The University of Western Australia
Asst/Prof Michael Renton
Assistant Professor
Contact details
| Address | School of Plant Biology The University of Western Australia (M084) 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Australia |
|---|---|
| Phone | 6488 1959 |
| Fax | 6488 1108 |
| michael.renton@uwa.edu.au | |
| Personal homepage | http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/contact/michael_renton |
Location
Room 1123, Agriculture Central Wing Building, Crawley campus
Key research
- Computational simulation modelling of plants in complex biological, agricultural and ecological systems, including areas such as:
- • evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds in agricultural systems and the effect of different genetics and management strategies on the rate of this evolution
- • competition between species, individual plants, and parts of plants and the effect of spatial patterns on this competition
- • weed seed bank population dynamics and the effects of different seed biology and management strategies
- • seed dormancy and germination, and the influence of environmental factors and management options
- • the way that plant structure emerges over time in relationship with physiology and environment
- • the optimisation of land use sequencing and analysis of tactical and strategic decisions in agricultural systems, taking into account the effects of factors such as weeds, disease, plant nutrients, yields, economics and climate variability
- • water use, root architecture, drought and climate change, in relation to applications such as the prediction and management of the establishment and survival of annual and perennial crop and pasture plants in drought-susceptible environments, or the long-term health of natural ecosystems in the face of climate change
- • constructing useful decision support systems for managing agricultural and natural ecosystems
- • the spread of biological organisms such as weeds and crop diseases
- The modelling approaches in which I have interest and experience include:
- • individual-based simulation
- • continuous and discrete dynamical systems, including chaotic systems and S-systems
- • constructing statistical 'summary models' to represent more complex bio-physical simulation models
- • numerical/computational simulation of the movement of biological substances or organisms
- • L-systems for modelling dynamic plant architecture
- • statistical modelling including regression and multi-variate analysis
Major research interests
- Agent-based modelling
- Biostatistical modelling
- Complex biological systems
- Computational simulation modelling
- Cropping and pasture systems
- Dynamical system modelling
- Evolution of herbicide resistance
- Plant physiology/ecology
Qualifications
BA W.Aust., CertAppLang T.A.F.E., GradDipEd E.Cowan, PhD Qld.
Publications
Journal Articles
Costes E., Smith, C., Renton, M., Guédon, Y., Prusinkiewicz, P., Godin, C.: MAppleT: simulation of apple tree development using mixed stochastic and biomechanical models. Functional Plant Biology, 35 (9&10), 925-935, 2008
Renton, M., Guédon, Y., Godin, C., Costes E.: Similarities and gradients in growth-unit branching patterns during ontogeny in ‘Fuji’ apple trees: A stochastic approach. Journal of Experimental Botany, 57 (12): 3131-3143, 2006
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Integrating Markov chain models and L-systems to simulate the architectural development of apple trees. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 707:63-70, 2006
Renton, M., Hanan, J., Burrage, K.: Using the canonical modelling approach to simplify the simulation of function in functional-structural plant models. New Phytologist, 166:845-857, 2005
Renton, M., Kaitaniemi, P., Hanan, J.: Functional-structural plant modelling using a combination of architectural analysis, L-systems and a canonical model of function. Ecological Modelling, 184 (2-4):277-298, 2005
Thornby, D., Renton, M., Hanan, J.: Using computational plant science tools to investigate morphological aspects of compensatory growth. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2660:708-717, 2003
Glass, K., Renton, M., Judd, K., Mees, A.: Creating periodic orbits in chaotic systems. Physics Letters A, 203 (2-3), 107-114, 1995
Book Chapters
Glass, K., Renton, M., Judd, K., Mees, A.: Creating and targeting periodic orbits.
In K. Judd, A. I. Mees, K. L. Teo, and T. L. Vincent, editors, Control and Chaos, pages 183-196. Birkhauser, Boston, 1997
Renton, M., Thornby, D., Hanan, J.: Canonical Modelling: An approach for intermediate-level simulation of carbon allocation in functional-structural plant models. In J. Vos, L. Marcelis, P. Visser, P. Struik, J. editors, Functional-Structural Plant Modelling in Crop Production, chapter 13. Frontis/Springer, Wageningen, Netherlands, 2007.
