Dr Robert (Bob) Congdon
Senior Lecturer
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Senior Lecturer, James Cook University, 1991 – present; 1986-1991: James Cook Univer sity, Lecturer 1984-1985: Monash University, Senior Tutor 1981-1984: Monash University, Tutor, 1981 (Jan-June): Murdoch University, Tutor 1978 (Sept) - 1981 (Jan): University of Western Australia, Postdoctoral - Research Officer 1978 The University of Western Australia, Senior Tutor. BSc (Hons) PhD (WAust) MAIBiol Member of the: Australian Institute of Biology, Australian Society for Limnology, Coasts and Wetlands Society, Ecological Society of Australia, Royal Society of Western Australia, Townsvill e-Thuringowa Landcare Association. |
Research Interests
Our research group (Tropical Vegetation Dynamics) has broad interests in the area of plant ecology in the tropics. Through various collaborations we have undertaken projects related to rainforests, tropical woodlands and savanna, fresh and saline wetlands, tree plantations, and aspects of agroecology.
Specific research interests have focused on the following areas:
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Nutrient cycling and productivity in tropical plant communities
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Ecology of wetlands; eutrophication; water quality
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Rainforest ecology
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Fire and seedbank ecology
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Weed ecology
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Agroforestry
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Mine-site rehabilitation
Recent and Current Research Projects
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In collaboration with the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, we are examining the requirements for regeneration of several Acacia species. Some species are able to resprout after fire, while others only re-establish from seed. The results of this research will help guide the fire management plans for conservation reserves.
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We are also examining the ecology of invasive grass species (Urochloa mutica, Megathyrsus maximus) and the native species with which they interact in wetlands and savanna-woodlands, in order to better understand how these species can be managed in conservation reserves.
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Research on nutrient cycling in tropical rainforests continues. Several research students and myself have examined litter fall and decomposition, aboveground and belowground biomass and nutrient standing stocks, soil nutrient availability, and nutrient fluxes in precipitation, stemflow, throughfall and streamflow.
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Scott Parsons (PhD student) is working with our Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, to determine the likely impacts of climate change on litter decomposition, nutrient cycling and soil fauna. Dian Latifah (PhD student) is looking at the impacts of cyclonic disturbance on regeneration and demography of rainforest palm species in the Mission Beach area.
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Yansen Yansen (PhD student) is studying the ecophysiology of vines and hemiepiphytes.
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We are also investigating aspects of production and nutrient cycling in rainforest trees grown in plantations. Currently we are focusing on African Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis).
Future Research Opportunities
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Aspects of nutrient cycling in tropical rainforest
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Fire ecology and land management
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Seed banks in tropical wetlands
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Nutrition of tropical timber species
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Pasture growth and composition under trees in agroforestry situations
Teaching
Introduction to Plant Science
Ecology and Conservation
Rainforest Ecosystems
Tropical Wetlands Ecology and Management
Rainforest Populations and Communities
Ecological Principles in Agriculture
Current Student Projects
Clouten, Bree (MAppSc) - Reproductive ecology of the exotic fodder species, Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus, formerly Panicum maximum), and native woodland grasses (Themeda triandra, Heteropogon contortus, Heteropogon triticeus).
Latifah, Dian (PhD) – Population structure and regeneration of palms in response to natural disturbance in north Queensland, Australia.
Parsons, Scott (PhD) – Nutrient cycling, decomposition and global climate change in Australian tropical rainforest.
Thomson, Jacob (MAppSc) – Agroforestry of the African Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis).
Yansen Yansen (PhD) - Ecophysiology of vines and hemiepiphytes.
Selected Publications
Vollebergh, P.J. and Congdon, R.A. 1986. Germination and growth of Ruppia polycarpa and Lepilaena cylindrocarpa in ephemeral saltmarsh pools, Westernport Bay, Victoria. Aquatic Botany 26, 165-179.
Congdon, R.A. 1988. Eutrophication of an urban wetland - Lake Joondalup, Western Australia. In Gilligan, B., Maddock, M. and McDonald, K. (eds) International Symposium on Wetlands. Shortland Wetland Centre, Newcastle, N.S.W., pp. 53-64.
