Hotspot
Males dominate after disturbance
 Erin Flynn submitted her PhD thesis in
August. Her study on the effects of forestry activity on
brushtail possums showed that your average brushtail possum is
quite resilient to environmental disturbance, although forest
disturbance does affect population size and results in a bias
towards male possums. [read
more]
Biodiversity project update
Project leader Brad Potts provides us with a managerial overview
of the progress, achievements, collaborative projects and outputs
of the CRC biodiversity project for 2009–2010.[read
more]
What's on
Ecological Society Conference, December 2010
 The fiftieth anniversary this year of the
Ecological Society of Australia coincides with the International
year of Biodiversity. To commemorate both these events, the
theme of this year's ESA conference, being held in Canberra from
6th to 10th December 2010, is "Sustaining Biodiversity - the next
fifty years". The CRC biodiversity group will be represented
by Simon Grove (abstract) and
Steve Read (abstract),
both from Forestry Tasmania. [visit the
conference website]
Variable retention workshop in Sweden
 In May 2011 about fifteen researchers and
practitioners from around the world will share their knowledge and
experiences of integrated approaches to biodiversity conservation
in production forest landscapes in Boreal and temperate
biomes. Mark Neyland (Forestry Tasmania) and Sue Baker
(University of Tasmania) have been invited to Sweden to participate
in the five-day workshop. The aim of the workshop is to prepare a
review of variable retention practices in temperate and Boreal
regions, including information on policy, monitoring, research
experiments and research directions.
Decision Support from AEDA
The Applied Environmental Decision Analysis hub (AEDA) is funded
by the Australian Government's Commonwealth Environment Research
Facility (CERF) programme. It brings together
quantitatively-oriented conservation ecologists to address issues
of conservation management. AEDA produces a newsletter ("Decision
Point") with information about biodiversity and conservation issues
that may be of interest to readers of Biobuzz. [visit AEDA
website]
International Botanical Congress 2011
The International Botanical Congress will be held in Melbourne,
23-30 July 2011. Keynote symposia will include topics ranging from
"Climate change and adaptation" and "Plant biotic interactions" to
"Modelling and plant development" and "Epigenetics and small
RNA". There will be over 150 general symposia, including
three Eucalyptus-related sessions organised by CRC members: "The
Eucalyptus genome" (organised by Bill Foley, Brad Potts and
René Vaillancourt), "Patterns and processes of Eucalyptus
evolution" (organised by Dorothy Steane and Dean Nicolle) and
"Community and ecosystem genetics: the extended genetic effects of
plant species" (organised by Julianne O'Reilly-Wapstra and Jen
Schweitzer). The call for oral abstracts is now closed, but
posters may be submitted until 1 February 2010. [visit the
IBC2011 website]
What's been on
Farewell to Fred
 Fred Duncan
retired in July 2010 after 23 years working in the development of
Forest Practices guidelines. Originally coming from a
conservation background, Fred was committed to using his position
within the system to achieve a balance between production and
environmental outcomes in Tasmania’s forests. Fred has
a wealth of experience in and insight into Tasmania’s forest
industry. Chris Grove (Forest Practices Authority)
interviewed Fred about his experiences … [read more]
Global bird community lands in Brazil
 Thousands of ornithologists and bird enthusiasts
landed in Compos do Jordao, Brazil, in September 2010 to attend the
25th International Ornithological Congress. With ninety talks per
day for five days, interspersed with refreshments, poster sessions,
and a one-day field trip, the Congress was a twitcher's
delight! Mayumi Knight (UMelb) attended ... [read more]
Restoration conference emphasises community involvement
 In August 2010, PhD
student Kasia Bialkowski (Murdoch University) gave her first ever
oral presentation at the Seventh European Conference of the Society
of Ecological Restoration. The conference, held in the beautiful
and famous medieval town of Avignon, was attended by 350 delegates
from around the world. The conference emphasised the importance of
involving the agricultural sector as well as the general public in
restoration projects, and highlighted the contrasting challenges
faced by restoration teams in Europe and Australia. [read more]
Monitoring the effectiveness of forest practices in conserving
biodiversity
 Forest management
agencies are increasingly recognising the need to measure and
report on the effectiveness of forest management strategies for
biodiversity conservation. Many different approaches have been
tried around the world but there are few published examples of
successful monitoring programs with effective links to management.