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Understanding, predicting and managing weed seedbanks in agricultural systems with the Weed Seed Wizard. Sixteenth Australian Weeds Conference, Cairns, Australia, 2008
Renton, M., Diggle, A., Powles, S.: Low herbicide rates can lead to faster development of herbicide resistance. Sixteenth Australian Weeds Conference, Cairns, Australia, 2008
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Winning the weed war with the weed seedbank wizard. Agribusiness Crop Updates, Perth, Australia, 2007
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Using the weed seed wizard to understand and manage the weed seedbank. 13th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Perth, Australia, 2006
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Help the wizard stop the green invaders! Agribusiness Crop Updates, Perth, Australia, 2006
Renton, M., Hanan, J., Kaitaniemi, P.: The inside story: including physiology in structural plant models. In Proceedings of the 1st international conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques in Australasia and South-East Asia (Graphite2003), 95-102, ACM, New York, 2003
Hanan, J., Renton, M., Yorston, E.: Simulating and visualising spray deposition on plant canopies. In Proceedings of the 1st international conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques in Australasia and South-East Asia (Graphite2003), 259-260, ACM, New York, 2003
Other Conference Proceedings
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Using the weed seed wizard to understand and manage the weed seedbank. In Proceedings of the 21st Asian Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2007
Evans. F, Diggle, A. Renton, M.,: Modelling the effects of farm management on the spread of herbicide resistance. In Proceedings of the 21st Asian Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2007
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Using the weed seed wizard to understand and manage natural ecosystem seedbanks. In Proceedings of the 9th International Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions Conference (EMAPI), Perth, Australia, 2007
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Using L-systems and Markovian models to simulate apple tree cultivars at several topological scales. In Proceedings of the XVII International Botanical Congress, Vienna, Austria, 2005
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Integrating Markov chain models and L-systems to simulate the architectural development of apple trees. In Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2004
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Simulating the architectural development of apple trees. In Proceedings of the International Functional-Structural Plant Modelling Conference (FSPM04), Montpellier, France, 2004
Renton, M., Hanan, J., Burrage, K.: A canonical toolkit for modelling plant function. In Proceedings of the International Functional-Structural Plant Modelling Conference (FSPM04), Montpellier, France, 2004
Beveridge, C., Harding, E., Renton, M., Bell, P., Parmenter, J., Hanan, J.: Hypothesis driven modelling of long-distance signalling and plant development. In Proceedings of the International Functional-Structural Plant Modelling Conference (FSPM04), Montpellier, France, 2004
Thornby, D. Renton, M., Hanan, J.: Using computational plant science tools to investigate morphological aspects of compensatory growth. In Proceedings of the International Computational Science Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2003
Costes E., Smith, C., Renton, M., Guédon, Y., Prusinkiewicz, P., Godin, C.: MAppleT: simulation of apple tree development using mixed stochastic and biomechanical models. Functional Plant Biology, 35 (9&10), 925-935, 2008
Renton, M., Guédon, Y., Godin, C., Costes E.: Similarities and gradients in growth-unit branching patterns during ontogeny in ‘Fuji’ apple trees: A stochastic approach. Journal of Experimental Botany, 57 (12): 3131-3143, 2006
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Integrating Markov chain models and L-systems to simulate the architectural development of apple trees. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 707:63-70, 2006
Renton, M., Hanan, J., Burrage, K.: Using the canonical modelling approach to simplify the simulation of function in functional-structural plant models. New Phytologist, 166:845-857, 2005
Renton, M., Kaitaniemi, P., Hanan, J.: Functional-structural plant modelling using a combination of architectural analysis, L-systems and a canonical model of function. Ecological Modelling, 184 (2-4):277-298, 2005
Thornby, D., Renton, M., Hanan, J.: Using computational plant science tools to investigate morphological aspects of compensatory growth. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2660:708-717, 2003
Glass, K., Renton, M., Judd, K., Mees, A.: Creating periodic orbits in chaotic systems. Physics Letters A, 203 (2-3), 107-114, 1995
Book Chapters
Glass, K., Renton, M., Judd, K., Mees, A.: Creating and targeting periodic orbits.
