Forest Science Student Projects - descriptions
Projects described below are provided for Master of Forest Ecosystem Science, Bachelor of Forest Science and Honours students enrolled in the following subjects/courses:
MFES: Subject 220512 Forest Internship Project (25pts) - Subject coordinator Dr Stefan Arndt
MFES: Subject 220513 Forest Research Project (50pts) - Subject coordinator Dr Chris Weston
Bach For Sci: Subject 202306 Industry Project (25pts) - Subject coordinator Dr Chris Weston
Bach For Sci (Honours): (62.5pts) Coordinators Dr Peter Ades and Assoc Prof Michael Tausz
Please contact the supervisor/contact listed below to find out whether the project is suitable for the particular project subject you are enrolled in. Projects available are not limited to those in the list. Please contact the subject coordinator (listed above) or potential supervisors to discuss other possibilities.
A summary list of the projects is available here.
The carbon cost or benefit of Australian street trees
Street trees provide various important ecosystem services to the urban environment: i) shading and cooling of walkways, amenity areas and buildings, ii) carbon sequestration, iii) mental health and well-being, iv) biodiversity and habitat provision. A wide variety of tree species are grown in Australian streetscapes; from the smaller Australian melaleuca, European birch and cherry, to larger European plane, elm and Australian eucalypt and grevillea species. Depending upon the growth environment (climate, soil type, rooting volume) different tree species will require different nursery preparation, establishment support and ongoing maintenance to persist through the summer droughts and high temperatures of an urban streetscape. The different modes of establishment and maintenance carry different associated carbon costs according to the materials and chemicals used and the transport and activities required. Furthermore, different tree species will have different rates of physical carbon sequestration according to growth rate, size, wood density, deciduous / evergreen and tree physiology (net respiration / photosynthesis balance).
This project proposes to: 1) establish total carbon sequestered within urban street trees in one local government authority (LGA) of Melbourne, and 2) rank street tree species in that LGA according to their net C benefit from both their biophysical characteristics and maintenance requirements.
contact: Steve Livesley
Greenhouse gas benefits and ecosystem function of remnant woodlands in an agricultural landscape bordering Western Port Bay
Bordering Western Port Bay are remnant patches of the natural woodland transition (Melaleuca ericifolia woodland > saltmarsh > mangrove woodland) that: i) protect the bay from agricultural nutrient inputs, ii) have adapted to the tidal saltwater environment, and iii) are likely to have a small greenhouse gas footprint as compared to adjacent agriculture. Similarly, the remnant patches of taller eucalypt forest (E. radiata, E. obilqua, E. viminalis) along the Mornington Peninsula ridge are likely to have tighter nutrient cycling and less greenhouse gas emissions than the horticulture and viticulture land-uses they have been cleared for that receive intensive nutrient management. Both these upper and lower remnant woodlands are under continued pressure from agriculture and horticulture and from urban and industrial development. The project proposed is to seasonally measure (x4) the contrasting soil conditions (pH, EC, redox, NO3, NH4, C, N, water content), nutrient cycling (net nitrification, net ammonification, litter decomposition) and the non-CO2 greenhouse gas flux (N2O and CH4) along a catena transect from the tall eucalypt forests to the mangrove woodlands. The replicated catena transect will measure in six of the major ecosystems of the Mornington peninsula: i) the tall eucalypt forest, ii) vineyards, iii) cattle grazed land iv) Melaleuca ericifolia woodland, v) salt-marsh, and vi) mangrove.
Contact: Steve Livesley
Plant what where? Predicting restoration success of Allocasuarina sp. under changing water availability.
Australia’s Allocasuarina woodlands are seriously depleted in both extent and quality. Consequently, Allocasuarina species – like A. leuhmannii (buloke) – are frequent inclusions in restoration programs. However, remarkably little is known about the factors that contribute to successful recruitment, particularly their comparative resilience under drying conditions. Using controlled glasshouse conditions, this study will compare germination and early growth of different Allocasuarina species and provenances under a range of watering scenarios. It will reduce current uncertainty about effects of variable water availability on seedling recruitment and improve capacity to address questions about what to plant where under a changing climate.
