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Download 2035 CRCR AnnRep 04-05.indd - Rainforest CRC
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22 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 23 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