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Laura’s island stay studies palm tree DNA
A University of the Sunshine Coast student has literally climbed mountains to complete her Honours research into a vulnerable Australian palm tree.
USC Environmental Science graduate Laura Simmons, 25, spent a fortnight on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, 500km east of Port Macquarie, to do fieldwork on the Big Mountain Palm.
The endemic species is found on the mountainous island above altitudes of 400 metres to the cloud forest-covered summits.
Ms Simmons did the field work with her supervisor, USC Senior Lecturer in Vegetation and Plant Ecology Dr Alison Shapcott, in collaboration with a team including scientists from the New South Wales Government and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England.
“We gathered evidence of demographic variation in the different populations of the palm, such as their growth rate, amount of fruit produced and seedling numbers,” said the Peregian Beach student.
“The integration of this ecological data with the genetic information about the species will help paint a picture of the state of this species, especially under the threat of changed climatic conditions.
“It was amazing to be living on an island with such a stunning blend of flora. This was definitely a highlight of my University degree and a fantastic opportunity to work with international scientists on a conservation project.”
Ms Simmons, who has worked in bush regeneration and on Fraser Island, said the combination of ecological and genetic survey processes were transferable to regions like the Sunshine Coast, which also has rare flora species possibly threatened by climate change.
“I’ve finished the genetics lab work on campus and I’m analysing the results,” she said.
“Early indications show the differences in the species are more subtle than we expected.”
Dr Shapcott said the research aimed to find the strengths and weaknesses of the species in its distribution area, where temperature and moisture levels may be altered by climate change.
– Julie Gatehouse