Melbourne School of Land and Environment Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science

• Bachelor of Forest Science (Hons), University of Melbourne (1977)
• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne (1982)

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• Distribution and cycling of nutrients in forests and plantations, including impacts of fire and mechanical disturbance on nutrient availability in forest soils

•  Development and amelioration of soil acidity under agricultural systems

• Plantation nutrition, soil nutrient availability and prediction of growth responses to fertilizer application

• Impacts of saline or nutrient-rich irrigation water on growth, nutrient uptake and soil properties in plantations

• Plantation growth and yield in relation to site factors (climate, soils), and growth responses to silvicultural treatment (cultivation, weeding, fertiliser, thinning, pruning)

• Effects of thinning, pruning and other silvicultural interventions on plantation wood properties and quality

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• Wood, water and carbon: productive and sustainable plantations in a changing climate (sponsor Victorian DPI)
• Modelling ecosystem goods and services (sponsor Victorian DSE)
• CRC for Forestry projects within research programs 1 and 2:

  RP1.1: Monitoring and measuring
  RP1.2: Managing and sustaining
  RP1.3: Modelling and information integration
  RP2.2: Silviculture for high value solid and engineered wood products

International Collaborations

• China Eucalypt Research Centre
• International Energy Agency Bioenergy Program

 

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Current Students

Darren Grant (MForSc candidate)
Steve Lane (PhD candidate)
Dinesh Madhavan (PhD candidate)

Potential Student Projects

Masters Forest Science, Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to research higher degree projects generally in the area of plantation silviculture, growth and yield, prospective candidates holding or applying for an Australian Postgraduate Award or Melbourne Research Scholarship, or another eligible scholarship may wish to develop projects relevant to the following cooperative research centres. Some ‘top-up’ scholarships (to APAI stipend), project operating and other benefits are available to suitable projects.

CRC for Forestry:
Research Program 1: Managing and Monitoring for Growth and Health
Research Program 2: High Value Timber Resources     

CRC Future Farm Industries:
Research Program 3: New Woody Crop Industries

Growth and yield of trees integrated into farming landscapes in 400-600 mm rainfall zones:
Species of interest include Eucalyptus cladocalyx, E. occidentalis, and Corymbia maculata. Requires studies of soil strength and water holding capacity, and vertical and horizontal root growth in block- and belt/row-configured plantations in water-shedding and water-gaining landscape elements. Relevant to production (volume/biomass yield), carbon sequestration, and tree water use and catchment water balance questions. Empirical or process-based or hybrid modelling approaches might be taken. Supported by industry collaborators’ existing field trial base across New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

Tree genotype x site water relations in lower rainfall (400-600 mm) farm forestry species:
Requires provenance/family-level comparative studies of tree water relationships (use, efficiency, stress, competition) in species including Eucalyptus cladocalyx and Corymbia maculata. Relevant to production (volume/biomass yield), carbon sequestration, and tree water use and catchment water balance questions; and to tree improvement (selection/breeding). Supported by industry collaborators’ existing field trial base across a range of site climatic and edaphic conditions.

Masters of Forest Ecosystem Science: Forest Internship and Forest Research projects

Family-level variability in Eucalyptus globulus response to thinning:
While most Eucalyptus globulus pulpwood plantations are grown for pulpwood production, there is increasing interest in their potential for solid timber production under intensive management (early thinning and pruning). Such silviculture affects both individual tree growth rates and their wood properties. The study will utilize thinned E. globulus age 9 years family trials (c. 100 families) on contrasting sites in western Victoria and Gippsland. Conventional measurements of growth and vigor could be supported by physiological studies, with quantitative genetic analysis of heritability of observed traits.

Tree improvement for species for lower rainfall environments:
Tree improvement for species suitable for plantations in lower rainfall areas (400- 600 mm MAR) such as Eucalyptus cladocalyx, E. tricarpa, E. sideroxylon, E. occidentalis, Corymbia maculata is relatively undeveloped. The study can access a range of family / provenance trials of these species established in Victoria under the auspices of the Australian Low Rainfall Tree Improvement Group. Conventional measurements of growth and stem form traits could be supported by physiological studies, with quantitative genetic analysis of sources of variation.

Calibration of fertiliser responses in eucalypt plantations:
The precision of predictions of fertiliser responses in eucalypt plantations can be improved by using plant tissue and/or soil nutrient analyses. The study will draw on a large body of rotation-length growth and response data coupled with foliar analysis, and climatic and edaphic data from field trials established across a range of site types throughout Victoria. Empirical and/or process-based response modelling approaches may be taken.

