Genomic Analysis of Alpine Ash

To deliver climate-ready renovation approaches, we need to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of climate targeted on-ground actions, and the scales at which they can be delivered. This requires:
1. Identifying seed sources that can demonstrably improve the establishment, persistence and adaptive capacity of restored Alpine Ash communities;
2. Development of seed provenancing, collection and supply chain frameworks required to deliver effective future bushfire response;
3. Exploring innovations in delivery systems to input traceable seed in areas inaccessible to helicopter/fixed wing operations, or cost-prohibitive to treat, and onto unhospitable substrates, at the scales required.
To achieve these aims we will implement a three phase process that involves: (a) strategic seed collection and capacity building in the seed sector; (b) on-ground trials to achieve restoration outcomes using a science-based adaptive management model and innovative delivery processes, and (c) genetic analysis and glasshouse trials to connect mechanism with outcome and inform future on-ground restoration efforts.
With this partnership we will establish trials to understand the short-term outcomes and initial establishment, but which will also enable a long-term perspective on the effectiveness of different climate-and fire-ready renovation approaches. A long-term view is essential to both the effectiveness of our future restoration efforts, and to our ability to learn by doing as part of an adaptive management model.