Hot spot
 Logs rotting on the forest
floor, also known as coarse woody debris (CWD), provide us with a
historical record of past disturbance events and can give us an
idea of what the forests were like at the time of those
disturbances. This is a key early finding from a Forestry Tasmania
study (with funding support from Forest and Wood Products
Australia) that is examining how current management is contributing
to maintaining mature-forest biodiversity in production forest
landscapes. [read more]
What's on
European Conference on Ecological Restoration
 The seventh European Conference
on Ecological Restoration will be held in Avignon, France, at the
end of August [visit conference
website]. Kasia Bialkowski (PhD student,
Murdoch University) will be attending to present her research on
using chemical and biological soil properties to monitor the
progress of restoration in native woodlands [click here
to read Kasia's abstract].
Ornithologists migrate to Brazil for International
Congress
 'Birdos' from
all over the world will descend upon Sao Paulo, Brazil, in late
August to attend the 25th International Ornithological Congress
[conference
website]. University of Melbourne PhD student
Mayumi Knight will be
joining the migration to present her research on 'Bird communities
and biodiversity conservation in complex landscapes of farmland,
tree plantations and embedded remnant forest'. Click here to read
Mayumi's abstract.
Combining silviculture and genetics to overcome environmental
stresses in eucalypts
The productivity of each rotation of Eucalyptus
plantation worldwide has increased by 10–20% as a result of
major advances in silviculture and genetics. This trend will
continue only if we develop fundamentally new ways to combine
silviculture and genetics research and apply them via adequately
planned operations that are sensitive to economical, social and
environmental sustainability. Join in what promises to be a
lively discussion that will take place at an IUFRO meeting in
Brazil in November 2011. Click here to
download invitation.
Eucalyptus symposia at the International Botanical
Congress 2011
 Plant scientists should
seriously consider attending the International Botanical Congress
next July when it will be held in Melbourne. There will be at
least two symposia about Eucalyptus that are being
co-organised by CRC biodiversity researchers. Prof. Bill
Foley (ANU), Prof. Brad Potts and Assoc. Prof. René
Vaillancourt will organise a symposium on the Eucalyptus
genome and Dr Dorothy Steane will co-chair a symposium on
Patterns and Processes in Eucalyptus Evolution. This
is a rare opportunity to attend a very big, truly international
conference close to home. Registrations are now open and abstracts
may be submitted until 31 October 2010. [visit conference
website]
Churchill Fellowship for genomic researcher
 Former CRC student Dr Rebecca
Jones has been awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship.
Beck will spend six weeks visiting key research centres in Europe
and the USA to learn the latest techniques for analysing genomic
data—in particular, the Eucalyptus genome.
[read
more]
Community genetics experts establish research program at
UTAS
 The overlapping disciplines
of 'community genetics' and 'community and ecosystem ecology' have
received a boost in research capacity at UTAS. Associate Professor
Joe Bailey and Dr Jennifer Schweitzer recently joined UTAS
from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and are keen to
develop research links across Australia. Both Joe and Jen are
ecologists with particular interest in the effect that genetics has
on communities and ecosystems, from effects among trees down to
interactions between organisms and soils. [read more]
Treefern research projects for students
The harvesting of the commercially valuable treefern
(Dicksonia antarctica) from approved logging coupes is
regulated in Tasmania by the Forest Practices Authority (FPA). The
FPA is interested in furthering knowledge of the role of
Dicksonia in the ecology of the state’s wet forests
so as to inform the future management of tree ferns as a forest
resource. Several areas of research suitable for student
research projects have been identified that will complement the
FPA’s own treefern research. Student grants of $1000 to
assist with field expenses or other project costs will be made
available to suitable candidates undertaking these projects.
In-kind support such as field assistance and/or co-supervision may
also be available from the FPA. [read more]
World Forestry Institute Fellowships—apply any time!
 The World Forestry Institute's
International Fellowship Program sponsors professionals in natural
resources—such as foresters, environmental educators, land
managers, NGO practitioners and researchers—to conduct a
practical research project, over 6–12 months, at the World
Forestry Centre in Portland, Oregon, USA. In addition to
projects, fellows participate in weekly field trips, interviews and
site visits to Northwest forestry organisations, state, local and
national parks, universities, public and private timberlands, trade
associations, mills and corporations. The fellowship is a
unique opportunity to learn about sustainable forestry from the
Pacific Northwest forestry sector, and to work with colleagues from
around the world. Fellowships are open to citizens of any
country (including the USA) and there is a matching grant from the
Harry A. Merlo Foundation. The Gottstein Trust may also
assist with funding for Australian fellows. [read more about WFI fellowships]
What's been on
Integrated pest management a popular choice
 It seems
that everyone is keen to control those pesky plantation pests and
diseases. A group of forest industry workers and CRC
researchers got together the day before the CRC's Annual Science
Meeting to discuss how to manage the health of plantations ...
