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Lyndlee Easton
Contact Details
Research
Life histories and reproductive strategies of plants in the desert and halophytic genus
Frankenia (Frankeniaceae) in Australia.
I am studying the ecology, life histories and reproductive strategies of Australian plant species in the genus
Frankenia (in particular seed germination strategies) under the supervision of Dr
Sonia Kleindorfer and Dr Kathy Schuller.
Australia has more species of Frankenia than does any other continent. It occurs in Mediterranean and desert climatic regions and on specialised soil types, commonly on saline and gypseous soils.
Frankenia are small shrubs, sub-shrubs or herbs, and are found in a variety of habitats such as coastal cliffs, dry creek beds, and on the margins of salt lakes, salt pans and salt marshes.
The project has two primary aims:
- to examine the extent of variation in seed size and number among species of
Frankenia and to test hypotheses concerning the consequences of such variation for seedling establishment under different conditions. Considerable interspecific variation in seed size and number is known to occur among species of
Frankenia in Australia. This variation, coupled with the broad range of specialised habitats occupied by different species, makes
Frankenia an ideal group in which to study ecological and evolution of reproductive patterns. Larger seeds for example, are often thought to confer a greater chance of establishment in the face of competitors, drought, shade and defoliation. We will test whether large seeds provide an advantage under various simulated drought and salinity conditions that are faced by plants of the different species of
Frankenia.
- to examine the ability of various species to cope with conditions of high
salinity at various life history strategies, in particular the seed and seedling stage, and to determine how plant responses to salinity are influenced by seed size. The results of this aspect of the study are very likely to be of practical significance, since halophytic and salt marsh plants such as
Frankenia are likely to play an important role in reclamation programs associated with increasing salinity problems and for mine-site revegetation. The results should establish the suitability of
Frankenia for cultivation in coastal and arid zone areas, particularly salt affected areas and in soils high in lime.
Recently there has been an increase in interest concerning the use of halophytes for revegetation, due to problems caused by increasing salinization. The results of this study, as well as furthering our knowledge of the ecology of halophytes, have several practical applications, including;
- to assist in the rehabilitation and revegetation of areas affected by salinisation.
- to assist in mine-site revegetation and rehabilitation in arid areas. Developing our understanding of the ways in which germination rates and seedling establishment are affected by
salinity and soil type should lead to the development of improved protocols for revegetation programs;
- to assist in the development of conservation management plans for rare species such as
F. plicata and;
- to encourage the cultivation of attractive species such as F. pauciflora, F,
connata, F. setosa and F. magnifica. Although only a few Australian species are cultivated, many have potential uses in gardens and as container plants. In particular
Frankenia may also become more popular because of their tolerance to saline and drought conditions.
Publications and Presentations
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ESA Conference, Brisbane
2005 – Poster Presentation “Frankenia! Does it have a common name?
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ESA Conference, Armidale
2003 – Oral presentation “Seed size, germination, and seedling growth of
Australian species of the desert and halophyte plant genus Frankenia”.
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ESA Conference, Cairns 2002 – Poster presentation “Effects of temperature and age on germination of seeds of Frankenia.”
Supervisors
Dr Sonia
Kleindorfer
Dr Kathy Schuller
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