The Conversation

We’ve brought some species back from the brink – but more and more are being threatened. Here’s why Frédérik Saltré, Research Fellow in Ecology for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology and Models Theme Leader for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Green anacondas are the world’s heaviest snakes, and among the longest. it’s remarkable this hidden species has slipped under the radar until now. Bryan G. Fry, Professor of Toxicology, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

There are two approaches to producing low-emission hydrogen, and public acceptance (or rejection) of each method will be important for hydrogen and its place in the energy transition. Mitchell Scovell, Research Scientist, CSIRO Andrea Walton, Social Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We sampled sewage sludge from 13 wastewater treatment plants across three states. We found every resident adds microplastics to farmland, in dried sewage sludge (biosolids) used as fertiliser. Shima Ziajahromi, Advance Queensland Research Fellow, Griffith University Frederic Leusch, Professor of Environmental Science, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As other nations race to restructure their economies in line with a low-carbon future, Australia risks being left behind. An economy-shaping tax on fossil fuels is a conversation we must have. Ian A. MacKenzie, Professor of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We’re going to build a lot more solar as we race to clean up the grid. But as the world heats up, solar will degrade faster in hot, humid areas. We need to plan ahead. Shukla Poddar, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The ‘20°C effect’ could give us new insights into how temperature controls ecosystems and influences evolution – as well as how species might adapt to climate change. Mark John Costello, Professor, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University Ross Corkrey, Adjunct Senior Researcher in Biostatistics, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Climate change is increasing the risks of extreme heat, floods and bushfires, meaning more people are having to consider moving home. But different people come to different decisions. Justine Dandy, Associate Professor, Centre for People, Place & Planet, and School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University Zoe Leviston, Research Fellow, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When we see false information circulating, we might move to debunk it. But prebunking lies and explaining manipulation techniques can work better. Christian Turney, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, University of Technology Sydney Sander van der Linden, Professor of Social Psychology in Society, University of Cambridge Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

It’s a horror story unfolding in the west that could sweep across the country. Beware the shot-hole borer, an exotic pest that threatens our tree crops, plantations, urban forests and wild places. Theo Evans, Associate Professor, The University of Western Australia Bruce Webber, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s Soft Plastics Taskforce has been under pressure to fill the vacuum left by the demise of REDcycle. But this time the small trial announced for Melbourne has the potential to succeed. Anya Phelan, Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Our new maps show coral reefs are more extensive than we thought. Mitchell Lyons, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Stuart Phinn, Professor of Geography, Director - Remote Sensing Research Centre, Chair - Earth Observation Australia, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The native red admiral is less common than it used to be, but we can all help threatened bug species by ensuring they have the right habitats to thrive in. Janice Lord, Associate Professor in Botany, University of Otago Connal McLean, Natural History Technician – Invertebrates, Te Papa Tongarewa Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The event has prompted questions about the reliability of the state’s electricity grid. But it’s important to note these extreme winds would have seriously disrupted any power system. Roger Dargaville, Director Monash Energy Institute, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has already lost so many wonderful mammal species. Do we want the southern greater glider to suffer the same fate? David Lindenmayer, Professor, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Kita Ashman, Adjunct research associate, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By moving to scrap the Auckland regional fuel tax, the government continues a decades-long pattern of transport policy U-turns that leave the city – and country – without a sustainable way forward. Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Survey respondents overwhelmingly prioritised saving a human life – even if that person had been repeatedly told to evacuate and even if, as a consequence, a snail or shrub species became extinct. John Woinarski, Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wildebeest herds churning dust. Sturgeon seeking spawning grounds. Shorebirds flying from Siberia. These iconic animal migrations could soon be a memory. Richard Fuller, Professor in Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Queensland Daniel Dunn, A/Prof of Marine Conservation Science & Director of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS), The University of Queensland Lily Bentley, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

By allowing a case against local greenhouse gas emitters to go ahead, the Supreme Court of New Zealand has opened the door to a new front in climate law – one that takes tikanga Māori into account. Vernon Rive, Associate professor, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia’s First Peoples have a strong and continuing connection to the land. Their determination to maintain this connection provides important opportunities for conservation. Our new research explored… Amanda Lilleyman, Adjunct associate, Charles Darwin University Jack Pascoe, Research fellow, The University of Melbourne Stephen Garnett, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.