Ecological Communities

Summary Over the last decade, substantial numbers of Eucalyptus viminalis across the Monaro plains in south-eastern NSW have been observed as declining in health. Based on a systematic road survey, the affected area is estimated to cover around 2000 km2, with almost all E. viminalis within that area either dead or severely affected. Other eucalypt species present show minor levels of health deterioration. Field observations include widespread infestation of an endemic but previously undescribed species of eucalyptus weevil (Gonipterus sp.). Eight sites were chosen to represent the range of management practices and recent fire history in the affected area. The structural complexity, tree health and level of weevil infestation were determined at each site, and despite large differences in structural elements and overall complexity, the severity of dieback was consistently severe across the range. There does not appear to be sufficient evidence to conclude that changed land management ...

1. The development of neutral community theory has shown that the assumption of species neutrality, although implausible on the level of individual species, can lead to reasonable predictions on the community level. While Hubbell's neutral model and several of its variants have been analysed in quite some detail, the comparison of theoretical predictions with empirical abundance data is often hindered by technical problems. Only for a few models the exact solution of the stationary abundance distribution is known and sufficiently simple to be applied to data. For other models, approximate solutions have been proposed, but their accuracy is questionable. 2. Here, we argue that many of these technical problems can be overcome by replacing the assumption of constant community size (the zero-sum constraint) by the assumption of independent species abundances. 3. We present a general sampling formula for community abundance data under this assumption. We show that for the few models for which an exact solution with zero-sum constraint is known, our independent species approach leads to very similar parameter estimates as the zero-sum models, for six frequently studied tropical forest community samples. 4. We show that our general sampling formula can be easily confronted to a much wider range of datasets (very large datasets, relative abundance data, presence-absence data, and sets of multiple samples) for a large class of models, including non-neutral ones. We provide an R package, called SADISA (Species Abundance Distributions under the Independent Species Assumption), to facilitate the use of the sampling formula.

Biodiversity is put simply, OUR PLANET, an incredible finely tuned and complex machine where everything including plants, animals and environments all work together in harmony, creating the web of life. So where do wetlands like the Tootgarook Swamp fit in to this web? Well amazingly right at the very top. They are considered the most biologically diverse of all the planets ecosystems, the cradle of species diversity. But despite this they are still being destroyed at an alarming rate. You might wonder, will the loss of a few wetlands like Tootgarook Swamp really make much difference? Well, biodiversity is a complex fragile structure. It may be helpful to think of the ecosystem as a woven carpet, if you pull on a loose thread it might only affect the thread and those closest to it, or it might unravel the whole carpet. Wetlands are threads keeping the ecosystem carpet together and as we pull out more wetland threads the ecosystem begins to unravel causing lots of problems.

Professor Brian Sindel. I have been most fortunate to have received unwavering support from my supervisory team, each of whom have supported me throughout the logistical, technical and financial challenges central to the completion of such a project. I would especially like to thank Dr. Wilson for his ongoing assistance with all aspects of the project and for providing me with industry exposure, which has helped broaden my understanding of the challenges facing natural resource management. This project would never have been completed without the substantial technical assistance provided by John Lemon, who I now consider to be a great friend even despite our heated conversations about soil sampling in even hotter weather! At this point I must also thank Andrew Harrison for giving up many weekends and holidays to assist me with sampling and menial laboratory tasks. I am eternally grateful for Andrew's technical expertise and patience. Finally, to Christiaan O'Brien and Stephen Parker who have remained great friends and who managed to stay smiling even whilst sieving over 1000 litter samples! To the numerous contributors to this research, I extend my sincere thanks. Leanne Lisle (UNE), David Donnelly and Vicki Fermor (NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change) provided substantial laboratory and technical expertise to various sections of the project. Greg Chamberlain and David Edmonds (UNE) assisted with the management experiment. Dr. Lachlan Copeland (UNE) lent his enormous knowledge of NSW plants to the management experiment and Dr. Ivor Growns (NSW Department of Water and Energy) and Dr. Matthew Tighe (UNE) applied their equally substantial statistical knowledge to some very challenging data throughout the project. v I would like to thank the staff in the former NSW Department of Natural Resources (now DWE, DECC and the Catchment Management Authority) building on campus for their support and assistance throughout the project, especially Dr.

