Conserving threatened species and ecosystems
This theme will will drive research into the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems. This will give us a better understanding of the ecology, habitat requirements, geographic distribution and genetic diversity of species and ecological communities and their likely responses to changing land use and climate.
Projects
Soil Biodiversity and Functions in the Cumberland Plain Woodland
Climate Change Effects on Plant Traits (Stress, Flammability) Estimated by Leaf Spectra
Is Resilience to Weed Invasion Related to Plant Richness in Cumberland Plain Woodlands?
Too Hot to Handle? Testing Critical Thresholds of Climate Sensitivity for Cumberland Plains Flora
Seedling Establishment in Response to Warming and Reduced Rainfall Under Climate Change
Subtheme
Knowledge gap/questions to be answered
3.1 Areas of importance
What locations in the Cumberland Plain have high biological diversity at the community, species and genetic level which should be conserved or used as sources of species for restoration?
What locations and habitat features within the Cumberland Plain may act as climate/habitat refugia?
3.2 Population size and connectivity thresholds
How can we improve connectivity to maintain geneflow and habitat extent and suitability in the Cumberland Plain?
3.3 Diversity and ecosystem function and resilience to stressors
What is the importance of species and/or functional diversity for ecosystem resilience?
How will climate change affect ecosystem diversity, structure and function in the Cumberland Plain (including habitat and resources for native species)?
3.4 Vulnerability to climate change
How do threats (including fragmentation, habitat degradation, altered fire patterns and climate change) interact?
How sensitive are threatened and dominant species to extreme weather events in threatened ecological communities in the Cumberland Plain?
3.5 Fire history and burning practices
How do you manage fire in the Cumberland Plain to improve conservation outcomes and minimise risk to assets and lives? How can fire be reintroduced in remnant vegetation near populated areas in Western Sydney?