The Conversation

Wildlife monitoring is vital to arresting Australia’s extinction crisis. But research shows we may be getting false pictures of how species are faring. David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Benjamin Scheele, Research Fellow in Ecology, Australian National University Elle Bowd, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Maldwyn John Evans, Senior Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As bushfire seasons grow longer and more intense, Australia needs new weapons in its firefighting arsenal. Marta Yebra, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Australian National University Iain Guilliard, Research Fellow, School of Engineering., Australian National University Nicholas Wilson, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Robert Mahony, Professor of System Theory and Robotics, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Climate Change Commission identified three major changes since 2019: other countries are doing more, impacts are becoming more severe, and delaying action shifts costs to future generations. Robert McLachlan, Professor in Applied Mathematics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Giving aluminium smelters tax incentives to switch to clean energy is long overdue. The question now is how to accelerate the clean energy rollout Tessa Leach, Research Manager, Industry, at Climateworks Centre, Monash University Anna Malos, Climateworks Country Lead, Australia, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

While its large brilliant flowers attracted early horticultural attention, this summertime stunner’s path to being a successful urban tree has not always been easy. Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Even though 1080 is derived from native plants, not all of Australia’s native species are resistant to this lethal poison. Rachel Mason, PhD candidate in Conservation Biology, Deakin University Anthony Rendall, Lecturer in Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research highlights the need for a broader approach to attracting fairy-wrens and other beloved birds to our gardens. Rochelle Steven, Lecturer in Environmental Management, Murdoch University David Newsome, Assoc. Professor of Environmental Science, Murdoch University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conservation groups can now share and compare climate adaptation tactics to support threatened species and ecosystems through a new online tool called AdaptLog. Jess Melbourne-Thomas, Transdisciplinary Researcher & Knowledge Broker, CSIRO Claire Mason, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We’ve had many public awareness campaigns, yet Australia is still nowhere near the federal-government supported goal of zero drownings. Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate, UNSW Beach Safety Research Group + School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When Australia faced a housing crisis 80 years ago, the government was urged to promote the building of more climate-responsive homes. So why are so many homes today still not made for our climate? Julie Collins, Research Fellow and Curator, Architecture Museum, University of South Australia Lyrian Daniel, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of South Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s vital to understand how climate drivers played out before and during the LA wildfire emergency – because many Australian cities face the same climate risks. Steve Turton, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Geography, CQUniversity Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This record-breaking heat is primarily driven by humanity’s burning of fossil fuels. The warming won’t stop until we reach net-zero emissions. Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne David Karoly, Professor emeritus, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Understanding this migration is crucial. New developments proposed in Bass Strait, particularly offshore wind farms, may introduce challenges for migrating birds. Jessica Wei Zhou, Researcher in Ecology, Monash University Rohan Clarke, Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Conservation volunteers could provide a crucial defence line against bird flu outbreaks in New Zealand by ensuring early detection. Brett David Gartrell, Professor in Wildlife Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Craig Brian Johnson, Professor of Veterinary Neurophysiology, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Beach cabanas serve a valid purpose. But make sure you use them carefully and responsibly, so everyone’s day at the beach is safe and enjoyable. Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate, UNSW Beach Safety Research Group + School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We knew this would happen eventually. We have moved from possible futures to these things now happening. The deferment has ended. David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Taking that beautiful snail shell could increase the cost of housing for a hermit crab or small shrimp that needs it next. The beautiful conch shell that calls to you is actually an octopus caravan. Nathan Brooks English, Associate professor; Flora, Fauna & Freshwater Research Cluster Lead, CQUniversity Australia Robert Muir, Project Officer at the Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reports of a rare summer La Niña are premature. It is also foolish to look at such climate drivers in isolation. But seasonal forecasting is becoming more complicated as the planet warms. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

This new research estimates the price and benefits of recovering threatened species – and offers cost-effective ways for environment groups, farmers, governments and others to make a difference. April Reside, Lecturer in Conservation, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor in Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Josie Carwardine, Senior Research Scientist, Environmental Research, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

From dried-up rivers to flooded crops and cities, rising temperatures in 2024 wreaked havoc with water, creating life-threatening challenges for people and nature alike. Explore this interactive map. Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.