat or extinction by Phytophthora. Knowledge of susceptibility will allow ranking of taxa according to need for protection from Phytophthora infection

To assess the effects of phosphite on biodiversity
There is little information on the long-term effects of phosphite on plant fitness, invertebrates, animals and microbial populations. If phosphite is to be used as a prescription for control of P. cinnamomi then we need to know if it is detrimental to biodiversity.

Managing the impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on the threatened fauna of south-western Australia
There is little information on the long-term effects of Phytophthora dieback in the south coast heathlands on the conservation of some of Australia's most rare animals. This project will measure the effects of this disease on guilds of vertebrate fauna, resource availability and habitat alteration. This research is essential if we are to successfully manage the devastating effects of P. cinnamomi on the particularly sensitive ecosystems of the south-coast.

Persistence of DNA in WA soils.
The ability to detect and identify fungal pathogens is essential for the management of plant diseases. Traditionally fungal pathogens were detected by plating on selective media, followed by microsciopic examination. This requires a high degree of skill and is time consuming. A more recent innovation is the development of DNA detection test that rely on the use of PCR to detect DNA sequences specific to the pathogen. Such tests are specific, sensitive and rapid and require skills that are broadly available in biological sciences. However, because such tests detect the DNA and not the growing pathogen, a question that needs to be addresses is whether the DNA indicates the presence of the active pathogen or is it residual DNA from dead mycelium? reports in the poiterature indicate that DNA id degraded fairly rapidly in soil. This depends however on the soil type, microbial content and environmental conditions. No such studies have been carried out in WA. We have been investigating jarrah dieback a devastating disease of native plant species in WA and have developed a PCR detection test. This can be used to test the efficacy of management strategies such as the application of phosphite, and to monitor the spread of the pathogen. However we need to determine the degree to which DNA persists in soil in native bushland in WA. This project will measure the persistence of DNA in different soil types, at different times of the year. The results will be correlated with total microbial counts and soil oxygen demand as indicators of biological activity in the soil. The project will provide significant data which will be used to develop more effective disease management protocols. The project does not require a molecular biology background.

Molecular analysis of phosphite responsive genes in Phytophthora.
Phosphite is used for chemical control of dieback disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. We are interested in analyzing the mechanisms that determine the sensitivity of the pathogen to phosphite. Genes that show a transcriptional response to the application of phosphite are identified through genomic analysis. However the role of these in phosphite sensitivity has to be confirmed. This will be achieved through the mechanism of transcriptional silencing. The project will give a good training in molecular cloning techniques and bioinformatics.

Genetic transformation of Phytophthora species.
The plant pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi is devastating large areas of native bushland in WAand placing as many as 200 species of native plants at risk of extinction [Wills, 1993 963]. Clearing of vegetation also leads to salt degradation of adjacent agricultural land.
The ability to genetically transform Phytophthora spp. would be an invaluable aid to studying the genetics and pathology of these pathogens. In recent years it has been shown that the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens which has been used for 30 years to transfrom plants, can also transform fungi with much greater efficiency than the traditional methods used to transfrom fungi. We have constructed genes which can be used for transformation of Phytophthora spp. by A tumefaciens. This project will investigate the conditions required for the transformation.

Interaction of fire and Phytophthora cinnamomi in native plant communities
It is generally thought that fire will exacerbate the activity of P. cinnamomi in native plant communities. This project will look at native plant communities which have been burnt and determine whether the pathogen is more active on recently burnt sites compared to long unburnt sites. The study will look at change in plant communities and the biology of the pathogen.

Long-term changes in Phytophthora cinnamomi populations
The Department of Department of Environment & Conservation has a huge culture collection dating back to the 1960’s. This project will sequence the cultures to determine whether they are all actually P. cinnamomi or not. Any new Phytophthora species will be described and pathogenicity testing will be conducted on host plants from which they were originally isolated. Sites from where the P. cinnamomi cultures were originally isolated from will be revisited and re-isolations made. We will then use molecular tools to determine how much the pathogen has changed over time.

Movement of Phytophthora cinnamomi by animal vectors
This project will look at animals (native and feral) as vectors of P. cinnamomi. There is considerable anectodal information that animals can spread P. cinnamomi into disease-free areas. It is now time to provide scientific evidence for this.