Contact: Lauren Bennett
Restoration of native woodlands: understanding soil-based feedbacks of exotic and native herbs
Invasion of Australian native woodlands by exotic herbaceous weeds is often associated with soil nutrient enrichment resulting from increased nutrient inputs in the surrounding agricultural landscape. Studies elsewhere indicate that, once established, exotics can enhance their invasiveness by creating positive feedbacks that maintain high soil nitrate concentrations, which are inhospitable to native plants. However, limited Australian data indicate that native perennial grasses might also create positive feedbacks that lead to sustained decreases in soil nitrate. This glasshouse-based study will compare changes in soil nitrogen forms under two invasive exotic herbs with those under two native perennial grasses. It will improve understanding of exotic plant effects on soil nutrient processes and will examine mechanisms for tipping the scales in favour of native herbs.
Contact: Lauren Bennett
Linking plant traits and soil condition for assessing revegetation capacity
Soil nutrient enrichment (due to widespread application of fertilisers and sowing of exotic pastures) affects the integrity of remnant vegetation and the success of revegetation in agricultural landscapes of south-eastern Australia. Evidence of relationships between plant characteristics and nutrient availability suggests potential for using plant traits (e.g. growth form, leaf size, seed size) as indicators of underlying soil condition. Plant traits have proven useful in interpreting plant responses to grazing disturbances, but similar data relevant to soil fertility gradients in Australian grasslands is lacking. This project will address this knowledge gap by identifying plant traits that best indicate underlying soil condition in remnants and improved grasslands. All field sites will be within the natural distribution of endangered grassy woodlands in north-central Victoria. Project outcomes will have great utility in assessments of revegetation capacity, and in ensuring optimal allocation of scarce revegetation resources.
Contact: Sabine Kasel
Quantifying the magnitude of major soil erosion and debris flow events following bushfires in Victorian forests
Debri-flows and major erosion events are frequently observed to occur during intense rainfall following bushfires. The degree to which these erosion processes are enhanced due to the effects of fire is however poorly understood, and rarely quantified. Understanding these processes helps scientists to predict the water quality impacts of major rainfall events following fire. This honors project will involve field mapping of major erosion events following the 2006 Victorian forest fires. The project would suit a student with an interest in geomorphology, soil physics, GIS, erosion processes and water quality.
Contact: Gary Sheridan
Predicting forest soil properties from remotely sensed data
Spatially distributed soils information of relevance to current forest management issues is almost non-existent for Victorian Forests. (Sheridan 2002). The information that is available is at a scale of little practical use for forest management. Sustainable forest management is hampered by this lack of soil information, particularly with respect to knowledge of soil properties that influence carbon-accounting (DPIE 1998), water yield (Watson et al. 1999), and forest growth (Landsberg & Waring 1997), such as; carbon content, depth, texture, nutrition, available water, and saturated hydraulic conductivity.
Traditional, field based, intensive, soil survey is unlikely to be undertaken in Victorian forests due to the high costs associated with soil survey in extensive, remote, and inaccessible areas. New methods of soil attribute prediction are required that will exploit the recent explosive growth in the availability and quality of remotely sensed data.
One promising method, known as Environmental Correlation, involves the development of statistical relationships between soil properties and other more easily collected (usually remotely collected) environmental variables. Principal input datasets are terrain attributes, climate surfaces, and airborne geophysics eg. radiometrics. Several authors have reported considerable success using this method in agricultural areas, however there have been few trials undertaken in mountainous-forested areas (Ryan et al. 2000, McKenzie & Ryan 1999), where there is the greatest promise of success (Willson & Gallant 2000).
An honours project is available for the development of predictive relationships to enable the spatial mapping of critical soil attributes for sustainable forest management in Victoria. The approach utilises recently acquired high-resolution input datasets, and statewide soil survey data collected during forest inventory survey. The project would suit a student with interests and skills in remote sensing, GIS, and soils.
Contact: Gary Sheridan
The effect of ash on the saturated conductivity of forest soils after wildfire
Soil erosion following bushfire is of concern to water managers because of the water quality threat to major water storages. The blocking of soil pores by washed-in ash has been frequently proposed, but rarely demonstrated, to explain the increase in runoff rates (and hence erosion) that is often observed after forest fire. The effect of ash on soil saturated hydraulic conductivity after fire has been recently investigated using rainfall simulation and ring infiltrometers. Initial results suggest that the effect of ash wash-in on soil Ksat varies from negligible to substantial depending on the pore size distribution of the soil and the amount and/or type of ash present. Strong temporal trends in effect have also been observed. This honors project will build on this initial research to quantify the recovery of the hydraulic properties of the soil following fire. The project would suit a student interested in soil physics.
