The ARC Earth System Science Research Network. The ARC Earth System Science Network incorporates data collectors, modellers and impacts researchers to address the impacts of climate change and variability on Human, biological and physical systems. Our capacity to adapt to changes in water availability, agricultural productivity, the likelihood of species extinctions, and risks to human health will be enhanced through the Network's use of frontier technologies. The enhanced capacity to use data a ....The ARC Earth System Science Research Network. The ARC Earth System Science Network incorporates data collectors, modellers and impacts researchers to address the impacts of climate change and variability on Human, biological and physical systems. Our capacity to adapt to changes in water availability, agricultural productivity, the likelihood of species extinctions, and risks to human health will be enhanced through the Network's use of frontier technologies. The enhanced capacity to use data and model the Earth System will allow policymakers to make more informed decisions with regard to water, biodiversity, human health, industry and agriculture sustainability; thereby enhancing the national capacity to respond to climate change and variability and securing our common interest.Read moreRead less
Pharmacological and biochemical characterisation of Australian mygalomorph spider venoms. This project will increase our limited knowledge of Australian mygalomorph venoms by isolation, identification and characterisation of novel toxins in theraphosid and Northern mouse-spider venoms. Thereby, the scientific basis for the treatment of mygalomorph spider bites might be improved. Secondly, new insights into pharmacology and the potential development of novel therapeutics and molecular probes of t ....Pharmacological and biochemical characterisation of Australian mygalomorph spider venoms. This project will increase our limited knowledge of Australian mygalomorph venoms by isolation, identification and characterisation of novel toxins in theraphosid and Northern mouse-spider venoms. Thereby, the scientific basis for the treatment of mygalomorph spider bites might be improved. Secondly, new insights into pharmacology and the potential development of novel therapeutics and molecular probes of target molecules might be expected.Read moreRead less
Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant plant species used in post-mining restoration. This project will develop new and innovative ways to store highly valued native plant germplasm at ultra cold temperatures (-196 °C, in liquid nitrogen) as a means to ensure that elite genotypes used in minesite restoration and critically endangered species are not lost forever to extinction. This project will be the first of its type in Australia utilising a multi ....Development of cryopreservation for high value provenance collections of recalcitrant plant species used in post-mining restoration. This project will develop new and innovative ways to store highly valued native plant germplasm at ultra cold temperatures (-196 °C, in liquid nitrogen) as a means to ensure that elite genotypes used in minesite restoration and critically endangered species are not lost forever to extinction. This project will be the first of its type in Australia utilising a multidisciplinary approach to answer key storage questions and will provide significant national benefits to conservation programs and landcare groups, providing these with additional resources to ensure the long-term survival of native plant germplasm collections. Read moreRead less
How does allocation to each sex evolve in hermaphrodites? New insight from the sea. Understanding the ability of hermaphroditic animals to adapt their sex allocation to suit environmental conditions will pave the way for integration between pure and applied research. Such understanding can provide stakeholders across a range of disciplines (natural resource management, aquaculture, conservation) with key information about genetic and environmental influences on the reproduction of many species o ....How does allocation to each sex evolve in hermaphrodites? New insight from the sea. Understanding the ability of hermaphroditic animals to adapt their sex allocation to suit environmental conditions will pave the way for integration between pure and applied research. Such understanding can provide stakeholders across a range of disciplines (natural resource management, aquaculture, conservation) with key information about genetic and environmental influences on the reproduction of many species of significant ecological, economic and social value with this mating system. This research will yield knowledge at the very forefront of evolutionary ecology, enhancing Australia's reputation for research excellence in this field, and further benefit Australian science through the training of young scientists.Read moreRead less
Trophic associations involving fish and crustaceans in coastal saltmarsh. Coastal saltmarsh is an endangered ecological community utilised by a diverse assemblage of fish during spring tides. Little attempt has been made to determine why fish visit saltmarsh, or what contribution saltmarsh makes to the diet of fish. This study combines gut analysis with novel approaches involving stable isotopes and radioactive markers to determine trophic interactions between fish and permanent members of the s ....Trophic associations involving fish and crustaceans in coastal saltmarsh. Coastal saltmarsh is an endangered ecological community utilised by a diverse assemblage of fish during spring tides. Little attempt has been made to determine why fish visit saltmarsh, or what contribution saltmarsh makes to the diet of fish. This study combines gut analysis with novel approaches involving stable isotopes and radioactive markers to determine trophic interactions between fish and permanent members of the saltmarsh fauna and flora. The project will provide coastal resource managers with quantifiable indicators of the relative significance of different saltmarsh communities to estuarine fisheries.Read moreRead less