The Conversation

Islands cover just 5.3% of the world’s land area, but contribute disproportionately to global biodiversity, according to research published in Nature. Julian Schrader, Lecturer in Plant Ecology, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ocean eddy currents are driving extreme heat and cold events in the deeper sea, home to the world’s most abundant animal and its largest migration Ming Feng, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There’s a good chance the objects on Coogee beach are not, as some have suggested, tar balls. But in any case, they pose a potential risk and authorities are right to close the beach. Sharon Hook, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By tapping into observations of Bryde’s whale shared on social media, we found evidence of feeding and “surfing” behaviours possibly never documented before. Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has floated the idea of holding a plebiscite on nuclear power the day of the next federal election Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There is growing interest in the use of First Peoples’ words to name plant and animal species. But we must proceed with both caution and respect. Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Sophie Gilbey, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Millions of migratory birds are arriving on Australian shores this spring. Any one of them could bring the new, deadly strain known as H5N1. Extra government funding will help us prepare and respond. Michelle Wille, Senior research fellow, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We’re discovering more species of richly coloured peacock spiders all the time. But their small ranges puts them at very real risk. One species faces likely death by suburban sprawl. Lizzy Lowe, Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow in Ecology and Entomology, Edith Cowan University Jess Marsh, Visiting researcher in ecology, University of Adelaide Leanda Denise Mason, Vice Chancellor Research Fellow in conservation ecology, Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Reduced government incentives, the spreading of myths and concerns about used car values and fires have stalled what had been an increasingly rapid uptake of electric vehicles. Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Analytics & Resilience, UNSW Sydney Hadi Ghaderi, Professor in Supply Chain and Freight Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With Hurricanes Helene and Milton reminding us of the destructive force of such storms, the tropical cyclone forecast for Australia is for an average number but with a higher risk of severe cyclones. Andrew Dowdy, Principal Research Scientist in Extreme Weather, The University of Melbourne Liz Ritchie-Tyo, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Savin Chand, Senior Lecturer, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Federation University Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In the 1940s, RAAF planes took aerial photographs of the Great Sandy Desert, capturing something valuable: the patterns of burning performed by our ancestors over generations. Braedan Taylor, Traditional Owner; Karajarri Lands Trust Association/UWA, Indigenous Knowledge Jacqueline Shovellor, Karajarri Traditional Owner, Cultural Advisor, Karajarri Land Trust Association, Indigenous Knowledge James (Frankie) McCarthy, Ngurrara Traditional Owner and Database Officer, Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation, Indigenous Knowledge Sarah Legge, Professor of Wildlife Conservation, Australian National University Thomas Nnarda, Ngurrara Traditional Owner and Ranger, Indigenous Knowledge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Policy reform is urgently needed to make water use in Australia sustainable, but it won’t be effective unless it’s based on facts. Quentin Grafton, Australian Laureate Professor of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University John Williams, Adjunct Professor in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Charles Sturt University, and Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By measuring what might seem immeasurable, businesses can become part of the solution to the nature crisis. Brendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of Melbourne Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT University Simon O'Connor, Honorary Fellow, Melbourne Biodiversity Institute, The University of Melbourne William Geary, Lecturer in Quantitative Ecology & Biodiversity Conservation, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rebates may well increase ownership but won’t overcome the main obstacles to riding e-bikes and e-scooters, which are lack of infrastructure and concerns about safety. Abraham Leung, Senior Research Fellow, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

African savannah elephant numbers are surging. But for farmers in elephant territory, that can spell disaster. To solve human-elephant conflict, we might need to use smell. Patrick Finnerty, Postdoctoral research fellow in conservation, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Integrating biogas, heat and floating solar panels on wastewater ponds could generate enough electricity to supply about 27% of households with renewable energy. Faith Jeremiah, Lecturer in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Lincoln University, New Zealand Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

All of human civilisation emerged during unusually benign climate conditions. As temperature records fall and climate damage intensifies, we are beginning to see what happens when we leave it behind. Thomas Newsome, Associate Professor in Global Ecology, University of Sydney William Ripple, Distinguished Professor and Director, Trophic Cascades Program, Oregon State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The predicted range of future warming remains stubbornly wide. But trying to land on a precise number diverts effort and attention from the climate impacts we’re already seeing. Jonny Williams, Climate Scientist, University of Reading Georgia Rose Grant, Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Paleontology, GNS Science Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

How much microplastic does a city produce? To find out, we looked at Brisbane’s Moreton Bay, where microplastics build up without being washed away Elvis Okoffo, PhD candidate in Environmental Science, The University of Queensland Alistair Grinham, Honorary Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland Ben Tscharke, Research fellow, Analytical Chemistry, The University of Queensland Helen Bostock, Associate Professor in Marine Geology, The University of Queensland Kevin Thomas, Professor of Environmental Health, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Protections for the Heard and McDonald islands, one of Australia’s wildest and most remote areas, don’t go far enough Andrew J Constable, Adviser, Antarctica and Marine Systems, Science & Policy, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.