Influence of soil moisture regimes on growth, photosynthetic capacity, leaf biochemistry and reproductive capabilities of the invasive agronomic weed; Lactuca serriola AAKANSHA CHADHA, SINGARAYER FLORENTINE, BHAGIRATH CHAUHAN, BENJAMIN LONG AND MITHILA JAYASUNDERA From Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha: Maintaining momentum in a multi-generational landscape change project HELENA LINDORFF From participation to permanence? Exploring the progression of conservation landholder behaviours

The wiregrass/bluegrass (Aristida/Bothriochloa) native pasture community in Eucalypt woodlands is a major cattle producing resource in Queensland. The effects of poplar box tree (Eucalyptus populnea) competition (at 5 m2/ha tree basal area) and grazing pressure on pastures and on growth of Brahman-cross steers were measured in a grazing experiment. Treatments were 2 tree competition levels (live trees or clearing) by 3 grazing pressures (low - 25%, medium - 50% and high - 75% utilisation of annual pasture growth). Pasture yield and pasture foliage cover increased for 3 years from the reduction in tree competition by clearing and by low grazing pressure with increasing annual rainfall. Clearing increased pasture yield by 33% in the first summer growing season and by 94% in the third year. After 3 years, foliage cover after clearing was 51% compared with 39% in pastures with live trees. Pasture yield and cover were reduced by 34% and 33% respectively by high grazing pressure compared ...

I'm no expert here - just curious. Wanting to know First Nations names for, uses of and associations with, Australian plants. And adopted introduced ones, in some cases. It might be a lifetime study. This paper is hardly 'up-to-date' (I've a pile to add to it, unaddressed, yet). It doesn't purport to be national or comprehensive, but I'd like to help it be more so. I haven't referenced every name - done so more generically, up-front. You can work out most of where I found names from where the plant's natural range is - and many source books/websites have 'state/regional' focus, too. Please get in touch and let me know more - errors, gaps. Let's work on this together.

Commencing in 1965 and continuing today, the Brigalow Catchment Study in central Queensland has measured both runoff volume and peak runoff rate from three catchments (11.7 to 16.8 ha) which were initially covered with native brigalow scrub. Thirty-eight years of data were used to assess the accuracy of three different methods for estimating peak runoff rate, and then, to quantify the changes in peak runoff rate as a result of clearing two of the three catchments for either cropping or pasture. Three methods were used to estimate the peak runoff rate for the 3 catchments: 1) multi-variable regression; 2) Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method; and 3) Spatially Variable Infiltration model (SVIM). Regression analysis showed that peak runoff rate was strongly correlated with total runoff volume, in addition to 3 rainfall related variables. Regression method yielded the best results of the three methods tested. Estimates using the SCS-CN method were strongly correlated with observed peak runoff rate for all catchments. However, the method typically underestimated for small events and overestimated for large events. Estimates using SVIM with linear kinematic wave routing were strongly correlated with observed peak runoff rate for all catchments. Prior to land use change, peak runoff rate from the three brigalow scrub catchments averaged 3.4 mm/hr. A significant increase in peak runoff rate from both the cropping and pasture catchments was clearly evident and attributed to land use change, with the average peak runoff rate increased by 9.1 mm/hr for the cropping catchment and 3.4 mm/hr for the pasture catchment. This equates to an increase of 263% and 164%, respectively, to estimates of their peak runoff rate had they not been cleared. Increases in the peak runoff rate were largest for smaller storm events with an average recurrence interval of less than two years under cropping and less than four years under pasture.

Western basalt Plains native grasslands, which extend from the west of Melbourne in Victoria to the South Australian border, are recognised as one of the most threatened ecosystems in Victoria (DC&E 1992). Ecosystem functions and their ability to support life are disappearing along with the remnant grasslands. The research project reported in this thesis aimed to develop methods to re-establish the dominant native grass. Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) in ways designed to out-compete invasive grassy weeds.

Western basalt Plains native grasslands, which extend from the west of Melbourne in Victoria to the South Australian border, are recognised as one of the most threatened ecosystems in Victoria (DC&E 1992). Ecosystem functions and their ability to support life are disappearing along with the remnant grasslands. The research project reported in this thesis aimed to develop methods to re-establish the dominant native grass. Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) in ways designed to out-compete invasive grassy weeds.

