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The Emergency Ward

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Background

  • The Conservation Biotechnology group undertakes research into advanced propagation and cryogenic research of plants for biodiversity conservation purposes (as specified in the BGPA Act, 1988).
  • The group assists with specialized advice and assistance with in vitro propagation of rare and/or recalcitrant plant taxa on the designated lands as part of BGPA Science restoration programs.
  • We also collaborate closely with other conservation agencies (principally DEC) and community-based organizations (e.g., LandCare) for practical research outcomes, such as providing micropropagated plants for joint reintroduction projects to restore depleted or declining natural populations of critically endangered plant species.
  • We are funded by the State Government to staff and provide laboratory functions dedicated to conservation of the flora.
  • The CB team enjoy close links with other researchers within the Science Directorate, leading to collaborative, integrated conservation research programs with practical outcomes for the public, community groups, other government agencies and industry.
  • We initiate new research programs through various competitive Federal or State science funding bodies, in many cases with the support of industry and university partners.
  • We acknowledge the valuable assistance and support of volunteers.

Major research initiatives:

  • Tissue culture propagation of endangered flora for ex situ conservation
  • Development of micropropagation methodologies for production of resilient plants of critically endangered species for reintroduction purposes
  • Application of cryogenic research for long-term storage of germplasm collections of endangered plants for ex situ conservation purposes.
  • Investigation of practical methods for enhancing resilience to environmental stress and improving survival of native plants used in restoration of disturbed landscapes.
  • Research into innovative biotechnology solutions for efficient mass propagation of native plants e.g. somatic embryogenesis and manufactured seeds.

Current and ongoing research projects:

  • Somatic embryo production
    Somatic embryo production
    ARC Linkage project (LP0561956), Em/Prof JA McComb (Murdoch University); Dr E Bunn; Dr KW Dixon (BGPA). In vitro propagation (through somatic embryogenesis) of rush and sedge species important for land rehabilitation. Total of $220,000 over 3 yrs. Partner Organization(s): Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Worsley Refinery, Seed Solutions (Administering Institution: Murdoch University).
  • Investigation of propagation methods for Lomandra spp. (Honours project) in collaboration with BGPA, MU and Worsley Mining.
  • Investigation of in vitro propagation methods for initiating culture lines of selected rush and sedge species for mining restoration (2004-6), In collaboration with Worsley Mining (WAPL)).
  • Micropropagation of plants of Synaphea stenoloba, a critically endangered species from the Pinjarra district. The plants being produced by Kings Park are part of a collaborative project involving Kings Park, ALCOA, UWA and CALM, to firstly, establish ex situ collections of tissue cultured plants, followed by micropropagation of plants for the future recovery of this very rare species.
  • Symonanthus bancroftii
    Symonanthus bancroftii
    Micropropagation of plants of Symonanthus bancroftii (Bancroft's Symonanthus), a critically endangered species from the Bruce Rock district. The plants produced by Kings Park are part of a translocation project to restore populations of this extremely rare species to the natural habitat. This is a collaborative project between Kings Park, CALM (Narrogin District), Bruce Rock LandCare, Bruce Rock Shire and local volunteers. This project has received funding support from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) through a Threatened Species Network (TSN) grant in 2003 and 2005, administered through Bruce Rock LandCare and Bruce Rock Shire.
  • Synaphea quartzitica
    Synaphea quartzitica
    Micropropagation of plants of Synaphea quartzitica (Quartz loving synaphea), a critically endangered species from the Moora district. The plants being produced by Kings Park are part of a collaborative project involving Kings Park and CALM (Moora District), which has so far resulted in successful establishment of ex situ collections of tissue cultured plants. Micropropagated plants have been used in a trial reintroduction project in 2005. This project is aimed at preventing the extinction of this extremely rare species.
  • Micropropagation of plants of Grevillea scapigera (Corrigin grevillea), a critically endangered species from the Corrigin district. Plants of the Corrigin grevillea produced by Kings Park have been translocated to field sites near the hinterland of Corrigin and new populations have been successfully restored to the natural habitat. This project is a collaborative project comprising Kings Park, CALM (Narrogin District), Corrigin LandCare and local volunteers.
  • Cryogenic storage of endangered plants.
    Cryogenic storage of endangered plants.
    Cryogenic research is continuing with new species undergoing screening for cryostorage potential. This is an ongoing program with the aim of placing key germplasm samples of critically endangered plants into long-term cryogenic storage. The cryogenic methods developed by Kings Park were the first such studies for indigenous Australian plants (Touchell et al, 2002a, 2002b).
  • Investigation of in vitro propagation of endangered plant species continues to be a significant research program and is primarily aimed at critically endangered taxa in urgent need of ex situ conservation and where other (conventional) means of propagation are not feasible.

Key Research Outcomes:

  • Many endangered plants saved from extinction (e.g., Grevillea scapigera, Hemiandra rutilans, Symonanthus bancroftii and many others) in an ongoing research program of ex situ preservation by researching and improving tissue culture protocols.
  • Establishment of ex situ collections of endangered plants for biodiversity conservation research.
  • Cryogenic storage of key germplasm of endangered plant species for researching the efficacy and efficiency of long term, ex situ conservation.
  • Contributing to the broader scientific knowledge of in vitro propagation and cryogenic storage of the Australian flora for conservation, restoration and sustainable use in horticulture, mining and agriculture.
  • Progressing advanced tissue culture research such as somatic embryogenesis for native plants as a precursor to artificial seed production for large-scale restoration in natural and disturbed landscapes.

Personnel