CQUniversity Australia - Resham Gautam

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Thesis Name: Selection of Native Species, and Development of Establishment Techniques for Revegetation of Disturbed Sites in Queensland

Thesis Abstract:

Increase in human population also increases developmental activities to meet the demands of the increased population. This will eventually result in clearing of existing vegetation leading to further degradation of the environment. For such degraded landscapes, revegetation by using native plant species could be a sustainable solution. However, seed germination, seedling survival and early establishment of native species are of great constraints for the successful revegetation programs. Selection of suitable native species for specific sites is another constraint in revegetation. Therefore, seed germination requirements of Australian native species were tested both in the laboratory and in the field, and the germination patterns have been compared. Potting media used for raising seedlings were tested for their water repellency and the remediation techniques to overcome hydrophobicity have been examined and the media were compared. A number of agronomic techniques to enhance survival and establishment of the sown/planted seedlings in the revegetation area were compared. An interactive decision making tool is being developed to assist in selecting right species for a given site, considering the climatic, soil and topographic requirements of the species.

Why my research is important/Impacts:

Degradation of the environment will continue to occur as the human population expands. With the increased developmental activities, the rate of clearing of vegetation will also increase. The rate of degradation of landscape in Central Queensland is particularly high due to the increased mining and grazing activities. Revegetation is the only available option to overcome the problem associated with the accelerated erosion and weed invasion of such cleared/degraded landscapes. Use of a few fast growing exotic species for revegetation is expensive and will result in the loss of precious biodiversity on the long run. If the germination requirement of the native species is understood and the seedling mortality in revegetation program is reduced, survival and establishment of the native species in revegetated programs can be improved. Development of an interactive decision making tool will also assist in selecting suitable native species for the sites to be revegetated. Use of native plant species will not only reduce the costs, but it will also contribute to re-establishing functional ecosystems on disturbed lands. The native species, despite having such potential to be used in revegetation programs, have not been utilised effectively. Our study, therefore, will enhance the use of native species in revegetation programs by optimising agronomic requirements of those species for use in revegetation programs.

Funding/Scholarship: Industrial Scholarship (Powerlink)