Contact: Gary Sheridan
Modelling runoff generation from areas with spatially variable saturated conductivity
Predicting surface runoff during storms is critical for understanding the water quality impacts of land management decisions. This honours project aims to quantify the effect of spatial variation in soil properties on runoff generation. Spatial variability in soil properties is not generally represented in runoff models, and new models are required to capture the effect of heterogeneity, while at the same time maintaining model simplicity. This project will have a component of field forest soil hydraulic measurements, and a component of computer simulation of runoff generation. The project would suit a candidate with strengths and interests in mathematics, programming, and environmental modelling.
Contact: Gary Sheridan
Comparison of indirect methods for assessing leaf area index in native forests
The leaf area index (LAI) of forest canopies is an important measure of crown architecture and structure. As such, it has a major influence on radiation interception and evapotranspiration processes, and plays an important role in forest growth and water relations. The LAI can be measured indirectly by several methods, including hemispherical photography and the Licor LAI-2000 Plant canopy analyser. This project involves field-based measurement of LAI in different native forests of different ages using these two methods. The two methods will then be compared.
Contact:Paul Feikema
Differences in leaf area index between overstorey and understorey components in native forests
The leaf area index (LAI) of forest systems is an important measure of crown architecture and structure, ad often includes an overstorey (or canopy) component and an understorey component. Changes in LAI for these two components are dynamic over time and will be a function of the forest type and its age. This project will involve field-based measurement of LAI of overstorey and understory components using indirect measurements on a variety of forest types and ages. Results will then be compared to the current representation of LAI for overstorey and understorey LAI in process-based models used to simulate catchment water balances. Contact: Paul Feikema
Validation of remotely sensed LAI data with indirect measurements
The leaf area index (LAI) for forest types is often used in process-based models (such as Macaque) that simulate the effects of forest disturbance on catchment water yield. The LAI tends in part on forest type and age, and is often highly variable across a catchment. This project will validate remotely sensed or airborne spatial data with measurements of LAI using indirect methods (e.g. Licor LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyser) within a catchment. This will allow greater confidence in the spatial representation of LAI within process-based models.
Contact: Paul Feikema
Validation of native forest growth in the 3PG forest growth model
Process-based models, such as the forest growth model, 3PG, are being increasingly used to simulate the growth (and water use) of native forests. However, there is a lack of growth data for several forest types of interest. This project will involve a field-based component to measure the growth of several forest types and different age groups, and use this data to validate the representation of this vegetation types in the 3PG forest growth model.
Contact: Paul Feikema
Genomic architecture of the Alpha Tubulin gene in Eucalyptus globulus
Alpha tubulin plays an important role in development of plant cells and, in trees, may influence wood quality traits including pulp yield, lignin content, growth and basic density. To explore this hypothesis, we propose a project that involves analyzing the alpha tubulin gene sequences of 20 trees representative of the natural range of E. globulus, and a further 10 individuals of the breeding population. The project would require students to learn standard molecular genetic techniques including gene amplification and sequencing, and involve analysis of sequence data for signatures of selection and altered nucleotide diversity levels.
Supervisors/Contact:
Dr Gerd Bossinger
Dr Luke McManus
Dr Josquin Tibbits
Mr Saravanan Thavamanikumar
Investigating the cytoskeleton of wood forming tissue using flourescence microscopy
The cytoskeleton is a vital component of plant cells and is involved in many processes including determining the final size and shape of the cell. Increasing evidence suggests that a component of the cytoskeleton, the cortical microtubules, are involved in determining the strength characteristics of the secondary cell wall which in turn influence wood properties. This project involves visualizing these cortical microtubules using advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques in wood forming tissue grown under different load conditions to determine how their arrangement changes in response to changes in the strength properties of the wood. Students will gain an understanding of wood anatomy and the plant cell cytoskeleton as well as learn fluorescence immunolabeling and advanced microscopic techniques.
Supervisor/Contact: Dr Antanas Spokevicius
Ecotypes of local Acacia species
Plant species develop ecotypes in response to local environmental conditions.
Seed will be collected from natural populations of the species and grown in a common garden study. Variation in morphology and fitness will be examined and information used to guide seed sourcing for revegetation projects.
Contacts: Paul Nevill, p.nevill@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au; Dr. Peter Ades, petera@unimelb.edu.au
Cold tolerance, field survival and the effects of climate change on E. regnans and E. delegatensis
Low temperature tolerance is one of the main traits controlling the natural distributions of the major ash species and it may affect field performance when seed is moved off-site or as a consequence of climate change.
