Biodiversity

Turtles on the comeback trail in Cape York

Indigenous Rangers are counting their turtle hatchlings on Cape York. Today, 74 per cent of turtle hatchlings survive compared to five years ago when sea turtle eggs were being decimated by feral pigs. Focusing on ways to protect turtle nests when they're most vulnerable will see generations of 'minh miintin' to come return to these remote beaches.

The changing life of Antarctica’s ice-free ‘islands’

Warmer temperatures mean more ice-free areas and increasing terrestrial habitat in Antarctica, but that’s not necessarily good news for Antarctic natives.

Arid springs: the hidden evolutionary cradles of Outback Australia

At the Edgbaston springs in Central Queensland, a precarious ecosystem unknown to science until 25 years ago, scientists are uncovering a treasure trove of species found nowhere else on the planet. Together with the springs ecosystems in other arid areas of the Great Artesian Basin, these species are revealing a fascinating evolutionary tale.

Native Australian bees hone in on the prize

Native Australian bees have taken out the prize for Small Publishers' Adult Book of the Year at the 2017 Australian book awards - with some thanks to former CSIRO entomologist Tim Heard.

Maybe we can, but should we? Deciding whether to bring back extinct species

De-extinction is closer to reality than you think. 'Decision science' can help examine the feasibility of bringing species back and likely impact on existing environmental and species management programs, and help answer those nagging questions: 'Because we can, does it mean we should?', and 'what happens if we do?'

Where do all the wild things go?

Ningaloo Reef was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Area in 2011. Scientists are using tracking technology to better understand the region's unique and charismatic species.

A snapshot of Australia’s biodiversity

Biodiversity is a key part of our national identity. Here is a snapshot, in snapshots, of Australia's diverse animal world from the 2016 State of the Environment Report.

Following the plankton drift

Plankton are the foundation of the marine food web. They are also indicators of ecosystem health and climate change and as such get a special mention in the 2016 State of the Environment Report Marine chapter because of poleward shifts in distribution.

State of the Environment: Biodiversity

Major pressures on Australia's biodiversity persist, according to the latest State of the Environment Report. More data and better understanding shows a cumulative impact.