Experts hail biodiversity

Scientists from across the world have travelled thousands of kilometres to visit Albany's renowned granite outcrops this week.

Presenters from Europe, the US and South America will share their knowledge about granite outcrop ecosystems at the University of WA's inaugural Great Southern Colloquium on Biodiversity on Friday.

Professor Stefan Porembski, from the University of Rostock in Germany, flew more than 14,000km to take part, alongside Dr Fernando Silveira from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil and Dr Peggy Fiedler from the University of California.

The botanist said Albany's "inselbergs" or island mountains - a term coined by German geologist and explorer Wilhelm Bornhardt in the 1900s -were fascinating.

"It's worth the flight, even from Germany," he said.

Professor Porembski said rocks had been closely linked to human evolution throughout mankind's history by providing shelter, water and tools, but granite outcrops were also home to an abundance of plants.

He said hardy, water-storing plants, such as succulents, cacti and aloe vera, survive among tropical outcrops despite harsh conditions.

"Quite a number of plant species on those outcrops are adapted to climate change because they are exposed to enormous amounts of sun radiation," Professor Porembski said.

Albany's temperate granite outcrops, such as Mt Melville, contribute to the region's internationally acclaimed biodiversity.

"Many of these plants are very unique, many to this small part of the world... limited to a very few outcrops," Professor Porembski said.

He is writing a global review of tropical and temperate granite outcrops with Winthrop Professor Steve Hopper, who will chair the colloquium.

Professor Hopper said Albany's granite outcrops had remarkable history and cultural significance.

"Very few cities in the world are nestled between two outcrops - Mt Melville and Mt Clarence," he said.

Professor Hopper will lead a tour of inland and coastal granite outcrops - including Lake Pleasant View, Stony Hill and Whalers Cove - on Saturday to compare Noongar and Western perspectives.

Noongar elder Eugene Eades, Department of Parks and Wildlife science and conservation director Dr Margaret Byrne and UWA Albany PhD student Nicole Bezemer are also guest speakers.