Ecosystem management

A new approach to help ecosystems bounce back after human disturbances was applied to a simulated disaster at Ningaloo Reef, and is applicable for decision-makers in other marine and terrestrial contexts.

Plant with reddish-purple berries

Researchers have estimated the number of tropical tree species, and it's likely to be between approximately 40,000 and 53,000. The Indo-Pacific region is as rich in tree species as tropical America.

Flock of birds flying off shore over beach

Every year five million shorebirds migrate between the Arctic and Australia along a bird superhighway known as the East Asian-Australasian flyway. Coastal development is destroying the tidal flats birds depend on, and sea level rise is emerging as an additional threat. A new artificial intelligence technique offers a conservation solution.

A group of people standing in a grassy paddock with hats on

What will the future look like in 10, 50 or 100 years? Are our human and ecological systems prepared for […]

Brown head of a termite showing mouthparts

Insects play an invaluable role in our ecosystems and sustain our society. It's a role that often goes unnoticed and one that we still don't fully understand.

Coral reef with reef fish

With three UNESCO World Heritage Areas under threat from climate change, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, scientists have put forward a new approach to making iconic ecosystems more resilient—and it's not just about reducing global emissions.

Who speaks for the tidal flat? There are many voices for the mangrove forest, the coral reef and the seagrass meadow, but the chorus for the mud, sand and silt flats that sit hidden under shallow water for most of the tidal cycle is often silent.