Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia

Rohan Mellick

Supervisors
Dr Maurizio Rossetto, Prof. A. Lowe (University of Adelaide) & Prof. R. Hill (University of Adelaide)

Degree
PhD

University
University of Adelaide

Project Title
Comparing and contrasting molecular and fossil data in Podocarpus elatus

Keywords
Podocarpus, Podocarpaceae, phylogeography, palaeoecology, rainforest, gymnosperm, bioclimatic modelling, climate change

Project details
The project endeavours to understand how the distribution of Podocarpus has responded to Quaternary climate change. This will aid in predicting how their habitat (mesic rainforest) is going to respond to future climate change, in particular global warming. The three components illustrate three disciplines of the project:

  1. Phylogeography/Population Genetics: To investigate the geographic structure of genetic variation in Podocarpus elatus and its underlying causes, over time.
  2. Palaeoecology: To examine temporal changes in distribution patterns of fossil pollen from the genus Podocarpus.
  3. Bioclimatic Modelling: To develop predictive scenarios through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and various modelling algorithms across broader habitats.

Distributional changes in the past leave discrete signatures in a population (i.e. frequently refugial or relictual populations will have a higher level of genetic diversity than more derived or recently established populations) and by observing the characteristics of each population and the similarities between them, the direction of expansion and contraction is often able to be revealed. The presence of fossil pollen within sediments of known geological age can position the genus both temporally and spatially (to a lesser degree). Using current occurrence data, an environmental envelope for the taxa can be developed and projected on to past and future climatic estimates.

Contact details
National Herbarium of New South Wales
Mrs Macquaries Road
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Phone
+61 (02) 9231 8147

Email
rohan.mellick@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

       rohan mellick
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