[read
more]
Chiropterology conference delights bat enthusiasts
 Chiropterology
student Lisa Cawthen recently escaped the southern winter for a
week of batty interaction in Darwin, Northern Territory. The
14th Australasian Bat Society conference attracted 110 delegates
who discussed a broad range of bat-related topics ranging from bats
in plantation forestry landscapes through to bat IVF and
paleoecology. [read Lisa's full
conference report]
Soil scientists get dirty downunder
 The 19th
World Congress of Soil Science was held in Brisbane recently
(1–7 August 2010). The meeting is organised once every four
years by the International Union of Soil Sciences. This year the
congress’s theme was 'Soil solutions for a changing
world'. The subject matter ranged from nutrient cycling to
extra-terrestrial soil science. Kasia Bialkowski, a PhD
student at Murdoch University, seized the opportunity to
attend. [read more]
Report of the George River water quality panel
 Earllier
this year concerns were raised about the impact of
Eucalyptus plantations on water quality in the George
River catchment in north-eastern Tasmania. The report of the
George River water quality panel has now been released.
You can read the report here.
CRC geneticists join expert consultative panel
CRC researchers Prof. Brad Potts, Dr Chris Harwood and Assoc.
Prof. René Vaillancourt attended a two-day workshop in
Canberra at the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator to help
prepare an international OECD (Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development) biology document on eucalypts.
Australia, Brazil and Japan are the lead countries involved in
producing the document. The Eucalyptus document will
initially focus on the nine main eucalypt species that are used in
hybrid breeding programs and plantations around the world. The
workshop included both national and international eucalypt
experts.
Odd spot
Near-glorious coincidence
 Last
summer, a Eucalyptus nitens plantation in northern
Tasmania was attacked by a very beautiful species of chrysomelid
beetle, thought to be Paropsisterna gloriosa.
Although native to Tasmania, this species was considered to be
rather rare ... but things are changing! [read more]
Subproject 4.2.1 Biodiversity benefits of alternatives to
clearfelling
Mammal research continues to attract funding
 High-quality,
relevant research tends to attract funding, so it is reassuring to
hear that Helen Stephens has once again been funded by the
Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment for the third year in a row
and was recently award a substantial grant for her genetic research
by the Winifred Violet Scott Charitable Trust. [read more]
Subproject 4.2.2 Biodiversity outcomes from plantation expansion
into agricultural and native forest landscapes
Soil nitrogen critical factor for native remnant
restoration
Many Australian native plants have adapted to grow in low
nutrient soils, so much so that high levels of nitrogen or
phosphorous in soils can cause sickness and even death of these
plants. A study of soil chemistry in forest remnants in a
plantation landscape in Western Australia has shown that most
remnants with weeds will remain in a degraded state even after the
removal of stock and establishment of eucalypt plantations because
of the high level of nitrogen in the soil. However, there may
be a simple remedy for this problem ... [read more]
Bird diversity in plantation landscape varies with remnant
vegetation
 A team of
ornithologists at Murdoch University have been assessing the
influence that understorey has on bird communities in a plantation
landscape in south-west Western Australia. They have found
significant differences among remnants with native understorey,
remants with weedy understorey and plantations. [read more]
Forest margins vary with land use
Tom Wright (University of Melbourne) has published some research
findings from his recently submitted PhD. While the
microclimates found on forest margins are well-described for closed
forests, they remain under-examined in more sparse vegetation types
like Eucalyptus woodlands. This limits predictions
of edge effects on remnant vegetation in cleared agricultural
landscapes and of changes in these effects with plantation
establishment. Tom found that the effect of plantations on
woodland microclimates was contrary to that observed in closed
forests. These findings were highlighted in an article in a
previous issue of Biobuzz (December 2009) and are now available in
detail:
Wright TE, Kasel S, Tausz M, Bennett LT (2010) Edge microclimate
of temperate woodlands as affected by adjoining land use.
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 150:
1138–1146.
If you have access to this journal you may read Tom's article
here.
Student update
While one PhD student awaits his examiners' reports, five other
postgraduates continue to juggle thesis writing, publication,
conferences and outside work commitments. Read about their
latest exploits ... [click
here]
Subproject 4.2.3 Biodiversity value of coarse woody debris
Personnel update
There have been significant changes in CWD (coarse woody debris)
personnel over the past month. Gregoire Thauvin, a French intern
student, has returned home after six months of measuring logs in
the southern forests. Simon Grove is back at work after four months
of battling leukaemia ... and winning! Welcome back,
Simon!
Comparing biodiversity outcomes of various management
regimes
 There has
been a lot of activity in a FWPA-funded study being done in the
Southern Forests Experimental Forest Landscape. The study is
examining how current management is contributing to mature-forest
biodiversity. Gregoire Thauvin analysed all of the coarse woody
debris data and the team has produced a draft report of the
results. A condensed account of the findings features in this
issue's 'Hot
spot'.
First Australian measurements of carbon loss from forested
catchments
 A UTAS
Honours student has been examining the temporal and spatial
variation of organic carbon in small head water streams. Ian
Riley, who recently completed his Honours thesis, is modelling the
processes and rates by which forest carbon is mobilised and
transported through the hydrological cycle. This is the first
time that this has been done for an Australian forested water
catchment ... [read more]
Student update
Belinda Yaxley is writing
her PhD thesis (see Belinda's article
in BioBuzz 11).
