Environment | disruptr

Virus discovery in Australian wild birds

A GCEID team has discovered coronaviruses in Australia’s wild birds, showing the nation is not as isolated from potentially serious host-jumping virus outbreaks as previously thought.

Call for dignity to be the foundation of international animal rights laws

International legal recognition of animal rights or welfare should be based on the concept of dignity in line with the approach taken with international human rights.

Finding Nemo’s genome

In a world-first, Deakin scientists have sequenced the clownfish genome, allowing them to identify and study genes connected to the species.

Global nature conservation indicators missing the mark

New Deakin research has set out a roadmap for global conservation efforts.

Deakin to host Anthropocene Campus 2018

Australia’s first Anthropocene Campus will bring cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary thought to bear on ways for humanity to address the challenges facing the planet.

Sea urchin cull helps restore kelp forests

A Deakin team of ecologists are working with colleagues and citizen scientists to re-establish kelp canopies in Port Phillip Bay.

Devils adapting to disease

Tasmanian devils are learning to live with the cancer epidemic that has decimated their population.

Fire: dingo’s friend but fox’s foe

Fire and dingoes could be the dynamic duo that hold the key to helping stop destructive foxes in Victoria's Big Desert region.

Finding water solutions: nature’s way

Floating reed beds are being trialled as a means of reducing the amount of waste-water nutrients discharged into inland waterways.

Defining collapse – step forward for ecosystems

A team of researchers has created a four-step guide for defining ecosystem collapse, to improve resource management and help protect ecosystems.

Link between disease and migrant animals questioned

Migratory animals are often blamed for the global spread of diseases.

Unlocking the secrets of amber time capsules

Scientific analysis of fossilised tree resin has caused a rethink of Australia’s prehistoric ecosystem.

Brown the new green in Australian conservation

Threatened ecosystems considered by the public to be dry, brown and ugly are having their conservation value overlooked in favour of greener, wet forests.

Time is running out to save the planet, scientists warn

15,000 scientists from around the world have co-signed an article highlighting the urgent actions that must be taken to avoid irreversible harm to the Earth.

The dark side of cooling

The unintended consequences of refrigeration and freezing technology is the topic of this year’s Harrison Lecture.

Diversity helps combat parrot virus

Genetic diversity of Australian parrots affects their chances of contracting a common but deadly virus.