Full Title
Genetic variation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a floodplain forest
Student
Rachel McEvoy
Supervisors
Gavin Rees, Yvonne Parsons, Darren Baldwin
Funding Body
This project is supported as part of a Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities (CERF) significant project. The project also involves close collaboration with Dr Simon Southerton and Dr Shannon Dillon (CSIRO Plant Industries).
Duration
Completed July 2009
Outcomes
Honours
Summary
Extensive floodplains exist in the Murray Darling Basin that are important in maintaining the hydrology of river systems, as well as sustaining healthy aquatic and terrestrial communities of plants and animals. The condition of floodplain forests in low rainfall areas is maintained by flooding, but human intervention has changed the extent and timing of floods. The aim of the project is to determine population structure of E. camaldulensis (river red gum) in Yanga National Park, a large river red gum forest on the lower Murrumbidgee river, where low rainfall and managed flows (reduced flow) have given rise to trees ranging from healthy to highly stressed. Rachel will assess genetic change and adaptation of populations of river red gum in response to managed flow and prolonged periods of reduced inundation.
