Past Events

Structure of plant communities in edaphic and alpine deserts of the Japanese Archipelago

A talk by Zaal Kikvidze from The University of Tokyo co-authored with M. Suzuki,¹ Y. Shimono,² M. Sukeno³ and G. Kudo³ (¹The University of Tokyo; ²Kyoto University; ³Hokkaido University).

Abstract

Desert-like landscapes, created by recent volcanic activity (volcanic deserts) or directional, strong and frequent winds (often in alpine areas), are not uncommon for Japanese archipelago. In these severe environments we can see primary successions (such as colonisation of exposed, bare ground, facilitative effects among plants). Only a few tolerant species can colonise these harsh environments. Among them are plants that can function as foundation species, which actually initiate the process of primary succession and facilitate invasions of other, less tolerant species at later stages of succession. The signature of the presence of these foundation species can be seen in strongly non-random spatial distributions of other members of plant communities, some species strongly associated with the foundation species, but other neutral or even not occurring with the pioneer colonisers. We present two examples of such communities—(i) Polygonum cuspidatum moss and Cirsium purpuratum thistles as facilitators of successions in volcanic desert of Mt. Fuji, central Japan; (ii) Pinus pumilum pines and the low shrub Diapensia lapponica in alpine deserts of Hokkaido, northern Japan. We also show that facilitative effects includes transmissions of mycorrhizal fungal infections from one species to another.

At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.

End of year dinner at the Asian Restaurant

Always a fun and popular event! This year we return to the fabulous Asian Restaurant, 43 Moray Place, Dunedin. Make sure you let Bill Wilson know if you'd like to come.

Weekend field trip to Omarama bog pine and wetland sites

We will base ourselves at Omarama and spend one day visiting the bog pine dominated rare ecosystem of Ben Dhu Scientific Reserve, followed by a day investigating the Tarnbrae wetlands or the Wairepo kettle hole wetlands. Visits to these post-glaciation derived ecosystems with their distinctive shrubland and turf vegetation are graded "easy". A range of accommodation options are available at the Omarama Holiday Park www.omaramatop10.co.nz. Participants are expected to arrange their preferred accommodation. Leaders are Geoff Rogers and John Barkla.

Field trip to Akatore Creek

Akatore is a remnant of diverse coastal shrubland at the mouth of Akatore Creek, 45 minutes south of Dunedin. Some special features of this site include the diversity of shrub species and threatened species such as Coprosma obconica, Olearia fragrantissima, Melicytus flexuosus and Carex littorosa with the possibility of our discovering other threatened species. We may also visit the adjacent coast where the threatened cress Lepidium tenuicaule is present as well as Myosotis pygmaea. Depart from the Botany Department car park, corner of Great King Street and Union Street (West).

Mountain earthquakes and their ecological effects: the case of the 20008 Sichuan earthquake

A talk by Prof. Qian Wang, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Union St Lecture Theatre, Cnr Union St West & Great King St.

Public Lecture: Beech forest dynamics in a changing climate

A talk by Dr John Ogden in celebration of International Year of Forests 2011. The likely behaviour of beech forests through glacial/interglacial cycles will be discussed and some of the current spatial and temporal patterns will be described in relationship to these past events (with George Perry as co-contributor). At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.

Ecosystems in waiting or a bright new future?

A talk by Dr John Ogden in celebration of International Year of Forests 2011. Mixed plant and animal communities are now widely established in New Zealand. Will the forests of yesteryear eventually re-establish, or should we welcome a new species mixture dictated by a new disturbance regime? Work on the dynamics of the scrub communities on Great Barrier Island will be discussed. A Department of Botany Lunchtime Seminar. Note special time and Venue: 12 noon – 12:50 pm, Student Learning Centre Room GW3, Information Services Building (ISB), cnr Cumberland and Albany St.

Hort Talk: Whats Cookin'?tips for cooking local produce

A talk by Steve Ellwood, at the Botanic Garden Centre.

Field trip to Leith Saddle

Celebrating International Year of Forests. This trip is open to members of the public and will be led by various members of the Botanical Society. The trip will follow a well formed track from Leith Saddle up through mixed podocarp broadleaf forest that grades into Libocedrus forest that in turn gives way to mixed tussock/ shrubland. This is perhaps the best piece of representative forest close to Dunedin. Depart from the Botany Department car park, corner of Great King Street and Union Street (West).

Orokonui Ecosanctuary workshop on plant photography with digital SLR cameras

At Orokonui Ecosanctuary, led by BSO photographer David Lyttle. Cost: $29.90 (Donation).

Genetic variation in Alfalfa mosaic virus

A talk by Aiko Lignon. MSc Proposal. School of Physical Education Seminar Room #213–4, University of Otago, 55 Union St, Dunedin

Can we use virus infection to manipulate secondary metabolites in economically important plants?

A talk by Max Corral. Botany MSc Proposal. School of Physical Education Seminar Room #213–4, University of Otago, 55 Union St, Dunedin

Orokonui Landmark Lecture. The meaning of eco: Science or brand?

A talk by Prof. Kath Dickinson, Dept of Botany, University of Otago. St David's Lecture Theatre, University of Otago.

Three talks by the winners of the Botany Postgraduate Research Colloquium

Jaz Morris will discuss how greenhouse conditions affect the physiology of giant kelp? Diego Urrutia Guevara presents a talk about the response of alpine plant and soil composition to induced environmental conditions on the Old Man Range, New Zealand, and Tim Crawford explains profiling low-oxygen electron transport in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Abstracts relating to each talk can be found in the communications section of the newsletter. At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.

Hort Talk: Green Ways to Eradicate Invasive Weeds

A talk by T. J. Irvin, at the Botanic Garden Centre.