Sarah Munks (Forest Practices Authority) reports on a fact finding
mission in north America ... [read more]
Research excellence recognised
Brad Potts, project manager of the CRC's biodiversity project,
has been recognised with an Award for Research Excellence from the
University of Tasmania. [read
more].
National Forestry Masters Program 2010
 The Australian
National Forestry Masters Program comprises a core course at
several Australian universities, plus a series of centralised short
courses that bring together the students from across the
institutions. Matt Hamilton (UTas) coordinated one such short
course, held in Tasmania in September 2010, with the assistance of
several CRC industry partners. Tasmania turned on some delightful
spring weather for the intrepid (unsuspecting) students ...
[read
more]
Managing landscapes for multiple values
In March 2010 the Forest Practices Authority (FPA) in
conjunction with the CRC held a one-day symposium followed by a
field day on managing multiple values at a landscape scale. The
schedule and
abstracts are now available.
Odd spot
Browned off by cup moths
 Around Hobart
over the past few months, large patches of eucalypt forest appear
to have died. Their canopies have browned off as if they have been
affected by drought or been burnt by wildfire. But the trees
are not dead, just a little the worse for wear after an infestation
of caterpillars of the (usually relatively benign) painted cup
moth. Lynnette Pullen (DPIPWE) kindly provided Biobuzz with this
report ... [read more]
Subproject 4.2.1 Biodiversity benefits of alternatives to
clearfelling
Data accumulating for aggregated retention trials
 Comparisons of
aggregated retention and clearfell-burn-sow silviculture are
entering their third year, with data being collected for three year
old regeneration in both types of coupe. This year eleven out
of sixteen new aggregated retention coupes were burnt, with good
outcomes. Robyn Scott (Forestry Tasmania) reports ... [read more]
Swamp rats explore new territories
 Swamp rats (Rattus
lutreolus) prefer to live in areas with dense vegetation, but
recently Helen Stephens (PhD student, UTas) has found that a few
intrepid individuals are venturing beyond aggregate edges into
regenerating clearfelled areas of aggregated retention trials.
Helen is conducting some laboratory-based experiments to work out
what it is about the regenerating clearfelled areas that is now
making the relatively open areas less daunting for the little
rodents ... [read more]
Student update
Another 4.2.1 student has graduated and two are still steaming
ahead. [read more]
Subproject 4.2.2 Biodiversity outcomes from plantation expansion
into agricultural and native forest landscapes
Assessing biodiversity value in highly modified production
landscapes
 Conserving biodiversity
in highly modified production landscapes is a significant challenge
for land managers. Computer-based mapping technologies
provide an important tool for examining landscape patterns to
assist with the valuation of biodiversity and improvement of
conservation strategies. PhD student Himlal Baral (UMelb) has
been applying these technologies to the Reedy Lakes area in
Victoria ... [read more]
Does the matrix matter?
Chela Powell (PhD student, UMelb) recently submitted her
completed PhD thesis entitled: "The implications of bluegum
(Eucalyptus globulus) plantation establishment on remnant
beetle communities of the Green Triangle". Chela summarised
her approach and key findings in her final PhD seminar in July
2010. A pdf of the seminar can be viewed here.
Insect diversity in grassy grey box woodland varies with site
quality
Cheryl O'Dwyer (PhD student, UMelb) has been awarded a PhD for
her thesis on "Insect ecology in fragmented grey box grassy
woodlands in north central Victoria". Cheryl found that insect
assemblages changed dramatically over time, with the abundance of
some insect species varying enormously from site to site. She
found a strong positive correlation between insect species richness
and length of time a site had been left ungrazed, and that insect
species richness is enhanced by conservation strategies such as
fencing and additional plantings. You can read
Cheryl's thesis abstract here.
