Dr Joe Miller - 'Evolutionary and spatial diversity of the Australian flora'

Over the past year the research of the CANBR has been combining spatial data with phylogenetic (evolutionary relationships) data.  This allows researchers to identify areas in Australia that contain high  (or low) levels of phylogenetic biodiversity that may have been missed when only species counts are used to measure biodiversity.  CANBR is working closely with department agencies to apply these ideas in the conservation design system.  Joe will describe the methods used and show examples from many large Australian plant lineages, including Acacia, Eucalyptus, mosses, liverworts and hornworts.

Joe is a Research scientist and the Research Group leader at the CANBR, a joint venture between the CSIRO and ANBG.  His research focuses on the molecular evolution of Acacia with an interest in understanding the evolution of important  evolutionary traits of the flora.