The inquiry trials afoot at Western Sydney University ’s Hawkesbury campus were showcased on democratic television program Gardening Australia as host Josh Byrne tour the nursery heatwave and drought test for theWhich Plant Whereproject .
The trials are part of five - class projection in partnership with Macquarie University and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to stress - trial vernacular landscape painting mintage for their ability to make do with the cast hotter climates face Australia . Already , the last five summer have smashed new records for heating plant extremum and duration . This is predicted to heavily shock on our landscape and gardens at a time when urban greenish outer space is desperately involve to provide wraith , liveability and cooling for expanding cities .
“ We are really seeing some extraordinary heat in Australia and 2018 was the third hottest year on platter , a full 1.14 stage Celsius above average in a yr when the El Nino effect was neutral ” , articulate Professor David Ellsworth , Lead Scientist for Western Sydney University for the Which Plant Where projection .
“ People can retreat to cooler condition but our plants and trees are wedge to manage with in high spirits temperature and the event of beamy heating plant from route and building . At a certain point , their internal mechanics collapse and that ’s when you get leaf tan or dieback that can really affect the function and coming into court of tree ” , he said .
The Which Plant Where uses a compounding of model and experimental trials to match the natural permissiveness of common industrial plant to the regions in which they will still be able to survive and thrive in next climates . The greenhouse tryout involve subjugate species to higher norm and extremes of heat with drought enforce to find the tipping detail where the plant ’s physiology is simply overwhelmed by heat . caloric imaging can detect when plants alter color as their mechanisms stop drawing soil water for cooling and the system collapses .
“ Plants have evolved in a wide range of Australian climates and this work their power to contend in our landscape ” , said Professor Michelle Leishman , Chief Investigator at Macquarie University for Which Plant Where .
“ Our aim is to enable Australians to pick out the right plant for the right place under a alter clime , backed by good - test research so that Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree we set today will expand when our baby raise up ” , Professor Leishman said .
The Which Plant Where projection feature onABC Gardening on Friday 23 February 2025 .
