Origins of a biodiversity hotspot flora: diversification of the Australian Proteaceae

    Project: Research

    Project Details

    Description

    Mediterranean-climate regions, such as Australia's southwest, often have spectacular botanical diversity, despite poor soils and low rainfall. By combining molecular, geographic and ecological data for >1000 species of the family Proteaceae, we will test key hypotheses to explain the origins of the richly diverse flora of the southwest. We will apply new analytical tools to explore the contributions of lineage age, diversification rate and ecological 'carrying capacity' to species richness, and use these to compare the driving forces of biodiversity in the southwest biodiversity hotspot to other regions. As well as increasing understanding of an area of high conservation value, our database will be a valuable resource for ongoing research.
    StatusFinished
    Effective start/end date28/02/1131/07/16

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