PhD Candidate: Paola Pisetta Raupp

PhD Supervisors: Associate Professor Yolima Carrillo (WSU), Associate Professor Paul Rymer (WSU), Professor Uffe Nielsen (WSU), Dr Ian Oliver (DCCEEW)

Project Summary: Restoring endangered ecosystems such as the Cumberland Plain Woodland (CPW) is vital for supporting biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and cultural heritage. Yet, with less than 6% of its original extent remaining, restoration faces significant challenges, particularly in re-establishing native understorey vegetation and building ecological resilience. Despite ongoing efforts, it remains unclear which soil conditions, planting assemblages, and diversity levels best support native understorey establishment and suppress exotic species.

This research aims to explore the microbial and ecological barriers to restoring CPW ecosystems by integrating DNA sequencing of soil samples from field surveys and pot experiments. We will investigate how below-ground factors, including microbial communities, are linked to understorey vegetation dynamics. First, to understand the possible drivers of CPW understorey plant composition, we will explore the linkages between soil physicochemical and biological parameters, seed bank composition, and the occurrence of native and exotic plants across degradation gradients in the Cumberland Plain region. Additionally, we will examine the effects of topsoil removal, planting diversity, and rainfall variability on understorey establishment and the associated belowground responses.

Altogether, findings will support the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) by clarifying the ecological processes linking above- and below-ground components. By applying DNA sequencing to soil samples, we will identify microbial indicators and functional traits associated with restoration success, enabling more targeted and effective ecological interventions. The findings will contribute directly to improving restoration outcomes across the Cumberland Plain and support the long-term conservation of this critically endangered ecosystem.