Australia's mammalian carnivore diversity in space and time. To more effectively address the current extinction crisis we need to understand past diversity. This research program will comprehensively investigate the diversity of mammalian carnivores on three continents over geological time. Results will provide insight into whether the evolution of Australia's mammal carnivores differs fundamentally from those of other continents, as has often been suggested but not quantitatively demonstrated. ....Australia's mammalian carnivore diversity in space and time. To more effectively address the current extinction crisis we need to understand past diversity. This research program will comprehensively investigate the diversity of mammalian carnivores on three continents over geological time. Results will provide insight into whether the evolution of Australia's mammal carnivores differs fundamentally from those of other continents, as has often been suggested but not quantitatively demonstrated. Studies focused in the present are important, but often miss critical factors that can only be clarified through analyses with deep time perspectives. The findings will translate into an improved understanding of what makes Australia unique and better-informed decisions regarding wildlife management.Read moreRead less
Sea Snake Diversification: Why Are Certain Taxa And Regions Species-Rich? By generating new knowledge of ecologically and medically important Australasian organisms, this project will benefit biodiversity management, snakebite therapy and pharmaceutical research. Sea snakes reach peak diversity in the Indo-Australian hotspot and are threatened by habitat degradation, fisheries bycatch and rising sea temperatures. Sea snake conservation and marine reserve management strategies will directly ben ....Sea Snake Diversification: Why Are Certain Taxa And Regions Species-Rich? By generating new knowledge of ecologically and medically important Australasian organisms, this project will benefit biodiversity management, snakebite therapy and pharmaceutical research. Sea snakes reach peak diversity in the Indo-Australian hotspot and are threatened by habitat degradation, fisheries bycatch and rising sea temperatures. Sea snake conservation and marine reserve management strategies will directly benefit from a better understanding of local endemism, species boundaries and possible cryptic species. Sea snakes are highly venomous and pose a significant health risk in fishing communities; venom variation has a strong phylogenetic component and is of vital importance in antivenom preparation and bioprospecting. Read moreRead less
Climate Change, Industrial Structure and the Knowledge Economy: Key Issues for an Effective Response on Greenhouse Gases. The objectives of this project are to undertake a major, long term study of the impact of global structural change on greenhouse gas emissions and on climate change, and to develop a detailed knowledge base concerning trade in embodied emissions. It is hoped that the knowledge generated will both inform global responses to this vital problem and contribute to the continuing d ....Climate Change, Industrial Structure and the Knowledge Economy: Key Issues for an Effective Response on Greenhouse Gases. The objectives of this project are to undertake a major, long term study of the impact of global structural change on greenhouse gas emissions and on climate change, and to develop a detailed knowledge base concerning trade in embodied emissions. It is hoped that the knowledge generated will both inform global responses to this vital problem and contribute to the continuing development of effective responses within Australia. The output - a book and many papers - will be directed in part to contribute to the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100013
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
Eddy correlation lander array. The proposed Eddy Correlation Lander Array will be the first in world and, as such, will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of fields. As such, this equipment will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and Monash University and enhance our ability to deliver high quality research in the National Research Priority Area of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia, with priority g ....Eddy correlation lander array. The proposed Eddy Correlation Lander Array will be the first in world and, as such, will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of fields. As such, this equipment will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and Monash University and enhance our ability to deliver high quality research in the National Research Priority Area of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia, with priority goals in water resources, responding to climate change and variability, overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity and sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less
The molecular basis of oligotrophy: an integrated genomic and functional proteomic study of the model marine oligotroph, Sphingopyxis alaskensis. The project will will enable Australia to take the lead in the global analysis of oligotrophy, highlighting the reputation Australian scientists have in scientific programs of global significance. As Australia is surrounded by some of the most oligotrophic waters in the world, we have access to an enormous natural resource suitable for the isolation of ....The molecular basis of oligotrophy: an integrated genomic and functional proteomic study of the model marine oligotroph, Sphingopyxis alaskensis. The project will will enable Australia to take the lead in the global analysis of oligotrophy, highlighting the reputation Australian scientists have in scientific programs of global significance. As Australia is surrounded by some of the most oligotrophic waters in the world, we have access to an enormous natural resource suitable for the isolation of oligotrophs. Realising the potential of oligotrophs may therefore provide an invaluable source of compounds, enzymes and molecules for biotechnology and industry. Understanding microbial oligotrophy will also ensure we protect our $50 billion dollar tourism industry by remaining abreast of factors which influence the marine environment and directly impact on all coastal activities.Read moreRead less