This project is to investigate the effects on field survival and growth associated with variation at a genetic locus that has been shown to affect frost tolerance in laboratory studies.
Contacts: Paul Nevill, p.nevill@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au; Dr. Peter Ades, petera@unimelb.edu.au
Fine scale spatial genetic structure of E. regnans
Spatial genetic structure (SGS) is the distribution of genotypes over space. Information on SGS is important for the design of conservation strategies and in the collection of seed for reforestation.
This project will investigate the fine scale genetic structure of E. regnans in both core and outlier populations using genetic markers. The project involves lab and field work.
Contacts: Paul Nevill, p.nevill@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au; Dr. Peter Ades, petera@unimelb.edu.au
Hybrid zones in the Otways Ranges
Many ash species readily hybridise and Eucalyptus regnans and Eucalyptus obliqua are believed to have formed extensive and stable hybrid zones in the Otways region of Victoria.
This project will examine some of the evolutionary questions associated with these zones using ecological and genetic approaches.
Contacts: Paul Nevill, p.nevill@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au; Dr. Peter Ades, petera@unimelb.edu.au
Biochemical defence in tree roots – the role of shoot-root translocation
Antioxidants (for example ascorbic acid - Vitamin C, or the S-containing glutathione) are central to plant protection from environmental stress, not only in green tissues, but also in stems and roots. Due to their size, trees face particular challenges in coordinating stress responses between canopy and root systems, with a number of potential signalling pathways not yet clarified. Results from herbaceous plants suggest that antioxidants produced in leaves contribute significantly to the defence capacity in roots providing a potential signal, but it is unclear whether this can be generalised to trees.
The proposed project will investigate the role of antioxidant transport in the phloem sap of trees for the root defence systems. To this end, antioxidant responses in roots of trees will be characterised in response to manipulations of photosynthetic production (e. g. shading treatments), and the effects of interrupted phloem transport on this relationship will be tested. This project would involve gas exchange measurements using IRGA instruments (infrared gas analyser) and biochemical determination of antioxidants in tissues.
Supervisor/Contact: Assoc Professor Michael Tausz
Antioxidants in phloem sap
Antioxidants (for example ascorbic acid - Vitamin C, or the S-containing glutathione) are central to plant protection from environmental stress, not only in green tissues, but also in stems and roots. Due to their size, trees face particular challenges in coordinating stress responses between canopy and root systems, with a number of potential signalling pathways not yet clarified.
Antioxidants occur in the phloem, where they are apparently translocated between roots and shoots. The antioxidant concentration in the phloem sap may be directly related to environmental factors impacting on the canopy, and therefore potentially play a role in stress signalling between roots and shoots.
The proposed project will investigate the relationship of phloem sap antioxidant concentrations to environmental factors such as site conditions, time of the day, and seasonal variation. This project would involve gas exchange measurements using IRGA instruments (infrared gas analyser) and biochemical determination of antioxidants in tissues.
Supervisor/Contact: Assoc Professor Michael Tausz
Nitrogen:phosphorus ratio in foliage – do Australian heathlands and woodlands conform to global trends?
A number of global syntheses have recently been completed for foliar N:P ratio and some distinct patterns have emerged. For example, trees produce less biomass per unit N or P than small shrubs. The slope of the N:P relationship in the global data set is less for conifers and shrubs than for trees or grasses and herbs. However, one of the major problems is that representation of the Australian flora in these data sets is limited. Development of a data set of N:P ratios of foliage from a range of plant species from heathlands and woodlands in south-east Victoria will allow broad comparison of nutrient allocation patterns with vegetation elsewhere in the world. This project will involve fieldwork for collection of samples, some chemical analysis and collation of data from other sources (published and unpublished).
Contact: Dr Tina Bell
Allometric relationships between tree size and age for Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri)
There is good evidence emerging from our current research that fire frequency has an impact on tree size class distribution in Heathy Stringybark woodlands. We don’t know if this is due to the elimination of trees by fire or other disturbance or through suppression of growth. In this project you will develop a relationship between tree size (diameter at breast height and tree height) and tree age by taking a series of cores from a range of trees and attempting to count the number of growth rings. Using fire history records and growth rings from understorey shrubs (particularly Desert Banksiaor Banksia ornata) you would also attempt to cross-correlate tree ring numbers with time since fire. As additional evidence, you will survey a recently burnt area for germination of eucalyptus seedlings. This project will provide important information about tree recruitment and stand structure and will involve field work near Casterton and preparation and examination of wood samples using light microscopy.
