BVB225 Week 3 Plant Families and Regional Ecosystems Lecture PDF

BVB225 Ecosystems and Biodiversity Week 3 Identifying Australian Plant families CRICOS No.00213J Jennifer Firn Faculty of Science Jennifer.firn@qut....

BVB225 Ecosystems and Biodiversity Week 3 Identifying Australian Plant families CRICOS No.00213J Jennifer Firn Faculty of Science [email protected] Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners I acknowledge the Turrbal and Yugara Peoples as the First Nations owners of the lands where QUT now stands. I pay respect to their Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits. I recognise that these lands have always been places of teaching, research and learning. I acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play within the QUT community.  4 Plant Families - Australia Proteaceae Myrtaceae Rutaceae Asteraceae Mimosaceae Fabaceae Lamiaceae Poaceae Liliaceae CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  5 Proteaceae Small shrubs, ground covers or large trees Many species produce abundant nectar (used to make a sweet drink) Most are pollinated by birds (honeyeaters) Common genera: Banksia Hakea Grevillea Telopea CRICOS No.00213J Grevillea banksia, Hakea sericea, Banksia robur Faculty of Science  ot Modifications Root modifications  Rutaceae 9 Rue or citrus family Small to medium woody shrubs/trees >300 species Boronia sp. Correa sp. CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  10 Rutaceae Key features Leaves opposite, aromatic Flowers in groups of 4 or 5, stamens double Bisexual, ovary superior Fruit often dry and leathery Splits into segments at maturity, or berry (citrus) Small capsules – release seeds quickly CRICOS No.00213J Flindersia australis Faculty of Science  11 Rutaceae Citrus spp. Citrus australis – native lime Citrus australasica – Australian finger lime CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  12 Asteraceae Largest angiosperm family 20,000 to 25,000 species globally Daisies Mostly herbs, some shrubs/small trees Drier, subtropical regions, insect or wind pollinated *characteristic chemical defence – polyacetates, oils, sesquiterpine lactones (bitter) *annuals or perennials CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  13 Asteraceae Key features Flower heads complicated On a common base surrounded by one or more rows of bracts Bract = a modified leaf scale, yellow, orange, pink, white 3 types of corolla Disc florets Ray florets Ligulate florets CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  14 Asteraceae CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  15 Asteraceae CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  16 Asteraceae Key features Fruits in large quantities, often attached to a parachute Effective wind dispersal Calyx modified as pappus of scales, bristles, barbs, hairs (dispersal) CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  17 Perianth (non-reproductive part of the flower) Corolla-petals CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  18 Fabaceae The bean/pea family, third largest plant family in the world Faba in latin means bean ~19000 species Herbs, shrubs, trees, vines Most habitats Leguminosae (older family name that is still considered valid) CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  19 Fabaceae Key features Various inflorescences but characteristic pea flower 5 petals, 10 stamen Ovary superior Simple or compound leaves (pinnate or palmate) Fruit commonly a pod (legume) Seeds with an elaiosome CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  20 Fabaceae http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sf&name=Faboideae CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science Typical pea flowers  21 Fabaceae The pea key https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/key- server/player.jsp?keyId=5&thumbnails =true CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  22 Lamiaceae Mint family Herbs, shrubs, small trees 3500 species Genera Prostanthera Westringia Plecanthrus Herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme, even catnip CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  23 Lamiaceae Key features Stems square in cross section Leaves strongly aromatic, oils produced by glandular hairs Leaves opposite Bilateral corolla symmetry, 5 petals 4 stamen Flowers in clusters – mauve, purple, white Two-lipped, open mouthed, tubular corolla (petals fused) or Five-lobed bell-like calyx (fused sepals) Prostanthera sp., Westringia sp. CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  24 Lamiaceae CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science Westringia fruitosa Coastal rosemary Grows on exposed cliffs  26 Poaceae Grasses Challenging to identify Different features, more terminology Huge ecological and economical importance ~10,000 species In modern times, the most economically important plant family in modern times providing forage, building materials and fuel, as well as food. Corn, wheat and rice are grasses. CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  27 Poaceae Simplified grass plant Stems have solid nodes & hollow internodes Each node bears a single leaf that sheaths the stem Ligule present at junction of blade and sheath small flap of tissue CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  28 Poaceae Inflorescence CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  29 Poaceae Spikelets Florets (flower—seed bearing part of a grass) 2 lower glumes (bracts) Lemma and