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Project Overview
Ecology of a rare shrub in plantation forests
Supervisors
- Dr Wendy Wright, School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University
Overview
Toothed Leionema (Leionema bilobum serrulatum) is an understorey shrub approximately 2-3 metres tall. It is listed as Rare on the DSE Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria because of its limited distribution and a paucity of records and it has been recorded at various sites within land owned and/or managed by Grand Ridge Plantations Pty Ltd. These records show that it occurs in Wet Forest, including roadside vegetation and eucalypt plantations. It appears to either regenerate following disturbance, or to prefer open canopy or non-gully sites. Little is known about the ecology and the reproductive biology of this species. Given its Rare status, it is important that we gain some understanding of a/ the reproductive biology of this species, and b/ the effects of plantation management on it.
The objective of this project is to determine some of the basic reproductive characteristics of the species including the longevity and germination requirements of the seed. The project is likely to include germination trials testing the “survivability” of seeds after various treatments, as well as some field work to determine whether new individuals are most likely to recruited into a population via germination of seeds or via suckering.
The project will be conducted in collaboration with Grand Ridge Plantations Pty Ltd, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. As such, the student will gain valuable insight into the work environments of both a private company and a State Government department.Further information
Contact the school or one of the supervisors listed above.
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