Download 2035 CRCR AnnRep 04-05.indd - Rainforest CRC

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PROGRAM
two
Functional Ecology and
Global Change
Led by Dr David Hilbert, CSIRO
Sustainable Ecosystems
Objective: To identify and quantify
(in biophysical terms) some of the key
ecosystem services provided to the
community by the north Queensland
rainforest, and to develop and apply
economic methodologies that can be
used to value these services. The aim is
to produce a framework within which
the impacts on key ecosystem services
from changing land use and climate
can be evaluated and incorporated
into regional planning.
Project 2.2 – Water Regulation as an Ecosystem
Device
Led by Dr David McJannet, CSIRO Land and Water
Catchments in the Wet Tropics region are complex
systems involving different land uses and various types
of vegetation. Rainforests often comprise a significant
proportion of the vegetation cover, particularly in upper
parts of catchments. The hydrology of different forest
types need to be understood if we are to plan for the
sustainable use of water resources in the Wet Tropics
bioregion. The effects of land cover change and climate
on regional hydrology is particularly vital for planning and
management.
This year’s work focused on three research sites
where measurements were taken on tree water usage,
groundwater fluctuations and climatic conditions. Water
quality data collection and favourable weather conditions
resulted in inundation of the forest types studied,
providing very useful unique data.
Results from research under Project 2.2 will provide
valuable information regarding the environmental factors
controlling the mosaic of forest types on the coastal
lowlands of the Wet Tropics bioregion. The ability of
these forests to act as filters for agricultural runoff is now
being recognised as being capable of reducing pollutant
loads to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The findings of
this research will highlight the importance of matching
forest type with local conditions and will become useful in
the planning of revegetation projects.
Research under Project 2.2 continues with preliminary
work completed, thereby enabling commencement of data
analysis and further refinement of research techniques.
A map of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from Project 2.5, showing
predicted changes in the distribution of species richness of regionally
endemic terrestrial invertebrates with increasing temperatures. With major
increases in temperature, the preferred habitat of a number of high altitude
Wet Tropics species may completely disappear, possibly driving these species
to extinction.
2004-2005 Annual Report
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Researchers of Project 2.2 are using heat balance collars
to measure water use by palm trees at a site near Euramo,
north Queensland, where seasonal water inundation
occurs (Image courtesy of David McJannet).
Mark Disher of CSIRO’s Davies Laboratory in Townsville
wades through flooded Melaleuca forest near Cowley Beach to
check on field monitoring equipment
(Image courtesy of David McJannet).
Project 2.2
Set Milestones
2004/2005
Achievements
2004/2005
Predicted Milestones
2005/2006
1. Preliminary assessment of the
importance of groundwater to the
functioning of major coastal forest
types.
Measurements of the interactions
between groundwater and forest water
use have been made in a Melaleuca
forest, palm forest and a rainforest on
coastal dunes.
Analysis of the factors controlling
forest water use on coastal lowlands
(i.e. groundwater inundation, climatic
variations).
2. Preliminary assessment of techniques With additional funding provided by
Analysis of palm tree water usage, and
used to measure and sample water
CSIRO Land and Water, instrumendevelopment of techniques to scale
use by palm trees.
tation for monitoring palm water use
analyses to overall forest water usage.
was developed and installed at palm tree
research site; the first such work
undertaken in the Wet Tropics.
3.
program two
Finalisation of measurements in
coastal forest types, including
removal of equipment and
development of database.
program two
Project 2.5 – Impacts of Climate Change on
Rainforest Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Led by Dr David Hilbert, CSIRO Sustainable
Ecosystems and Dr Steve Williams,
James Cook University
The issue of rapid climate change and its particular effects
on rainforest ecosystems has been the central focus of work
undertaken by Project 2.5 researchers since 2003/2004
as a continuation of Project 2.3 Regional Patterns and
Landscape Dynamics. Gaps exist in the knowledge
required for the continued effective preservation of the
unique biodiversity and ecosystems of the Wet Tropics and
other rainforests of Queensland. The overall objective of
Project 2.5 is to fill these gaps. Research focus includes:
•
An understanding of the climate effects and
requirements of upland rainforest types;
•
An understanding of the potential changes in the
distribution of upland forest types due to climate
change;
•
Knowledge of the extent and location of suitable
habitats for various species, including many endemic
species, during periods of climatic change;
•
Whether current conservation efforts and policies
will be effective with increased global warming and
changes in climate; and
•
Determining where interactions of global change
‘drivers’, including climate change, vegetation clearing,
invasions (weeds, feral animals, disease) and elevated
carbon dioxide levels, are particularly threatening to
plants and animals.
So far, predictive models have been developed using
presence-only data to provide information on species
distributions and their potential habitats for conservation
and management practices, particularly in relation to the
effects of climate change. However, these models have
some fundamental limitations. Consequently, researchers
developed a new predictive model, LIVES (limiting
variable and environmental suitability), for predicting
species’ habitat distribution and suitability. The model is
based on limiting factor theory (LFT) – that occurrence of
a species is only determined by the factor that most limits
the distribution of that species.
LIVES predicts the site suitability for a species in terms
of environmental conditions – it predicts the distribution
of suitable habitats for each species and also predicts the
limiting factor at each site. Following development of
LIVES, Project 2.5 researchers were invited to participate
in a large, international study sponsored by the National
Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in the United
States.
The Project’s leadership in the area of climate change
impacts this year resulted in Dr David Hilbert leading
a workshop hosted by the Commonwealth Department
of the Environment and Heritage to prioritise national
research into the impacts of climate change.
Research under Project 2.5 continues into 2005/2006
with a number of major publications planned relating to
the impacts of climate change on Wet Tropics biota and
methods developed to predict habitat distribution in both
present and future climatic conditions.
Project 2.5
Set Milestones
2004/2005
Achievements
2004/2005
Predicted Milestones
2005/2006
1. Development of distribution models
for key selected taxa/processes that
incorporate climate change
predictions and biotic processes.
Distribution models were developed
for several species of vertebrates using
abundance data. A new habitat
modelling method was developed,
tested and submitted for publication.
International collaboration achieved on
testing of methods used to predict
species distribution.
Several key publications relating to
climate change impacts on Wet
Tropics biota, and development of
methodology to predict habitat
distributions for present and future
climatic conditions.
2. Completion of a second year of
field sampling and monitoring.
Completion of field sampling and
monitoring.
2004-2005 Annual Report