Dr Philip Ladd

Room: PhSc/3.036

Research

1. Plant ecology - community ecology, population biology and pollination ecology.

2. Palaeobotany - mainly palynology past vegetation history, paleaoclimates based on vegetation reconstruction.

3. Conservation biology of the rare plant Lambertia orbifolia (with CALM).

Projects

1. Examination of the local effect of parasitic plants on the community in which they grow.

2. Biogeography of cushion plants in the south west of WA.

3. Reproductive biology of rare Proteaceae in the Albany region (with Dept of CALM). Students would need to have their own car and be willing to use it for travel to Albany.

Main Roads Project 1

Project Aim
A To evaluate the effectiveness of past revegetation works by Main Roads.

B. Outcomes
A documented record is produced on the effectiveness of past revegetation undertaken by Main Roads.
Effectiveness of revegetation undertaken by Main Roads is evaluated by an independent party.
An evaluation method (rigorous) is developed for future use by Main Roads.
A working relationship is established with university.
Corporate knowledge base on revegetation is increased.
Case study is provided for the MR Public Environment Report.

C. Objectives
Establish contact with University and interest in project as a post graduate research topic.
Develop success criteria/checklist for evaluation of past revegetation sites.
Identify past revegetation sites (eg past 20 years) in SW regions.
Evaluate past revegetation sites using success criteria and record the methods used.
Report on research findings and evaluations.
Document evaluations and success criteria/checklist for future use.

D. Timing
Commencement in 2006.
Timeframe for completion to be defined.

E . Support
Contribution in kind, via access to regional sites and support of Main Roads and or to cover ancillary costs, to be discussed when refining the scope of the project.

Main Roads Project 2

A. Project Aim
To evaluate the effectiveness of methods to stabilise batters for revegetation.

B. Outcomes
A documented record is produced on the effective methods for local use (Metropolitan and similar environments).> Corporate knowledge base on revegetation is increased.
A working relationship is established with University.> Case study is provided for the MR Public Environment Report.

C . Methods/scope of work
Review literature and web resources (at desktop level) on current methods used to stabilise roadside batters at the local, national and international level.
Identify and contact (by phone and email) experts/sources of knowledge in this field at the local, national and international level.
Develop criteria for evaluation of methods.
Identify and evaluate the methods used locally (MR projects over last twenty years) using criteria.
Report on research findings and evaluations.
Document the effective methods for local use (Metropolitan and similar environments).

D. Timing
Commencement of project in 2006. Timeframe for completion to be defined.

E. Support
Contribution in kind, via access to regional sites and support of Main Roads and or to cover ancillary costs, to be discussed when refining the scope of the project.

A number of projects are available in cooperation with Department of Environment (Perth Region) in relation to reserve management. In particular there is one project on the effect of bird damage on the health of Xanthorrhoea species in a number of reserves.

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