Theme leader: Sean Tomlinson
Research Supervision: Dr Shane Turner, Prof Kingsley Dixon and Prof Grant Wardell-Johnson
Objectives: Develop researchers that (1) Understand the distribution and ecological, demographic and physiological behaviour of rare and range restricted species to minimise impacts and enhance restoration approaches (linked to Theme 2), (2) Create ex situ production methods to generate genetically diverse propagules for translocation as required, (3) Optimise translocation success within restored landscapes (linked to Theme 3) and; (4) Establish standardised criteria for ranking translocation success within restored landscapes.
Outcomes: (1) Identify the environmental drivers of threatened and range-restricted species; (2) Identify ecological factors limiting the distribution of threatened species that influence their reinstatement in restored landscapes; (2) Solutions for propagation and assembly of self sustaining translocated populations to offset losses due to mining; (3) Establishment of success criteria for the translocation of rare and range restricted taxa into restored landscapes.
by Subhashi Rajapakshe
The Banded Ironstone Formation ranges and granite outcrops of the South Western Australian floristic region host a high number of rare and range-restricted plant species. A significant proportion of these taxa are endangered or likely to be threatened in near future by anthropogenic activities such as mining. MSc student Subhashi Rajapakshe is investigating the comparative germination ecology of several plant species endemic to these habitats with the aim of generating research data that is essential for planning cost-efficient conservation and management strategies.