Contact: Dr Tina BellInvestigation of seed banks from long unburnt Callitris woodland
Staged prescribed burning is planned for an area of very long unburnt heathland in Wyperfeld National Park that has evolved into Callitris verucosa woodland. It is unknown what the seedbank is like and what species are likely to germinate after fire as only a thick overstorey of Callitris and few understorey species are currently present. Questions exist regarding the best course of action for burning and the most appropriate time of year that will promote the greatest post-burning plant diversity. However, the general consensus is that relatively hot and windy conditions will be required to achieve a self-propagating fire in this vegetation. Germination trials of composite seedbank samples incorporating a number of treatments (e.g. heat, smoke water) will help to predict what species are likely to appear after fire. Species identified from seedbank studies will then be compared to databases of surrounding vegetation. This project will assist land managers in determining what type of prescribed fire (season of burn, intensity, size, patchiness) should be applied to promote post-fire biodiversity.
Contact: Dr Tina Bell
Leaf anatomy of alpine grass species
Current landscape-scale research has identified the need for in-depth knowledge of leaf anatomy of alpine grass species including Poa hiemata (Snow grass), P. costiniana (Prickly Snow grass), Danthonia alpicola, D. nudiflora (Alpine Wallaby grass) and Chionochloa frigida (Ribbony grass). These species represent important components of alpine ecosystems including alpine grasslands and heathlands and as understorey species of Snowgum woodlands. The leaves of both species of Poa are normally rolled making it difficult to interpret photosynthetic measures made using leaf chambers and conventional methods of leaf area assessment (e.g. leaf area meter) is not possible. Anatomical studies of leaves and measures of photosynthetic area will help in interpreting physiological measures and will feed into models of carbon balance in alpine regions of eastern Australia. In addition, whole plant biomass (living leaves versus dead leaves) will be determined. This project will involve field work in Victoria and New South Wales for collection of plant material, microscopy and development of taxonomic skills.
Contact: Dr Tina Bell
Is the home range shape of swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) affected by topography?
Many studies of animal space use quantify home range size, but few have investigated home range shape. Observations during previous research indicate that the shape of swamp wallaby ranges may be influenced by topography, in particular, the orientation of major gully systems.
The objective of this study is to quantify the influence of topographic features and resource availability on the shape of swamp wallaby home ranges. There is potential to compare results from populations living in different habitat types (unharvested native forest vs. regenerating coupes), and between sexes. The project will involve two components:
- Field work in the Pyrenees State forest quantifying resource abundance within previously defined home ranges.
- Computer-based work establishing relationships between home range shape and topographic features using home range outlines overlayed onto GIS layers.
Contact: Dr Julian Di Stefano
Consumption of fungi by small mammals in a fire-managed ecosystem
Many Australian small mammals consume a variety of foods, including fungi. Disturbance events such as fire are known to effect the distribution and abundance of fungi, but little is known about the effect of fires on the consumption of fungi by small mammals.
The objective of this study is to use fungal spores present in the faecal pellets of three species of small mammal (the heath rat, Pseudomys shortridgei, the silky mouse, P. apodemoides, and the yellow-footed antechinus Antechinus flavipes) to indicate the consumption of fungi. Faecal pellets were collected in different seasons and from vegetation communities at different successional stages after fire, so hypotheses about the effect of season and time since fire can be tested. The work will take place in the laboratory, preparing slides of fungal spores and identifying them microscopically.
This study is part of a larger project looking at the effect of time since fire and season on the diet of the three focal species. It is envisaged that the data from this project will be incorporated into a paper of which the successful candidate would be a co-author.
Contact/Supervisors: Dr Julian Di Stefano and Amanda Ashton
Family-level variability in Eucalyptus globulus coppicing ability
In Eucalyptus globulus pulpwood plantations the coppice developing after harvest may be either managed for a second crop, or require removal/control where the site is replanted. Continual tree improvement through selection and breeding may have changed coppicing ability in deployed germplasm for this species. The study will utilize recently thinned E. globulus age 5 years family trials (c. 100 families) on contrasting sites in western Victoria and Gippsland. Conventional measurements of growth and vigour could be supported by physiological studies, with quantitative genetic analysis of heritability of observed traits.