Subproject 4.2.4 Tools for monitoring and assessing
biodiversity
Assessing the likelihood of wildling spread from forest tree
plantings
Containing germplasm to planting sites and minimising the risk
of weeds are major challenges associated with using non-local
plants in agriculture, forestry, revegetation and ornamental
plantings. The Future Farm Industries CRC has developed a
protocol for assessing the level of weed risk that species pose to
the natural environment ... [read
more]
Tools for monitoring woodland restoration
A combination of chemical and biological soil properties may be
a sensitive monitoring tool for tracking the progress of
restoration in native woodland remnants. Kasia Bialkowski
(Murdoch University) presented a paper on this topic at the seventh
European Conference on Ecological Restoration held recently in
France. [read Kasia's
abstract]
Subproject 4.2.5 Management of forest species of high
conservation significance, including threatened species
Uncovering the secret life of Tasmanian Masked Owls
 The
Tasmanian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops) is
Tasmania’s largest nocturnal bird of prey and the largest of
the world’s barn owls. It is listed as an endangered species
in Tasmania and has a breeding population estimated at 1100
individuals. Michael Todd's PhD research on the ecological
requirements of these charismatic birds is nearing its culmination
... [read more]
Student update
 The
students of Subproject 4.2.5 continue to do some of the most
entertaining work around. And they keep on attracting
funding: congratulations go to Lisa Cawthen who has been successful
in obtaining a very generous grant from the Winifred Violet Scott
Charitable Trust. Learn more about all the students by
clicking here!
Subproject 4.2.6 Management of the risk of gene flow
from eucalypt plantations
Just how promiscuous are blue gums?
 It has long been
recognised that closely related eucalypt species often have weak
reproductive barriers that allow inter-specific hybridisation to
occur. Hence, there is some concern that the burgeoning blue
gum plantation estate in southern Australia could result in some
'un-natural' hybrids. But what, exactly, is the risk? UTAS PhD
student Matt Larcombe investigates ... [read more]
Serendipitous opportunity to study exotic hybrid
establishment
 Since 2006 UTAS
researchers have been monitoring the gene flow from exotic E.
nitens plantations into native Tasmanian species of
Eucalyptus. A fire recently burnt part of a
rare E. perriniana population that is surrounded by exotic
E. nitens plantation, providing a serendipitous
opportunity to monitor the germination, survival and establishment
in situ of seedlings that may—or may not—be
hybrids of the exotic E. nitens. Matt Larcombe
reports ... [read more]
Subproject 4.2.7 Management of genetic resources
Inbreeding can be lethal
 Inbreeding
is one of the key factors that can reduce the productivity of
eucalypt plantations, whether they are grown for pulp or
carbon. This message was reinforced recently for Tasmanian
blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), which has produced the
highest level of inbreeding depression yet reported for a
eucalypt. [read more]
Subproject 4.2.8 Integrated management of browsing
mammals
Marsupial herbivores, sawflies, leaf beetles and leaf
pathogens: Do they have anything in common?
 In short,
yes: they all like to feed on Eucalyptus. Eucalypt species
produce complex chemicals to defend themselves from attack by
numerous pests, but it is unclear whether one suite of defensive
chemicals will provide protection from a range of pests, or whether
each pest requires a different defensive strategy. Dr
Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra (University of Tasmania) and colleagues
are trying to answer this question. [read more]
Subproject 4.2.9 Lethal trap trees
Trap plots attract lots of target beetles
 Plots of
trap trees in the middle of Eucalyptus nitens plantations
are proving their worth by attracting large numbers of pesky leaf
beetles (Paropsisterna bimaculata) away from the main
plantation crop, without affecting other beetle species. [read more]
Subproject 4.2.10 Improving Mycosphaerella leaf
disease resistance in Eucalyptus globulus
Early phase change may protect against Mycosphaerella
leaf disease
 'Phase
change' in eucalypts refers to the change from juvenile to
adult form and often includes dramatic changes in leaf morphology
and physiology. The process and timing of phase change in
Tasmanian blue gum (E. globulus) fundamentally
affects its interaction with pathogens and pest species in natural
and plantation environments. Mycosphaerella leaf
disease tends to affect juvenile foliage, so it is logical that
early transition to adult foliage may allow a tree to reduce foliar
damage from this disease. Scientists at Forestry Tasmania and UTAS
examined the genetic variation in the timing of phase change in
E. globulus and how this related to variation in
juvenile foliage susceptibility to Mycosphearella leaf
disease. [read more]
Project 4.4 Integrated Pest Management Group (Western Australia and
Green Triangle)
New-look IPMG workshop a sign of future progress
The aim of the Integrated Pest Management Group (IPMG) is to
integrate pest management strategies for the benefit of the forest
industry. A recent workshop held in Western Australia as an
adjunct to the CRC's Annual Science meeting demonstrated that the
IPMG is right on target ... [read article from
'What's been on']
Related sites
Forest
Practices Authority
Feedback
The editor of BioBuzz is Dr Dorothy Steane. Please
contact Dot with any feedback or with your ideas for BioBuzz
13 (December 2010).
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