Investigating the Functional Diversity and Plasticity within the Water and Resource use Traits of Trees Along Elevation Gradients in Tropical Rainforest Communities

Supervisor

I will investigate the functional performance and plasticity within the water and resource use strategy of attitude-specific trees, native and introduced trees with wide range distribution along the elevation gradient in the Tropical Rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Far North Queensland in Australia. I collected data using common garden experiments, experimental plantings, and plots. I expect temperature and edaphic factors to be the major drivers of plants' water and resource use strategy along the elevation gradient. I also expect higher plasticity in the traits of native pioneer trees in contrast to introduced invasive trees and mid to late successional species. My research will provide information on the functional diversity within altitude-specific trees and identify strategies that enable trees to survive in different altitudes. Exploring the variation and covariation of key traits related to the water and resource use strategy of trees and their plasticity with elevation provides information on the potential acclimation of species to climate change.

31 May 2021 - 02 Jun 2025

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