- Position:
- Phd Candidate
- Phone:
- (+61 8) 9480 3919
- Fax:
- (+61 8) 9480 3641
- Email:
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
RESEARCH THEMES:
- Restoration after Pine Forestry
- Minesite restoration
- Soil and Plant relations
- Seed removal ecology
- Disturbance Ecology
BACKGROUND:
My interests include conservation biology and restoration ecology. I have completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Zoology and Botany. In 2007 I completed honours in restoration ecology with Kings Park and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, looking at the effects of wind erosion and faunal activity on broadcast seed removal in Banksia woodland. I am currently undertaking a Phd at Kings Park investigating how Pinus pinaster plantations have altered the soil environment during their 50 year persistence and whether the soil is now able to sustain native Banksia woodlands utilising current restoration technologies.
PROJECT:
Title: Post removal of Pinus pinaster plantations in Western Australia: Implications for reinstatement of Banksia woodland, a historical ecosystem assemblage
University: The University of Western Australia
Supervisors: Dr. Deanna Rokich, Dr. Shane Turner, Dr Jason Stevens, Prof. Kingsley Dixon.
Industry sponsors: Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, Kings Park; Rocla Quarry Products Pty Ltd.
Abstract:
This study assesses the potential of returning post-removal Pinus pinaster Ait. (Maritime Pine) pine plantations on the Gnangara Mound, a vital water source north of Perth, Western Australia, to former native Banksia woodlands. It will provide crucial knowledge essential in the continuing development of restoration techniques that maximise the establishment of Banksia woodland species, which are increasingly threatened by clearing for urbanisation and mining. This study will extend Banksia woodland restoration techniques developed to date and apply them to the old field environment of pine plantations, aiming to determine, if the 50 year persistence of pine plantations has affected the soil environment and its ability to sustain the former Banksia woodland ecosystem.
This will be investigated through topsoil seedbank analyses; physical and chemical soil analyses; seedling establishment, survival, health and physiology trials; combined with an overall ecosystem health analysis utilising invertebrate and mycorrhizal activity sampling. With the State government planning to replace 23, 000 hectares of P. pinaster plantations that occur over the Gnangara Mound to native Banksia woodland at a rate of 1,000 hectares per year, this project will constitute the main source of recommendations for maximising restoration efforts of this ecosystem. The work will provide unique information to aid the recovery success of a historic ecosystem assemblage with special conservation concern in Western Australia.