The Conversation

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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 Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With submissions about to close on the government’s proposed fast-track consenting legislation, its possible impact on New Zealand’s diminished and delicate ecosystems demands proper scrutiny. Margaret Stanley, Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research shows climate change can drive sudden ocean cooling too. This can have devastating effects on marine life such as bull sharks and manta rays. Nicolas Benjamin Lubitz, Researcher in marine ecology, James Cook University David Schoeman, Professor of Global-Change Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

For two years, Australia had a carbon price. Now we have a shadow price which won’t be paid by any emitter. John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If a new declaration based on customary concepts of tikanga and mana is recognised by the courts, it could potentially give interest groups the legal standing to sue on behalf of whales. Rachael Evans, Lecturer, Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law, University of Canterbury Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Intense heat and no rain in southwest Western Australia are causing widespread tree and shrub die-offs. Joe Fontaine, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, Murdoch University George Matusick, Director, Center for Natural Resources Management on Military Lands, Auburn University Jatin Kala, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA felllow, Murdoch University Kerryn Hawke, Lecturer in Atmospheric Science, Murdoch University Nate Anderson, PhD candidate, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia is expanding trade and investment with Southeast Asia to improve regional prosperity and global climate security. Here’s what to expect at the April 15-16 green economy summit in Vietnam. Trang Nguyen, Southeast Asia Lead, Climateworks Centre Anna Skarbek, CEO, Climateworks Centre Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Weather forecasting is improving at a great rate, even though climate change could be making it tougher. Andrew King, Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, The University of Melbourne Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University Michael Barnes, Research Fellow, Monash University Nick Earl-Jones, Climate Research Fellow with the Climate Futures Programme, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Proper biodiversity conservation requires long-term commitments to protect areas of land and water, as laid down in international guidelines. James Fitzsimons, Adjunct Professor in Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What harm can a road do? Plenty. Once built, illegal roads let loggers, miners, poachers and landgrabbers into the jungle, and the felling begins. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.