Australian Flora Foundation

Young Scientist awards for 2011
The Ecological Society of Australia conference was in Hobart in November, with about 650 delegates, including about 200 young scientists. 104 of them gave spoken presentations, and 45 presented posters. A high proportion were on a plant biology / ecology theme and there were many excellent presentations. The two AFF award winners were:
Sarah Butler from the University of Queensland for her spoken presentation entitled “Agricultural land use history increases invasions in regenerating fragmented ecosystems, compromising understorey flora diversity”. Summary
and
Amity Williams from Murdoch University for her poster “Climate change impacts on the northern sandplain Kwongan vegetation of SW Australia”. Summary
Previous award winners can be found here.

Newsletters
The most recent Newsletter (January 12), and links to earlier newsletters in the New Series are here.

New progress reports
Dr Melinda Perkins on the project: Improving Phytophthora resistance in Newcastelia. It can be seen here.
Karen Johnson on the project: Determining the pollinators of rare and endangered Epacris species: implications for conservation. It can be seen here.
Dr Katherine Downes (formerly Baker) on the project: Germination Requirements of the Lesser Known Kangaroo Paw and Catspaw Taxa. It can be seen here

Members of Council for 2012
At the December Annual General Meeting of the Australian Flora Foundation a new Council was elected, the most notable change being the appointment of Michelle Leishman. Details can be seen here

A summary of the Foundation's expenditure in the 2010/11 financial year, presented at the AGM is here

The President's report for 2011 is here

Call for Applications for Research Grants for funding in 2013
The Foundation is now calling for applications for research grants to begin in 2013. Details and the application form can be found here. Preliminary applications will be accepted until 19^th March 2012.

Change of address
The University of Sydney has closed its Holme Building mail system, and accordingly the postal address of the Foundation has been changed to:
Australian Flora Foundation Inc.
PO Box 21
Dulwich Hill NSW 2203
Please use this address for all postal communications.

New final reports
Jon Luly¹, Joe Holtum² and Michelle Waycott³ ¹School of earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University Townsville Q 4811; ²School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University Townsville Q 4811; ³State Herbarium of South Australia
The status of the waddi tree (Acacia pence) in Queensland.    Summary   Final report
Stefani S. Griesser, Shakti Prakash and Hans J. Griesser, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095
Plasma discharge treatment for improved germination of seeds and killing of fungal spores on seed coats   Summary    Final report
Amelia J. Martyn, Karen D. Sommerville and Catherine A. Offord, The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, New South Wales
Effects of stratification and temperature on germination of high-altitude species from Kosciuszko National Park.    Summary    Final report
Katie A. G. Thurlby^1,2, William B. Sherwin², Maurizio Rossetto¹ , and Peter G. Wilson¹ ¹ National Herbarium of NSW, Botanic Gardens Trust, Mrs Macquaries Rd Sydney, NSW 2000, ² School of Biotechnology and BioMolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052
Reproductive biology of the Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) and its implications for conservation Summary   Final report
R.J. Henry^1,2, S. McDonald¹, F. M. Shapter¹, I. Chivers³ and D.L.E. Waters¹ ¹ Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics, Southern Cross University, ² Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, ³ Native Seeds Pty Ltd, Melbourne.
Impact of climate on the genetic diversity of native species using Microlaena stipoides as a model Summary    Final report
E. Charles Morris and Candida Briggs, School of Natural Sciences, Hawkesbury Campus, University of Western Sydney
Mechanical constraint model of seed coat dormancy in Grevillea Summary   Final report

New Grants
Following the Council Meeting on 15th August 2011 the Australian Flora Foundation is pleased to announce new grants to
• Alexandra Bowman Fallen logs: creating patchiness in chenopod scrublands of South Australia.
• Professor Corey Bradshaw Identifying cost-effective reforestation approaches for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestation in southern Australia.
• Patricia Fuentes-Cross Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity in South Australian populations of Quandong (Santalum acuminatum), to inform genetic resource management and future domestication activities.
For more details

Queensland floods
With her final report, Margaret Johnston sent this comment

'I am sorry the report is late but we have had a disrupted fortnight. My son runs a small business in Toowoomba which had 70 cm of storm water and considerable stock loss as there was no warning. Such events are unheard of in Toowoomba although some historic pictures taken in 1906 show a similar event. However, I am just thankful that that he is safe, given the tragic events and loss of life that occurred in the Lockyer valley.

