– ABOUT
AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS INITIATIVE
Present-day, complex communities of rangeland grasses have evolved and dominated much of the Australian continent. The distinctive characteristics of these rangeland grasses are revealed by applying the principles and technologies of biogeography, phenotyping, biochemistry, molecular genetics, and evolutionary biology, providing new insights into adaptation and traits beneficial for agriculture and society.
Several genera have been identified and prioritised for analysis due to their relative distributions across Australian grasslands. These grassland communities from four common genera exhibit (A) widely contrasting distributions and (B) a diversity of ranges from narrow (e.g. Triodia compacta) to very broad (e.g. Themeda triandra). Themeda (kangaroo grass) will serve as a model due to its broad continental distribution.
Established in 2020, the key goals of the initiative include defining species’ ranges, testing resilience in controlled environments, assessing adaptations in photosynthetic machinery, and identifying stress tolerance genes. The collaborative project involves scholars, botanic gardens, industries, and agencies, contributing to germplasm conservation and raising awareness about the significance of Australia’s rangelands in climate-resilient systems.
OBJECTIVES
The creation of referential omic data resources for Australian native grasslands aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Conserve germplasm within its natural distribution range.
- Identify functional traits and key genes or proteins for tolerance to extreme environments, applying these to cereals and pastoral grasses to enhance resilience to aridity, variable fertility, and biotic stresses.
- Strengthen connections between research agencies, including ARC Centres of Excellence, Linkage programs, and CSIRO.
- Increase public awareness of Australia’s rangelands as crucial gene sources to safeguard cropping and pastoral systems in changing climates.
The project’s success relies on contributions from scholars at universities (including Macquarie, Adelaide, Western Sydney, WA), botanic gardens (e.g. RBG, ANBG, Kings Gardens), seed and pastoral industries (e.g. agri-techs), and public agencies.
DATA
For further information and to view and access initiative data, please go to the Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal.
PROJECTS
| Scientific name | Common name | Project Summary | Data Strategy | Project Lead | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themeda triandra | Kangaroo grass | Kangaroo grass is a cardinal rangeland species found across Australia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka and South and East Africa and is adapted to a vast range of climates and many soil types. The species has diverse ploidies and trait variation, even within Australia. This study aims to understand how the ploidy and differences in gene expression contributes to the adaptability of Themeda triandra. | Reference genome (PacBio HiFi, Hi-C, Illumina resequencing), Transcriptomics (Iso-seq, Illumina short read) | Brian Atwell | Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, ARC CoE for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, University of Tasmania, CSIRO, Australian Pastures Genebank, Australian Grains Genebank, Nindethana Seed Service |
| Microbial DNA from the surfaces of Australian native grasses | This Bioplatforms-supported project aims to characterise the functional and structural diversity of microbial communities associated with Australian native and invasive grasses. Native grasses are critical for ecological restoration, but are often difficult to establish. This project builds on our prior experiments demonstrating that the microbiome of native grass seedlings can drive plant growth benefits. By employing shotgun metagenomic sequencing of microbiomes from rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and seed surfaces, we aim to uncover the mechanisms driving these effects (e.g., hormone production, nutrient acquisition, pathogen suppression), and compare microbial functions between native and invasive grasses to inform restoration strategies. Complementing this, genome sequencing of bacterial isolates recovered from roots and seeds will identify candidate probiotic strains with roles in enhancing germination, seedling vigour, or stress resilience. Project outcomes will advance our ability to harness microbial communities for improving native grass restoration, delivering functional insights and candidate probiotics to support resilient ecosystem recovery. | Reference genome (PacBio HiFi), Shotgun metagenome sequencing | Sasha Tetu | Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney | |
| Bothriochloa macra and B. decipiens | Red-leg grass and blue pitted grass | Australian grasslands are globally unique ecosystems that support many endemic plant species. In south-eastern Australia, less than 1% of the original grassland habitat remains, surviving in scattered remnant patches. These ecosystems are under increasing pressure from land use change, invasive species, and climate change. Restoration efforts are urgently needed, but one of the key challenges is determining which seeds to plant and where. Traditionally, local seed sourcing has been favoured based on the assumption that plants perform best in their native environments. However, with rapidly shifting climates, fragmented populations, and limited seed availability, this approach may no longer be optimal. There is a growing need for an evolutionary framework that guides seed sourcing decisions in a changing world. This project aims to uncover the genetic basis of climate adaptation in two native Australian grasses—Bothriochloa macra and B. decipiens—to inform restoration strategies. Specifically, we will: 1. Develop a genome reference for B. macra to provide a valuable foundation for research on adaptation, restoration, and functional genomics in native grass species 2. Assess the adaptive genetic landscape of B. macra and B. decipiens in relation to historic climate variation 3. Predict future mismatches between genotype and environment across populations and test these predictions in multi-site field experiments. | Reference genome (PacBio,Hi-C), Transcriptomics (Illumina short read), Population genetics (whole genome resequencing) | Kathryn Hodgins | Monash University, University of New England |
