Project: Population structure and regeneration of palms (Arecaceae) in response to cyclone disturbance in north Queensland, Australia.
Dian joined us from Bogor Botanic Garden, Center for Plant Conservation, LIPI (Indonesian Institute of Sciences) in West Java, Indonesia. She completed an Honours degree in Agriculture at Bogor Agricultural University in 1997, and MAppSc in Tropical Plant Sciences from James Cook University in 2004.
Her current study examines the response of palm populations to disturbance from cyclones that destroy rainforest canopies and expose the floor to increased sunlight. Biological aspects affecting palm survival such as seed dispersal by Cassowaries in Mission Beach rainforests will also be studied.
Dian’s aims are:
(a) to investigate whether the population structure of palms (Arenga australasica, Hydriastele wendlandiana, Licuala ramsayi, Calamus australis and Calamus moti), as shown by size class (seedling, juvenile, adult) reflect mass recruitment after a periodic major disturbance;
(b) to investigate the effects of canopy gaps following natural disturbance on regeneration of palms by studying palm germination, growth and regeneration strategies in various temperatures, light intensities and levels of soil moisture;
(c) to study the influence of natural disturbance on reproductive phenology (flowering, fruiting and seed production) and whether canopy gaps affect seed dispersal and predation.
Figure 1: Recording palm populations , Tam O'Shanter SF.
Figure 1: Recording palm populations , Tam O'Shanter SF.
Significance of Research
It has been conjectured that frequent disturbance from tropical cyclones is an important ecological factor that has altered the vegetation composition of tropical lowland rainforests and this study will evaluate whether this conjecture is relevant to palms. This research is stimulated by the paucity of studies focusing on palms in northern Australia. It will therefore increase our knowledge of population ecology and succession, and directly benefit the development of appropriate approaches in forest management of cyclone-prone areas.
This study will also serve as a model for ecological research of plant regeneration in Indonesia, which is at risk from natural disturbances such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslips and earthquakes, as well as tropical cyclones. Moreover as palms are some of the predominant rainforest species and potentially important commodities in Indonesia, this research should have valuable application.
Figure 2 : Cyclone damage after Cyclone Larry near Mission Beach.
Publications
Latifah, Dian. 2000. Off-site Conservation of Lunasia amara Blanco in Indonesian Botanic Gardens. Proceedings of National Seminar XVI of Indonesian Medicinal Plants (in Indonesian Language).
Sudarmono and D. Latifah. 2000. Diversity on Nephelium spp. of tropical fruit germ plasm and the distribution in Indonesia. Subandriyo et al. (eds). Proceeding of National Symposium : Management on Breeding and Germplasm, Bogor, 22 - 23 August 2000. Indonesian Breeding Scientist Association, Bogor.
Latifah, D., Sudarmono, Sutrisno and T. Handayani (eds). 2000. The Series of Collections of Botanic Gardens - Indonesian Institute of Sciences : Fruit Plant Collections in Bogor Botanic Garden. Bogor Botanic Garden, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Bogor. 82 p
Darnaedy, D., Y. Purwanto, H.M. Hadad, Sudarmono, S. Hartini and D. Latifah (eds). 2001. Proceeding of National Seminar on Love Flora and Fauna Day, Bogor Botanic Garden, 5 November 2000. Bogor Botanic Garden-Indonesian Institute of Sciences and Indonesian Breeding Scientists Association, Bogor. 365 p
Latifah, Dian, R.S. Purwantoro and Solichin. 2001. Seed germination strategies of Amorphophallus titanum Becc. (Indonesian-endemic corpse flower) in various substrates and hormone GA3. Widya Riset 2: 135-145
Mujahidin, Sutrisno, D. Latifah, T. Handayani and I. Fijridiyanto. 2003. Arenga pinnata (sugar palm): Cultivation and Prospect .and The Influence of Various Substrates and GA3Hormone Concentrations. Bogor Botanic Garden-Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Bogor. 35 p
Tarmudji and D. Latifah. 2001. The inventory of Rare and Endemic Orchids in Arjuno Mountain, East Java. T. Wardiyati, S. Ashari, N. Aini and A. Suryanto (eds). Proceeding of National Seminar of Horticulture, Malang, 7-8 Nopember 2001. Indonesian Horticulturist Association, Malang.
Latifah D. (2004) Palmae (Arecaceae): Selected Aspects of Fruits, Seeds and Germination Strategies (in two parts: (1) SEM studies in Livistona spp: Surface patterns of fruits and seeds; (2) Germination strategies in four species: Oraniopsis appendiculata, Chamaedorea seifrizii, Arenga microcarpa and Adonidia merrillii. M.App.Sc. thesis, James Cook University, Townsville.
Latifah D. (2005) (ed.) The Series of Collections of Botanic Gardens - Indonesian Institute of Sciences : Climbing Plant Collections in Bogor Botanic Garden. Bogor Botanic Garden, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Bogor.
Contact Details
Dian Latifah
School of Marine & Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia 4811
Email: Dian.Latifah@jcu.edu.au
