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All projects in 'Restoring and maintaining balance in our natural environment'
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A cryptogenic species is one whose native range is unknown.
- Summary of the project
- Eligibility criteria
- Readings
- Contact the research team leader
- How to apply
- Scholarships
Summary of the project
This project aims to determine the introduction history of cryptogenic plants in Australia and apply this information to the management of the species. Traditionally plants have been described as native in Australia if they were present during the earliest botanical surveys following British colonisation. Recent research has revealed that many species were introduced by humans prior to this. These long-term alien species may have become so well integrated into ecosystems that they are indistinguishable from native species.
This project aims to determine the introduction history and post-introduction evolution and ecology of such species, based on multiple independent lines of evidence.
This information will be used to determine if the species are native or alien, and whether they need to be controlled, protected, or if no management is required. This will provide greater clarity in the requirements for management. This project will focus on a subset of one or two species, to serve more generally as a case study for management of species that were introduced to Australia prior to British colonisation.
Eligibility criteria
General UWA PhD entrance requirements can be found on the Future Students website.
Requirements specific to this project include:
- Ability and willingness to conduct field work in remote locations.
- Familiarity with basic molecular biology protocols, including DNA isolation and PCR.
- Experience with high-throughput sequencing is desirable.
Readings
- Bell KL, Rangan H, Fernandes MM, Kull CA, Murphy DJ. 2017. 2017 Chance long-distance or human-mediated dispersal? How Acacia s.l. farnesiana attained its pan-tropical distribution. R. Soc. Open Sci. 4, 170105.
- Bean AR. 2007. A new system for determining which plant species are indigenous in Australia. Aust. Syst. Bot. 20, 1–43. If you cannot access this paper, please contact Dr Karen Bell for a copy of the PDF.
- Webber BL, Scott JK. 2012. Rapid global change: implications for defining natives and aliens. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr. 21, 305–311.
- Trudgen MS, Webber BL, Scott JK. 2012. Human-mediated introduction of Livistona palms into central Australia: conservation and management implications. Proceedings. Biol. Sci. 279, 4115–7.
Contact the research team leader
Once you have ensured that you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to discuss a proposal, contact the research team leader to identify a potential supervisor.
- Research team leader: Dr Karen Bell
-
- I am a molecular ecologist with research interests in invasion biology, community ecology and plant-insect interactions. I am conducting research examining ancient human-mediated species dispersal into and around Australia. My research aims to provide a broader view of ecological history, to help with the management of ecosystems under anthropogenic change.
How to apply
After you have discussed your project with the research team leader you should be in a position to proceed to step two of the UWA application process: 'Lodge an application'.
Different procedures apply to domestic and international students.
Scholarships
Domestic students
All domestic students may apply for Research Training Program and University Postgraduate Awards (UPA) scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to Australian applicants for study in participating countries and regions.
International students
A range of scholarships are available from international organisations and governments. The full list, organised by country, is available on the Future Students website.
In addition, all international students may apply for International Research Training Program scholarships.
The Australian Government's Endeavour Awards and Scholarships are available to international applicants from participating countries and regions.
Indigenous students
Indigenous students are encouraged to apply for Indigenous Postgraduate Research Supplementary Scholarships.
Forrest Foundation scholarships
All international and Australian students who wish to study towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at The University of Western Australia may apply for Forrest Scholarships.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
