Scientific Subprogrammes

Algae
The algae are a diverse and polyphyletic group of organisms. As treated (for convenience) by ABRS they range from prokaryotic bacteria (Cyanophyta or blue-green algae) to various photosynthetic eukaryotic groups, some thought to be closely related to land plants (Chlorophyta, Charophyta), and others which form distinct lineages, many considered by some to be Kingdoms in their own right. The boundary between 'algae', 'fungi' and 'protists' is difficult to define, especially among unicellular organisms, and ABRS pragmatically includes within the algal subprogramme any organisms traditionally studied by phycologists. At present this group is estimated to contain about 12 000 species in Australia, but detailed taxonomic study will undoubtedly increase this number substantially.
Algae Contact: Dr P.McCarthy

Fauna
The Fauna Subprogramme facilitates the documentation, collation and dissemination of knowledge on all Australian animals.

The rich and diverse Australian fauna is estimated at well over 250 000 species and at present over 120 000 species have been documented and described. Of the described fauna the relatively well-known vertebrates are represented by about 7550 species and the abundant invertebrates by around 114 000 species; over half of the invertebrate fauna is yet to be described.

Only by knowing the identity of an animal, can we be sure we are all speaking about the same organism. We link the information to the species through the name. To this end ABRS has concentrated on the development of comprehensive checklists of the Australian fauna, lists that give the valid name, the key to that organism. Currently, for most vertebrate and a great many of the invertebrate groups, taxonomic and nomenclatural information and, brief notes on ecology and distribution have been compiled and are available.
Fauna Contacts: Ms P.Beesley, Dr A.Wells

Fungi
The Fungi of Australia in hard copy and online will document Australian fungi. Fungi are the most diverse group of organisms apart from the insects; they are spread across three Kingdoms-Protoctista, Chromista and Eumycota (the true fungi containing the familiar mushrooms and cup fungi). Australia is estimated to have 160 000–250 000 fungal species of which less than five per cent have been described.

Fungi are very important in the environment. They have a number of different lifestyles; however, one thing common to all of them is that they do not make their own food but must feed on pre-existing organic matter. Fungi that feed on dead organic matter are called saprotrophs. Saprotrophic fungi feed on and recycle into the environment about 85% of the carbon from dead organic matter — such as plants, animals and other fungi. These fungi release the locked-up nutrients that can then be used by other living organisms.

Mutualistic fungi (mycorrhizal fungi) have beneficial associations with living plants. About 90% of plant species form mycorrhizae and in many of these associations between 15–30% of the food produced by the plant moves through to the fungus partner. This fungus is adept at extracting minerals, especially nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil, and these pass through to the plant. Mycorrhizal fungi can also protect plants against pathogenic fungi and other micro-organisms. They are very important for plant health, especially in Australia’s nutrient-poor soils, where these fungus/plant partnerships are often essential for a plant’s survival. Fungi are also significant as parasites; for example plant parasitic fungi are important in agriculture, forestry and quarantine issues.
Fungi Contact: Dr P.McCarthy

Lichens & Bryophytes

Lichens
Lichens are composite organisms comprising, in most cases, an Ascomycete fungus and a unicellular green alga. More than 3200 species are known to occur in Australia and its external territories, representing about 400 genera in about 100 families. Lichens are especially diverse in tropical and temperate regions, that is, near the east coast from north Queensland to Tasmania. While species numbers are far smaller in semi-arid and arid parts of the country, their biomass in those regions is considerable and their biological significance profound.

Bryophytes
Bryophytes (mainly mosses and liverworts) are primitive, green, mainly terrestrial plants. Most inhabit soil, bare rock and the bark of trees, and they are especially diverse and luxuriant in damp, shaded habitats from the tropics to cool-temperate regions, as well as montane areas. Conversely, a comparatively small number of specialised taxa thrive in the more extreme conditions prevalent in semi-arid and arid Australia. At least 1800 bryophyte species (including mosses, liverworts and hornworts) are known from Australia, these comprising significant endemic, southern-temperate, pantropical and cosmopolitan elements.
Lichens & Bryophytes Contact: Dr P.McCarthy

Vascular Flora
The vascular flora comprises the flowering plants, gymnosperms, ferns and fern allies. Australia has over 18 000 species of described vascular plants, which are the most conspicuous components of our environment: the eucalypts and acacias in particular being icons of the Australian landscape. ABRS provides information on these organisms in a range of formats, from the Flora of Australia and its Supplementary Series, to online resources and the Grass posters.
Vascular Flora Contact: Miss A.Wilson