Dr Jose M. Facelli

Research Interests

My main research interest is the role of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the structure and function of ecological systems. Under the guise of various different projects my laboratory ultimately works to establish the various ways in which variability determines how ecological systems work.

We focus on plant ecology, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands.

EXPERIMENTAL TESTS OF THE STORAGE EFFECT IN ARID LANDS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

This is a collaborative project with Peter Chesson (U. Arizona) to test the validity of the storage effect model to explain the coexistence of species in the annual plant guild.

We have tested experimentally the effect of rainfall variability on the structure of annual plant communities, the role of the soil seed bank, the various germination responses to environmental conditions, and the importance of spatial distribution in determining the balance between intra and interspecific competition). Future work will include more detailed studies of patterns of species distributions, the mechanisms that determine these patterns, and the consequences for coexistence between species.

Recent collaborators:

Peter Chesson (http://eebweb.arizona.edu/Faculty/chesson/)

Casey Mueller

ECOLOGY OF INVASIVE PLANTS

For the last few years we have investigated the ecological characteristics of plants that invade natural ecosystems in South Australia, with the participation of several students. The main areas of study are:

Comparisons of the ecology and competitive ability of native and introduced perennial plants. (Gael Fogarty)

Ecology of a putative sleeper weed (Centaurea solstitialis): are differences in competitive ability environmental or biological? (Greg Hay - Funded by Weed Management CRC)

Effects of invasive legumes on the soil properties and microbiological characters. (Alice Dewar - Funded by Weed Management CRC)

Past Students:
Tanja Lenz
Interactions between native and introduced grasses in remnant natural grasslands of South Australia.

MINE RELATED DISTURBANCES IN SEMIARID ECOSYSTEMS: EFFECTS AND RESTORATION STRATEGIES

This project investigates the effects of disturbances produced by mining related activities such as mineral exploration. The plant component of the study focuses on the differences in the plant community structure and dynamics between linear clearances used for mineral prospecting and adjacent undisturbed sites. Regional Reserve. Another aspect of the project includes the study of the requirements of native species for germination and establishment in areas used for mineral sand mining.

Participants and collaborators
Phillip Ainsley (Botanic Gardens of Adelaide)

Leanne Pound

Lindy Scott

Publications

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

A few of these publications are provided in the FILES section below as pdf files. Please email me if you want copies of other publications.

Facelli, J. M. and Brock, D. R.. 2000. Patch dynamics in arid lands: localized effects of Acacia papyrocarpa on soils and vegetation of open woodlands of South Australia. Ecography 23: 479-491.

Facelli, J. M. and A. M. Temby. 2002. Multiple effects of shrubs on the annual plant community in arid lands of South Australia. Austral Ecology 27: 422- 432.

Facelli, E. and J. M. Facelli. 2002. Soil phosphorus heterogeneity and mycorrhizal symbiosis regulate plant intra-specific competition and size distribution. Oecologia 133: 54-61

Lenz, T. I. and J. M. Facelli. 2003. Shrub shade facilitates an invasive stem succulent in a chenopod shrubland in South Australia. Austral Ecology 28: 480 - 490.

Hastwell, G. and J. M. Facelli 2003 Facilitation in a pulsed environment: Differing effects of facilitation on growth and survivorship of the chenopod shrub Enchylaena tomentosa. Journal of Ecology 91 941-950.

Prider, J. N. and J. M. Facelli. 2004. Interactive effects of drought and shade on three arid zone chenopod shrubs with contrasting distributions in relation to tree canopies. Functional Ecology 18: 67-76.

Lenz, T. I. and J. M. Facelli. 2005 The role of seed limitation and resource availability in the recruitment of exotic annuals and native perennial grasses in a South Australian grassland. Austral Ecology 30: 684-694.

Ladd, B, and J. M. Facelli . 2005 Effects of competition, resource availability and invertebrates on tree seedling establishment. Journal of Ecology 93: 968-977.

Facelli, J. M., P. Chesson, and N. Barnes. 2005. Differences in seed biology of annual plants in arid lands: a key ingredient of the stroage effect. Ecology 86:2998-3006.

Lenz, T. and J. M. Facelli (2006) Correlations between environmental factors, exotic annual grass biomass and native perennial grass frequency in South Australian Mid-north grasslands. Australian Journal of Botany 54:655-667.

Files

• 31 Facelli and Brock - Facelli&Brock.pdf [489.6K] (application/pdf)
• 40 Hastwell and Facelli - hastwell_Facell_JEi.pdf [227.3K] (application/pdf)
• 45 - Facelli_Chesson_Barnes.pdf [175.1K] (application/pdf)

Expertise for Media Contact

Categories	Environment
Expertise	Plant Ecology Ecology of Arid Lands Ecology of Invasive plants Effects of grazing on natural ecosystems Revegetation disturbance ecology environmental weeds ecology native vegetation conservation rangelands grasslands native grasses mallee heathland
Notes	Alt phone: (08) 8303 3999

Entry last updated: Sunday, 28 Jun 2009