In K. Judd, A. I. Mees, K. L. Teo, and T. L. Vincent, editors, Control and Chaos, pages 183-196. Birkhauser, Boston, 1997
Renton, M., Thornby, D., Hanan, J.: Canonical Modelling: An approach for intermediate-level simulation of carbon allocation in functional-structural plant models. In J. Vos, L. Marcelis, P. Visser, P. Struik, J. editors, Functional-Structural Plant Modelling in Crop Production, chapter 13. Frontis/Springer, Wageningen, Netherlands, 2007.
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Understanding, predicting and managing weed seedbanks in agricultural systems with the Weed Seed Wizard. Sixteenth Australian Weeds Conference, Cairns, Australia, 2008
Renton, M., Diggle, A., Powles, S.: Low herbicide rates can lead to faster development of herbicide resistance. Sixteenth Australian Weeds Conference, Cairns, Australia, 2008
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Winning the weed war with the weed seedbank wizard. Agribusiness Crop Updates, Perth, Australia, 2007
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Using the weed seed wizard to understand and manage the weed seedbank. 13th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Perth, Australia, 2006
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Help the wizard stop the green invaders! Agribusiness Crop Updates, Perth, Australia, 2006
Renton, M., Hanan, J., Kaitaniemi, P.: The inside story: including physiology in structural plant models. In Proceedings of the 1st international conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques in Australasia and South-East Asia (Graphite2003), 95-102, ACM, New York, 2003
Hanan, J., Renton, M., Yorston, E.: Simulating and visualising spray deposition on plant canopies. In Proceedings of the 1st international conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques in Australasia and South-East Asia (Graphite2003), 259-260, ACM, New York, 2003
Other Conference Proceedings
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Using the weed seed wizard to understand and manage the weed seedbank. In Proceedings of the 21st Asian Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2007
Evans. F, Diggle, A. Renton, M.,: Modelling the effects of farm management on the spread of herbicide resistance. In Proceedings of the 21st Asian Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2007
Renton, M., Peltzer, S., Diggle, A.: Using the weed seed wizard to understand and manage natural ecosystem seedbanks. In Proceedings of the 9th International Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions Conference (EMAPI), Perth, Australia, 2007
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Using L-systems and Markovian models to simulate apple tree cultivars at several topological scales. In Proceedings of the XVII International Botanical Congress, Vienna, Austria, 2005
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Integrating Markov chain models and L-systems to simulate the architectural development of apple trees. In Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2004
Renton, M., Costes E., Guédon, Y., Godin, C.: Simulating the architectural development of apple trees. In Proceedings of the International Functional-Structural Plant Modelling Conference (FSPM04), Montpellier, France, 2004
Renton, M., Hanan, J., Burrage, K.: A canonical toolkit for modelling plant function. In Proceedings of the International Functional-Structural Plant Modelling Conference (FSPM04), Montpellier, France, 2004
Beveridge, C., Harding, E., Renton, M., Bell, P., Parmenter, J., Hanan, J.: Hypothesis driven modelling of long-distance signalling and plant development. In Proceedings of the International Functional-Structural Plant Modelling Conference (FSPM04), Montpellier, France, 2004
Thornby, D. Renton, M., Hanan, J.: Using computational plant science tools to investigate morphological aspects of compensatory growth. In Proceedings of the International Computational Science Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2003
Funding received
• Top-up PhD scholarship from the Centre for Plant Architecture Informatics 2000
• Grant for post-doctoral project on ‘Modelling Structural Development of Apple Trees’ in France 2004
• Grant for six month extension to ‘Modelling Structural Development of Apple Trees’ project 2005
• ‘Weed Seed Wizard’ project funded by CRC for Australian Weed Management 2007-2008 ($50,000)
