The importance of dispersal in maintaining biodiversity of aquatic plants in landscapes. (ARC Linkage 2007-10)
Collaborators:
- Prof. Ralph Mac Nally (landscape ecology – Biological Sciences)
- Dr Elisa Rawlings (PDF)
- Dr. Kay Morris (PDF)
Our partners:
- National Herbarium of Victoria – Royal Botanic Gardens
- Parks Victoria
- Department of Sustainability and Environment
- West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
- Australian Ecosystems
- East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
- Gippsland Coastal Board
Project overview
Fragmentation of aquatic ecosystems within agricultural landscapes has disrupted the dispersal pathways of aquatic plants. Dispersal plays a critical role in maintaining species richness and genetic diversity of aquatic plants but is poorly understood. This project will:
- Establish the relative importance of dispersal by wind, water and water birds.
- Determining how each of these pathways contributes to plant communities across the landscape.
- Identify optimal environmental flows for plant dispersal and establishment.
This information will result in the development of appropriate landscape-scale management and environmental water allocations to preserve plant diversity in Australia’s aquatic habitats. |