Growth and yield modelling for eucalypt plantations:
Models of plantation growth and yield, including responses to silvicultural treatments such as stocking, cultivation, weeding, thinning and pruning are essential for plantation management decisions. The study can draw on range of data from field trials and permanent growth plots. Empirical and/or process-based response modelling approaches may be taken.

Tree growth in relation to salt accumulation in soils in irrigated plantations:
Wastewater re-use into tree plantations in low rainfall areas has been of long-standing interest to promote growth and avoid disposal of nutrient-rich water to natural water bodies; and now most recently has a bioenergy emphasis. The study will draw on a large body of rotation-length growth and response data coupled with climatic and edaphic data, including profiles of soil salinity development with time, from irrigated field trials established in northern Victoria. Empirical and/or process-based response modelling approaches may be taken.

Biomass, litter and soil carbon changes following reforestation of agricultural grassland with Eucalyptus, Acacia and Pinus:
The impact of reforestation on soils continues to be a contentious issue, particularly with respect to plantation monocultures and potential deleterious long-term impacts on soil quality and productivity. This project will utilize a 6 year-old field experiment planted in south-western Victoria providing for replicated comparison of Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia mearnsii and Pinus radiata. The work will require tree growth measurements together with application of existing (or newly developed) tree biomass allometric equations to estimate biomass, and litter and soil sampling and analysis.