| Themeda triandra | Kangaroo grass | Compacted soils are a major issue in Australia, reducing rooting depth of plants and their ability to access water and nutrients. Themeda triandra is reported to tolerate compacted soils yet the regulatory pathways involved are unknown. Knowledge of pathways involved in compaction tolerance that could assist in improving soil structure has potential application for agriculture, urban and grassland restoration programs. Key research questions this project aims to answer are, what are the genetic pathways involved in response to compaction in Themeda triandra and are these related to phenotypic traits such as root:shoot ratio? This knowledge would assist in guiding our partner organizations in restoration programs and include, regenerative agriculture group Tiverton Agricultural Impact Fund, grassland restoration programs with catchment management authorities, Parks Victoria, Landcare groups and Department of Transport. | Transcriptomics (Iso-seq, Illumina short read) | Kim Johnson | La Trobe University |
| Various species | Various species | Six grass species have been selected to represent the diversity of groundcover species within Cumberland Plain grassy woodlands. These species span a range of functional types (C3/ C4, seeder/resprouter) and climate niches (cool/wet, warm/dry). The species are representative of grasslands and grassy woodlands broadly across eastern Australia, many of which are threatened and targets for conservation and restoration. The response of native grass species to temperature warming and water limitation in restoration plots is being characterised in the Restoring Ecosystems under Climate Change (RE-Clim) research facility based on the Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury campus. The project aims to (1) Understand how warming temperature and water limitation effect seedlings performance; (2) Quantify genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity to future climates; and (3) Determine the molecular mechanisms that provide resilience to heat and drought. RNA sequencing provided by Bioplatforms Australia will enable transcriptomic analyses designed to determine the climate resilience of groundcover species. | Transcriptomics (Illumina short read) | Paul Rymer | Western Sydney University, Cesar Australia |
| Neurachne alopecuroidea, N. minor, N. munroi, N. muelleri and N. lanigera | NA, Foxtail Mulga Grass, Mulga Grass, Hop-along grass/Northern Mulga Grass, Woolly Mulga Grass | The Australian endemic Neurachne is the only know grass group with distinct, closely related species using C3, C4, or C3-C4 intermediate photosynthesis. We are using this unique group to examine the molecular evolution of C4 photosynthesis from the ancestral C3 condition, where the C3-C4 intermediate species are thought to represent steps along the C3 to C4 evolutionary continuum. Three leaf cell types are involved in Neurachne C4 photosynthesis; consequently, comparison of cell type-specific expression profiles between C3, C3-C4, and C4 Neurachne species using spatial transcriptomics will allow identification of molecular changes responsible for C4 evolution. Insights into chromatin accessibility and epigenetic modifications will also be gained through ATAC and bisulfite sequencing, giving insights into the regulation of gene expression in closely related species using different photosynthetic pathways. | Transcriptomics (Illumina short read), ATAC-Seq, Bisulphite sequencing, Spatial transcriptomics (Stereo-seq) | Martha Ludwig | University of Western Australia, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Jülich Research Centre |
| Cymbopogon spp | Lemon Grass | Cymbopogon (Lemon grass), contains c. 50 species from the Old-World tropics and subtropics with 11 species in Australia - nine are native. Cymbopogon species are difficult to discern morphologically, sometimes involving hybridization zones. Three of the native species C. ambiguous, C. obtectus and C. refractus are some of the most widely distributed grass species in Australia, occupying multiple biomes ranging from the arid interior to monsoonal tropical areas, to temperate regions in the South-West and South-East. This study will use genome resequencing of multiple populations of the 11 Australian species to investigate relationships at the inter/intra-specific levels, biogeography, morphological trait evolution, ecological specialisation, and population process involved in hybridization zones. | Phylogenomics (Whole genome sequencing - Illumina short read) | Richard Jobson | Botanic Gardens of Sydney, University of Sheffield, WA Herbarium, NT Herbarium Alice Springs |
| Triodia (all species) | False Spinifex, Hummock grasses | Hummock grasses of the genus Triodia, colloquially known as ‘spinifex’, are the largest grass genus in Australia. They are found only in mainland Australia, where they are dominant in many arid and seasonally arid communities. This project will utilise the Angiosperm353 bait-capture technique to produce a detailed species-level family tree for the genus. As a species-rich, widespread and dominant genus with a long evolutionary history in Australia (at least 10 Ma), Triodia provides a powerful study system to explore evolution in the arid zone. The phylogeny will allow biogeographic analyses of biotic responses to increasing aridity since the Late Miocene. | Phylogenomics (Bait capture – Angiosperms353) | Matthew Barrett | Australian Tropical Herbarium, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA |
| Triodia (polyploidy complexes) | False Spinifex, Hummock grasses | Triodia is a large grass genus (128 species; Barrett et al. in press) endemic to mainland Australia. They form hummock grasslands covering c. 22% of Australia (arid zone), and dominate the understory in drier woodlands. As dominant flammable species, they control fuel loads and fire regimes across 1/3 of Australia. Many species are common restoration targets for mine rehabilitation in arid Australia. This project will generate whole genome sequences for two Triodia species using long-read sequencing technology, in order to reconstruct chromosome copies present in the genome from a genome duplication even early in the history of the genus. The assembled genomes will provide insights into the origins of Triodia, the evolution of polyploid genomes, and the contribution of whole genome duplications to the radiation of Australian arid flora. | Reference genome (PacBio HiFi) | Matthew Barrett | Australian Tropical Herbarium, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA, Kings Park Science, University of Western Australia |
| Panicum bisulcatum, Setaria viridis, Panicum coloratum and Urochloa panicoides | Blackseed panic, Green pigeon grass, Klein grass and Liverseed grass | Plants assimilate atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis, converting it into carbohydrates that fuel their growth, development, and maintenance. However, a large proportion of this fixed carbon—around 60 Gt C y-1—is released back into the atmosphere via respiration. This respiratory flux from terrestrial plants is approximately six times greater than current annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions. C4 plants, known for their highly efficient photosynthesis, dominate about 80% of Australia's land area. They include some of our most productive crops (e.g. maize and sugarcane), ecologically significant grasses (e.g. kangaroo grass and Mitchell grass), and fire-prone species that contribute to bushfire risk. These plants are crucial for agriculture, biodiversity, and land management. Yet, despite their significance, we lack fundamental knowledge about how leaf respiration in C4 plants vary across environments and respond to temperature changes. Our project investigates how leaf respiration responds to warming in closely related native C3 and C4 grasses grown under two distinct temperature regimes in a controlled glasshouse environment. We aim to address two key questions: (1) Do C4 plants exhibit a stronger respiratory response to warming compared to C3 plants? (2) If so, what metabolomic markers are associated with this response? By identifying the metabolomic signatures linked to thermal responses, we hope to uncover physiological traits that could predict or enhance resilience to climate change. Ultimately, understanding how C₄ plants respond to warming will improve our grasp of ecosystem–atmosphere carbon fluxes and contribute vital knowledge to Australia's carbon accounting. This research will also inform future strategies in crop improvement, land management, and ecological forecasting in a warming world. | Metabolomics | Yuzhen Fan | Australian National University |
| Astrebla pectinata | Barley Mitchell grass | We are interested in uncovering novel molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which climate-resilient plants acclimate to environmental challenges. Astrebla pectinata is of great interest given its widespread distribution across much of Australia includes regions with extremely high temperatures and low water availability, such as in Central Australia. Preliminary experiments under controlled growth environments have identified that A. pectinata has very strong capacity to detoxify reactive oxygen species and recover photosynthetic activity during exposure to heat stress. Data generated from this BPA Grasslands Initiative project will provide molecular insights into the transcriptomic and metabolomic response of A. pectinata to heat stress. This will complement the physiological measurements and collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the stress resilience of this key Australian grass. | Reference genome (PacBio HiFi), Transcriptomics (long read ONT), Metabolomics | Kai Chan | Australian National University |
PARTNERS
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PROJECT CONTACTS
Brian Atwell – Scientific Lead
brian.atwell@mq.edu.au
KEY INFORMATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT INFORMATION
Bioplatforms Initiative DOI: https://doi.org/10.25953/q2jf-r221
Umbrella Bioproject ID: PRJNA1217484
Please use this ID when submitting any derived data to a database that is a member of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), such as GenBank/NCBI, ENA or DDBJ.
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Citation Guidelines
To cite the general initiative:
Australian Grasslands Initiative, 2020, https://doi.org/10.25953/q2jf-r221
To cite a specific dataset:
The Australian Grasslands Initiative, 2020, https://doi.org/10.25953/q2jf-r221, [year-of-data-download], [full dataset title], [dataset-access-URL], accessed [date-of-access].
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Acknowledgement Statement
We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Australian Grasslands Initiative Consortium in the generation of data used in this publication. The Initiative is supported by funding from Bioplatforms Australia, enabled by the Commonwealth Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
If relevant, also credit other organisations involved in collection of the particular dataset you are using, as listed in the ‘project_lead’ and ‘project_collaborators’ in the metadata record.
CONTACT US
Project Manager
Mabel Lum – Bioplatforms Australia
mlum@bioplatforms.com
General Manager – Science Programs
Sarah Richmond – Bioplatforms Australia
srichmond@bioplatforms.com
DATA AND COLLABORATION POLICY
Data generated through this initiative is subject to the Data and Collaboration policy. Please review it here.