I have worked at Gatton since 1989 and this is the first time that I was unable to get to work. The Toowoomba range is severely damaged, (one lane each way only) and all other routes via Murphy's Creek and Flagstone creek also damaged. We are learning to be very patient, my 35 min drive now takes 60-90 mins. Similar disruptions are happening for those living in Brisbane.

The main railway line down the range is severely damaged as is the gas line, so say nothing of the damage to the transport systems in Brisbane.

These are challenging times.'

On behalf of the Australian Flora Foundation:

You have our appreciation and admiration as you and your colleagues cope with this terrible disaster.

Peter Goodwin

Essay competition
The winner of the Australian Flora Foundation Essay Prize for 2010 was Amy Predergast, University of Western Australia. Congratulations Amy! Her essay and the judges comments can be found here.

Bequest
The Foundation belatedly acknowledges with gratitude a generous bequest to the Research Fund from the Estate of the late Mrs Eileen Croxford. For more information on Eileen see Newsletter 10.


		Australian Flora Foundation
	*Banksia menziesii*	Fostering research into the biology and cultivation of Australian plants
	*Banksia menziesii*	News Introduction The Australian Flora Foundation helps us find answers about Australian plants. Much more is known about introduced plants in Australia than our native plants! So little is known in detail because so few resources have been provided. You can help the Foundation to foster research into the biology and cultivation of Australian plants. The generous support of members, donors and sponsors makes it possible to fund many worthwhile projects. How to help. Membership Greater knowledge and understanding is needed in order to cultivate and utilise our flora, and to ensure the survival of our plants in natural habitats. This website details grants and reports from projects we have supported, and students awarded the young scientist prize. Research workers with projects they believe the Foundation might support should go to Information for researchers. For easy access to information by particular research workers, or on particular Australian species, try the search page. News 23 February 2012 Young Scientist awards for 2011 The Ecological Society of Australia conference was in Hobart in November, with about 650 delegates, including about 200 young scientists. 104 of them gave spoken presentations, and 45 presented posters. A high proportion were on a plant biology / ecology theme and there were many excellent presentations. The two AFF award winners were: Sarah Butler from the University of Queensland for her spoken presentation entitled “Agricultural land use history increases invasions in regenerating fragmented ecosystems, compromising understorey flora diversity”. Summary and Amity Williams from Murdoch University for her poster “Climate change impacts on the northern sandplain Kwongan vegetation of SW Australia”. Summary Previous award winners can be found here. Newsletters The most recent Newsletter (January 12), and links to earlier newsletters in the New Series are here. New progress reports Dr Melinda Perkins on the project: Improving Phytophthora resistance in Newcastelia. It can be seen here. Karen Johnson on the project: Determining the pollinators of rare and endangered Epacris species: implications for conservation. It can be seen here. Dr Katherine Downes (formerly Baker) on the project: Germination Requirements of the Lesser Known Kangaroo Paw and Catspaw Taxa. It can be seen here Members of Council for 2012 At the December Annual General Meeting of the Australian Flora Foundation a new Council was elected, the most notable change being the appointment of Michelle Leishman. Details can be seen here A summary of the Foundation's expenditure in the 2010/11 financial year, presented at the AGM is here The President's report for 2011 is here Call for Applications for Research Grants for funding in 2013 The Foundation is now calling for applications for research grants to begin in 2013. Details and the application form can be found here. Preliminary applications will be accepted until 19^th March 2012. Change of address The University of Sydney has closed its Holme Building mail system, and accordingly the postal address of the Foundation has been changed to: Australian Flora Foundation Inc. PO Box 21 Dulwich