palea Stamens - usually 3 2 styles with large feathery stigmas CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  30 Poaceae CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  31 Poaceae Pollination and Dispersal: Wind pollinated and dispersed Awns - animals Many self pollinate Reproduce vegetatively - rhizomes CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  32 Poaceae Grasslands: Open canopy Diverse ground cover – grasses, lilies, orchids and herbs Bare ground, litter, logs, rocks Vulnerable or endangered ecological communities High % of temperate grasslands damaged High importance in landscape Habitat Grazing Structure Ecosystem services – carbon storage, water infiltration, soil erosion CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  33 Poaceae The Grass key https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/ AusGrass/key/AusGrass/Media/Html/ Ausgrass%20welcome.htm CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  34 Liliaceae - Group Lilies, rushes Arising from a bulb, corm, tuber or rhizome CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  35 Lilies Numerous families in SEQ Blandfordiaceae Colchicaceae Hemerocallidaceae Johnsoniaceae Laxmanniaceae Luzuriagaceae Phormiacea Dianella caerulea Blue flax lily CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  36 Liliaceae Key features Leaves linear, grass-like Flowers radial symmetry, bisexual Inflorescence often raceme Perianth (no reproductive part of the flower) 2 whorls of 3 tepals 6 stamen Superior ovary Arthropodium sp. Fruit – capsule or berry CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  37 Diversity? Biodiversity is more than a list of species Genetics, interactions + functions Makes human life on Earth possible Scientific Economic Recreation Ecological life-support e.g. oxygen, pollination CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  38 Diversity? Biodiversity loss has impacts Reduce efficiency of biomass production and decomposition Species differ in the way they capture energy and nutrients Reduce resilience to change Reduce recovery after shock CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Australian Biodiversity 8 A broad range of land systems Geologically complex Many different climatic zones A prolonged period of isolation in its long geological history Prolonged weathering, deleted soils Extraordinarily rich and largely endemic biota Bioregions *Crystals of zircon discovered recently in Western Australia have been dated to 4.374 billion years CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Australian 9 Bioregions Interim Biogeographic Regionalization for Australia IBRA https://environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra/australias-bioregions-maps Many features, not just vegetation CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  10 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Australian 11 Vegetation Communities? Tropical, subtropical, dry and temperate rainforests Woodlands Shrublands Heathlands Grasslands Desert CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Scale of classification 12 Large to small scale, a continuum Broad groups, structural features Broad classes and sub classes, floristic/taxonomic features Plant communities, species level, homogenous CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Australian 13 Vegetation Communities CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Australian Vegetation 14 Communities CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Queensland Vegetation 15 https://www.des.q ld.gov.au/ data/assets/ pdf_file/0029/819 29/descriptions- of- broad- vegetation- groups.pdf CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  44 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  17 Classification Types Physiognomic Structural, size, shape, canopy, leaf type, stratum forest, grassland Taxonomic Dominant taxonomic type of plant combined with structure Eucalypt woodland Conceptual Function, climate combined with taxonomy and structure Rainforest, Dry Schlerophyll Forest CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Structural 18 Classification CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Structural 19 Classification Foliar Protected Cover (FPC) Measurement of area shaded by canopy Open canopy = FPC 70% CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Structural Classification 20 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Structural 21 Classification Stratum = distinct height class in the vegetation must have a crown cover ≥5% Upper, mid and ground are the major forms Hnatiuk, et al., 2009 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Structural 22 Classification Leaf type – Sclerophyll leaves Rigidity Thickness Waxiness Oil glands Long-lived High leaf mass/area Unpalatable CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  23 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  24 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Heathlands and Shrublands 25 Common in Australia uncommon in QLD - shrublands Infertile &/or waterlogged sites generally coastal Diversity of shrub species trees absent Medium to dense layer Banksia, Melaleuca, Acacia, Poa CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  26 Woodlands Open forest: foliage cover < 10% Tree canopy height 10 to 30m Sparse shrub layer Ground layer can be highly diverse Grasses, herbs, orchids, lilies On undulating plains, slopes, rocky ranges and plateaus Acacia, Mallee, Banksia, Casuarina