2Currency of Report While this report has been updated to incorporate some developments as recent as May 2001, the bulk of the report was completed during early December 2000, and is current at that date. Disclaimer This report is a review commissioned by the Executive Director, Department of Conservation and Land Management. The report was compiled by K J Wallace with assistance from a range of staff from the Department, and from the Forest Products Commission. As well as reviewing Departmental programs described in the Salinity Action Plan, particularly those funded through the plan, the document is designed to stimulate discussion and contribute to the broader debate on salinity and its management. The recommendations and other comments in the document do not represent the policies of the Executive Director, the Department or the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, and Water Resources. Cover Main picture: The impact of rising salinity levels is clearly seen at Taarblin Lak...

Regrowth of native woody vegetation has the potential to provide an economically valuable source of carbon storage and other ecosystem services. There is a lack of readily applicable examples of how regrowth of forests and woodlands can be integrated with existing grazing production systems and provide soil-protection and water-retention benefits. A system of integrated vegetation bands (IVB) was applied to patchy regrowth of acacia and eucalypt vegetation in a grazed landscape of southern Queensland, Australia. Across a 39.8-ha catchment with 3–5% slope, regrowth of scattered native vegetation (18.4 ha) was surveyed and diameter at breast height and height for all woody plants were recorded. The IVB (6.3 ha) were then marked out as 25-m-wide bands set 100 m apart and offset at ~2–3% gradient to the contour line, retaining the densest/largest regrowth where possible. The data on diameter at breast height and height were analysed using allometric equations to compare aboveground biom...

Commencing in 1965 and continuing today, the Brigalow Catchment Study in central Queensland has measured both runoff volume and peak runoff rate from three catchments (11.7 to 16.8 ha) which were initially covered with native brigalow scrub. Thirty-eight years of data were used to assess the accuracy of three different methods for estimating peak runoff rate, and then, to quantify the changes in peak runoff rate as a result of clearing two of the three catchments for either cropping or pasture. Three methods were used to estimate the peak runoff rate for the 3 catchments: 1) multi-variable regression; 2) Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method; and 3) Spatially Variable Infiltration model (SVIM). Regression analysis showed that peak runoff rate was strongly correlated with total runoff volume, in addition to 3 rainfall related variables. Regression method yielded the best results of the three methods tested. Estimates using the SCS-CN method were strongly correlated with observed peak runoff rate for all catchments. However, the method typically underestimated for small events and overestimated for large events. Estimates using SVIM with linear kinematic wave routing were strongly correlated with observed peak runoff rate for all catchments. Prior to land use change, peak runoff rate from the three brigalow scrub catchments averaged 3.4 mm/hr. A significant increase in peak runoff rate from both the cropping and pasture catchments was clearly evident and attributed to land use change, with the average peak runoff rate increased by 9.1 mm/hr for the cropping catchment and 3.4 mm/hr for the pasture catchment. This equates to an increase of 263% and 164%, respectively, to estimates of their peak runoff rate had they not been cleared. Increases in the peak runoff rate were largest for smaller storm events with an average recurrence interval of less than two years under cropping and less than four years under pasture.

The Fitzroy Basin in central Queensland has the largest cattle herd of any natural resource management region in Australia, and legumes have been widely used to boost fertility of rundown soil and improve cattle liveweight gains. However, there is a paucity of information on the effect of leguminous pastures on hydrology and water quality. This study investigated runoff water quality over eight hydrological years from virgin brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) woodland and three improved pastures, namely, buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare), butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). Runoff event mean concentrations and loads of total and dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon in addition to total suspended solids are reported. Brigalow woodland had the greatest loss of sediment and nitrogen attributed to the inherently fertile Vertosols (clay soil), but the low occurrence and amount of runoff meant that it had a low risk to water quality. Despite a similar number of runoff events from the improved pastures, leucaena pasture had less total runoff and a lower maximum peak runoff rate in addition to lower nitrogen and carbon in runoff. Total suspended solids and carbon in runoff were greater from grass pasture than from the leguminous pastures, whereas nitrogen and phosphorus were greatest from the butterfly pea pasture, especially in the first 2 years post-planting. Greater exports of phosphorus from the improved pastures were concerning, given the potential for downstream impacts.