Mitchell, A., Rasmussen, C., Blake, S., Congdon, R., Reghenzani, J., Saffigna, P. and Sturmey, H. 1991. Nutrient concentrations and fluxes in coastal rivers of North Queensland. In Yellowlees, D. (ed) Land Use Patterns and Nutrient Loading of the Great Barrier Reef Region, Workshop Proceedings. pp. 108-161. James Cook University, Townsville.
Maycock, C.R. and Congdon, R.A. 1992. Above-ground phytomass of a site disturbed by selective logging in north Queensland wet tropical rainforest. In Majid, N.M., Malek, I.A.A., Hamzah, M.Z. & Jusoff, K. (eds) Proceedings of the International Symposium on Rehabilitation of Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems: Research and Development Priorities. pp. 221-226. Universitiy Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang.
Congdon, R.A., Holt, J.A. and Hicks, W.S. 1993. The role of mound-building termites in the nitrogen economy of semi-arid ecosystems. Proceedings of the 6th Australasian Conference on Grassland Invertebrate Ecology. pp. 100-106. Ag. Res., Hamilton, New Zealand.
Congdon, R.A. and Herbohn, J.L. 1993. Ecosystem dynamics of disturbed and undisturbed sites in north Queensland wet tropical rainforest. I. Floristic composition, climate and soil chemistry of study sites. Journal of Tropical Ecology 9(3), 349-363.
Herbohn, J.L. and Congdon, R.A. 1993. Ecosystem dynamics of disturbed and undisturbed sites in north Queensland wet tropical rainforest. II. Litterfall. Journal of Tropical Ecology 9(3), 365-380.
Congdon, R.A. and Lukacs, G.P. 1996. Water quality aspects of irrigation run-off from the Burdekin River Irrigation Area. In: Eyles A.G., Hunter H.M. & Rayment G.E. (eds). Downstream Effects of Land Use, pp. 73-76. Department of Natural Resources, Queensland.
Amar, A.L., Gardiner, C.P. and Congdon, R.A. 1996. Promising forage legumes for ruminants in shaded niches. Proceedings of the Small Ruminant Production: Recommendations for South East Asia Conference, 12-15 May 1996. pp. 225- 228. Parapat, Indonesia.
Herbohn, J.L. and Congdon, R.A. 1998. Ecosystem dynamics of disturbed and undisturbed sites in North Queensland wet tropical rain forest. III. Nutrient returns to the forest floor through litterfall. Journal of Tropical Ecology 14(2), 217-229.
Saker, M.L., Congdon, R.A. and Maycock, C.R. 1999. The relationship between phosphorus fractions, phosphatase activity and fertility in three tropical rain forest soils. Tropical Ecology 40(2), 261-267.
Maycock, C.R. & Congdon, R.A. 2000. Fine root biomass and soil N and P in north Queensland rain forests. Biotropica 32(1), 185-190.
Congdon, R.A. & Addison, H. 2003. Optimising nutrition for productive and sustainable farm forestry systems - pasture legumes under shade. Publication No. 03/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Barton, ACT. 99 pp. [.pdf available]
Williams, P.R., Congdon, R.A., Grice, A.C. & Clarke, P.J. 2003. Fire-related cues break seed dormancy of six legumes of tropical eucalypt savannas in north-eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 28(5), 507-514.
Williams P. R., Congdon R. A., Grice A. C. & Clarke P. J. 2005. Effect of season of burning and removal of herbaceous cover on seedling emergence in a eucalypt savanna of north-eastern Australia. Austral Ecology 30, 491-6.
Skull S. D. and Congdon R. A. 2007. Floristics, structure and site characteristics of Melaleuca viridiflora (Myrtaceae) dominated open woodlands of the wet tropics lowlands. Cunninghamia (in press).
Parsons S. A. and Congdon R. A. 2008. Plant litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in north Queensland tropical rainforest communities of differing successional status. Journal of Tropical Ecology (in press).
Complete publications list for the Tropical Vegetation Dynamics Research group.
Contact Details
Dr Robert (Bob) Congdon
Campus: Townsville
Telephone: +61 7 4781 4731
Fax: +61 7 4725 1570
Email: Robert.Congdon@jcu.edu.au
