Research Activity Report
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RESEARCH ACTIVITY REPORT July 2001 – June 2002 Science Division Discovering the nature of WA http://www.naturebase.net/science/science .html FOREWORD This report provides a concise summary of the research activities of Science Division for the fiscal year 2001 / 2002. Progress achieved in the performance of core functions is also documented. Worth noting is the breadth of activity. Research was conducted in all regions of the State, and covered a wide range of taxa (vascular and cryptogamic flora; terrestrial, benthic and aquatic invertebrates; water moulds and fungi; and vertebrates). Numerous ecological processes were investigated, including fire, extinction, predation, salinization and tree growth. A diverse array of approaches were used, including the development of comprehensive databases, syntheses of historical information, survey and inventory, monitoring, molecular (DNA), single species and communities. Most studies were short-term. I believe that the mix of descriptive and experimental studies is appropriate. If more information is required on any of the topics listed, I encourage you to contact the relevant project team leader or refer to the Division’s Business Plan and Operations Plan accessible at http://www.naturebase.net/science/science.html Users of this document are requested to contact me on [email protected] if they have any suggestions for improved presentation in subsequent reports. Dr Neil Burrows Director, Science Division 2 CONTENTS Vision..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Focus and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 8 Role ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Service Delivery Structure................................................................................................................... 9 Publications ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Current Collaboration with Academia .............................................................................................. 22 Research Activity ............................................................................................................................... 27 WA Herbarium ............................................................................................................................... 27 Herbarium curation .................................................................................................................... 27 Regional herbaria project .......................................................................................................... 28 Weed Information Network ........................................................................................................ 29 Bioprospecting........................................................................................................................... 30 Biosystematics of Declared Rare Flora (DRF) and priority taxa ............................................... 30 Conservation status of native taxa ............................................................................................ 31 Weed taxonomy, biosecurity, incursion monitoring................................................................... 31 Nuytsia....................................................................................................................................... 32 FloraBase .................................................................................................................................. 32 NatureBank................................................................................................................................ 35 MAX field information capture system....................................................................................... 35 Divisional LAN (Local area network) ......................................................................................... 35 Australia’s Virtual Herbaria project ............................................................................................ 36 Biodiversity Conservation Group................................................................................................ 37 The Dalgyte Macrotis lagotis in south-west Western Australia: Original range limits, Subsequent decline, and presumed regional extinction.......................................................... 37 Origin and spread of the Cat, Felis catus, on mainland Australia, and its early impact On native fauna ....................................................................................................................... 37 Aboriginal fire regimes in south-west Western Australia: evidence from historical Documents............................................................................................................................... 38 Fire and terrestrial invertebrates in south-west Western Australia............................................ 38 Development of effective broad-scale aerial baiting strategies for the control of Feral cats ................................................................................................................................. 39 Biological survey of Yanchep National Park.............................................................................. 40 Biological survey of Cape Arid National Park............................................................................ 40 Carnarvon Basin survey ............................................................................................................ 41 Conservation of the Western bristlebird .................................................................................... 41 Ground parrot recovery ............................................................................................................. 42 Project Desert Dreaming ........................................................................................................... 43 Using prescribed fire to rehabilitate landscapes disturbed by mining exploration in the Arid zone.................................................................................................................................. 43 Demography of Australian Boab (Adansonia gregorii) stands in relation to grazing and Fire in the Kimberley................................................................................................................ 44 Genetics and biosystematics for the conservation, circumscription and management Of the Western Australian flora ............................................................................................... 44 Mating system variation, genetic diversity and viability of small fragmented populations of threatened flora, and other key plants of conservation importance .................................... 45 Genetic and ecological viability of plant populations in remnant vegetation ............................. 46 Seed biology, seedbank dynamics and collection and storage of seed of rare and 3 threatened Western Australian taxa ........................................................................................ 47 Conservation management of the Quokka, Setonix brachyurus, within the northern Jarrah forest Western Australia............................................................................................... 48 Translocation of the Western ringtail possum, Pseudocheirus occidentalis ............................. 49 Operation Foxglove: Large scale fox control in the northern Jarrah forest of southwest Western Australia – native fauna response to 1080 baiting over large areas......................... 49 Factors affecting establishment in the Numbat re-introduction program................................... 50 An assessment of the effect of fox control on Red-tailed phascogale populations................... 52 Genetics and ecology of the Western barred bandicoot ........................................................... 52 Dibbler recovery plan................................................................................................................. 53 Gilbert’s potoroo recovery plan.................................................................................................. 54 Return to Dryandra .................................................................................................................... 56 Floristic survey of the coastal communities of the Warren botanical subdistrict ....................... 57 Floristic survey of the remnant heaths & woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain ...................... 57 Floristic survey of the Goldfields Ranges .................................................................................. 58 Re-survey and analyses of F. Podger’s dieback sites at 30 yr interval..................................... 58 SAP – Monitoring salinity and its effects on the biota of wetlands in the agriculture Zone of south-western Australia. (Wetland vegetation component) ....................................... 59 Floristic survey of the Darling Scarp.......................................................................................... 59 Salinity Action Plan - Monitoring salinity and its effects on the biota of wetlands in the agriculture