Background: Soil microbial communities are in constant change at many different temporal and spatial scales. However, the importance of these changes to the turnover of the soil microbial communities has been rarely studied simultaneously in space and time. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we explored the temporal and spatial responses of soil bacterial, archaeal and fungal b-diversities to abiotic parameters. Taking into account data from a 3-year sampling period, we analyzed the abundances and community structures of Archaea, Bacteria and Fungi along with key soil chemical parameters. We questioned how these abiotic variables influence the turnover of bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities and how they impact the long-term patterns of changes of the aforementioned soil communities. Interestingly, we found that the bacterial and fungal b-diversities are quite stable over time, whereas archaeal diversity showed significantly higher fluctuations. These fluctuations were reflected in temporal turnover caused by soil management through addition of Nfertilizers. Conclusions: Our study showed that management practices applied to agricultural soils might not significantly affect the bacterial and fungal communities, but cause slow and long-term changes in the abundance and structure of the archaeal community. Moreover, the results suggest that, to different extents, abiotic and biotic factors determine the community assembly of archaeal, bacterial and fungal communities.

Natural regeneration may contribute significantly to eucalypt woodland management, but has uncertain outcomes. As part of a monitoring program, we sought to investigate the processes of eucalypt regeneration within the Bush Returns trial, a native vegetation management incentive scheme in the Goulburn Broken catchment of Victoria. By year 4 of the 10-year program, eucalypt seedlings were found at about 24% of sampled quadrats. This varied substantially across sites, with only half the participating properties having any seedlings. Individual trees varied widely in their seed production, but seed rain was not related to the spatial context of the trees. Seedling emergence was infrequent and seed sowing trials had very patchy, and overall low, success. Seed removal experiments indicated that seeds were removed faster and more completely in sites with more bare ground (less grass and litter) and during warmer weather. The probability of a seedling surviving summer was approximately 0.3...

High levels of sub-speciation in Australian mesic zone taxa have been attributed to the creation of biogeographic barriers by Pleistocene expansion of the arid zone. However, several of these barriers also align with major floodplains. The Carpentarian Barrier in the Gulf Plains (GUP)one of Australia's most significant biogeographic barriersexperiences extreme floods on a sub-decadal timescale. These floods rise suddenly, cover thousands of square kilometres to a depth of several metres and can take weeks to subside. We investigated whether these floods have shaped community composition. If this is the case, species that are particularly vulnerable to extreme floodingunderstorey animals and woody plants, particularly shrubsshould be under-represented, and grasslands should be over-represented on GUP floodplains. We used Akaike selection of logistic models to assess influence of floodplains and other potential drivers on grassland distribution and shrub abundance, and on representation of understorey fauna. We also compared post-flood faunal records with the bioregional data set to assess influence of the 2009 flood on representation of understorey reptiles. Grasslands and shrub-free vegetation were significantly over-represented and understorey fauna significantly under-represented on floodplains, even when the influences of other factors were taken into account. Understorey Gekkota were absent fromand understorey skinks under-represented inrecently flooded areas. Hence, floods appear to have shaped community composition on GUP floodplains by selectively displacing and/or destroying woody plantsparticularly shrubsand understorey animals. Our findings demonstrate association rather than causality, but show that further examination of the ecological and biogeographic impacts of extreme flooding is warranted. Influence of floods on the Australian biota should be considered an ongoing ecological and evolutionary driver, and one that is likely to intensify as extreme floods are expected to become more frequent under climate change.

This is the author manuscript accepted for publication and has undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as

Dragovich and Dominis (2008) discuss the importance of rainfall (and drought) on scald formation in Central West NSW, and ascribe this to groundwater levels. The following year, Professor Ian Acworth at UNSW and hydrologists from the NSW DECC, following separate correlations between rainfall and bore water levels and the extent of dryland salinity, claimed that dryland salinity is mainly due to change in climate (i.e. rainfall-c.f. Dragovich and Dominis 2008) rather than landuse. However, the validity of this conclusion is questionable, especially in upland environments, as will be highlighted in the following sections. Moreover, Campbell (2008) suggests that dryland salinity problems will recede with ongoing climate change, stating "It is likely that a warming, drying climate across southern Australia will reduce the symptoms of secondary salinisation and its impacts on dryland agriculture". However, this is arguable as once again, it is based on the assumption that all dryland salinity is caused from shallow groundwater systems (rising groundwater model). It also disagrees with many other recent government reports suggesting that the salinity problem is continuing to get worse. Flaws in the rising groundwater model The rising groundwater model has been challenged by many researchers and land managers, who consider it to be a simplistic view of a complex, and multifaceted process that involves many landscape variables (see Table 2.2). This is especially the case on the upland areas of SE Australia, as will be explained in the following sections. The Channel Nine Sunday Program, 'Australian Salinity Crisiswhat crisis?' broadcast on the 28 th May 2006 (Coulthart 2006) interviewed a number of prominent scientists and farmers who challenged the rising groundwater model and associated so-called 'salinity crisis' at the time, pointing out that the rising groundwater model and the salinity issue in general, is both highly exaggerated and controversial. Many assumptions are identified which are required for the rising groundwater model to operate. These are summarised in Table 2.3, with further discussion in Appendix 2.1 and Chapter 12.

