Nitrogen characteristics of plant communities along the North Australian Tropical Transect (NATT). It has become evident that biosphere processes need to be addressed at a global scale to understand global changes. Continental transects analyse ecosystem processes in a global context. The North Australian Tropical Transect (Darwin to Tennant Creek) represents 25% of Australia's vegetation. Biogeological research is underway on NATT ecosystems. Nitrogen availability strongly affects ecosystem pro ....Nitrogen characteristics of plant communities along the North Australian Tropical Transect (NATT). It has become evident that biosphere processes need to be addressed at a global scale to understand global changes. Continental transects analyse ecosystem processes in a global context. The North Australian Tropical Transect (Darwin to Tennant Creek) represents 25% of Australia's vegetation. Biogeological research is underway on NATT ecosystems. Nitrogen availability strongly affects ecosystem productivity, and is of major interest as nitrogen pollution threatens the biosphere. In Australia, nitrogen levels are generally low, but overall knowledge is limited. An integrated ecophysiological approach will relate soil and plant nitrogen characteristics, and provide an analysis of nitrogen relations along NATT. Results will be linked to existing NATT and international transect research.Read moreRead less
Greenhouse gas emission from sugarcane and mangrove communities in coastal Queensland. Greenhouse gases threaten the global climate. Many estimates of vegetation as sinks and sources for greenhouse gases have a high degree of uncertainty. This project will generate important information about greenhouse gas emissions from Queensland coastal vegetation. Characterised by moist and nutrient rich conditions, sugarcane fields and mangrove ecosystems represent significant sources/sinks of potent green ....Greenhouse gas emission from sugarcane and mangrove communities in coastal Queensland. Greenhouse gases threaten the global climate. Many estimates of vegetation as sinks and sources for greenhouse gases have a high degree of uncertainty. This project will generate important information about greenhouse gas emissions from Queensland coastal vegetation. Characterised by moist and nutrient rich conditions, sugarcane fields and mangrove ecosystems represent significant sources/sinks of potent greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane. Sugarcane and mangroves exposed to different nutrient inputs will allow to (i) identify mechanisms of N2O and CH4 emission, (ii) model N2O and CH4 emissions under different nutrient and climate conditions, and (iii) control/reduce emissions by improving coastal ecosystem management.Read moreRead less
Explaining forest responses to rising carbon-dioxide concentrations at stand scale using a new, simple model of plant carbon economy. Australia is undergoing large changes in [CO2] and rainfall patterns, with 20% decreases in annual rainfall across southern Australia over the past 30 years, and large increases in north-western Australia. The impacts of rising [CO2] and altered rainfall must be factored into Australia's environmental and water-catchment management strategies. The outcome of this ....Explaining forest responses to rising carbon-dioxide concentrations at stand scale using a new, simple model of plant carbon economy. Australia is undergoing large changes in [CO2] and rainfall patterns, with 20% decreases in annual rainfall across southern Australia over the past 30 years, and large increases in north-western Australia. The impacts of rising [CO2] and altered rainfall must be factored into Australia's environmental and water-catchment management strategies. The outcome of this project will be a new simplified forest model that has been validated for Australia's leading climate-change experiment on forests, the Hawkesbury Forest Experiment, which includes both CO2 and watering treatments. The model will be readily transferable to new sites and at regional scale, so it can be applied as a tool for future management of Australia's forests.Read moreRead less
Reducing uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions from sub-tropical land use systems. The principle outcome of the research is the identification of sustainable land use management strategies that will ensure the continued productivity and profitability of food and fibre in the Australian sub-tropics and tropics in response to climate change whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Regional communities will benefit through a greater awareness of emission sources and sinks and exposure to viabl ....Reducing uncertainties in greenhouse gas emissions from sub-tropical land use systems. The principle outcome of the research is the identification of sustainable land use management strategies that will ensure the continued productivity and profitability of food and fibre in the Australian sub-tropics and tropics in response to climate change whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Regional communities will benefit through a greater awareness of emission sources and sinks and exposure to viable and practical strategies that promote productivity through regional diversity in land use. Improved data on greenhouse gas accounts will also ensure the Australia community is provided with full and accurate representation in international climate change fora and policy development.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354791
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