Student news
Two PhDs in the bag, one PhD submitted, two conferences attended
... the students of 4.2.2 are as busy as ever! [read
more].
Subproject 4.2.3 Biodiversity value of coarse woody debris
CWD research — the first decade summarised
 A decade's worth
of research is being collated into a series of articles about the
beetle fauna that have been found to be dependent on coarse woody
debris (CWD); the relationship between log size, dependent fauna
and succession; and the implications of the findings for forest
management. Simon Grove (Forestry Tasmania) provides a brief
overview. [read
more].
Subproject 4.2.4 Tools for monitoring and assessing
biodiversity
Predicting hollow availability across landscape
 A large number of
vertebrate species use tree hollows for shelter and breeding in
Tasmania, including threatened species such as the swift parrot
(Lathamus discolor). Strategic management of the hollow
resource is required, particularly in production forest areas, but
effective management is hampered by a lack of information on the
distribution of the hollow resource. Building on the work of
Amy Koch, staff at the Forest Practices Authority have developed a
map that indicates potential hollow availability across the
landscape. [read more]
Subproject 4.2.5 Management of forest species of high conservation
significance, including threatened species
Predicting the whereabouts of the Tasmanian spotted-tailed
quoll
 Despite its poor
conservation status and keystone role as a top predator, there is
little quantitative information available on the distribution and
habitat of the Tasmanian spotted-tailed quoll. PhD student
Shannon Troy (UTas) has been developing predictive habitat models
for this charismatic marsupial ... [read more]
Distribution models created for Tasmanian masked owls (and
friends)
 Mick Todd (PhD
student, UTas) has used call playback data for the Tasmanian masked
owl to create models that describe the likelihood of locating
masked owls in a particular habitat. Several other nocturnal
animals were also recorded during Mick's field trips, so similar
models have also been made for southern boobooks, Australian
owlet-nightjars, common brushtail possums and common ringtail
possums. [read more]
Eagle research excellence recognised by conservation fund
 In August the Mohamed bin Zayed Species
Conservation Fund granted Tasmania's Forest Practices Authority
(FPA) nearly $16 500 to support this season’s aerial surveys
of wedge-tailed eagle nests. This year's surveys will build
on data collected over the past two years ... [read more]
Alpine white gums show complex patterns of genetic
diversity
 Alex Matthews recently
completed his Honours at the University of Tasmania. He used
morphology and nuclear microsatellite markers to study the genetic
diversity and relationships among 29 populations of two closely
related alpine white gums, Eucalyptus gunnii and E.
urnigera. The study showed that geographically isolated
populations of E. urnigera deserve special
attention. [read more]
Student update
One field season has finished and another is just starting,
theses are being written and doctorates received. There is no
stopping the students of 4.2.5! [read more]
Subproject 4.2.6 Management of the risk of gene flow from eucalypt
plantations
Assessing the risk of gene flow into Australia’s rare
native eucalypts
 A paper was published recently that reviewed
the risk of gene flow from plantation eucalypts into populations of
all nationally listed threatened and endangered eucalypt species in
Australia. Brad Potts (UTas) summarises the findings ...
[read
more]
Measuring hybrid establishment along plantation boundaries
 The
risk of gene flow from exotic Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus
globulus) plantations to other native species is being
investigated by Matt Larcombe (PhD student, UTAS). Matt is
surveying boundaries of plantations and native forests for hybrid
seedlings, native seedlings and pure plantation species
seedlings. His early results are showing an interesting trend
... [read
more]
Student update
Click
here to catch up with the students of subproject 4.2.6.
Subproject 4.2.7 Management of genetic resources
Blue gum mapping a team effort
 A
multi-organisational effort has led to an updated distribution map
of Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian blue gum) in Tasmania.
