B Science (Hons1)

Contact details for Mr Kris Pardoe-Matthews k.pardoe-matthews@griffith.edu.au

Thesis

Biodiversity of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in invasive and indigenous legume flora in southeast Queensland.

Description

Legumes are among the most serious and damaging invaders of natural ecosystems in Australia. Their capacity to colonise new habitats is greatly enhanced by the ability to form nitrogen-fixing symbioses with bacteria. Despite this no research to date has focused on invasive legume species in southeast Queensland, nor the diversity of associated microbial symbionts. The study will focus on the microbial diversity of invasive legumes and local indigenous legume flora, and will attempt to identify the ecological impacts of legume invasion on a microbial scale.

Supervisor

Dr David Welsh (Principal)
Professor Jane Hughes (Associate)
Associate Professor Clyde Wild (Associate)

Research expertise

• Microbial ecology
• Invasive weed ecology

Teaching areas

• Microbial ecology (Demonstrator)
• Entomology (Demonstrator)
• Maths (Tutor)