Category Archives: Regeneration

Sieving the seeds of the future

Posted on 26/04/2012 by

I did something the other day that I haven’t done for ages. I spent the morning gazing down my old microscope, separating intact from dodgy Acacia seeds. Like other ecologists, I’ve searched for seeds in different ways. I’ve spread soil … Continue reading →

Posted in Acacia, Ecology, Eucalyptus, Fire, Forest, Forest history, Regeneration, Research, Seed banks, Seeds, Succession, Woodland | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

There’s a wetland in my grassland

Posted on 28/03/2012 by

How often do you need to see a species, before you view it as being ‘characteristic’ of a particular ecosystem? Some species are widespread and abundant. Others occur sparsely, but are found only in one ecosystem. Some of these sparse … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Grassland, Juncus, Regeneration, Seed banks, Seeds, Wetland, Woodland | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Super Seeds

Posted on 02/03/2012 by

If you could choose a Super Power what would you choose? Incredible speed, rubber arms, hulking strength or maybe X-ray vision? If I had the chance, I’d want to produce seeds. And not just any seeds. I’d want seeds that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Grassland, Regeneration, Restoration, Seed banks, Seeds, Themeda | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Stake your future

Posted on 21/10/2011 by

Forty years ago a young PhD student left a great legacy. She did all the things that PhD students are supposed to do. She wrote a great thesis, and put a copy in the library for others to read. Better … Continue reading →

Posted in Acacia, Allocasuarina, Ecology, Encroachment, Monitoring, Regeneration, Succession, Woodland | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interact, said the tortoise to the hare

Posted on 09/10/2011 by

Predicting how ecosystems will change as climate change progresses is a major challenge. A popular view is that species will move from warmer to cooler regions – towards the alps and poles – as global warming intensifies. We can think … Continue reading →

Posted in Callitris, Climate change, Ecology, Eucalyptus, Fire, Forest, Regeneration, Research, Succession | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Growing old in a shrubland: gravity always wins

Posted on 18/09/2011 by

It’s sunny, it’s Sunday, and I’m writing a blog. How sad is that? Fortunately it’s not too bad as I’ve spent a couple of weeks in the field soaking up vitamin D. In lieu of an armchair ecology blog, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Acacia, Cassinia, Ecology, Encroachment, Passive regeneration project, Regeneration, Research, Succession | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Bush encroachment: a global view

Posted on 28/05/2011 by

Encroachment, thickening, desertification, densification, woody weed invasion. There’s no shortage of names for the process. But until lately there’s been a shortage of views on how dense regeneration by woody plants affects the world’s ecosystems. The dominant view can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Encroachment, Passive regeneration project, Regeneration, Research, Restoration | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Chronosequences: travelling forward in space and time

Posted on 15/05/2011 by

I had a fantastic day in the field last week: beautiful weather, great company and lots to see and learn. PhD student, Lisa Smallbone, took her supervisory team, Alison Matthews, John Morgan and I, to visit her field sites. Lisa … Continue reading →

Posted in Cassinia, Ecology, Encroachment, Forest, Forest history, Historical ecology, Passive regeneration project, Regeneration, Research, Succession | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment