PRESIDENT'S REPORT - 2011
Highlights this year:
1. We have welcomed a new member of Council, Dr Tina Bell. Tina received
an Australian Flora Foundation grant in 2006 to help with her studies
at Melbourne University on mycorrhizal
associations in the Fabaceae (see http://www.aff.org.au/AFF2_Bell_Fabaceae_mycorrhiza_final_summary.htm).
She was appointed Senior Lecturer in Fire Ecology at the University
of Sydney in March 2010, and has accepted our invitation to join the
Council of the Foundation.
2. We have approved a total of $55,360 in research grants, of which
$18,360 is for continuing grants, and $37,000 for new grants. The new
grants are to:
a. Alexandra Bowman, University of Adelaide, for a project
titled ‘Fallen logs: creating patchiness in chenopod shrublands
of South Australia’.
b. Professor Corey Bradshaw, University of Adelaide, for
a project titled ‘Identifying cost-effective reforestation approaches
for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in southern Australia’.
c. Patricia Fuentes-Cross, University of Adelaide, for
a project titled ‘Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity
in South Australian populations of Quandong (Santalum acuminatum),
to inform genetic resource management and future domestication activities’.
3. What is probably a record number of final reports have been received
this year. Final reports on Australian Flora Foundation research projects
have been received from:
a. Dion K. Harrison, University of Queensland: Understanding
the biochemical basis of flower colour in Australian native Ptilotus
and Gomphrena
b. Tina Bell, University of Melbourne: Mycorrhizal associations
in the Fabaceae: are they really needed?
c. Margaret Johnston, University of Queensland: An evaluation
of the temperature and daylength requirements of Australian potted colour
species
d. E. Charles Morris, University of Western Sydney: Mechanical
constraint model of seed coat dormancy in Grevillea.
e. Professor Robert Henry, Southern Cross University: Impact
of climate on the genetic diversity of native species using Microlaena
stipoides as a model
f. Peter Wilson, National Herbarium of NSW: Reproductive
biology of the Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) and
its implications for conservation
g. Amelia Martyn, The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount
Annan, NSW: Germination of Australian alpine species and implications
in a changing climate
h. Professor Hans Griesser, University of South Australia:
Plasma discharge treatment for improved germination of seeds and killing
of fungal spores on seed coats
i. Jon Luly, James Cook University Townsville: The status
of the waddi tree (Acacia peuce) in Queensland
4. Young Scientist prizes were awarded to students giving the best talk
or presenting the best poster at the December 2010 meeting of the Ecological
Society of Australia
a. Talk: Sam Wood, University of Tasmania, Age and growth
of a Tasmanian temperate old-growth forest stand dominated by Eucalyptus
regnans, the world's tallest angiosperm
b. Poster: James Camac, University of Melbourne, Global
warming, fire & Australian alpine plants: catastrophe or resilience?
5. Two Newsletters were produced and distributed through the efforts
of our Secretary, Ian Cox: Newsletter 13 in January 2011, and Newsletter
14 in July 2011.
6. The final reports, as well as summaries and interim reports, publications
arising from grants, details of grants, details of Young Scientist awards,
Newsletters and much else can be found on the Australian Flora Foundation
website http://www.aff.org.au/
And finally my thanks to each of you, and particularly to those on the
Council, for your work fostering the aims of the Foundation. A particular
thanks to Jenny Jobling, our Treasurer and Ian Cox, our Secretary, who
did much of the ‘heavy lifting’.
Peter Goodwin
12th December 2011
PRESIDENT'S REPORT -
2006
This was given by Professor Richard Williams as a verbal
report to the Annual General Meeting.
