Rainforest Research Project #1
The Private Life of the Peach Myrtle
The Peach Myrtle is a small tree with some big secrets. Between 60 and 70 small populations grow high on the volcanic ash soils on the southern end of the Mount Warning Caldera in northern New South Wales.
 Peach Myrtle |
The Peach Myrtle is an attractive plant with pink new growth and white flowers that change to a beautiful shade of pink magenta. But while scientists have known about the species since the 1950s, very little is known about how it reproduces.
This research is vital if we are to ensure the survival and sensitive management of this endangered rainforest tree.
Could the numerous stems that make up the remaining populations belong to the same individual? In other words, are they clones? The findings might change the way we think about mortality and aging - in fact, for the Peach Myrtle, the concept of death might be entirely irrelevant!
There are plenty of other questions that have got scientists stumped. For instance, why is the plant missing from areas that appear to offer suitable habitat?
"A study of the biology and ecology of the endangered rainforest tree Uromyrtus australis. (Life-history, Persistence, and Survivorship of the endangered rainforest tree Uromyrtus australis A.J. Scott in naturally fragmented habitats an evolutionary perspective). Thesis development with University of New England, supervisor Dr Peter Clarke. Genetic work on this species will be undertaken by Dr Maurizio Rossetto and Robert Kooyman after completion of the population biology and demographic aspects of the current study.
- Rainforest Research #2 - Walking with Rainforests
- Rainforest Research #3 - Discovery of the Nightcap Oak
- Rainforest Research #4 - Vital Science for Big Scrub Landcarers
- Rainforest Research #5 - Genetic Footprints of Rainforest Trees
[ Back to Top ]
