Alison Ritchie

I am a Research Scientist (Restoration Ecology and Conservation Genetics), examining multiple research themes within disturbed landscapes of the Southwest of Western Australia.

Research themes

• restoration and landscape ecology
• seed enhancement technologies
• seed germination and emergence
• weed ecology
• pollination ecology and plant-pollinator interactions
• conservation and population genetics.

I divide my time between the ERIE group at the University of Western Australia and the Kings Park Science group at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

My current project aims to develop and implement innovative seed enhancement technologies to overcome barriers to native plant establishment for the ecological restoration of an international biodiversity hotspot.

Technological advances in the agricultural industry facilitate large-scale plant establishment from seed. Currently however, there is limited capacity to deliver this technology to restore natural ecosystems at similar scales. My research aims to deliver this technology to native species by developing seed enhancements such as seed coating and extruded pelleting and implementing extensive field trials.

Collaborations

Through collaboration with industry partners from diverse backgrounds including precision environmental research (Kings Park Science), commercial suppliers of soil amendments (Bentonite Products WA), and large-scale end-users of restoration seeding technologies (Hanson Construction Materials), my current research program will not only improve seed use efficiencies but diversify and promote collaborative efforts between local industries in a rapidly growing restoration economy.

Funding received

5 year ARC Linkage Project Awarded to UWA- LP170100075 “Innovative seed technologies for restoration in a biodiversity hotspot”.