The Conversation

Genetic diversity is being lost across many species – especially birds and mammals. But you can help stop the decline. Robyn Shaw, Research Fellow in Conservation Genomics, University of Canberra Catherine Grueber, Associate Professor in Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Katherine Farquharson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioinformatics, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Everyone thought koalas were solitary creatures. But a new paper reveals there is more to the social lives of koalas than previously thought. Darcy Watchorn, Threatened Species Biologist, Wildlife Conservation & Science Department, Zoos Victoria, and Visiting Scholar, School of Life & Environmental Science, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In 2010, an enormous marine heatwave devastated ocean life in Western Australia. Now another big one is taking hold – and heading towards Ningaloo. Sina Pinter, PhD Candidate in Ocean Dynamics, The University of Western Australia Matt Rayson, Senior Research Fellow in Oceanography, The University of Western Australia Nicole L. Jones, Professor of Physical Oceanography, The University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

When authorities fight fires, they focus on human life and property. But animals are part of communities too – and disaster preparation should reflect this Danielle Celermajer, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Sydney Anna Sturman, Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sydney Blanche Verlie, Horizon Research Fellow and Lecturer in Social Science, University of Sydney Freya MacDonald, Phd student in Gender and Cultural Studies, University of Sydney Natasha Heenan, Casual Lecturer, Political Economy and Climate Policy, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To listen deeply to nature is to become aware of behaviours, relationships and patterns of interaction between multiple species – and to learn from what we hear. Monty Nixon, PhD Student in Education, University of Canberra Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Give a bacteria-fungi biofilm access to sweetened tea and you can make not only kombucha – but a fibre vital to making clothing. Rajkishore Nayak, Associate Professor , RMIT University Vietnam Donna Cleveland, Associate Professor of Sustainable Design, RMIT University Vietnam Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is humanity’s only hope of achieving climate security. It’s time to think deeply about our chances of getting there. Nick Rowley, Honorary Associate Professor, The Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Accepting change in the aftermath of natural disasters is hard. But long-term survival may require embracing managed retreat rather than repeated rebuilds. Anthony Richardson, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director, Te Puna Ako Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning, University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Murray crayfish disappeared from large parts of its range over the past 40 years. Now a community-driven reintroduction program is bringing the iconic species back. Nick Whiterod, Science Program Manager, Goyder Institute for Water Research Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Research Centre, University of Adelaide Sylvia Zukowski, Senior Aquatic Ecologist, Nature Glenelg Trust. Adjunct Fellow, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution do not happen in isolation, but proposed solutions too often fail to account for this. Two major reports point the way forward. Peter Bridgewater, Adjunct Professor in Conservation, University of Canberra Dirk S. Schmeller, Research Director in Conservation Biology, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) Suraj Upadhaya, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Systems, Kentucky State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

With the US out of the tent, the rest of the world can get on with climate action without Trump’s corrosive influence. Rebekkah Markey-Towler, PhD Candidate, Melbourne Law School, and Research fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The demand for sand is soaring in places like Singapore. But extracting sand from the sea is destructive. It’s worth looking at alternatives Bioantika, PhD Candidate, Global Centre for Mineral Security, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Hernandi Albeto Octaviano, PhD Candidate, Global Centre for Mineral Security, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

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.