2) Other Plant Pathogen Projects

Ectomycorrhizal fungal spp diversity as an indicator of ecosystem health.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are important in nutrient cycling processes in soil, and as such have a dramatic efefct on plant growth. Our previous work has shown that the diversity of ectomycorrhizal species in an ecosystem is affected by management practices eg., burning. As a further development of this work we wish to determine the effects of management practices on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a forest ecosystem.

Armillaria root and collar rots of native vegetation
The ecology and management of Armillaria root disease; the effect of forest management on fungal diversity and abundance; fungi adapted to survive and thrive after fire; the succession of fungi following fire; the ecology of wood decay fungi; histology of host-pathogen interactions.

There are numerous opportunities to study fungal ecology in the jarrah forest, including the effects of logging, fire and disease on the diversity and abundance of epiqeous fungi in jarrah forest
In jarrah forest an amazing array of fungi play important roles in ecosystem functioning. They play vital roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling and nutrient uptake by plants. The majority of species inhabit the organic soil layer, litter and woody debris, with many forming mycorrhizal associations on the roots of trees and understorey shrubs and plants. Management activities, including logging and fire, and disease such as jarrah dieback directly impact the fungal environment by the removal or addition of woody material, the removal of organic and litter layers and by killing the fine roots of trees. Opportunities exist to study interactions at either the species or community level.

Wood decay fungi associated with stumps, pruning wounds and other damage in bluegum plantations
Wood decay fungi including Trametes versicolor, Pycnoporus coccineus and Sterem hirsutum, are common decay fungi found on stumps throughout the range of bluegum plantations in the south-west. Thinning coppice and pruning planted trees is a common practice amongst growers wishing to reduce stem competition on coppiced stumps and to produce trees suitable for timber. Thinning, pruning and stem damage caused by parrots also provides entry points for wood decay fungi to colonise otherwise healthy trees. Wood decay fungi cause defect such as discolouration and decay or may cause sufficient defect that results in tree stems snapping. Opportunities exist for surveys to be conducted on the fungi colonising stumps, as well as the potential for certain species to colonise wounds and cause wood defect in bluegum plantations.

Pests and Diseases of eucalypts in native and plantation forestry
(Murdoch Supervisors Dr. Treena Burgess, Dr. Paul Barber, Prof. Giles Hardy, Prof. Bernie Dell)
We have a number of projects related to insects and pests of eucalypts growing in native forests. These are mainly focussed on the tuart (E. gomphocephala), flooded gum (E. rudis), marri (C. calophylla), jarrah (E. marginata) and the Karri (E. diversicolor). Insects and pathogens have co-evolved with their hosts in native forests for a long time, maintaining a balance and rarely causing significant damage. Recently, we have been observing increased levels of attack from these pests and pathogens, particularly on young regenerating stands of native eucalypts. We have a number of projects that will look at the biology, ecology, pathology and genetics of pathogens in plantations and native forest

The role of nutrients in the health of eucalypts in native forests
Fungal mycorrhizae play a vital role in the health of eucalypts, assisting the uptake of macro and micro nutrients through the root zone in our nutrient-poor soils. Recent findings have suggested a loss of mycorrhizae and inadequate nutrient levels in some of our native stands of eucalypt, often associated with severe symptoms of canopy decline. We have a number of projects that will look at the diversity and abundance of mycorrhizae, and the role of particular nutrients in the canopy health of native eucalypt species.

Pests and Diseases of Eucalyptusglobulus plantations
We have a number of projects related to insects and pests of Eucalyptus plantations. All projects will work closely with industry and in some cases will be linked to a Collaborative Research Centre Forestry we are involved in. Plantation companies are now very interested in the movement of pests and pathogens between native eucalyptus forests, remnant bushland and plantations. We have a number of projects that will look at the biology, ecology, pathology and genetics of pathogens in plantations and native forest.

Impact of Eucalyptus plantations on biodiversity
A major program with our CRC Forestry activities is to do with impact of plantations on biodiversity. Please feel free to come and talk about the range of projects we have. These vary from impacts on fauna, macro and micro fungi (beneficial and detrimental), changes in plant communities among others. These are important issues as the future of the timber industry may depend on forestry companies being able to demonstrate that their activities are sustainable and that they have minimal impact on natural ecosystems.

