Resistance, resilience and adaptation to climate change in riparian ecosystems

Helen Amy White

doi:10.4225/23/5aea882b7653a

Resistance, resilience and adaptation to climate change in riparian ecosystems

Helen Amy White

School of Biological Sciences

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

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Abstract

I explore the concepts of ecosystem resistance, resilience and adaptation to climate change in riparian ecosystems using the Warren River and its major tributaries to 'transect' a 650 mm per annum rainfall gradient of the Mediterranean-climate zone of southwest Western Australia. I demonstrate that the riparian vegetation is structured by regional rainfall gradients, that recent rainfall declines have likely induced the retreat of riparian species, but promisingly, that phenotype plasticity in keystone canopy species Eucalyptus rudis permits resilience to the predicted changes. I discuss the results of this research, their implications and limitations in the context of improving management practices.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Didham, Raphael, Supervisor Scott, John Kevin, Supervisor
Thesis sponsors	Australian Government Research Training Program
Award date	18 Mar 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4225/23/5aea882b7653a
Publication status	Unpublished - 2018

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White, H. A. (2018). Resistance, resilience and adaptation to climate change in riparian ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.4225/23/5aea882b7653a

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AB - I explore the concepts of ecosystem resistance, resilience and adaptation to climate change in riparian ecosystems using the Warren River and its major tributaries to 'transect' a 650 mm per annum rainfall gradient of the Mediterranean-climate zone of southwest Western Australia. I demonstrate that the riparian vegetation is structured by regional rainfall gradients, that recent rainfall declines have likely induced the retreat of riparian species, but promisingly, that phenotype plasticity in keystone canopy species Eucalyptus rudis permits resilience to the predicted changes. I discuss the results of this research, their implications and limitations in the context of improving management practices.

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KW - Climate adaptation

KW - water dependant vegetation

KW - Eucalyptus rudis

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KW - flooded gums

KW - streamflow declines

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10.4225/23/5aea882b7653a

THESIS - DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - WHITE Helen Amy - 2018
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