Hill NSW 2203 Please use this address for all postal communications. New final reports Jon Luly¹, Joe Holtum² and Michelle Waycott³ ¹School of earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University Townsville Q 4811; ²School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University Townsville Q 4811; ³State Herbarium of South Australia The status of the waddi tree (Acacia pence) in Queensland. Summary Final report Stefani S. Griesser, Shakti Prakash and Hans J. Griesser, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095 Plasma discharge treatment for improved germination of seeds and killing of fungal spores on seed coats Summary Final report Amelia J. Martyn, Karen D. Sommerville and Catherine A. Offord, The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, New South Wales Effects of stratification and temperature on germination of high-altitude species from Kosciuszko National Park. Summary Final report Katie A. G. Thurlby^1,2, William B. Sherwin², Maurizio Rossetto¹ , and Peter G. Wilson¹ ¹ National Herbarium of NSW, Botanic Gardens Trust, Mrs Macquaries Rd Sydney, NSW 2000, ² School of Biotechnology and BioMolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052 Reproductive biology of the Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) and its implications for conservation Summary Final report R.J. Henry^1,2, S. McDonald¹, F. M. Shapter¹, I. Chivers³ and D.L.E. Waters¹ ¹ Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics, Southern Cross University, ² Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, ³ Native Seeds Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Impact of climate on the genetic diversity of native species using Microlaena stipoides as a model Summary Final report E. Charles Morris and Candida Briggs, School of Natural Sciences, Hawkesbury Campus, University of Western Sydney Mechanical constraint model of seed coat dormancy in Grevillea Summary Final report New Grants Following the Council Meeting on 15th August 2011 the Australian Flora Foundation is pleased to announce new grants to • Alexandra Bowman Fallen logs: creating patchiness in chenopod scrublands of South Australia. • Professor Corey Bradshaw Identifying cost-effective reforestation approaches for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestation in southern Australia. • Patricia Fuentes-Cross Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity in South Australian populations of Quandong (Santalum acuminatum), to inform genetic resource management and future domestication activities. For more details Queensland floods With her final report, Margaret Johnston sent this comment 'I am sorry the report is late but we have had a disrupted fortnight. My son runs a small business in Toowoomba which had 70 cm of storm water and considerable stock loss as there was no warning. Such events are unheard of in Toowoomba although some historic pictures taken in 1906 show a similar event. However, I am just thankful that that he is safe, given the tragic events and loss of life that occurred in the Lockyer valley. I have worked at Gatton since 1989 and this is the first time that I was unable to get to work. The Toowoomba range is severely damaged, (one lane each way only) and all other routes via Murphy's Creek and Flagstone creek also damaged. We are learning to be very patient, my 35 min drive now takes 60-90 mins. Similar disruptions are happening for those living in Brisbane. The main railway line down the range is severely damaged as is the gas line, so say nothing of the damage to the transport systems in Brisbane. These are challenging times.' On behalf of the Australian Flora Foundation: You have our appreciation and admiration as you and your colleagues cope with this terrible disaster. Peter Goodwin Essay competition The winner of the Australian Flora Foundation Essay Prize for 2010 was Amy Predergast, University of Western Australia. Congratulations Amy! Her essay and the judges comments can be found here. Bequest The Foundation belatedly acknowledges with gratitude a generous bequest to the Research Fund from the Estate of the late Mrs Eileen Croxford. For more information on Eileen see Newsletter 10. Project seeking sponsorship A tribute from the Australian Flora Foundation to Bill Payne is here. A tribute to Val Williams is here Website comments to pbgoodwin@iinet.anti-spam.net.au. Remove .anti-spam before using this email address.