10.26181/5d2fabf77564d Rebecca Durant Rebecca Durant Jessica Wilson Jessica Wilson Cherie Campbell Cherie Campbell Samantha Capon Samantha Capon Cassandra James Cassandra James Kaylene Morris Kaylene Morris Jason Nicol Jason Nicol Daryl Nielsen Daryl Nielsen Rachael Thomas Rachael Thomas Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems Recruitment of long-lived floodplain vegetation: Mesocosm study experimental design La Trobe 2020 germination success recuritment flooding inundation mesocosms river red gum coolibah black box lignum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Eucalyptus largiflorens Eucalyptus coolabah Duma florulenta drying Community Ecology (excl. Invasive Species Ecology) Freshwater Ecology Plant Biology Ecosystem Function Environmental Science 2020-05-01 10:59:38 Journal contribution https://opal.latrobe.edu.au/articles/journal_contribution/Recruitment_of_long-lived_floodplain_vegetation_Mesocosm_study_experimental_design/8947403 One way to investigate seedling establishment under controlled (or partially controlled) conditions is<br>through mesocosm studies. Mesocosm studies provide a powerful means of quantifying causal<br>relationships in a controlled environment. This study will focus on the responses of seedlings to a<br>sequence of flooding and drying treatments. Work will be undertaken within<br>experimental/laboratory set-ups, so there will be no specific work undertaken at MDB (Murray–<br>Darling Basin) EWKR research sites.<br>Four woody floodplain species, River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.), Black Box<br>(Eucalyptus largiflorens F.Muell.) and Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah Blakely & Jacobs), and one<br>native floodplain shrub species, Tangled Lignum (Duma florulenta Meissner), were identified as the<br>key target species (Burns & Gawne 2014). Seedling-specific literature reviews were undertaken to<br>assess and collate existing information about the recruitment of seedlings of the four key species<br>(Durant et al. 2016). The information collated from the literature review, as well as expert<br>discussions and input through workshops, teleconferences and emails, forms the basis of this<br>experimental design.<br>The experiment will focus on addressing the primary question:<br>‘What is the relationship between flow parameters such as duration, frequency and interflood-dry<br>period (sequential, cumulative events) and establishment?’