Contact: Dr Tom Baker
Tree improvement for species for lower rainfall environments
Tree improvement for species suitable for plantations in lower rainfall areas (400- 600 mm MAR) such as Eucalyptus cladocalyx, E. tricarpa, E. sideroxylon, E. occidentalis, Corymbia maculata is relatively undeveloped. The study can access a range of family / provenance trials of these species established in Victoria under the auspices of the Australian Low Rainfall Tree Improvement Group. Conventional measurements of growth and stem form traits could be supported by physiological studies, with quantitative genetic analysis of sources of variation.
Contact: Dr Tom Baker
Calibration of fertiliser responses in eucalypt plantations
The precision of predictions of fertiliser responses in eucalypt plantations can be improved by using plant tissue and/or soil nutrient analyses. The study will draw on a large body of rotation-length growth and response data coupled with foliar analysis, and climatic and edaphic data from field trials established across a range of site types throughout Victoria. Empirical and/or process-based response modelling approaches may be taken.
Contact: Dr Tom Baker
Tree growth in relation to salt accumulation in soils in irrigated plantations
Wastewater re-use into tree plantations in low rainfall areas has been of long-standing interest to promote growth for wood/biomass and avoid disposal of nutrient-rich water to natural water bodies; and now most recently has a bioenergy emphasis. The study will draw on a large body of rotation-length growth and response data coupled with climatic and edaphic data, including profiles of soil salinity development with time, from irrigated field trials established in northern Victoria. Empirical and/or process-based response modelling approaches may be taken.
Contact: Dr Tom Baker
Biomass, litter and soil carbon changes following reforestation of agricultural grassland with Eucalyptus, Acacia and Pinus
The impact of reforestation on soils continues to be a contentious issue, particularly with respect to plantation monocultures and potential deleterious long-term impacts on soil quality and productivity. This project will utilize a 7 year-old field experiment planted in south-western Victoria providing for replicated comparison of Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia mearnsii and Pinus radiata. The work will require tree growth measurements together with application of existing (or newly developed) tree biomass allometric equations to estimate biomass, and litter and soil sampling and analysis.
Contact: Dr Tom Baker
Comparison of different types of invertebrate sampling methodologies
This study will examine the efficiency of traditional transect pitfall trap lines compared to circle design pitfall layout, as well as the relative efficacy of different methods of flight intercept trapping in various forest stratas. Different insect orders would be examined, as well as whether accuracy of data is maintained using different pitfall and flight intercept traps in a design layout. The study will assist in designing future invertebrate experimental work.
Contact: Nick Collett
Impacts of thinning regimes on invertebrate populations in Mountain ash forests
Thinning of ash forests for production is a regular component of forest management activities in the ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. However, despite it being a common management practice in such forests, very little is known of the impacts on invertebrates in general, both in the short and longer term. This study would aim to address this issue by assessing invertebrate populations in recently and older thinned stands to determine any potential impacts of this forest management practice.
Contact: Nick Collett
Reducing tree water use by pruning (foliage removal)
Pruning of lower branches enables the production of knot free wood. However, pruning can remove more than half of the canopy leaf area and thus slow growth and reduce the amount of water used by the tree. This project would estimate water use by measuring rates of sap flow and the cross sectional area of conducting tissue (sapwood).
Contact: David Forrester
Growth of a mixed species plantation of Blackwood and Douglas fir
The interactions that occur between different species in mixtures can lead to significant improvements in growth rates, tree form and wood quality, particularly when one of those species is capable of fixing nitrogen (such as Blackwood). This project will examine the growth and interactions in a mixture of Douglas fir and Blackwood. This could involve measurements of growth (diameter, heights, volume), and the resources for which trees compete, such as light, water and nutrients.
Contact: David Forrester or Mark Stewart
Designing a silvicultural regime for Poplar plantations
Several decades ago a couple of poplar trials were established to examine the effect of spacing on tree growth. These stands have now reached maturity and provide an ideal data set to examine the growth dynamics and competitive processes of this stand. This could involve relating tree growth to the competition it experiences from its neighbours. Measurements of crown size and leaf area may also be useful.