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• Battaglia M, Bruce J, Brack C, Baker T (2009). Climate Change and Australia's Plantation Estate: Analysis of Vulnerability and Preliminary Investigation of Adaptation Options. Final Report FWPA Project PN07.4021. CSIRO, 120pp.
• Feikema PM, Lane PNJ , Beverly CR, Baker TG (2009). Application of Macaque and 3PG+ in CAT catchment-scale hydrological models: limitations and opportunities. 18th World IMACS / MODSIM Congress, Cairns, Australia 13-17 July 2009.
• Feikema P, Beverly C, Morris J, Collopy J, Baker T. and Lane P (2008). Predicting and Managing the Impacts of Commercial Plantations on Catchment Water Balances. Forest and Wood Products Australia. Project number: PN04.4009. pp 64. ISBN: 978-1-920883-38-6.
• Baker, T. and Battaglia, M. (2007). Long-term growth responses of Eucalyptus globulus to soil ripping, weed control and fertiliser application at establishment on a former agricultural site in southeastern Australia. In Proceedings IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03 `Eucalypts and Diversity: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability', 22-26 October 2007. Durban, South Africa. 10p.
• Baker, T.G. and Volker, P.W. (2007). Silviculture of eucalypt plantations in southern Australia for high value solid wood products. Ciencia E Investigacion Forestal 13(1); 43-57.
• Feikema, P.M., Beverly, C.R., Morris, J.D., Collopy, J.J., Baker, T.G. and Lane, P.N.J. 2007. Predicting the impacts of plantations on catchment water balances using the 3PG forest growth model. Pp. 2237-2243 in L. Oxley and D. Kulasiri (eds) MODSIM 2007 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10-13 December 2007, Christchurch, New Zealand. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.
• Forrester, D.I. and Baker, T.G. (2007). Growth response to thinning in a productive Eucalyptus globulus plantation in Victoria, Australia. Pp. 30-37 in Jiang Xiaomei, Ye Kelin, Lu Jianxiong, Yin Yafang and Zhao Youke (eds), Plantation Eucalyptus: Challenge in Product Development, Proceedings of the International Conference on Plantation Eucalyptus, 28 November – 1 December 2005, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. Science Press. Beijing.
• Grant, D.A., Feikema, P.M, Beverly, C.R., Baker, T.G. and Laffan, M. (2007). Plant available water in the 3-PG forest growth model. Pp. 39-40 in Proceedings of the International Symposium on Forest Soils and Ecosystem Health (ISFS2007) 19-23 August 2007, Noosa, Australia.
• Wang, Y., LeMay, V. and Baker, T.G. 2007. Modelling and prediction of dominant height and site index of Eucalyptus globulus plantations using a nonlinear mixed-effect model approach. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37: 1390 - 1403.
• Wang, Y. and Baker, T.G. 2007. A regionalised growth model for Eucalyptus globulus plantations in south-eastern Australia. Australian Forestry 70: 93 - 107.
• Baker, T., Duncan, M. and Stackpole, D. (2005). Growth and Silvicultural Management of Irrigated Plantations. Pp. 113-134 in S. Nambiar and I Ferguson (eds) New Forests: Wood Production and Environmental Services. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia.
• Feikema, P.M., Baker, T.G. and Stackpole, D.J. (2005). Effects of salinity on field grown Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. globulus and E. grandis. Proceedings of the International Salinity Forum. Managing Saline Soils and Water: Science, Technology, and Social Issues. Riverside, California, USA. 25-28 April 2005.
• Strandgard, M., Wang, Y., Chong, D., Wild, I. and Baker, T. (2005). Blue Gum Plantation Management System. Final Report for PN. 03.3903. Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation, Melbourne, 79 pp.
• Wang, Y. and Baker, T.G. (2005). Developing and validating taper models for Eucalyptus globulus plantations using a sequential accuracy testing approach. Forest Biometry Modelling and Information Science. 1: 51-62.
• Washusen, R., Baker, T., Menz, D. and Morrow, A. (2005). Effect of thinning and fertilizer on the cellulose crystallite width of Eucalyptus globulus. Wood Science and Technology 39: 569-578.
• Duncan, M.J. and Baker, T.G. (2004). Early-age cultivation, weed control and fertiliser responses in eucalypt plantations on six contrasting sites in East Gippsland, Victoria. Pp. 241-248 in N.M.G. Borralho, J.S. Pereira, C. Marques, J. Coutinho, M. Madeira and M. Tome (eds), Eucalyptus in a Changing World, Proceedings IUFRO Conference, Aveiro, 11-15 October. RAIZ, Instituto Investiacao da Floresta e Papel, Portugal.
• Stackpole, D.J., Baker, T.G., Duncan, M.J. and Smith, I.W. (2004). Value-Adding Silvicultural Regimes for High Quality Timber Production From Intensively Managed Hardwood and Softwood Plantations. Project Report PN97.602, Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation. 59 pp.
• Baker, T., Laffan, M., Neilsen, W., Arnold, R., Chen, S., Yundong, J. Dongyun, X. Mojiu, L. and Hesheng, L. (2003). Correlating eucalypt growth and nutrition and soil nutrient availability in the cooler provinces of southern China. Pp. 161-168 In J.W. Turnbull (ed.) ACIAR Proceedings No. 111 Eucalypts in Asia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
• Baker, T., Morris, J., Duncan, M., Zhang, N., Yang, Z., Huang, Z. and Chu G. (2003). Tree and stand growth and biomass relationships for Eucalyptus urophylla and E. 12ABL on the Leizhou Peninsula, Guangdong Province, China. Pp. 174-182 In J.W. Turnbull (ed.) ACIAR Proceedings No. 111 Eucalypts in Asia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
• Ferguson, I., Spencer, R., Wood, M., Fox, J., Baker, T. Stackpole, D. and Wild, I. (2003). The potential availability of plantation roundwood. Australian Forestry 66: 30-36.
• Laffan, M., Baker, T. and Chen, S. (2003). Soils proposed for eucalypt plantations in southern China: Properties, distribution, and management requirements. Pp. 154-160 In J.W. Turnbull (ed.) ACIAR Proceedings No. 111 Eucalypts in Asia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
• Zhang, R., Baker, T. and Neilsen, W. (2003). Growth responses to thinning in young Eucalyptus plantations in China and Australia. Pp. 169-173 In J.W. Turnbull (ed.) ACIAR Proceedings No. 111 Eucalypts in Asia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
• Mendham, D., Smethurst, P., Holz, G., Menary, R., Grove, T., Weston, C., Faunt, K., Baker, T. (2002). Soil analyses as indicators of phosphorus response in young eucalypt plantations. Proceedings Soil Science Society of America Journal 66: 959-968.
• Morris, J.D. and Baker, T. (2002). Using a process-based forest model to estimate the potential productivity of Eucalyptus plantations in southern China. Pp. 325-337 In R. Wei and D. Xu (eds) Proceedings of the International Symposium Eucalyptus Plantations: Research, Management and Development. World Scientific, Singapore .
• Wright, L. Verwijst, T., Sheehan, J., Olsson, R. Baker, T., Kjeldsen, J.B., McLaughlin, S., Tolbert, V, and Wilstrand, M. (2002). Bioenergy and bio-based products: Coming to terms with sustainability. pp. 52-64 in Proceedings IEA Bioenergy Task 17, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Report No. 70, Department of Short Rotation Forestry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
• Baker, T., Bartle, J., Dickson, R., Polglase, P. and Schuck, S. (2000). Prospects for Bioenergy from Short Rotation Crops in Australia. Pp 1-15 in Proceedings IEA Bioenergy Task 17, Auburn U.S.A. Publication No. ORNL/TM-2000/311 Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
• Duncan , M.J., Baker, T.G., Appleton, R. and Stokes, R.C. (2000). Growth of Eucalypt Plantation Species Across Twelve Sites in Gippsland, Victoria. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria .
• Wong, J., Baker, T., Duncan , M., McGuire, D, and Bulman, P. (2000). Forecasting Growth of Key Agroforestry Species in South-Eastern Australia. Publication No. 00/68 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

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