How does temperature affect complex life histories? A Cost Theory approach. This proposal seeks to understand how temperature affects the relative costs of early life history stages, from
development, through to energy independence for a diverse array of taxa, from seaweeds, to plants to
vertebrates. The proposed research seeks to test the predictions of a new framework, Developmental Cost
Theory, and extend this theory to include germination (for plants) and metamorphosis for animals. The antic ....How does temperature affect complex life histories? A Cost Theory approach. This proposal seeks to understand how temperature affects the relative costs of early life history stages, from
development, through to energy independence for a diverse array of taxa, from seaweeds, to plants to
vertebrates. The proposed research seeks to test the predictions of a new framework, Developmental Cost
Theory, and extend this theory to include germination (for plants) and metamorphosis for animals. The anticipated
goals are to provide clear predictions regarding which species are likely to thrive or suffer under continued global
warming, and a valuable framework for understanding how temperature shapes the life histories of organisms,
including those that are important from an ecological or agricultural perspective.Read moreRead less
More bang for your carbon buck: carbon, biodiversity and water balance consequences of whole-catchment carbon farming. Farming carbon via tree plantings on pasture land is becoming increasingly common to address the effects of climate change. This activity is likely to produce dramatic changes in Australia's rural landscapes, but we have little knowledge of likely effects on crucial ecosystem services and attributes such as stream water yields and biodiversity. This project will investigate the ....More bang for your carbon buck: carbon, biodiversity and water balance consequences of whole-catchment carbon farming. Farming carbon via tree plantings on pasture land is becoming increasingly common to address the effects of climate change. This activity is likely to produce dramatic changes in Australia's rural landscapes, but we have little knowledge of likely effects on crucial ecosystem services and attributes such as stream water yields and biodiversity. This project will investigate the relationship between tree cover, carbon uptake, water yield and biodiversity. The outcomes will allow government agencies, landowners and carbon farming groups to better evaluate the effects of different landscape planning options and contribute to effective long-term planning for multiple goals.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,113.00
Summary
Aliens in the alps: predicting invasions and protecting native species. This project aims to investigate how warming and alien species invasions impact on Australia’s alpine ecosystems. Using a combination of methods from across the natural and physical sciences, this project endeavours to generate new knowledge on alpine biodiversity and the ability of native and alien species to cope with the pressures of climate warming and decreasing snow fall. Expected outcomes of this project include impro ....Aliens in the alps: predicting invasions and protecting native species. This project aims to investigate how warming and alien species invasions impact on Australia’s alpine ecosystems. Using a combination of methods from across the natural and physical sciences, this project endeavours to generate new knowledge on alpine biodiversity and the ability of native and alien species to cope with the pressures of climate warming and decreasing snow fall. Expected outcomes of this project include improved accuracy and precision in predicting the impacts of environmental change providing benefits to conservation planning and protection of the Australian Alps.Read moreRead less
Modelling policy interventions to protect Australia's food security in the face of environmental sustainability challenges . This project will use an innovative scenario modelling approach to quantify the potential impacts of population growth and emerging climate and environmental challenges on Australia’s future food security. In collaboration with an advisory committee it will specify and prioritise policy solutions in terms of their social and economic credentials.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100219
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
A multi-institutional environmental radioactivity research centre. This project aims to establish an environmental radioactivity research centre, equipped with ultra-low background and high-resolution alpha and gamma spectrometry systems, radon detectors and radium delayed coincidence counters. The centre will address a critical demand in Australia for precise analysis of a large suite of natural and artificial radionuclides, which will be used as tracers and chronological tools to investigate k ....A multi-institutional environmental radioactivity research centre. This project aims to establish an environmental radioactivity research centre, equipped with ultra-low background and high-resolution alpha and gamma spectrometry systems, radon detectors and radium delayed coincidence counters. The centre will address a critical demand in Australia for precise analysis of a large suite of natural and artificial radionuclides, which will be used as tracers and chronological tools to investigate key questions in oceanography and the mining and energy, archaeological, agricultural, and forestry sectors. The facility is expected to substantially increase expertise and training in radionuclides in Australia, and promote high-level research collaborations and outputs of both national and international significance. Major outcomes of the proposed facility include better understanding of how oceans regulate climate and improved capacity to assess effects of radiation on natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Multi-service assessment of intertidal treatment wetlands. This project aims to investigate the use of constructed intertidal wetlands to reduce nitrogen pollution while providing co-benefits including carbon sequestration and biodiversity. This research will generate a holistic assessment of the services, disservices, and cost-effectiveness of intertidal treatment wetlands compared to traditional wastewater treatment approaches. Expected outcomes include a full-scale multi-disciplinary environm ....Multi-service assessment of intertidal treatment wetlands. This project aims to investigate the use of constructed intertidal wetlands to reduce nitrogen pollution while providing co-benefits including carbon sequestration and biodiversity. This research will generate a holistic assessment of the services, disservices, and cost-effectiveness of intertidal treatment wetlands compared to traditional wastewater treatment approaches. Expected outcomes include a full-scale multi-disciplinary environmental and economic assessment of a constructed treatment wetland in a new urban development, providing industry and government partners the knowledge required to broaden uptake of intertidal wetlands as a cost-effective solution to growing levels of coastal anthropogenic pollution.Read moreRead less
Innovative approaches to identifying regional responses of biodiversity to climate change. Australia is facing a biodiversity extinction crisis that is likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Existing models of climate at regional scales require significant advancement, not only to better understand impacts on biodiversity, but also to assist with decision making and adaptation strategies. The project will produce innovative and robust climate maps that are at a scale that is relevant for re ....Innovative approaches to identifying regional responses of biodiversity to climate change. Australia is facing a biodiversity extinction crisis that is likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Existing models of climate at regional scales require significant advancement, not only to better understand impacts on biodiversity, but also to assist with decision making and adaptation strategies. The project will produce innovative and robust climate maps that are at a scale that is relevant for regional management, enabling predictions of how management actions interact with climate change to affect climate and biodiversity. The project will innovatively identify climate refugia and quantify the effectiveness of existing processes of conservation decision making, whilst engaging the community in climate science and providing considerable scientific training.Read moreRead less
Defining winning strategies in a changing Southern Ocean . The ecosystem of the Southern Ocean is extremely complex, and understanding its response to rapid climate change is challenging. The aim of the project is to use changes in the behaviour of marine predators to provide new measures of integrated changes in eastern Antarctic ecosystems throughout the winter. With novel combinations of electronic tagging, natural biogeochemical markers, and simulation modelling, the project expects to recon ....Defining winning strategies in a changing Southern Ocean . The ecosystem of the Southern Ocean is extremely complex, and understanding its response to rapid climate change is challenging. The aim of the project is to use changes in the behaviour of marine predators to provide new measures of integrated changes in eastern Antarctic ecosystems throughout the winter. With novel combinations of electronic tagging, natural biogeochemical markers, and simulation modelling, the project expects to reconstruct changes in animal behaviour in response to changes in the environment. The data is anticipated to explain ongoing large-scale shifts in Southern Ocean ecosystems, providing information needed to underpin future management and adaptation strategies.Read moreRead less
Living in a high carbon dioxide world: impacts on freshwater phytoplankton populations from elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide. This project will investigate likely changes in phytoplankton populations in reservoirs that will be caused by increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the next century. The project will provide water supply managers with the necessary information to plan future strategies for water treatment and operating procedures.