The Conversation
Sugar gums have a reputation as risky branch-droppers but they’re important to bees, parrots and possums
Many in the wider community still see sugar gums as risky trees that drop dangerous branches. But there is much to appreciate and admire about Eucalyptus cladocalyx.
Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne
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Our tall, wet forests were not open and park-like when colonists arrived – and we shouldn’t be burning them
All the evidence – colonial accounts and records, First Peoples’ testimony and scientific data – points to the existence of widespread tall, dense forests 250 years ago.
David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University
Chris Taylor, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University
Elle Bowd, Research Fellow, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University
Philip Zylstra, Research Associate, University of New South Wales, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin University
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What kind of diner are you? 6 types of diners who avoid plant-based meat dishes
When diners were asked why they don’t order plant-based meat dishes, it turns out they have many different reasons.
David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University
Bettina Grün, Associate Professor, Institute for Statistics and Mathematics, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Sara Dolnicar, Research Professor in Tourism, School of Business, The University of Queensland
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Climate change and human rights: how a landmark legal victory in Europe could affect NZ
The recent climate case win in the European Court of Human Rights by a group of older Swiss women has real implications for a number of current cases before New Zealand courts.
Vernon Rive, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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West Antarctica’s ice sheet was smaller thousands of years ago – here’s why this matters today
Some 7,000 years ago, West Antarctica’s ice sheet retreated, most likely driven by warmer ocean currents slipping under the ice. This could happen again – unless we cut emissions fast.
Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science
Holly Kyeore Han, NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, NASA
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Vastly bigger than the Black Summer: 84 million hectares of northern Australia burned in 2023
The 2023 megafires burnt more than 84 million hectares of desert and savannah in northern Australia. That’s larger than the whole of NSW, or more than three times size of the UK.
Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University
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Gone in a puff of smoke: 52,000 sq km of ‘long unburnt’ Australian habitat has vanished in 40 years
We compiled maps of bushfires and prescribed burns in southern Australia from 1980 to 2021 to see how fire activity is changing habitat for 129 threatened species such as mountain pygmy possums.
William Geary, Lecturer in Quantitative Ecology & Biodiversity Conservation, The University of Melbourne
Dale Nimmo, Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University
Julianna Santos, Research fellow in Ecology and Conservation Science, The University of Melbourne
Kristina J Macdonald, PhD Candidate, Deakin University
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Ecosystems are deeply interconnected – environmental research, policy and management should be too
Pollution on land inevitably ends up in the sea. Policy makers must stop working in silos and instead consider the indirect consequences human impacts on land have for marine environments.
Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher, Lecturer in Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Conrad Pilditch, Professor of Marine Sciences, University of Waikato
Simon Francis Thrush, Director of the Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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More than coral: the unseen casualties of record-breaking heat on the Great Barrier Reef
Bleached coral draws our attention, but marine heat does damage to many unseen parts of these ecosystems.
John Turnbull, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Sydney
Emma Johnston, Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Sydney
Graeme Clark, Senior Research Fellow, Marine Biology, University of Sydney
Steph Gardner, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney
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Restoring coastal habitat boosts wildlife numbers by 61% – but puzzling failures mean we can still do better
Overall, coastal habitat restoration greatly increases animal numbers and diversity. But not all projects deliver the goods and we need to find out why.
Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University
Christopher Brown, ARC Future Fellow in Fisheries Science, University of Tasmania
Rod Connolly, Professor in Marine Science, Griffith University
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It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australia
Flash floods are getting more common, as warmer air can hold more moisture. But there are other changes leading to more inland flooding on the east coast.
Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney
Lance M Leslie, Professor, School of Mathematical And Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney
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Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after dark
Sometimes it seems the night is just buzzing with insects. But are there really more insects out at night? We analysed all the evidence on insect activity across the day–night cycle to find out.
Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia
Raphael Didham, Professor of Ecology, The University of Western Australia
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Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal
Existing laws and regulations failed to prevent asbestos contamination of mulch. What’s missing is mandatory certification of recycled products so users can be sure they’ve been tested and are safe.
Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University
Peter S.P. Wong, Professor and Associate Dean, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University
Tayyab Maqsood, Associate Dean and Head of Project Management, RMIT University
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Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?
Made in Australia could be set for a comeback, if federal government promises materialise. But these localisation plans must work for the regional communities hosting new projects.
Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University
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Why the kookaburra’s iconic laugh is at risk of being silenced
We think of laughing kookaburras as common in Australia and their call certainly lets us know when they’re about. But several factors are driving down their numbers.
Diana Kuchinke, Lecturer in Ecology, Federation University Australia
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Australia’s long-sought stronger environmental laws just got indefinitely deferred. It’s back to business as usual
An end to extinctions. An environmental cop on the beat. Labor promised a great deal on the environment. But yesterday, they backed away from the main challenge.
Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Megan C Evans, Senior Lecturer, Public Sector Management, UNSW Sydney
Yung En Chee, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Science, The University of Melbourne
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Global coral bleaching caused by global warming demands a global response
The first global bleaching event was in 1998 and the fourth is now under way. Until we curb the emissions driving global warming, the pressure on coral reefs will continue to increase.
Britta Schaffelke, Manager International Partnerships and Co-ordinator of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), Australian Institute of Marine Science
David Wachenfeld, Research Program Director – Reef Ecology and Monitoring, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Selina Stead, CEO, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and Professor of Marine Governance and Environmental Science, Newcastle University
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Light pollution affects coastal ecosystems too – this underwater ‘canary’ is warning of the impacts
The common triplefin is helping marine scientists understand the negative effects of ‘skyglow’ on coastal fish, which are already more exposed to microplastics, chemicals and noise pollution.
Kathleen Laura Sterup, Postgraduate in Marine Biology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Abigail M Smith, Professor of Marine Science, University of Otago
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Water theft laws and penalties in the Murray-Darling Basin are a dog’s breakfast. Here’s how we can fix them
Inconsistent laws and penalties for water theft in the Murray-Darling Basin make compliance and enforcement especially challenging. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Adam James Loch, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
David Adamson, Associate professor, Royal Agricultural University
Mark Giancaspro, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Adelaide
Michael Croft, Legal Researcher, University of Adelaide
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Masses of scalloped hammerheads have returned to one of Australia’s busiest beaches. But we don’t need to panic
Young sharks are gathering at a popular beach. Here’s why we should skip our fear response and go for wonder – and protection
Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science and Manager Whales & Climate Program, Griffith University
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