Ms Vanessa Stylianou
Qualifications
Bachelor of Environmental Science 2010, Edith Cowan University
Awards and Recognition
- The Royal Society of Western Australia Student Medal Award 2010
- Top 100 Student Excellence Recognition 2010
- Dean's Honour List
Research
Research Interests
Environmental influences on plant morphology and physiology and plant adaptation to climate change.
Current Research Areas
My current research is examining variation in morphological and physiological traits of the widespread eucalypt species, Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. lissophloia, along a rainfall gradient in south-west Australia. The research is exploring the phenotypic responses in plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, carbon and nitrogen isotopes and wood density, as well as the physiological processes of transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis in response to water availability. High plasticity of these traits may facilitate the adaptation of the species to varying climatic conditions across Western Australia's south-west.
Plasticity will be studied by comparing the morphological and physiological traits of natural populations of E. loxophleba ssp. lissophloia to those populations that were sourced from drier provenances and transplanted to a plantation trial in a higher rainfall area of the south-west. The influence of genetics and the environment on traits relating to water use efficiency and conservation will be examined by comparing the individuals sourced from drier areas but grown in wetter environments, to the natural populations which remain in their original location.
I am very interested in plant adaptations and researching the likely consequences for our native flora as rainfall declines in the south-west.
Recent Research Grants
- National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility 2011
- Honours/Masters Research Grant