Explaining the history of Australia’s vegetation
University of Adelaide-led research has uncovered the history of when and why the native vegetation that today dominates much of Australia first expanded across the continent.
The new understanding will help researchers better predict the likely impact of climate change and rising CO2 levels on these critically important plants.
Called ‘C4 plants’ after their alternative photosynthetic pathway, these plants include a wide variety of native tropical, subtropical and arid grasses as well as saltbushes. C4 crops include sugarcane and corn.