Contact: David Forrester
Regeneration and growth of native forests
Due to the differing shade tolerance of natural vegetation, species regeneration is influenced by the size of gaps in forested areas. For example, eucalypts require larger sized gaps for seedlings and saplings to develop, while wattles and other understorey species are more favoured by shading. Ideal gap sizes vary depending on the shade tolerance of the species. Young trees growing on gap edges, next to adult trees, will be shaded and hence grow more slowly or even die. This effect is often ignored when estimating species composition and growth rates of regenerating patches of native forests, but a high proportion of young trees can be affected by this competition, particularly if the gaps are small. This study will relate the growth and frequency of young eucalypts and understorey species to their distance from the gap edge in order to better understand ‘edge effect’ and the partitioning of productivity. Study sites will focus mainly on mountain ash forests near Tanjil Bren, in the Central Highlands, but could include mixed species forests at Cabbage Tree Creek, in East Gippsland.
Contact: David Forrester or Simon Murphy
Canopy efficiency of eucalypts growing in mixtures with nitrogen fixing acacia trees
Mixed species plantations of Eucalyptus with a nitrogen fixing species such as Acacia can be significantly more productive than Eucalyptus monocultures. This results from increased nutrient availability via nitrogen fixation and accelerated rates of nutrient cycling, and reduced competition for light. However, these factors only explain part of the growth response, there appears to be another factor that is also responsible, which is likely also to be linked to increases in canopy efficiency. This has not been examined in mixtures and would be the focus of the proposed project. This could involve gas exchange measurements of maximum rates of photosynthesis, electron transport, carboxylation efficiency and dark respiration. Additional data quantifying leaf nutrition and canopy shape and size would also be collected. This knowledge will provide information required for the growth modelling of mixed species plantations and would fill a knowledge gap currently existing in mixtures research.
Contact: David Forrester
The influence of competition on tree form in eucalypt plantations
The value of wood from trees is related to growth rates, wood quality and tree form. Many studies examine the effect of thinning, pruning or mixing species together on growth but few examine the influence of these treatments on tree form. The proposed study aims to examine the effect of neighbourhood competition on the form of individual trees by calculating competition indices and relating this to a tree’s size, branching habit and height to diameter ratio. This technique could be applied to several Eucalyptus plantations that have a range of thinning or pruning treatments or to mixed species plantations containing eucalypts with Acacia mearnsii or Acacia melanoxylon. The results will be used to design planting patterns that will facilitate the development of well formed trees.
Contact: David Forrester
Forest, plantation, and amenity tree health
Topics include:
• Evaluation of stream baiting techniques for Phytophthora spp.
• Examination of aspects of insect and fungal biodiversity in the Forest Gallery of the Museum of Victoria in Melbourne.
• Evaluation of insecticides against Essigella californica on Pinus radiata .
• Mundulla Yellows, a disease/disorder of Eucalyptus and other native species.
• Evaluation of fungicides against Armillaria species that cause significant tree and shrub losses in native forests and home gardens.
• Development of a bioassay for determining pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum to Canary Island Date Palms.
Contact: Ian Smith
Modelling stem form response to thinning in eucalypt plantations
Tree stem taper models have been commonly used in many computer-based decision support systems in forestry (forest yield models or simulators) to estimate various wood products (e.g. pulpwood, sawlogs, veneer logs). Traditionally, stem taper has been modeled as a generic, species-specific mathematical relationship between the relative underbark stem diameter and relative height along the stem of trees. Such generic taper models cannot account for the variation of stem form in different forest stands, particularly plantations with intensive silvicutural interventions (e.g. thinning, pruning). This study aims to: (i) investigate different biometric modelling approaches for improving the predictive ability of taper models in responses to thinning of eucalypt plantations, and (ii) to explore error structures of taper models under different modelling approaches. The project may require taking field measurements on stem tapers of sample trees, and associated tree or stand characteristics from eucalypt plantations with known silvicutural treatment histories.
Contact: Yue Wang
Long-term growth and yield responses of eucalypt plantations to establishment techniques (cultivation, weed control and fertilizer)
Growth and yield responses of eucalypt plantations to establishment techniques were studied in a series of plantation trials established on six contrasting sites in East Gippsland, Victoria. The trials incorporated cultivation, weed control and fertilizer treatments. Repeated measurements of tree diameter and height growth to age 10 years are available. The project aims: (i) to determine the long-term growth and yield responses of the trial plantations to establishment techniques; (ii) to compare appropriateness and usefulness of different statistical models for analysing the growth responses of eucalypt plantations to silvicultural interventions (e.g. classical ANOVA, regression, repeated measure analysis, generalized mixed model etc.); and (iii) to develop biometric models for predicting the growth and development of main stand growth characteristics (e.g., dominant height, basal area or stem volume) in responses to silvicultural treatments. The project may require field visits or taking new measurements from the plantation trials.