The work was undertaken by staff from the Threatened Species
Section of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and
Environment (DPIPWE), the Forest Practices Authority, Forestry
Tasmania and University of Tasmania ... [read more]
Adaptive potential of Eucalyptus pauciflora focus of
PhD study
 Eucalyptus pauciflora, also known as "cabbage
gum", is a widespread species that grows in disjunct populations in
a range of habitats, from the tree line in the Australian Alps to
near sea-level in southern Victoria and Tasmania. Archana
Gauli is a new PhD student based at UTAS, whose research is
affiliated with the Biodiversity project of the CRC. Archana
is studying the genetic diversity and adaptive potential of this
species, with particular emphasis on environmental fitness of local
and non-local provenances. [read more]
Student update
To read about what the students of subproject 4.2.7 have been up
to ... click
here.
Subproject 4.2.8 Integrated management of browsing
mammals
Screening Eucalyptus nitens seedlings for resistance
to browsing
 One avenue for
reducing damage to forestry seedlings by browsing mammals is to
plant genetic stock that is naturally high in plant secondary
metabolites. Researchers at UTAS are testing a simple
screening method that allows rapid high-throughput assessments of
the secondary metabolite content of eucalypt seedlings ...
[read
more]
What does a tree do in response to defoliation?
What does a plant do when a wallaby eats its leaves?
Christina Borzak (PhD student, University of Tasmania) is
collaborating with Dr Karen Barry (Tasmanian Institute of
Agricultural Research) and Dr Libby Pinkard (CSIRO) to investigate
the genetic basis of variation in growth and physiological
responses of Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
seedlings to defoliation. [read
more].
Student update
The
progress of students in subproject 4.2.8 can be checked
here.
Subproject 4.2.9 Lethal trap trees
Beating the beetles out of the blocks
 This summer the Forestry Tasmania entomologists
were determined to protect their trap plots of E. regnans
and E. delegatensis in the centre of E. nitens
plantations before the chrysomelid beetles defoliated them, as
occurred last summer. But in October, during a routine check at a
site behind Rocky Cape, the scientists found some lazy beetles
basking in the warm spring sunshine, weeks earlier than
expected. The race was on! [read more]
Review of beetle control options now available
Jane Elek (Forestry Tasmania) has completed a review of
alternative methods of managing leaf beetles that explains the
rationale behind the lethal trap tree project. The review
evaluates options for managing chrysomelid leaf beetles in
Australian eucalypt plantations with a view to reducing the use of
chemicals. You can download CRC for
Forestry Technical Report 204 by Jane Elek and Tim Wardlaw
here.
Subproject 4.2.10 Improving Mycosphaerella leaf disease
resistance in Eucalyptus globulus
Latitudinal differences in Mycosphaerella
susceptibility
 A
young blue gum (E. globulus) progeny trial in
north-eastern Tasmania was exposed to Mycosphaerella leaf
disease during winter 2010. Damage levels averaged 6.2% and
there was a strong latitudinal cline in the susceptibility of the
E. globulus subraces to the disease. This is good
news for tree breeders aiming to decrease susceptibility of E.
globulus to Mycosphaerella leaf disease. [read more]
Project 4.4 Industry Pest Management Group (Western Australia and
Green Triangle)
Cooperative approach to plantation health monitoring
In October the IPMG set up an ambitious Plantation Health
program across the Western Australian blue gum plantation estate.
While surveillance of forest estates for disease and infestation is
nothing new, it has usually involved individual companies or
forestry agencies. The first of its kind, the IPMG program
will involve the collation of data from several companies to
provide a regional forest health surveillance program.
[read
more]
IPMG website provides valuable links
For more than ten years, the IPMG has been conducting research
and assisting in the development of eucalypt plantation pest
management. To showcase its research and to provide useful
information about integrated pest management to industry,
government and the general public, the IPMG has developed a new
website. [read more]
IPMG newsletter launched
 In addition to the launch
of its new website, the IPMG has produced the inaugural issue of
its biannual newsletter. Contents will include a seasonal
“pest outlook”, a focus on particular pests or
diseases, highlights of recent research and any related pest or
disease management news. [read more]
Related sites
Forest
Practices Authority
Applied
Environmental Decision Analysis (AEDA) newsletter
Industry Pest Management
Group
Feedback
The editor of BioBuzz is Dr Dorothy
Steane. Please contact Dot with any feedback or with your ideas
for BioBuzz 14 (April 2011).
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