Reports suggest that dryland salinity is a major threat to terrestrial biota in southern Australia, however, very little research has been undertaken that quantitatively links secondary dryland salinity with adverse affects to terrestrial endemic biota. The research performed to date in south eastern (SE) Australia contains invalid assumptions and major problems. The abiotic and biotic principles are poorly understood. This research investigates relationships between abiotic and biotic metrics taken at ten salinised and nonsalinised sites over three years in box/gum grassy woodlands of SE Australia. Biotic surveys included site flora and fauna identification (presence), and photosynthesis efficiency in eucalypt leaves. Results indicate that many endemic fauna and flora species flourish at (highly) salinised and degraded sites; many invertebrates, mammals, frogs and lizards tolerate increased and fluctuating salinity levels. Foxes are present at all sites and are common across the study region, being an obvious major threat to all ground dwellers. Many endemic grass and tree species appear to be relatively salt tolerant, during all stages of their life cycles. This is to be expected, as southern Australia is naturally very salty. Contrary to previous reports, no direct evidence was found linking increased salinity levels with flora or fauna mortality and no evidence was found indicating that increased salinity levels favour exotic species. In southern Australia, it is problematical to directly link increased soil salinity per se, with ecological stress, as many other synergistic factors are involved and are probably more significant. These include the compounding adverse effects of increased soil and vegetation degradation due to past and present agricultural activities, particularly intensive livestock grazing.

Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands has been developed to provide graziers, landowners and extension officers with information on managing grazing in and around Queensland’s coastal wetlands to maintain healthy coastal wetlands and productive grazing enterprises. It provides practical advice on how grazing and associated land management practices can be implemented to support the long-term health of coastal wetlands whilst maintaining production. The guidelines have been compiled from published literature, grazier knowledge, wetlands managers and the experience of extension and natural resource management professionals. They reflect the current knowledge of suitable management practices for coastal wetlands. They are designed to complement and be considered in conjunction with existing information resources including the EDGEnetwork Grazing Land Management series and best management practice guidelines from regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups. While the recommendation...

Effects of A. sieberiana trees on soil properties and plant diversity were investigated in Songa pastures, Rwanda. Tree characteristics and crown architecture of A. sieberiana were studied. Soil properties were assessed and plants were identified under and away from tree crowns. Counts of individual plants/species were done only under tree crowns. Nitrogen, P, and K were analysed in the soil, grass, and A. sieberiana leaves. Plant diversity was determined using Simpson's diversity index. Data were subjected to ANOVA. Soil organic carbon (SOC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), Ca 2+ , N and pH, and plant diversity were higher in soils under tree canopies than in open areas. Tree leaves were significantly richer in N and poorer in P and K as compared to grasses. Tree crowns grew wider and horizontal and developed intertwined secondary branching, reducing light intensity to as low as 38% under tree canopies compared to the open pasture. At 3 trees/ha stocking, A. sieberiana trees shaded 0.18 ha and herbaceous plants and grasses unpalatable to livestock dominated under tree canopies. A tradeoff of A. sieberiana tree value versus the loss of palatable grass due to tree presence needs to be assessed to decide whether the trees should be included in pastures and if yes, the apporpriate stocking identified.

Resource development issues remain topical in Queensland, with continued high rates of vegetation clearing and arguments that up to 15 million hectares of tropical woodland areas in the state could be profitably developed. In this paper the contribution of pasture development to beef production in the state is assessed. It appears that the gains from pasture development are partially offset by other losses in pasture production. Potential reasons for these losses are considered. The decline in pasture production following a spike in productivity after tree clearing is considered in some detail. Preliminary values for the opportunity costs of this pasture rundown are assessed.

