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Position
Principal Research Scientist (Seed Science)
Email
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Phone
(+61 8) 9480 3628
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I am a seed scientist with interests that span seed physiology, ecology, and technology. My research aims to improve our ability to conserve seeds of wild plant species and to enhance our capacity for ecological restoration.

My research includes studies of seed survival and longevity in conservation seed banks and in the field, the environmental factors that regulate seed dormancy and germination, and the development of seed enhancement techniques to promote seedling establishment.    

Research themes

  • Seed storage physiology and longevity
  • Ecophysiology of seed dormancy and germination
  • Seed persistence and soil seed banks
  • Seed enhancement technologies
  • Restoration ecology

Major projects

Visit the Seed Conservation section to learn more about the current projects.

Selected publications

Tangney R, Merritt, DJ, Fontaine J and Miller BP (2018) Seed moisture content as a primary trait regulating the lethal temperature thresholds of seeds. Journal of Ecology DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.13095.

Saatkamp A, Cochrane A, Commander L, Guja LK, Jimenez-Alfaro B, et al. [Merritt DJ] (2018) A research agenda for seed-trait functional ecology. New Phytologist 221: 1764–1775.

Dalziell EL, Baskin CC, Baskin JM, Young RE, Dixon KW, Merritt DJ (2018) Morphophysiological dormancy in the basal angiosperm order Nymphaeales. Annals of Botany 123: 95-106.

Huss JC, Schoeppler V, Merritt DJ, Best C, Maire E, Adrien J, Spӓker O, Janssen N, Gladisch J, Gierlinger, N, Miller BP, Fratzl P and Eder M (2017) Climate-dependent heat-triggered opening mechanism of Banksia seed pods. Advanced Science 5: DOI:10.1002/advs.201700572.

Erickson TE, Muñoz-Rojas M, Kildisheva OA, Stokes BA, White SA, Heyes JL, Dalziell EL, Lewandrowski W, James JJ, Madsen MD, Turner SR and Merritt DJ (2017) Benefits of adopting seed-based technologies for rehabilitation in the mining sector: a Pilbara perspective. Australian Journal of Botany 65: 646–660.

Mounts Bay Road share path detours

The City of Perth will be undergoing works on the shared path along Mounts Bay Road from Thursday 23 March until Monday 8 May 2023. Detours through Kings Park will be in place.

Concert traffic interruptions

Road and carpark closures will occur in Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Saturday 25 March 2023 due to a concert event.

School Ball parking

Temporary parking on Fraser Avenue will not be provided for buses, limos and cars, and fines will apply.

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City of Perth E-Scooter Trial Expands through Kings Park

Visitors will be able to hire and ride e-scooters within Kings Park as part of City of Perth’s E-scooter Share Scheme from Saturday 25 March 2023.

Support for Noongar Boodja continues

Fugro has generously renewed their partnership with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) to bring another three years of the very popular ‘Noongar Boodja’ education program to Kings Park.

Rare plants stolen from Kings Park

We're devastated to announce up to 900 of WA’s rarest orchids have been stolen from the Conservation Garden in Kings Park.

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