In this section:
Plant Ecology
The Plant Ecology subprogram provides research and advice across government, NGOs and the community regarding the ecology of aquatic and riparian vegetation in freshwater dependant ecosystems in southern Australia. The main aim of the subprogram is to undertake high quality applied research on the ecology of aquatic and riparian vegetation in freshwater dependant ecosystems to aid in the conservation and management of the aforementioned systems. Click here to download the Plant Ecology Subprogram capability statement (.pdf).
Overview
The subprogram conducts a wide range of research projects relating to the ecology of aquatic and riparian vegetation including impacts of altered hydraulic regimes, environmental water requirements, impacts of increased salinity, effects of engineered flooding, impacts of drought on aquatic ecosystems, baseline vegetation surveys and condition and intervention monitoring.
Projects undertaken by the subprogram have close links and collaborations with state and federal agencies and community groups including the Murray Darling Basin Commission, CSIRO Land and Water, South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Department for Environment and Heritage, Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Primary Industries and Resources SA and the Mid Murray, Riverland West, Berri Barmera and Loxton to Bookpurnong Local Action Planning Committees.
Current Research Projects
- 2008-Present Day: Vegetation condition monitoring, Lower Lakes Living Murray Icon Site.
- 2008-Present Day: An evaluation of the proposed Chowilla Creek environmental regulator on terrestrial understorey and aquatic vegetation.
- 2007-Present Day: Environmental water requirements of Mt Lofty Ranges streams.
- 2006-Present Day: Vegetation condition monitoring Chowilla Living Murray Icon Site.
- 2006-Present Day: Vegetation dynamics of submergent macrophytes in Lake George.
- 2005-Present Day: Fish habitat assessment of SA River Murray from NSW border to Wellington.
- 2005- Present Day: Vegetation monitoring of Chowilla river red gum watering sites.
Recent Publications
Marsland, K.B. and Nicol, J.M. (2008a). '2007 River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey. Vegetation Component.' South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), SARDI Publication Number F2008/000058, Adelaide.
Marsland, K.B. and Nicol, J.M. (2008b). 'Markaranka Flat Baseline Vegetation Survey.' South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), SARDI Publication Number F2008/000059-1, Adelaide.
Nicol, J. (2007a) 'Risk of pest plant recruitment as a result of the operation of Chowilla environmental regulator.' South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), SARDI Publication Number F2007/000253-1, Adelaide.
Nicol, J., Muston, S., D'Santos, P., McCarthy, B. and Zukowski, S. (2007). The impact of sheep grazing on the soil seed bank of a managed ephemeral wetland: implications for management. Australian Journal of Botany 55: 103-109.
Nicol, J.M. (2007b) 'Current Ecological Knowledge of the Flora of Coastal Lagoon Estuary Systems in South-Eastern Australia. A Literature Review.' South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), SARDI Publication Number F2007/000252-1, Adelaide.
Staff
Dr Jason Nicol, Subprogram Leader
Mr Arron Strawbridge, Senior Technical Officer
Contact
Dr Jason Nicol
Subprogram Leader
Tel: (08) 8207 5319 Fax: (08) 8207 5481
PO Box 120 Henley Beach SA 5022
E-mail: jason.nicol@sa.gov.au
