Taxonomic discrimination and compositional analysis of microalgae using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The project aims to develop an automated system using infrared spectroscopy that can rapidly and inexpensively identify algae and quantify their chemical composition. The system, which would be based on statistical models developed from infrared spectral information, has the potential to enable rapid identification of blue-green algae at the strain level, allowing new algal bl ....Taxonomic discrimination and compositional analysis of microalgae using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The project aims to develop an automated system using infrared spectroscopy that can rapidly and inexpensively identify algae and quantify their chemical composition. The system, which would be based on statistical models developed from infrared spectral information, has the potential to enable rapid identification of blue-green algae at the strain level, allowing new algal blooms to be rapidly compared with those known to be toxic. Compositional analysis using infrared spectroscopy has the potential to measure all major classes of macromolecules simultaneously and precisely, at the single cell level, in a non-destructive manner that does not involve polluting chemicals.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989062
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Airborne hyper-spectral scanning for advanced monitoring and assessment of vegetation and water properties. The proposed infrastructure will give Australian researchers the most advanced capabilities available world-wide in airborne remote sensing of the environment. By combining hyper-spectral scanning, with full wave-form resolving Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), microwave scanning and sythetic aperture RADAR, flown simultaneously on the most cost-efficient and technologically advanced re ....Airborne hyper-spectral scanning for advanced monitoring and assessment of vegetation and water properties. The proposed infrastructure will give Australian researchers the most advanced capabilities available world-wide in airborne remote sensing of the environment. By combining hyper-spectral scanning, with full wave-form resolving Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), microwave scanning and sythetic aperture RADAR, flown simultaneously on the most cost-efficient and technologically advanced research aircraft, it will be possible to assess and monitor a wide range of parameters not accessible to airborne methods before.Read moreRead less
Predicting plankton patchiness in lakes using a high resolution sampling system. This research will benefit Australian Society through a better understanding and prediction of the response of aquatic systems to major shifts in the environment. Eutrophication and toxic algal blooms represent serious threats to the security of water supplies in Australia and elsewhere. Through development of high resolution technology (SPS), this project will provide the necessary knowledge and data for producing ....Predicting plankton patchiness in lakes using a high resolution sampling system. This research will benefit Australian Society through a better understanding and prediction of the response of aquatic systems to major shifts in the environment. Eutrophication and toxic algal blooms represent serious threats to the security of water supplies in Australia and elsewhere. Through development of high resolution technology (SPS), this project will provide the necessary knowledge and data for producing management tools capable of detailed predictions of the behaviour of aquatic systems. Successful management of Australian waters relies heavily on a better understanding of the scale dependent processes which govern the response to external perturbations such as increased nutrient export and consequent eutrophication.Read moreRead less
Sustainable Development Of Tropical Australia: R&D For Management Of Land, Water And Marine Resources
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$25,085.00
Summary
In response to the need for sustainable development of tropical Australia, CSIRO (Divisions of Marine Research, Tropical Agriculture, and Land and Water) in collaboration with State and Territory Departments (Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia), and the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC) and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) are developing a project which aims to overcome the significant gaps that exist in current knowledg ....In response to the need for sustainable development of tropical Australia, CSIRO (Divisions of Marine Research, Tropical Agriculture, and Land and Water) in collaboration with State and Territory Departments (Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia), and the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC) and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) are developing a project which aims to overcome the significant gaps that exist in current knowledge relating to the impacts of catchments and their associated land uses on the coastal zone and to integrate current and new knowledge to underpin the development of negotiated approaches to multiple use management.
The project will by necessity require strong integration across a range of physical, chemical, biological, economic and social disciplines. The integration of scientific knowledge with a broad suite of innovative approaches to regional planning will allow new benchmarks that exceed current practice in natural resource management. As such, it is likely that the proposed project could serve as a model for future work and, in so doing, deliver significant benefits to both tropical Australia and the nation. Objectives: 1. Identify natural resources priority issues with stakeholders, and determine their management priority, R&D needs, and institutional and organisational capacity; 2. Identify and review existing natural resource management data, process understanding and information; 3. Examine and critically review opportunities for R&D to underpin improved natural resource management and identify potential obstacles and risks to R&D in natural resource management; 4. Specify R&D priorities to underpin improved natural resource management and options for implementation. Read moreRead less
The changing marketplace and production profile of rock lobster internationally dictates that the Australian rock lobster industry applies state of the art technology in management, research and development, if we are to maintain a competitive position and grow the value of the limited resource.