3) Fauna Related Projects

Murdoch Supervisors: Dr Michael Craig, Prof. Giles Hardy, Dr Trish Fleming
Introduction
Phytophythora and other plant diseases can have substantial detrimental impacts on fauna. The following projects aim to increase understanding of the interactions between plant diseases and native fauna.
Projects

The impact of thinning and burning minesite rehabilitation on vegetation health and small mammal communities
The management of minesites rehabilitated after bauxite mining includes the thinning and burning of rehabilitation to create a more natural forest structure and increase water run-off in catchments. However, there are concerns that this increase in water availability could increase the activity of the fungal pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, and other soil pathogens, which could negatively impact on small mammal communities.

The Banksiadale catchment was experimentally thinned and burnt in 2002. This project will look at a range of thinned and unthinned site in the Banksiadale catchment to assess the impact of this management technique on vegetation health and small mammal communities. Animal trapping will focus on two facultatively nectivorous species, Western Pygmy-possums (Cercatetus concinnus) and Yellow-footed Antechinuses (Antechinus flavipes), to determine which plant species are the most important food source for these species. Vegetation surveys will also be conducted to determine how thinning and burning affects vegetation health, focusing on plant species that are important food sources for pygmy-possums and antechinuses.

The importance of grass-trees to Mardo (Antechinus flavipes leucogaster) in the jarrah forest
Skirts (dead leaves that accumulate around the trunk) of grass-trees are known to be used as refuge sites by a wide range of animal species. However, these skirts are removed by fire, reducing suitable habitat for some species. The Mardo is one species that uses grass-tree skirts as daytime refugia. It is not clear, however, how critical grass-tree skirts are for Mardos, since they also show some degree of use of logs and burrows as refugia.

This project aims to evaluate the importance of grass-tree skirts for Mardos by experimentally removed grass tree skirts from burnt areas and observed any shifts in the daytime refugia used. This will be achieved by radio-tagging Mardos and determining their daytime refugia, both before and after skirt removal. Part of this project will also evaluate factors that affect the burning of grass-tree skirts and why some grass-tree skirts remain unburnt. Data from this project will be used (e.g. by the Dept. of Environment and Conservation) to evaluate the likely effects of current burning regimes on Mardo populations.

Management of rehabilitated mines to accelerate the return of vertebrate fauna
Alcoa World Alumina Australia has been rehabilitating its bauxite mines since 1966 and, currently, approximately 550 ha are mined and rehabilitated each year. The technology of rehabilitation has been continuously improved over the last 40 years to the current state-of-the art program involving the use of seed banks, hand planting and the provision of faunal habitats. However, management of the rehabilitated sites is likely to be required so that these sites can be integrated back into normal forest management activities. This study is a cooperative project between Murdoch University, Department of Conservation and Land Management and Alcoa Australia, funded by Alcoa and ARC, looking at the management of rehabilitated sites and the impacts of this management on the vertebrate fauna. Specific projects include: (1) a detailed assessment of reptile microhabitat requirements in unmined forest and rehabilitated sites; (2) an investigation of patterns of reptile colonization in rehabilitated sites; (3) an investigation of the impacts on vertebrate fauna of thinning and burning rehabilitated sites; and (4) the value of habitat piles in accelerating the return of vertebrate fauna. All these projects will contribute to overall project objective, which will be used to drive Alcoa’s rehabilitation management policies over the next few decades.

Effect of rehabilitation management on Phytophthora infection in jarrah forest
Alcoa Australia manage their minesite rehabilitation by thinning the vegetation to mimic, more closely, stem densities in unmined jarrah forest. The effect of thinning is to increase the quantity of soil in the water, which may make plants more susceptible to infection from the fungal pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi (formerly known as jarrah dieback). This project will investigate two existing experiments, the thin/burn trial and the Banksiadale trial, to determine whether different thinning intensities facilitate the spread of P. cinnamomi in the jarrah forest. The thin/burn trial examines four different thinning intensities (none, light, medium and heavy) and two burning treatments (none, autumn burn), while the Banksiadale experiment looks at thinning rehabilitation to 700 stems ha-1 followed by a spring burn. This project will look at the effect of all these management techniques on the spread of P. cinnamomi. Results from this study will be critical in influencing how Alcoa Australia manage their rehabilitation to prevent the spread of P. cinnamomi in the jarrah forest. There is also scope within this project to examine the interactive effects of Phytophthora with native reptiles, frogs and mammals. This project will link in with other existing projects to achieve the overall project objectives.

