Savuti Henningsen has just finished her PhD at The University of Western Australia, working in collaboration with Kings Park Science and Alcoa on seed ecology and restoration science. With a background in Environmental Science, Seed Ecology, and Land & Water Management, she specialises in understanding complex seed dormancy mechanisms in Australian native flora. Her doctoral research focuses on the ecophysiology of Hibbertia species in the Jarrah Forest, aiming to improve seed-based restoration outcomes for biodiverse but highly disturbed landscapes. Savuti is passionate about translating rigorous research into practical, scalable solutions that support ecological restoration across Western Australia. Interesting Facts: All tested Hibbertia species responded positively to smoke (Karrikinolide, KAR1)—a powerful germination cue linked to bushfire ecology. Resprouter species were consistently more deeply dormant, while seeder species germinated more readily, reflecting their life-history strategies. Many species showed multi‑year germination flushes, meaning seeds can persist and remain viable even after extended wet periods. Despite similar seed size and appearance, Hibbertia species showed high inter‑specific variation in what breaks their dormancy, one of the key reasons restoration practitioners struggle with them. Savuti will give an introduction to Hibbertia—a key understorey genus in the Jarrah Forest with over 80 species, many of which are difficult to germinate due to morphophysiological dormancy (MPD).