At present no vehicle exists to allow industry an effective interchange of ideas or to consider leading edge research and development from around the globe. Essentially the Australian lobster i ....The changing marketplace and production profile of rock lobster internationally dictates that the Australian rock lobster industry applies state of the art technology in management, research and development, if we are to maintain a competitive position and grow the value of the limited resource.
At present no vehicle exists to allow industry an effective interchange of ideas or to consider leading edge research and development from around the globe. Essentially the Australian lobster industries operate in isolation, disjointed by State borders.
The Tri-State Southern Rock Lobster Conference has historically seen ad hoc attempts made to bring industry together. The conference has evolved into a quasi national event with representatives from most States and New Zealand in attendance, although the primary focus on the jasus edwardsii lobster remains a deficiency.
An outcome of the most recent Tri-State Conference, was a call for a National Lobster Conference including all States and species not covered, to establish a forum for industry Australia wide to make a start at building a national focus on management, marketing, development and problem solving.
At present information flow in these areas are localised trickles at best and the industry has a responsibility to upgrade its role in information exchange. Objectives: 1. Provide an International Class Lobster Industry Congress 2. To Ensure a Financially Viable Event Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Reducing The Impact Of Discarded Recreational Fishing Tackle On Coastal Seabirds
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
This proposal will address the FRDC Recfishing Research priority area "Assessing the impact of recreational fishing methods on conservation values of aquatic habitats" as announced in the 2012 Annual Competitive Round Call for Expressions Of Interest. After making inquiries with seabird rescue organisations, it has become apparent that seabird entanglements in discarded fishing tackle is of major concern. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital report that their rescue unit responded to approximately 30 ....This proposal will address the FRDC Recfishing Research priority area "Assessing the impact of recreational fishing methods on conservation values of aquatic habitats" as announced in the 2012 Annual Competitive Round Call for Expressions Of Interest. After making inquiries with seabird rescue organisations, it has become apparent that seabird entanglements in discarded fishing tackle is of major concern. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital report that their rescue unit responded to approximately 300 calls for bird entanglements in discarded fishing tackle in 2011 (to August 1). Further, the Rescue Hotline of Pelican and Seabird Rescue Inc. have received approximately 400 calls in 2011 (to the time of writing - 10/9/2011). These figures are unacceptable and measures need to be taken to decrease the incidence of seabird interactions with discarded recreational fishing tackle. The injuries that result from these interactions are often catastrophic, with a high proportion of entangled animals being euthanised. Healthy Waterways has produced a provocative poster, attached, depicting a pair of budgerigars surrounded by fishing line and hooks. Such negative stereotypes need to be addressed and, as such, there is a need to educate recreational fishers as to the consequences of the careless discarding of fishing tackle. This subject was recently highlighted in a Queensland recreational fishing publication, Queensland Fishing Monthly (see attachment). Both recreational fishing representative groups, Sunfish and Ecofishers, have expressed concern regarding this issue. A fifteen minute search at a secluded recreational fishing location in the northern suburbs of Brisbane by two people resulted in the collection of the fishing tackle pictured in the attachment (13/09/2011 - Tingalpa Creek). Although this could be construed as an environmental problem and beyond the purview of FRDC, it certainly reflects poorly on recreational fishers and, as such, an extension/educational project would help alleviate the problems highlighted in this proposal. Objectives: 1. Quantify the extent of seabird entanglement in northern Moreton Bay 2. Convene a workshop involving relevant stakeholders in order to establish methods for mitigating seabird entanglements 3. Promote the responsible removal of discarded fishing tackle from popular fishing locations in northern Moreton Bay Read moreRead less