Evolution of the unique fauna of the Great Artesian Basin mound springs: the impact of aridification and climate change. The mound springs of the Great Artesian Basin represent one of Australia's most unique environments and are of national biodiversity, cultural and economic significance. Their conservation is a major issue following listing of the springs as a threatened ecological community. As economic productivity in the GAB intensifies, the mound springs are under increasing threat from es ....Evolution of the unique fauna of the Great Artesian Basin mound springs: the impact of aridification and climate change. The mound springs of the Great Artesian Basin represent one of Australia's most unique environments and are of national biodiversity, cultural and economic significance. Their conservation is a major issue following listing of the springs as a threatened ecological community. As economic productivity in the GAB intensifies, the mound springs are under increasing threat from escalating groundwater use. The results of this study on the evolution of two crustacean groups will provide significant biological information for management plans, facilitating conservation of mound springs communities, and helping to understand the impacts of water extraction and climate change on this unique habitat.Read moreRead less
Uncovering the evolutionary history of Australasian marsupials: combining molecular phylogenetics and ecological inference. Marsupials are symbolic of the uniqueness of Australia's biological systems and there is widespread public interest in their natural history. Yet we know little of the evolutionary mechanisms that have shaped their biodiversity. This is a critical problem when considered in the context of Australian marsupials having suffered the highest extinction rate of any continental m ....Uncovering the evolutionary history of Australasian marsupials: combining molecular phylogenetics and ecological inference. Marsupials are symbolic of the uniqueness of Australia's biological systems and there is widespread public interest in their natural history. Yet we know little of the evolutionary mechanisms that have shaped their biodiversity. This is a critical problem when considered in the context of Australian marsupials having suffered the highest extinction rate of any continental mammal fauna over the past 200 years. This project will make a major contribution to understanding the origins, timescale and ecological nature of Australasian marsupial evolution. In doing so, it will inform conservation strategy, promote Australasian marsupials as a model system for studying faunal coevolution and develop widely applicable bioinformatic tools.Read moreRead less
Sustaining Australia's sheep industry under climate change: modelling Australia's sheep flock response to climatic and economic constraints. This project aims to provide a quantitative assessment of the impact of climate change and economic conditions on the Australian sheep industry. This will be achieved by constructing a robust dynamic model of the Australian sheep flock capable of integrating biophysical and economic constraints across regional and national scales. Using historical and proje ....Sustaining Australia's sheep industry under climate change: modelling Australia's sheep flock response to climatic and economic constraints. This project aims to provide a quantitative assessment of the impact of climate change and economic conditions on the Australian sheep industry. This will be achieved by constructing a robust dynamic model of the Australian sheep flock capable of integrating biophysical and economic constraints across regional and national scales. Using historical and projected biophysical and economic inputs it will enhance the capacity of the Australian sheep industry for strategic planning in the face of projected climate change. This capacity is being actively sought by the peak sheep industry bodies in conjunction with our industry partner the Bureau of Rural Sciences.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI100100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,834.00
Summary
Developing predictive tools for rapid assessment of multiple impacts, including climate change, on the marine ecosystem of Torres Strait (Australia). This project will underpin Australia's long-term commitment to maintain environmental biodiversity and sustainability in the face of synergistic effects from multiple threats. We will describe the consequences of threats and stressors on marine processes, harvested resources, and ecosystem functioning by identifying vulnerable species and habitats. ....Developing predictive tools for rapid assessment of multiple impacts, including climate change, on the marine ecosystem of Torres Strait (Australia). This project will underpin Australia's long-term commitment to maintain environmental biodiversity and sustainability in the face of synergistic effects from multiple threats. We will describe the consequences of threats and stressors on marine processes, harvested resources, and ecosystem functioning by identifying vulnerable species and habitats. We will provide management advice on balancing cultural and ecosystem integrity, economic efficiency, and ecosystem resilience under scenarios of climate and environmental change. This information is of immediate use by Australian government agencies. The project will put Australian scientists at the forefront of research focused on the adaptation of marine ecosystems to synergistic effects.Read moreRead less
Solar radiation, coral bleaching and climate change. Corals reefs like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) underpin approximately $2 billion annually in sustainable tourism and fisheries. Warming of Australia's tropical seas, however, has increased mass coral bleaching/mortality and is placing reefs like the GBR at increasing risk. Solar radiation (PAR, UVR) plays an important influence on the biological outcome of thermal stress. Understanding the role of solar radiation is critical if we are to unde ....Solar radiation, coral bleaching and climate change. Corals reefs like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) underpin approximately $2 billion annually in sustainable tourism and fisheries. Warming of Australia's tropical seas, however, has increased mass coral bleaching/mortality and is placing reefs like the GBR at increasing risk. Solar radiation (PAR, UVR) plays an important influence on the biological outcome of thermal stress. Understanding the role of solar radiation is critical if we are to understand the changes that will occur on coral reefs as temperatures increase. This multidisciplinary international team will define and model the role of solar radiation on thermal stress at local, regional and global scales. Read moreRead less