Inputs and losses from Giant Parramatta grass [GPG, Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. var. major (Buse) Baaijens] soil seed banks were quantified on the North Coast of New South Wales. Monthly potential seed production and actual seed fall was estimated at Valla during 1991-92. Total potential production was >668 000 seeds/m2 for the season, while seed fall was >146000 seeds/m2. Seed fall >10000 seeds/m2.month was recorded from January until May, with further seed falls recorded in June and July. The impact of seed production on seed banks was assessed by estimating seed banks in the seed production quadrats before and after seed fall. Seed banks in 4 of the 6 sites decreased in year 2, although seed numbers at 1 damp site increased markedly. Defoliation from mid-December until February, April or June prevented seed production, reducing seed banks by 34% over 7 months. Seed banks in undefoliated plots increased by 3300 seeds/m2, although seed fall was estimated at >114 000 ...

was affected by the treatments imposed. Germination of small seeds was higher in the presence of light while larger seeds germinated better under continuous darkness. Time to germination was about threefold faster in response to summer and spring temperatures than winter temperatures. melanoxylon) compared to the untreated controls. However, the results varied with species. Temperature had an effect on only one species (A. decora). Germination was greater and/or more rapid after mechanical scarification than after the hotwater treatment. Mechanical scarification provided a practical method for improving germination in nine species. species, which were discarded prior to conducting further germination tests. Seasonal temperature affected germination success in 27 species, while various seed pregermination treatments were effective in increasing germination in 22 species. The most frequent seed treatment required was rupturing the seed coat. This resulted in approximately a two-to-threefold increase in germination percentage. Seed stratification, seed coat removal and seed leaching increased germination in some species. The results will contribute to determining seed pre-treatments for germination prior to direct seeding in both the nursery and field, and contribute to the understanding of the ecology of the germination of a range of native species in the study region.

The Conference featured 190 presentations, including 27 presentations by invited plenary and keynote speakers, and covered the full spectrum of topics associated with environmental restoration. Delegates included scientists, practitioners, landholders, Indigenous land management groups, and government and non-government organisations. The program covered social and political facets associated with restoration; practical aspects of designing and executing restoration projects; sustainable design of restoration projects in the face of continuing landscape and climate change, and end points and goals for restoration projects. Symposia topics included: * Seed genetics and management * Broad-acre revegetation strategies and techniques * Riparian restoration and revegetation * Cost-effective revegetation and restoration * Connectivity for biodiversity in fragmented landscapes * Sustainable revegetation in a changing world: planning and design issues * Revegetation for ecosystem service provision * Restoration and indigenous NRM * Sociology of restoration, revegetation and landscape repair * Grazing management for biodiversity conservation * Restoration on farms * Soils and restoration * Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement of restoration and revegetation programs * Policy drivers for restoration * Invasive species and agri-ecosystem restoration * The role of fauna in restoration The role of the arts in communicating environmental messages was explored through thought-provoking performances, artworks and a public discussion forum, and delegates visited local restoration projects and practitioners during a 3 / 4-day field trip. This special issue of The Rangeland Journal comprises a selection of papers written by those who presented the plenary and keynote addresses at this Conference. We cannot cover all of the material presented at the Conference in this special issue, so Journal compilation Ó Australian Rangeland Society 2017 www.publish.csiro.au/journals/trj CSIRO PUBLISHING

How multiple types of non‐trophic interactions map onto trophic networks in real communities remains largely unknown. We present the first effort, to our knowledge, describing a comprehensive ecological network that includes all known trophic and diverse non‐trophic links among >100 coexisting species for the marine rocky intertidal community of the central Chilean coast. Our results suggest that non‐trophic interactions exhibit highly nonrandom structures both alone and with respect to food web structure. The occurrence of different types of interactions, relative to all possible links, was well predicted by trophic structure and simple traits of the source and target species. In this community, competition for space and positive interactions related to habitat/refuge provisioning by sessile and/or basal species were by far the most abundant non‐trophic interactions. If these patterns are corroborated in other ecosystems, they may suggest potentially important dynamic constraint...

Phylogenetic and functional diversities and their relationship are important for understanding community assembly, which relates to forest sustainability. Thus, both diversities have been used in ecological studies evaluating community responses to environmental changes. However, it is unclear whether these diversity measures can uncover the actual community assembly processes. Herein, we examined their utility to assess such assembly processes by analyzing similarities in phylogenetic, functional, and taxonomic α- and β-diversities along an elevational gradient. Additionally, we examined the relationships among environment, phylogeny, and functional traits within the community. Based on our results, we evaluated whether phylogenetic or functional diversity could better reveal the actual community assembly processes. We found that taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional α-diversities were correlated with one another. Although the functional α-diversity showed a linear correlation wi...

