| Survey/Project Number: | 849 Total No. of Sites: 0 |
| Survey/Project Name: | Cassytha pubescens & Ulex europaeus |
| Abstract: | Cassytha pubescens is a native parasitic vine which is known to have a differential impact on invasive versus native hosts. For example, death of the invasive Cytisus scoparius was significantly linked with increasing intensity of infection by Cassytha while death of the native Leptospermum myrsinoides was not (Prider et al 2009). My PhD involves investigating the mechanisms and processes which underpin this pattern observed in nature and in particular how this relationship is influenced by abiotic factors. I ve successfully completed two glasshouse experiments 1: looking at the influence of sun and shade on the effect of Cassytha on gorse and L. myrsinoides. 2: looking at the influence of nitrogen on the effect of Cassytha on gorse and Acacia paradoxa. My third study will be a field study which is looking at the effect of Cassytha pubescens on gorse at different field sites varying in their environmental gradient (gully/slope/aspect) in summer and winter. |
| Start Date: | 15/02/2013 End Date: 15/06/2013 |
| Survey Type: | Vegetation Only |
| Study Area Description: | Engelbrecht Reserve, Bridgewater SA |
| Objectives | |||
| Vegetation: | Refer to Abstract. | ||
| Fauna: | *** No fauna survey objectives recorded | ||
| Methodology | |||
| Vegetation: | Ecophysiological measurements will be made, and I would be measuring the water-status of Cassytha infected and uninfected gorse using a pressure chamber at pre-dawn and midday. I would also measure the light use efficiency of these plants using chlorophyll fluorescence (pre-dawn and midday) along with maximum electron transport rates as a proxy for photosynthesis. I may also measure gas exchange of these plants with a Ciras-2 gas exchange machine. Gorse and Cassytha material collected will be sent off for carbon isotope analysis as an indication of the long-term water-use efficiency of these plants. Gorse and Cassytha material collected will also be sent off for nutrient analysis to assess the nutrient status of infected and uninfected gorse and Cassytha. The above measurements would be done once in summer (mid-late February) and once in winter (June) to assess the influence of seasonality on the effect of C. pubescens on gorse. | ||
| Fauna: | *** No vertebrate methodology recorded | ||
| Data Distribution Rules: | Public Dataset |
| Project Basis: | Unknown : |
| Information Authority: | University of Adelaide - Department of Environmental Biology |