An Examination of Native Species: Eucalyptus Trees of Australia

1. An Examination of Native Species:Eucalyptus Trees of Australia International Forestry; 2014 By: Brent Bybee, Travis Emerling, Chris Hale, Brie Kerfoot, Nathan Pauley

2. Overview • Lineage and Paleo-climate: • By Nathan Pauley • Uses and products: • By Brent Bybee • Cultural significance: • By Chris Hale Biodiversity and habitat : By Brie Kerfoot Silvicultural Management: By Travis Emerling

3. Lineage and Paleo-climate Nathan Pauley

4. Lineage Figure 1. Strict consensus tree. • Fossil record is sparse and incomplete. • Fossil evidence of fruit, leaves, flowers etc. suggests that Eucalpyts evolved 35-50 My (Eocone). • Morphological taxonomy shows monophyletic with six other genera: (Allosyncarpia, Stockwellia, Eucalyptosis, Arillastrum, Corymbia, Angophora,) • Eucalyptus, Corymbia (Northern Australia), and Angophora (Eastern Australia), (collectively known as Eucalypts) account for 700 of the 5,500 global species. • All but 15 are native to Australia, and 9 only occur in Oceania (Philippines, New Zealand, New Caledonia, New Guinea, and Indonesia). • Eucalypts have evolved to fill specialized niches and range from tropical to arid regions, highland to lowland, can be classified as forest, woodland, or mallees. Monophyletic Ancestor ~50My Gandolfo MA, Hermsen EJ, Zamaloa MC, Nixon KC, et al. (2011) Oldest Known Eucalyptus Macrofossils Are from South America. PLoS ONE 6(6): e21084. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021084

5. Tectonic History

6. Paleo-climate • Quaternary (2.5Ma-present) : • Climate similar to present. • Tropical forests retreated to about the present day, grassland and aridification expanded North and South. • Summary: • Evolution driven by climatic pressures of the shifting continent. • Ancestral seeds of were likely shade intolerant and grew on the fringes of rain forests that were inundated with volcanic eruptions and mudslides. • Adaptation to poorer growing conditions allowed them to prosper and expand their range. • Today they are the dominating tree of the region and serve an important role in the continents equally isolated ecology. • Paleocene (65.5-55.8My) : • Gondwanaland has broken apart, Australia is an independent island. Located between 45ᵒ and 60ᵒ latitude. • Major volcanism in the South. • Extreme differentiation between North and South regions. Northern Australia is arid to tropical, the South is temperate with high rainfall. • Mid-Miocene (13.8 My) : • Opening of Drake’s passage between Antarctica and the continent causing a substantial alteration to the Southern climate. • Cooling of the Southern region and created temperate and humid climate, tropical climates still dominated the North. • Continent collisides with the southern-most islands of Asia leading to flora and fauna exchange.

7. Biodiversity and Habitat By Brie Kerfoot

8. Biodiversity

9. Habitat: Hollows of Eucalyptus • Many of Australia’s species have co-evolved with Eucalyptus and have developed a specialized relationship with the ecosystem. • Many marsupials including koalas and possums have evolved resistances the toxic oils produced by the trees. • Many species only inhabit the Eucalyptus trees. • Example • Wildlife: • Yellow-bellied glider • Critical Habitat • Constructed as a consequence of fungal decay, insects and fire. • Trees must be at least 100 years old before hollows are substantial enough for use. • Habitat decline: • Deforestation • Agriculture • Increased fire regimes.

10. Cultural Significance By Chris Hale

11. Cultural significance • Aborigines are the indigenous people of Australia. • Over centuries they their culture has co-evolved with Eucalyptus trees. • Aboriginal culture has incorporated Eucalyptus in to food, medicine, tools, art, and music.

12. Aboriginal uses: Food and Medicine Aboriginal people used the oil of Eucalyptus leaves infused in drinks for medicinal purposes. • Used to treat: • Fever, sore throats • Colds • Diarrhea • Bronchitis and pneumonia • Aching joints and stiffness • Snake and insect bites • Antibiotic properties

13. Aboriginal uses: Tools • The bark was used to make canoes, bowls, and objects of art. • Seeds were eaten as dry bush food. • The hard wood was used to make musical instruments (didgeridoos) and tools (boomerangs) unique to the aboriginal culture.

14. Uses and Products By Brent Bybee

15. Flooring and Furniture • Flooring • High density and durability. • Half the cost of traditional hardwood. • Stronger than oak flooring. • High variety of color choices. • Furniture • Great for outdoor furniture • Rot/decay resistant • High oil content repels water

16. Eucalyptus Oil • Extracted from the leaves through steam distillation. • Has antiseptic/ Antibacterial properties. • Fragrance can act as deodorizer. • Has insect repellent properties. • Used in foods as a supplement; such as cough drops, toothpaste, and decongestant.

17. Pulpwood • High regeneration rate (14yrs average/ 14”x120”). • Self regeneration at the roots. • Good plantation product. • Low coarseness makes it great for coated papers. • Slender and thick walled cells make the paper uniform and gives it high opacity.

18. Silviculture Management By Travis Emerling

19. Silvicultural Systems: Harvest • Harvest : The act of removing trees in a manner that promotes reestablishment. • Trees reach culmination at 30, but can be harvested as early as 7 years old for paper products. • Typically 400-500 trees per hectare at time of harvest. • Many different harvesting methods are practiced. Clearfelling is the most common. Clearfelling Shelterwood Group Selection Aggregated Retention

20. Silvicultural Systems: Regeneration • Regeneration: The act of establishing new trees either naturally or artificially. • Site preparation: High intensity broadcast burn to reduce fuels and create receptive seedbed. • Seeds collected from local sources and all tree species are present prior to harvest. • Seeds sown aerially via helicopter. • Typical stocking level: 2,000-12,000 trees per hectare.

21. Silvicultural Systems: Tending • Tending: Activities performed to enhance the health of the trees. • Trees must be kept free of weeds for the first 2 years or until they are ~ 1.5m tall. • Indicator plots established after sowing to monitor germination problems. • Seedling regeneration survey conducted in the Summer of the year following seeding. From To

22. Conclusion • The role that the Eucalyptus tree plays in the ecosystem of Australia is of great importance for wide variety of biodiversity that have evolved alongside these species. • The trees plays an important role for both modern and aboriginal cultures who depend on the trees for its various uses. • Eucalyptus forests are delicate in their uniqueness and require due-diligence on the part of those harvesting it to ensure that all aspects of the ecosystem remain intact. Questions?