2016
Issue 215 to 226.
![A tamarin in among tree branches and leaves eating a bright orange fruit.](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/tamarin_Marcio-Cabral-de-Moura_Flickr.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Tropical forest carbon storage at risk from defaunation
Disappearing vertebrates are affecting the structure and carbon storage capacity of tropical forests.
![A beach facing slope with homes damaged by bushfire](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Wye-River.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Safety among the gum trees for Wye River
Our leading bushfire risk expert Justin Leonard has been working with the community and a wider Advisory Panel to develop a set of voluntary guidelines that will help improve the townships resilience to bushfire.
![A small motor boat on a river bend](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/blue-green-algae-Echuca.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Are toxic algal blooms the new normal for Australia’s major rivers?
Blooms of toxic blue-green algae were unheard of in Australia's major waterways before 1991. Now the Murray River is experiencing its fourth bloom in a decade.
![160 people who attended the The Cutting Edge Symposium on Synthetic Biology are pictured on the steps of the Australian War Memorial. The event was held in Canberra on 4–5 April 2016.](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/symposiumfinal.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Symposium highlights Australia as a vibrant hub for synthetic biology
Biofactories, biosensors and beyond: new technologies are being inspired by nature. Synthetic biology is one of the most rapidly growing areas of modern science and there has been a groundswell of interest in Australia.
![Dr Frank Reith (University of Adelaide) and Dr Barbara Etschmann (Monash University) collecting platinum nuggets in Brazil. Image: Prof Joël Brugger](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMGP6230.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Panning for platinum – the prospects are good
The search for the world’s rarest precious metal could get easier, thanks to bacteria.
![](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cyclone-Yasi-Townsville-Queensland-Feb-2011.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Systematically addressing disaster resilience in Australia could save billions
The cost of replacing essential infrastructure damaged by disasters will reach an estimated $17 billion in the next 35 years. It is essential we systematically build disaster resilience in Australia.
![Eastern rock lobster](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/eastern-rock-lobster.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Species everywhere are on the move
Plants and animals all over the world are redistributing and changing their behaviour in response to warming temperatures. Observing these changes tells us a lot about our changing climate.
![The Blue Mountains NSW](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/blue-mountains-Peter-Asquith.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Beating the eucalypt blues – new ways to model air quality
Australia is obliged to report on pollution levels. How we model these levels can be improved.
![Queensland Coastline as seen from space shows the Great Barrier Reef and muddy water flowing from hte Burdekin River into the ocean.](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Burdekin-Plume-NASA-Flikr.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Saving the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is at risk from factors in and out of the water. Dr Christian Roth discusses what needs to change, and how, to save our reef.