Temperate grassy ecosystems are amongst Australia's most endangered ecosystems. Most remnants are small, fragmented and highly degraded. Practical methods for restoring native understorey species are urgently required. Dominant native grasses such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra Forssk.) and Tussock-grasses (Poa species) have been eliminated from many remnants by heavy grazing in the past. The reintroduction of these grasses is a critical step for understorey restoration. This paper (i) reviews the literature on Themeda seed biology and seedling establishment; (ii) summarizes the lessons learnt from three major attempts to establish Themeda stands in southeast Australia; and (iii) identifies the research needed to enhance Themeda restoration. Considerable information is available on Themeda seed and establishment biology, and restoration exercises have shown that Themeda stands can be readily established by surface-spreading awned seeds in seed-bearing hay. However, many practical challenges remain, including the need to identify optimal sowing periods, create better seedbed conditions, develop practical mulching techniques, and improve weed control. The use of seed-bearing hay has constrained restoration to relatively small areas in the past. Future trials may benefit by using more concentrated seed products such as seedbearing florets and pure seeds which permit larger areas to be restored at one time.

In this site-specific research, teams from four different cities in Europe critically explored and refined a method that makes legible as well as actionable the development in resilience of multispecies communities, which were approached as Zoöps

The role of NCCARF is to lead the research community in a national interdisciplinary effort to generate the information needed by decision-makers in government, business and in vulnerable sectors and communities to manage the risk of climate change impacts. Disclaimer The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth or NCCARF, and neither the Commonwealth nor NCCARF accept responsibility for information or advice contained herein. CSIRO advises that the information contained in this publication comprises general statements based on scientific research. The reader is advised and needs to be aware that such information may be incomplete or unable to be used in any specific situation. No reliance or actions must therefore be made on that information without seeking prior expert professional, scientific and technical advice. To the extent permitted by law, CSIRO (including its employees and consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this publication (in part or in whole) and any information or material contained in it.

In a 42,750-ha survey area in subtropical Queensland, rabbit warrens are confined mainly to sandy soils. Within these favoured areas the population is distributed unevenly, and there is further selection for preferred habitats. Detailed studies on a 246-ha area of sandhill showed that the open woodland and grassy open woodland associations contain most warrens per unit area, and also the largest warrens. The quality of habitat for rabbits appears to be determined by availability of food, type of soil, and vegetation cover providing protection from predators. In some vegetation associations, use of burrows varies only slightly, in others there are significant changes. There is a significant correlation between the estimated numbers of rabbits in the population, the total number of rabbits seen on spotlight transect counts in the evening, the numbers of rabbits seen on warrens during late afternoon watches, and the total number of active burrow entrances present in the study area. A l...

Abbreviations  BWR-Banksia Woodland Restoration Project (this project)  CBC-Carnaby's cockatoo, Carnaby's black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)  Completion Criteria-numeric targets or milestones for restoration projects used to report outcomes.  DEC-the former Department of Environment and Conservation, now the Department of Parks and Wildlife  JAH-Jandakot Airport Holdings Pty Ltd  Restoration-in this report refers to creating new habitat by establishing a specific type of native vegetation in totally cleared areas within the conservation estate. More generally Ecosystem Restoration is the "process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed" (SER Primer, 2004).  Rehabilitation-in this report refers to controlling threatening processes in existing native habitat to improve condition (e.g. weed control, access control). Also referred to as "repair".

Failure of perennial species to regenerate is a significant threat to semi-arid woodlands across southeastern Australia. High grazing pressure eliminates the recruitment of many perennial species in semi-arid woodlands, but little is known about requirements for regeneration under low grazing pressure. We tested the effects of addition of water (irrigation to match the largest rainfall events of the last century), seed, soil disturbance and fire within a grazing exclosure in Belah (Casuarina pauper) woodland in the Murray-Sunset National Park, Victoria. Recruitment was observed in 13 perennial species and was dominated by chenopods. Addition of water, seed and soil disturbance increased abundance of juvenile perennial species above the low-level background recruitment that occurred in the prevailing drought conditions. This supports the view that continuous recruitment occurs for many semiarid perennials. Low seed availability and an inability to maintain soil moisture conditions matching that of regeneration events are likely factors in the lack of recruitment for tree species and limited response of shrubs in this experiment.