Nicotra Group - Plant physiological ecology, plant evolutionary biology, reproductive ecology

Nicotra Group - Plant physiological ecology, plant evolutionary biology, reproductive ecology

We are interested in phenotypic plasticity - the range of forms a given genetic individual can exhibit under different environments.

About

Image
A group photo

Research in the Nicotra group applies novel approaches in plant comparative ecology to the study of evolutionary ecology and ecophysiology to give insights into patterns and processes underlying plant function at multiple scales.

We are interested in phenotypic plasticity - the range of forms a given genetic individual can exhibit under different environments - and when and how it evolves and when it matters. We also have a soft spot for alpine ecology and enjoy exploring the links between plant reproductive ecology and ecophysiology.

A wide range of projects are underway in the lab and most of these provide options for undergraduate, Honours or PhD projects - see our Research projects for more detail and feel free to contact us if you'd like more information.

Publications

Projects

Temperature determines species distributions and affects functions, reproduction, and survival. This project will assess the thermal sensitivity of different life stages and plant tissues to heat stress and will develop models to assess how Australian plant species will respond to a warmer and more extreme climate.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Photosynthesis and plant energy biology, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

The ARMF willsupport research to assess the extent and effects of changing climate, water and fire regimes on ecosystem processes and their feedbacks and provide a structure for integrated research, management and governance of Australia's mountains.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Evolutionary genetics and genomics, Phylogenetics, population genetics and biodiversity, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology, Plant-microbe interactions

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students

Status

Current

People

This project examines drivers of dieback impact between species, within species, between habitats, within habitats, across the landscape, as well as interactions between these components at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology

Student intake

Open for Honours students

Status

Current

People

This project aims to improve understanding of the capacity for resilience and response to warming and drying conditions and extreme events in vulnerable alpine communities: interacting suites of alpine plants, soil invertebrates, fungi, and microbes.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Evolutionary genetics and genomics, Phylogenetics, population genetics and biodiversity, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology, Plant-microbe interactions

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

Status

Current

People

We are a dynamic group of researchers interested in understanding climate change ecology, in particular how form and function evolve and will determine performance and persistence of Australian native plant species and communities under rapidly changingclimate regimes. Student projects are available!

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Evolutionary genetics and genomics, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

Status

Current

People

If you're interested in working in the iconic landscape of Kosciuszko National Park this project may be for you. We seek PhD or Honours students to join a collaborative project with NSW DPE to explore drivers of variation of growth and establishment of the montane and alpine species in rehabilitated sites.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Members

Group Leader

Adrienne Nicotra

Associate Dean (Research)
College of Science

Postdoctoral Fellows

Research Officer

Technical Officer

Research Assistant

Technical Assistants

PhD Students

FRT Scholar

Honours Students

Masters Student

Honorary Associate Professor

Divisional Visitors

Visiting PhD Student

News

Australia’s ski industry is at risk of major disruptions and shorter seasons if the current level of climate pollution continues, according to new modelling from Protect Our Winters Australia (POW) and The Australian National University (ANU).

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Bukit Timah, Singapore. Image Shoshana Rapley

Alexandra Catling indulges in her passion for scientific research on a trip to south east Asian forests. And discovers leeches.

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Professor Slatyer (as Australian Ambassador to UNESCO ) with NSW Premier Neville Wran, at Lake Mungo, c 1981

ANU has a long history of pioneering research into alpine trees. The work Professor Ralph Slatyer undertook in the 1970's was used to show that the tree line was defined by temperature, not altitude, which explains why Australia has a lower tree line than most other countries.

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