Research Seminar - Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

HIE SEMINAR – Thursday 13 September 2012

• Who: Dr Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra, School of Plant Science, UTAS, Hobart
• Seminar title: Eucalypt genetic influences: biotic interactions, extended effects and stability in variable environments
• When: Seminar - 3pm, Thursday 13 September; Documentary screening – 4pm, Thursday 13 September
• Where: Lecture Theatre G.21, Building L9, Hawkesbury Campus, UWS

This seminar will be immediately followed by the screening of the documentary – ‘A Thousand Invisible Cords’ (see below for more information)

Seminar abstract: Genetic variation in traits of dominant tree species can influence biotic interactions and have extended community and ecosystem effects. This talk will bring together research on plant/herbivore interactions, quantitative and molecular genetics, community ecology and foliar secondary chemistry to examine the effects of genetic variation in eucalypts on associated biota. The persistent stability of these genetic effects under variable environmental conditions will also be discussed.

Further information on Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra can be found via: http://www.utas.edu.au/plant-science/people/Julianne-OReilly-Wapstra

Documentary title - A Thousand Invisible Cords.
This documentary film is a scientific journey through the field of community and ecosystem genetics. This research discipline brings together ecology and genetics to show how genetic variation in a foundation tree species can have cascading effects throughout the associated community and ecosystem: ideas raised by Charles Darwin and John Muir but science now has the tools to demonstrate the effects. The film focuses on the northern hemisphere research of Professor Thomas Whitham, a long standing collaborator with the School of Plant Science at the University of Tasmania where complementary research using eucalypt systems is being explored. The film has been shown across 120 TV stations in the US and had its international premier at the State Cinema in Hobart for National Science Week.
http://athousandinvisiblecords.org/

Further information about the HIE Seminar series and committee can be accessed via: http://www.uws.edu.au/hie/events_and_seminars

No RSVP is required, we hope to see you all there.