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Australia - 2006
Unlocking the Reproductive Secrets of the Australian Jarrah Forest
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Researchers at Alcoa's Marrinup laboratory and nursery in Western Australia are playing a vital role in mine rehabilitation, using tissue culture and other techniques to propagate plants that are difficult and often impossible to grow from seed.
These plants are known as "recalcitrant species" because they are so difficult to propagate. By unlocking the plants' reproductive secrets, the researchers are helping pursue Alcoa's goal of reestablishing 100% of the species and functions of the jarrah forest after mining.
Progress toward this goal is measured by comparing rehabilitated areas with nearby un-mined areas. Since 2000, the rehabilitation program has achieved an annual average of 93% species richness, compared to a 78% average in the 1990s. This improvement was due to the success of the Marrinup nursery in developing alternative propagation techniques.
The 100% target was achieved in 2001, but the species-richness varies from year to year because of seasonal variability.
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