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Current Research

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Current Major Research Projects

 

Scientists at Kings Park are currently engaged in over 30 major research projects. These projects are facilitated largely with funding support from industry and nationally competitively grants schemes such as Australian Research Council grants. Most projects involve collaboration with other researchers from local, national and international universities, as well as environmental managers and practitioners from industry and the community. Research largely underpins practical outcomes in the conservation of rare or threatened species and/or ecological restoration of native plant communities, with benefits flowing on to the restoration/management of lands under our care (Kings Park and Bold Park).

For example, in November 2011, scientists at Kings Park, in collaboration with researchers at UWA and with support from industry, were awarded a 4-year grant from the Australian Research Council Linkage grants scheme to defining biologically significant units in spinifex (Triodia spp.) for improved ecological restoration in arid Australia. This research will involve a hierarchical molecular approach to resolve taxonomic confusion in this dominant grass through arid Australia, and characterise genetic ecophysiological structuring within key priority species for better outcomes in post-mining restoration.

A full list of current major research projects follows:

Nationally Competitive Government Grants Funded Research

  1. A molecular ecophysiological assessment of the importance of using local provenance seed in native plant community restoration. ARC Linkage grant LP0669757 (2006-2012). Administering organisation: University of Queensland. Collaborative partners: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Alcoa World Alumina Australia.

  2. A novel method of broad-acre weed seedbank management using a naturally occurring germination stimulant. ARC Linkage grant LP0776951 (2007-2010). Administering organisation: UWA. Collaborative partner: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  3. Investigation of the metabolism, molecular targets and environmental fate of the seed germination stimulant, butenolide. ARC Linkage grant LP0882775 (2008-2012). Administering organisation: UWA. Collaborative partners: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd, Iluka Resources, Extension Hill/Mt Gibson Iron, Alcoa World Alumina.  

  4. Assessing plant virus threats to indigenous Western Australian flora: implications for biodiversity, conservation, ecosystem reclamation and the wildflower industry. ARC Linkage grant LP0882671 (2008-2010). Administering organisation: Murdoch University. Collaborative partners: Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Alcoa World Alumina Australia, Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd, Saturn Biotech Pty Ltd  

  5. Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant species used in post mining restoration. ARC Linkage grant LP0884027 (2009-2012: total funds). Administering organisation: Curtin University of Technology. Collaborative partners: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, The University of Queensland, The University of Western Australia and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  6. A multidisciplinary research program to assess limiting factors and predict impacts of climate change for endangered Australian orchids. ARC Linkage grant LP0989338 (2009-2011). Administering organisation: Australian National University. Collaborative partners: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and The University of Western Australia.

  7. Mechanisms and manipulation of seed dormancy maintenance in annual ryegrass and other weed species. ARC Linkage grant LP0990923 (2009-2011). Administering organisation: The University of Western Australia. Collaborative partner: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  8. Broad scale implementation of native grass germination enhancement technologies. RIRDC research grant PRJ-003853 (2008-2012).

  9. Discovery of the molecular mode of action of karrikins in plants. ARC Discovery Project DP1096717 (2010-2012). Administering Organisation: The University of Western Australia.  Collaborative partner: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  10. Managing evolutionary-ecological process in restoring Banksia woodland resilient to global environmental changes. ARC Linkage Project LP100100620 (2010-2013). Administering organisation: The University of Western Australia. Collaborative Partners: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and Rocla Quarry Products.

  11. Establishing genetic guidelines for the effective ecological restoration of seagrass meadows. ARC Linkage Project LP100200429 (2010-2013). Administering organisation: The University of Western Australia. Collaborative partners: Cockburn Cement Ltd, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and Department of Environment and Conservation.