• ‘Quantifying Protein in Wheat Decision Support System’ project funded by Dept. of Agriculture and Food WA 2008-2009 ($145,000)
• ‘Aerial Detection of Plant Pathogens’ project funded by CRC for National Plant Biosecurity 2008-2010 ($102,000)
• Award for Best Scientific Program in Program 2 for the ‘Weed Seed Wizard’ project by the CRC for Australian Weed Management 2008
• ‘Summary Models for Complex Agricultural Production Simulation Models’ project funded by CRC for Future Farm Industries 2008-2010 ($39,000)
• ‘Spatial Colonisation by Seagrass’ project funded by Dept. of Industry and Resources and Cockburn Cement 2008 ($15,000)
• ‘Herbicide Resistance Model Interface Development’ project funded by Western Australian Herbicide Initiative 2008 ($15,000)
• ‘Extension to Weed Seed Wizard’ project funded by CRC for Australian Weed Management 2008 ($20,000)
• ‘Spatial Colonisation by Seagrass’ project funded by Dept. of Industry and Resources and Cockburn Cement 2009 ($20,000)
• ‘PestFax’ project funded by Dept. of Agriculture and Food WA 2008 ($6,000)
• Improving Student Learning grant entitled ‘Understanding Ecological Population Dynamics Using Interactive Computer Simulations’ awarded by the Centre for Teaching and Learning UWA 2008 ($3,000)
• ‘Rootmap’ project funded by the University of Tasmania 2008-2009 ($30,000)
• ‘Modelling Organism Spread for Rapid Response’ project funded by CRC for National Plant Biosecurity 2008-2010 ($380,000) - approved
• ‘Modelling Evolution and Management of Pesticide Resistance in Stored Grain Pests’ project funded by CRC for National Plant Biosecurity 2008-2010 ($102,000)
• Grant for post-doctoral project on ‘Modelling Structural Development of Apple Trees’ in France 2004
• Grant for six month extension to ‘Modelling Structural Development of Apple Trees’ project 2005
• ‘Weed Seed Wizard’ project funded by CRC for Australian Weed Management 2007-2008 ($50,000)
• ‘Quantifying Protein in Wheat Decision Support System’ project funded by Dept. of Agriculture and Food WA 2008-2009 ($145,000)
• ‘Aerial Detection of Plant Pathogens’ project funded by CRC for National Plant Biosecurity 2008-2010 ($102,000)
• Award for Best Scientific Program in Program 2 for the ‘Weed Seed Wizard’ project by the CRC for Australian Weed Management 2008
• ‘Summary Models for Complex Agricultural Production Simulation Models’ project funded by CRC for Future Farm Industries 2008-2010 ($39,000)
• ‘Spatial Colonisation by Seagrass’ project funded by Dept. of Industry and Resources and Cockburn Cement 2008 ($15,000)
• ‘Herbicide Resistance Model Interface Development’ project funded by Western Australian Herbicide Initiative 2008 ($15,000)
• ‘Extension to Weed Seed Wizard’ project funded by CRC for Australian Weed Management 2008 ($20,000)
• ‘Spatial Colonisation by Seagrass’ project funded by Dept. of Industry and Resources and Cockburn Cement 2009 ($20,000)
• ‘PestFax’ project funded by Dept. of Agriculture and Food WA 2008 ($6,000)
• Improving Student Learning grant entitled ‘Understanding Ecological Population Dynamics Using Interactive Computer Simulations’ awarded by the Centre for Teaching and Learning UWA 2008 ($3,000)
• ‘Rootmap’ project funded by the University of Tasmania 2008-2009 ($30,000)
• ‘Modelling Organism Spread for Rapid Response’ project funded by CRC for National Plant Biosecurity 2008-2010 ($380,000) - approved
• ‘Modelling Evolution and Management of Pesticide Resistance in Stored Grain Pests’ project funded by CRC for National Plant Biosecurity 2008-2010 ($102,000)
Industrial relevance
Agriculture - including cropping and pastures
Horticulture
Ecology and conservation biology
Horticulture
Ecology and conservation biology
Languages
English (native)
Indonesian (good)
French (good)
Spanish (fair)
Indonesian (good)
French (good)
Spanish (fair)
Memberships
Treasurer of the Asian Pacific Weed Science Society
State Representative of the Yoga Teacher's Association of Australia
State Representative of the Yoga Teacher's Association of Australia
Teaching
I currently teach in the following units:
- Australian Vegetation
- Cropping Systems
- Biometrics 2
- Pasture Systems
- Australian Vegetation
- Cropping Systems
- Biometrics 2
- Pasture Systems
Current external positions
I have a joint position with UWA and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.
Current projects
For information on current research or potential student projects, please follow this link http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/contact/michael_renton
Research profile
