Vocabulary Workshops

Last updated on 31 May, 2023 2 min read

Over the past year we have conducted two workshops to refine and document the trait definitions used to build AusTraits. These workshops have brought together researchers from different disciplines, ranging from plant ecologists to systematists, who use AusTraits to answer correspondingly different research questions The forum allows us to jointly determine the scope of traits, trait definitions and allowable trait values that meet everyone’s research needs.

The first workshop was focused on a collection of traits related to seeds, germination and seedlings.

Workshop organisers
  • Elizabeth Wenk, UNSW
  • Herve Sauquet, UNSW
  • Lydia Guja, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research
Workshop participants
  • Russell Barrett, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney
  • Carl Gosper, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia
  • Greg Jordan, University of Tasmania
  • Mark Ooi, UNSW
  • Karen Sommerville, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney

The second workshop was focused on a collection of traits related to plant growth form and morphological leaf traits.

Workshop organisers
  • Elizabeth Wenk, UNSW
  • Herve Sauquet, UNSW
Workshop participants
  • Russell Barrett, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney
  • Greg Jordan, University of Tasmania
  • Andy Leigh, University of Technology, Sydney
  • Pat Lu-Irving, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney
  • Peter Vesk, University of Melbourne
  • Ian Wright, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney

The third workshop was focused on traits that shape plant fire response and plant regeneration following disturbance.

Workshop organisers
  • Elizabeth Wenk, UNSW
  • Rachael Gallagher, Western Sydney University
Workshop participants
  • Tony Auld, NSW Department of Planning and Environment
  • Russell Barrett, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Sydney
  • Carl Gosper, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia
  • Tom LeBreton, UNSW
  • Rachael Nolan, Western Sydney University
  • Matt White, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

In addition we have called upon the expertise of key experts in the fields of plant gas exchange and photosystem performance, hydraulics and other water relations traits, and floral structure to review additional traits.

Expert reviewers
  • Tim Brodribb, University of Tasmania
  • Brendan Choat, Western Sydney University
  • David Ellsworth, Western Sydney University
  • Belinda Medlyn, Western Sydney University
  • Herve Sauquet, UNSW