The University of Western Australia

Adj/A/Prof Mark Brundrett

Adjunct Associate Professor
Adjunct and Honorary Staff (Plant Biology)

Contact details

Address

Adjunct and Honorary Staff (Plant Biology)
The University of Western Australia

Email

mark.brundrett@uwa.edu.au

Qualifications

BSc MSc Guelph, PhD Wat.

Key research

I have over 20 years of research experience on mycorrhizal associations, fungal diversity, plant morphology, mineral nutrition, soil biology, disturbance of ecosystems and conservation biology. I am also interested in increasing public awareness of conservation issues and environmental problems in biodiversity hotspots in Western Australia.

My current research focuses on the conservation of WA orchids in a Lotterywest funded collaboration between the Western Australian Native Orchid Study and Conservation Group, Plant Biology, the Friends of Kings Park, the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority. This project aims to help conserve Critically Endangered orchids in the Western Australian Wheatbelt by obtaining knowledge required for sustainable management and directly contributing to recovery actions.

I have also had a role in policy development for the Environmental Protection Authority, especially concerning the rehabilitation of disturbed ecosystems (EPA Guidance Statement 6, 2006) and conservation in biodiversity hotspots (EPA Bulletin 1256, 2007).

Publications

Over 75 publications include 34 papers, 5 books and 13 book chapters in botany, ecology, mycology, forestry and soil science, which have a high rate of citation.
Comprehensive reviews on mycorrhizal ecology (1991), the evolution of roots and mycorrhizas (2002), defining mycorrhizas (2004) and orchid conservation biology (2007).
Books on mycorrhizal associations (Brundrett et al. 1994, 1996).
A website on mycorrhizas.

Funding received

Brundrett, Koch, Dixon: Factors influencing the recovery of orchids and their mycorrhizal fungi in the post-mining landscape (2002-2005 ARC-linkage APD)

Grierson, Brundrett, Brown, Sivasithamparam - The role of mycorrhizal fungi in the nutrient supply and habitat specificity of the underground orchid (Rhizanthella gardneri) (2004-2007, ARC- Linkage, APAI)

Brundrett, Dixon, Brown, Harper, Batty, Sivasithamparam, Krauss: Rescuing Critically Endangered Wheatbelt Orchids (2004, Lotteries Commission)

Brown, Bunn, Brundrett, Dixon. Recovery of critically endangered wheatbelt plants in WA (2005, Threatened Species Network Grant)

WA Native Orchid Study Group: Rescuing Critically Endangered Wheatbelt Orchids (2006-2010 Lotteries Commission)

Teaching

My current role is primarily involves orchid conservation research with community groups and conservation workers, but I also contribute lectures and labs at UWA on conservation biology, mycorrhizal associations, mycology and biodiversity in WA.

I contribute to surveys and workshops investigating plant and fungal biodiversity for the Wildflower Society and Perth Fungal Studies Group.

I Helped to develop and teaching Plant Conservation and Restoration Biology 303.

I have also presented training workshops on mycorrhizal associations.

Current external positions

I am a past president of the Perth Branch of the Wildflower Society of WA and have an active role in community groups that study fugal diversity and promote conservation.

Community Groups and Societies

The Wildflowers Society of WA
The West Australian Native Orchid Study and Conservation Group
Friends of Warwick Conservation Area
Friends of Kings Park
Australasian Mycological Society
FungiMap
Ecological Society of Australia

Useful links

My website on Mycorrhizas: mycorrhizas.info

Wildflower Society of Western Australia (inc) http://members.ozemail.com.au/~wildflowers/

Perth Urban Bushland Fungi: http://www.fungiperth.org.au/

Fungimap: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/fungimap_/welcome

EPA Guidance Statement 6 and Bulletin 1256 on Mount Manning Nature Reserve: http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/

http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/brundrett_cv

Current projects

Opportunities for Postgrads and Honours Students:

ENDANGERED WHEATBELT ORCHIDS
Quantify and understand habitat requirements and threatening processes impacting on a rare orchid in highly fragmented landscapes. Gain knowledge required for sustainable management and make direct contributions to recovery actions for an endangered species, while working in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation and community groups.

ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF ORCHID FUNGAL ASSOCIATIONS
Discover the role of highly specific fungal interactions on the dispersal of on rare and common orchid species by investigating the distribution of compatible fungi in soils. Help us to gain a greater understanding of the habitat requirements of orchids by studying their fungi.

MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS DIVERSITY IN A BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
Investigate the diversity of the Glomalean fungi - the oldest group of true fungi, in our ancient landscapes (collaboration with Dr Susan Barker). Investigate diversity using a range of isolation and molecular techniques. Identify fungi with help from international collaborators.

ECOLOGY OF MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATIONS
Study ecological and functional aspects of mycorrhizal fungus associations in natural ecosystems, by investigating the relative dominance of plants with different types of mycorrhizal fungal associations in different habitats.

POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF WINTER FLOWERING ORCHIDS
Determine if co-flowering orchids share pollinators and investigate why there are many similar looking taxa in genera such are Pterostylis (or are they really different)? Is there a link between winter orchids and fungus fruiting?

Research profile

Research profile and publications