Plant Ecophysiology
Astron specialises in the science of plant ecophysiology and has over 10 years experience in monitoring the physiological interactions of plant species and their responses to the ambient environment. The ability to measure plant physiological mechanisms can assist in addressing important environmental questions such as the dewatering impacts on Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDE), as well as offer an indication of tree health condition and survival.
Astron personnel have been involved in a number of projects throughout Western Australia, spanning from tree plantations in the south-west to agroforestry tree belts in the Wheatbelt to the riparian vegetation in the Pilbara.
Astron personnel can design and implement statistically sound temporal and spatial monitoring programs that include:
- Monitoring in situ plant water status
- Implementing sap flow monitoring programs to measure tree transpiration rates
- Implementing and monitoring the total vegetation water balance
- Foliar nutrient and foliar canopy analyses
- Growth and allometric monitoring
- Above-ground biomass studies
Astron personnel also have extensive experience and knowledge in using field based scientific instrumentation to monitor and analyse the physiology of plants under varying environmental conditions. This includes the use of:
- LiCOR LAI2000
- PMS pressure chamber
- Greenspan sapflow (heat pulse) sensors & ICT sapflow (heat ratio) units
- CPN neutron moisture meter & capacitance soil moisture probes
- Portable leaf & chamber porometers
- Portable evaporation dome & soil lysimeters