Understanding the Australian Ecosystem: integrating contemporary and historical perspectives on the evolution, ecology and management of Australia's living resources. Integration of information from multiple disciplines is vital to answering questions like 'What governs distribution of evolutionary lineages in Australia? How and why did distributions change in the past? How might distributions change in the future?' We will develop a comprehensive network bringing together experts in geochronolo ....Understanding the Australian Ecosystem: integrating contemporary and historical perspectives on the evolution, ecology and management of Australia's living resources. Integration of information from multiple disciplines is vital to answering questions like 'What governs distribution of evolutionary lineages in Australia? How and why did distributions change in the past? How might distributions change in the future?' We will develop a comprehensive network bringing together experts in geochronology, geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, palaeobiology, functional anatomy and physiology, phylogenetics, biodiversity assessment, ecosystem dynamics, and population biology and modeling. This network will provide deeper understanding of and more accurate and influential management advice for Australia's biotic resources. The public outreach program to be developed will be significant given the high profile of many participants.Read moreRead less
Integrating climate and ecosystem models to predict climate change impacts on Australian marine systems. This project will underpin Australia's commitment to maintain environmental sustainability and biodiversity in the face of climate change. We will describe the consequences of climate change on harvested marine resources, biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function, and sensitive species and habitats. We will provide practical management solutions to maintain ecosystem integrity and enhanc ....Integrating climate and ecosystem models to predict climate change impacts on Australian marine systems. This project will underpin Australia's commitment to maintain environmental sustainability and biodiversity in the face of climate change. We will describe the consequences of climate change on harvested marine resources, biodiversity, ecosystem structure and function, and sensitive species and habitats. We will provide practical management solutions to maintain ecosystem integrity and enhance resilience under a changing climate. This information is of immediate use by a range of Australian stakeholders including national, state and local government agencies and authorities. The project will put Australian scientists at the forefront of research focused on adapting to marine climate impacts.Read moreRead less
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Grant ID: DI0882986
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
The impact of climate change on the resilience of Australian marine systems: linking climate and ecosystem models. This project will underpin Australia's long-term commitment to maintain environmental biodiversity and sustainability in the face of climate change. We will describe the consequences of climate change on marine processes, harvested resources and ecosystem functioning by identifying vulnerable species and habitats. We will provide management advice on balancing ecosystem integrity, e ....The impact of climate change on the resilience of Australian marine systems: linking climate and ecosystem models. This project will underpin Australia's long-term commitment to maintain environmental biodiversity and sustainability in the face of climate change. We will describe the consequences of climate change on marine processes, harvested resources and ecosystem functioning by identifying vulnerable species and habitats. We will provide management advice on balancing ecosystem integrity, economic efficiency, and ecosystem resilience under climate change. This information is of immediate use by a range of Australian stakeholders including national, state and local government agencies. The project will put Australian scientists at the forefront of research focused on the adaptation of marine ecosystems to climate impacts.Read moreRead less
Impacts of deforestation and afforestation on greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon and water resources in the Daly River catchment, north Australia. Over the last decade, north Australia have been viewed as a potentially exploitable resource, given issues of salinisation, soil acidification, over-allocation of water resources and rainfall declines in south Australian agricultural regions. Improved pastures and plantation forestry are two land uses that may expand in the NT. Clearing of savanna v ....Impacts of deforestation and afforestation on greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon and water resources in the Daly River catchment, north Australia. Over the last decade, north Australia have been viewed as a potentially exploitable resource, given issues of salinisation, soil acidification, over-allocation of water resources and rainfall declines in south Australian agricultural regions. Improved pastures and plantation forestry are two land uses that may expand in the NT. Clearing of savanna vegetation would be required, with implications for greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, water resources and dry season environmental flows. This project will track greenhouse emissions and water use from uncleared and cleared savanna that has been converted to pasture and timber plantations, providing critical understanding of the environmental implication of such land use change in savanna.Read moreRead less
Utilising innovative fishing technology to address key questions on the biology of Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill are an important species in the Southern Ocean supporting most of the Antarctic birds and mammals. A sustainable krill fishery is developing with krill products used in aquaculture and increasingly for human consumption. A new omega 3 krill oil industry has emerged and is rapidly expanding. The aim of the project is to predict the factors governing oil levels and the biochemical co ....Utilising innovative fishing technology to address key questions on the biology of Antarctic krill. Antarctic krill are an important species in the Southern Ocean supporting most of the Antarctic birds and mammals. A sustainable krill fishery is developing with krill products used in aquaculture and increasingly for human consumption. A new omega 3 krill oil industry has emerged and is rapidly expanding. The aim of the project is to predict the factors governing oil levels and the biochemical composition in krill which will help us understand growth, reproduction and recruitment. The research aims to also assess the possible effects of climate change on krill. Outcomes of this research aim to be used to manage the expanding krill fishery.Read moreRead less