  12. Above and below-ground specialisation in Australian orchids and its implications for diversification and vulnerability. ARC Linkage Project: LP110100408 (2011-2014). Administering organisation: The Australian National University. Collaborative Partner: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  13. The roles viruses play in the decline of terrestrial orchids in Australia's hotspot of global biodiversity. ARC Linkage Project: LP110200180 (2011-2014). Administering organisation: Murdoch University. Collaborative Partners: The Australian Orchid Foundation, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  14. The spatial energetic of pollination failure in habitat restoration. ARC Linkage Project LP110200304 (2011-2016). Administering organisation: The University of Western Australia. Collaborative Partner: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.

  15. Defining biologically significant units in spinifex (Triodia spp.) for improved ecological restoration in arid Australia. ARC Linkage Project LP120100350 (2012-2015). Administering organisation: The University of Western Australia. Collaborative Partners: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Rio Tinto, Chevron.

Industry Funded Research

  1. Rocla Quarry Products: Developing sustainable restoration of Banksia woodland communities disturbed through sand quarrying activities (2000-ongoing).

  2. Westralia Airports Corporation: Deriving Research Benchmarks for Nationally Threatened Plant Species occurring on Westralia Airports Corporation Land (2004-2010).

  3. Fire and Emergency Services Authority: Impact of fire suppressing agents on native vegetation in Western Australia (2005-2009). (PhD project to 2011)

  4. Millennium Seedbank Project: Western Australian Seeds Program (2005-2009, 2011).

  5. Millennium Seedbank Project: Seed conservation science for Western Australian orchids (2005-2009, 2011).

  6. Department of Environment and Conservation, Great Southern District: Rare Plant Translocations program for Grevillea scapigera.

  7. Department of Environment and Conservation, Yilgarn District, Wheatbelt Region Rare Plant Translocations program for Symonanthus bancroftii.

  8. Catalpa Resources (was Westonia Mines Ltd) New translocation sites for Eremophila resinosa at Westonia.

  9. Public Transport Authority: Conservation of Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi.

  10. Rocla Quarry Products: Understanding the ecophysiological reasons that underpin Banksia species establishment (2006 – 2011).

  11. Department of Environment and Conservation: Clonal propagation through tissue culture of the critically endangered Dryandra montana (Proteaceae) (2007-ongoing).

  12. Newcrest Operations: Ecosystem Restoration Principles for Newcrest Operations, Telfer (2007-2011).

  13. Main Roads Department: Glossy Leaved Hammer Orchid conservation (2008-2010).

  14. BHP Billiton. 'Seed Atlas for the Pilbara' - practical guidelines for the collection, processing, storage, germination and use of seeds in restoration for dominant and priority species in the Pilbara region. (2008-2013)

  15. Iluka Resources: Conservation of the rare species Leucopogon ‘ciliate’ (2008-2010). (PhD project to 2012)

  16. Gindalbie Metals Ltd: Conservation genetics of DRF Acacia karina  (2009-2013).

  17. Grange Resources Limited: An integrated research program focused on practical outcomes for the ex situ and in situ conservation, restoration and translocation of the DRF Commersonia sp. Mt. Groper. (Sterculiaceae) – a five year research and development program (2010-2015).

  18. Griffin Coal Mining Co: Integrated conservation and translocation of Caladenia lodgeana project (2009-2015).

  19. BHP Billiton: Investigation into the effect of topsoil stockpile age and depth on topsoil seed-bank and seedling recruitment (2010-ongoing).

  20. Pilbara Iron Company (Services) Pty Ltd: Investigating seed biology and optimising seed management to improve rehabilitation outcomes in the Pilbara (2010-2014).

  21. Polaris Metals NL: Scoping study - Ecophysiological study of Tetratheca aphylla for restoration (2010).

  22. Cliffs Natural Resources: A population genetic assessment of Ricinocarpos brevis (Euphorbiaceae) (2010-2011)

  23. Rio Tinto: Genetic composition of key tree species at Weeli Wolli Creek (2010-2013).

  24. Shark Bay Resources: An integrated research program focused on approaches for scaling-up rehabilitation of two seagrass species, Posidonia australis and Amphibolis antarctica impacted by bitterns discharge from crystallizing ponds (2010-2012).