Comparative ecology of Napoleon's Skinks (Egernia napoleonis) and Bobtails (Tiliqua rugosa) in a rehabilitated landscape
Most species of reptiles return to sites rehabilitated after bauxite mining, in the jarrah forest, within the first ten years. However, several species occur rarely, or not all, in rehabilitated sites that are older than 10 years. These species, known as recalcitrant species, are typically poorly known ecologically, making it impossible to determine the reasons for their absence from rehabilitated sites. This project will examine, and compare, the ecology of a recalcitrant species (Egernia napoleonis), with a species that occurs commonly in rehabilitated sites (Tiliqua rugosa). The study will focus on microhabitat use of the two species and the availability of suitable microhabitats in different ages of rehabilitation. By comparing the ecologies of the two species, we should be able to determine the critical resources that account for the absence of recalcitrant species in rehabilitated sites. The project will then aim to provide recommendations to Alcoa, for the provision of scarce microhabitats in rehabilitated sites, to accelerate the return of recalcitrant reptile species. This project will link in with other existing projects to achieve the overall project objectives.

Comparative ecology of snakes and legless lizards in a rehabilitated landscape
Snakes and legless lizards have been identified as species that are absent, or only present at very low abundance, in sites rehabilitated after mining in the jarrah forest. Their absence from rehabilitated sites may either reflect a lack of critical resources in those areas (e.g. logs, food, leaf litter), or reflect their rarity. Unfortunately, we know nothing about the ecology of snakes and legless lizards in the jarrah forest so we are unable to evaluate which of these explanations is correct. The study will focus on the microhabitat use of snakes and legless lizards and the availability of suitable microhabitats in different ages of rehabilitation. We should be able to identify the critical resources that account for the absence of these species in rehabilitated sites, if they are indeed absent. The project will then aim to provide recommendations to Alcoa, for the provision of critical resources in rehabilitated sites, to accelerate the return of these species. This project will link in with other existing projects to achieve the overall project objectives.
Apart from the projects outlined, please feel free to come and talk about a number of other possible projects.

Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on fauna
We have a number of projects that will examine the impact of P. cinnamomi on fauna (mammals, reptiles and invertebrates). We have very little understanding of how changes in plant communities due to the pathogen can impact on the viability of fauna in the long-term. We are particularly interested in areas on the south coast.

4) The Following Projects Are In Collaboration With Scientists From The Department Of Agriculture & Food Western Australia (DAFWA)

How Risky Is Our Rubbish?
Pathogens and plant pests that are associated with imported commodities are a potential quarantine risk to our horticultural/agricultural industries and the environment. The distribution of these pests along with plant products that are disposed of into the environment is a rarely studied but very important pathway for the establishment of exotic plant diseases.

The study would help to determine the potential period for which pathogens and other plant pests may be exposed to the environment whilst the plant product was still viable. This valuable information could be incorporated into existing pest risk analysis models and eradication or containment strategies.

The rate at which plant products decompose once disposed of is an important factor in determining the risk of distribution of exotic diseases to suitable host plants. After the plant product has fully decomposed most pathogens are unlikely to survive or be transferred to a suitable host in the surrounding environment.

Previous modelling has identified the following areas as high risk environments into which plant products may be disposed - backyards, household compost heaps and vegetation along roadsides that may be adjacent to orchards, cropping and ornamental or native vegetation areas. The main types of plant products identified as likely to be disposed of are fruit/vegetables and parts of fruit/vegetables such as cores, peel and any rotted or bruised sections that may not be palatable to consumers. Specific examples would include apple cores, orange peel, banana skins and grape rachis and berries.

To further develop this important aspect of plant biosecurity research related factors that may need consideration includes the effect of season of exposure, climatic conditions, irrigation and cultivation effects.

Contact: Nichole Hammond, Department of Agriculture, Phone: 9368 326, Email: nhammond@agric.wa.gov.au

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