Contact: Yue Wang or Tom Baker
Modelling competitive effects of mature trees at edges and scattered overwood on dynamics and growth for regrowth native forests
Integration of ecosystem science into policy and practices is one of the fundamental changes occurring in forest management around the world in recent decades. For example, the use of variable retention or partial harvesting silvicultural systems mimics natural disturbance, such as wildfire, to leave scattered dead and live trees as habitats. In Victoria, the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production requires that local forest management plans and prescriptions consider retention of scattered habitat trees following harvesting in appropriate numbers and configurations. Recent studies, however suggest that retained live trees (over-wood) and older stands at edges (forested edges) have a competitive effect on the growth and development of regeneration. Currently, the actual effects on future dynamics and yield for most forest types are not well quantified. The objectives of this project are: (i) to investigate the effects of mature trees on the growth of young trees; (ii) to quantify the magnitude (growth reduction) of forested edge and over-wood effects on regrowth stands; and (iii) retrospectively evaluate the health of retained edge and habitat trees.
The project is likely to focus on 1939-origin Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests, located in the Central Highlands. The study will include: (i) sampling: using transects established perpendicularly 50 m into each regrowth sample stand - covering a range of sites, stand ages and overwood retention, (ii) data collection: on each transect, regrowth tree characteristics (i.e., species, diameter, height, crown dominance class) will be measured, along with the characteristics of the mature trees (edge and retained), and (iii) analysing and modeling: descriptive analysis will be used to identify any correlations, and a two-stage modeling approach adopted to develop predictive models.
Contact: Yue Wang or Simon Murphy
Implementation of operational tracking technology for improved operational efficiency.
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project will be a case study in the use onboard computers for operational tracking and operational management. The student would look at existing data collection opportunities, identify those most likely to deliver operational gains if measured and managed, implement the proposed management system and document the impacts.
Contact: Mark Brown
Evaluation of the accuracy of diameter measurement from multifunctional head in Australian harvesting operations
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project would evaluate the measurement accuracy of mechanical harvesters used under best practices. Based on the data collected the student will analyze the impact on the value recovery of the operation as a result of the recorded measurement errors.
Contact: Mark Brown
Evaluation of system productivity and cost as they relate to piece size in Eucalyptus plantation harvesting operations
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project would select one of the various systems used for the clear-fell of Eucalyptus plantations and conduct field evaluations to identify the productivity of the harvesting system across the range of typical plantation operating conditions. The study will identify the impact of tree size, tree form, slope, etc. and will exam the strengths and weaknesses of the system to provide recommendations on the most appropriate conditions for the harvesting system.
Contact: Mark Brown
An economical analysis on the viability of using harvest residue from plantation harvesting as a biomass feedstock
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project would examine the collection and transport of harvesting residue form plantation harvesting operations to determine the economic feasibility of using this as a feedstock for emerging biomass uses. The analysis will look at the range of technology available for the harvesting and transport of harvest residue, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each in the Australian plantation context and the distance the product could be transported while still providing a return to the land owner with the different systems. Based on the results the student would apply the results of the most economically viable options to the various key plantation areas in Australia to identify those areas with them most sustainable and economically viable opportunity for using harvesting residue.
Contact: Mark Brown
Impact on harvesting productivity and cost with increased product sorts
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project would evaluate the productivity of harvesting operations with various levels of product segregation in the operations to identify the impact of product sorts on the cost of operations. The analysis would look at what level of premium a product must return to justify additional sorts as the number of sorts increase and to what point is it likely to be economically feasible.
Contact: Mark Brown
Evaluation of fuel consumption within a forestry haul fleet
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project would collect the fuel consumption of a fleet of forestry trucks to identify the range of fuel consumptions in the fleet, identify potential root causes for the difference in fuel consumption and develop practical suggestion to improve the fuel use of the fleet for reduced fuel costs and emissions.
Contact: Mark Brown
A case study to identify the potential impacts of optimized logistic planning, scheduling and management methods in forestry transportation
Working with the CRC for Forestry, Harvesting and operations group and industry partners the student project would look at the results of an existing forest transportation operation and compare the costs, fuel use, fleet size, total tonne kilometers, etc. to the same operations simulated to an optimized schedule, to an optimized route and to a combined optimized route and schedule. Based on the results the student would examine the impact of each level of optimization and make observation on the costs and difficulties of each as they compare to the potential benefit identified.
Contact: Mark Brown