The 2008 Paddy Pallin Foundation Science Grant has been awarded to Rachael Gallagher, Plant Ecology Researcher, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW   2109.  Below is a brief description of her project.

  The ecology of climbing plants in littoral rainforests of eastern Australia

Climbing plants are among the most familiar features of rainforest plant communities, yet surprisingly little is known about the ecology of this important group, particularly in a subtropical Australian context. Historically, progress in the research of climbing plants has been hampered by the poor perception of this functional group in the forestry industry, and by the logistical difficulties associated with data collection in the field.

 The field work component of my PhD focuses on the species composition and traits of native and exotic climbing plants in endangered littoral rainforest communities in eastern Australia. Owing to their proximity to the coast, littoral rainforests are often shorter in height and structurally less complex than their inland subtropical counterparts. Nevertheless, littoral rainforests harbour a high diversity of climbing plant species, making them an ideal community in which to study vine dynamics.

 The extent of littoral rainforest has been dramatically reduced by coastal development and sand mining, and it is presently found only in small, fragmented patches dotted along the coast. Fortunately, these areas are now protected under NSW and Federal environmental legislation. That relatively little research concerning littoral rainforest has been undertaken is, however, a potential impediment to its continued conservation. Increasing our knowledge of littoral rainforest through an understanding of climbing plant dynamics, and thus contributing to the conservation of this unique community is my motivation as a researcher.

 The primary aim of my research is to quantify differences in climbing plant traits and species composition along a minimum temperature gradient in subtropical Australia. Ecological strategies of native and non-native climbing plants will be compared along the gradient to assess the role of climate in structuring climbing plant communities. These findings will be used in conjunction with species distribution modeling to estimate the effect on climbing plant species of projected changes in climate in Eastern Australia. Understanding the response of climbing plants to anthropogenically induced climate change is critical for predicting the impact of compositional changes upon the integrity of littoral rainforest.

  >   For more information on Rachael visit her website