woodlands CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  27 Grasslands Open woodlands, tussock grasslands, hammock grasslands Flat to gently undulating plains Grasslands are highly species rich – grass, herbs, lilies CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Dry Sclerophyll Forest 28 Associated with low soil fertility (not necessarily low rainfall) Undesirable for agriculture Eucalypt dominated Understory of grass or sclerophyll species hard, short and often spiky leaves Telopea, Banksias, Acacia, Melaleuca Bushfires play a vital role in CRICOS No.00213J regeneration Faculty of Burn more frequently but Science gently  Wet Sclerophyll Forest 29 Grow in high rainfall areas on moderately fertile soils Sclerophyllous tree canopy - Eucalypts Understorey of soft-leaved, mesophyllous shrubs, fern and herbs Fire regimes: kill adult trees but synchronies growth of seedlings CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Vegetation 30 Continuum CRICOS No.00213J Keith & Sanders (1990) Faculty of Science  Factors Affecting Biodiversity 32 Resource availability e.g. moisture, soil fertility Geology Climate Disturbance – temporal change in environmental conditions - flood, fire, landslide liberate resources and create space Encourage regeneration Biotic Interactions – competition, predation, mutualisms Community stability CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Australian Vegetation Communities 33 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Climate and Vegetation 34 Temperature affects how plants utilise water, nutrients & light Temperature variation (daily and seasonally) increases with increasing distance from the sea Vegetation patterns relate to regional temperature patterns Latitudinal gradient CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Climate and Vegetation 35 Spatio-temporal variations in rmoisture availability seasonal water availability influences species distribution predominate growth period at different times of the year Local water availability: slope, exposure (sun + wind), soil permeability Too much water: waterlogged soil Latitudinal gradient CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Latitude and Vegetation 36 Higher diversity in the tropics Terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP) controlled largely by temperature and seasonality NPP increases from near zero at the poles to a maximum in the lowland wet tropics High NPP ecosystems may have higher biodiversity because more species can obtain sufficient resources to maintain viable populations Tropics warm + moist vs desert hot + dry CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Disturbance and Vegetation 37 Disturbance Disrupts ecosystem, community or population structure, but is a much needed component of any habitat Disrupts/changes habitat and resource availability Decrease predators/competition Increase resources Biotic or abiotic predation, herbivory, competition, invasion (living) fire, wind, drought, flood, erosion, pollution (non-living) CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Disturbance and Vegetation 38 Characteristics Intensity – magnitude/severity Frequency Duration Predictability (adaptability) Distribution Synergy CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  39 Fire Disturbance Intensity - most important for causing ecological change Fuel heat yield: grasses vs. wood Weight of fuel: input vs. output vs. time since last fire Distribution Weather (moisture content, wind) Frequency Changed – land use Synergy Drought (moisture content, available fuel) CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Fire Consequence 40 Most Australian biota are adapted to fires - to survive or reproduce High‐severity fires may homogenise species composition landscapes dominated by disturbance‐tolerant or rapidly colonizing species Mixed‐severity fires may increase local species diversity by creating mosaic landscapes habitats that support species with differing environmental tolerances & dispersal traits CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science Fire is an important tool for management of Australian vegetation Aboriginal peoples across the country used fire as a management tool to refresh and cultivate plants and entire ecosystems Adaptation to Fire 41 Thick bark Seed banks (serotony/soil) Dormant buds (epicormic growth) Lignotubers Buried rhizomes Dormant bulbs (orchids) Serotiny = seed release in response to an environmental trigger rather than spontaneously at seed maturation CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  Adaptation to Fire 42 Thick bark Seed banks (serotiny/soil) Dormant buds (epicormic growth) Lignotubers Buried rhizomes Dormant bulbs (orchids) CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  43 Land clearing Land clearing for pasture and livestock Over 30 plus years, immediate financial gains reduced longer term as soil declined (Sanga et al. 2005) diversity down litter production down return of N and P down microbial biomass down Retaining crop residue can increase production value and improve ESS provision of groundcover, soil carbon and nitrogen supply (Kragt et al 2014) CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  44 CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science  43 Land clearing Over 50% of forest has been cleared in Australia---one of the worst clearing rates in the world. CRICOS No.00213J Faculty of Science Statewide Landcover and Trees Study