While contact with dolphins is often a unique and incredible experience for us, it is important to realise that ‘watching’ activity can have an adverse effect on the dolphins themselves.
Research shows that in cases where human–wildlife interactions turn into large-scale tourism industries, these activities can negatively impact wildlife – for example – by disrupting resting or feeding. Wildlife tourism therefore needs regulations aiming to ensure both a healthy wild population of animals and satisfactory wildlife encounters for humans.
Andre Steckenreuter, Graduate School of Environment, Macquarie University
Journal of Environmental Management;
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/features/20120801-22978-2.html
Australian researchers have measured the relationship between current climate, climate change and habitat loss on plants and animals on a global scale. Their results indicate that areas with high temperatures and where average rainfall has decreased over time increase the chance of a species being negatively affected by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Chrystal Mantyka-Pringle, Dr Jonathan Rhodes, University of Queensland & Dr Tara Martin, CSIRO
Global Change Biology; http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=24242
A new study suggests long-term modern fire regimes could pose a threat to WA mistletoes (Loranthaceae sp). Fires ignited by lightning, arson or by prescribed burning often destroy thousands of hectares in the Pilbara region. This scale of damage poses a problem for mistletoe species because of their physical vulnerability and regeneration methods.
Across species, mistletoe foliage and fresh seed are killed when scorched. Mistletoe varieties comprise a key component of Pilbara biodiversity, with many insects dependant on them for larval food, including butterfly genera Ogyris(Lycenidae) and Delias (Pieridae). Mistletoes also support the highly adapted mistletoebird (Dicaeum hiundinaceum) as well as spiny-cheeked and grey honeyeaters, important pollinators within the region.
Dr A.N. Start, WA Department of Environment and Conservation
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/3808-pilbara-mistletoe-faces-sub-regional-extinction.html
A recent Australian study shows that isolated reefs may have a better ability to regenerate compared to those closer to human activity. The study focused on WA’s Ashmore Reef, located on the north-west shelf, which is home to 275 species, making it one of the most diverse coral systems in the region.
Dr Daniela Ceccarelli, CSIRO
Marine and Freshwater Research
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20112711-22884.html
A new Phytophthora fungi species might be a significant factor in decline of tuart trees. Western Australian researchers have found that Phytophthora multivora might be a large contributing factor in tuart decline. Other contributing factors include site clearing, insect pests, fire damage, site degradation, groundwater modification and climate change.
Mr Peter Scott, Tuart Health Research Group, Murdoch University
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/3757.html
An Australian experimental evolutionary study on house mice (Mus musculus) has found multiple mating is beneficial for both males and females. The study, in its sixth year running, has found that polyandry drives increased embryo viability in a vertebrate and that the risks associated with multiple mating were far outweighed by the benefits.
Dr Renee Firman, Dr Leigh Simmons, UWA
Ecology Letters Journal
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/3742-polyandry-drives-increased-embryo-viability.html
Despite their simple compound eyes crabs have evolved a smart way to tell the difference between friend and foe, a new study has revealed. Australian researcher found that fiddler crabs quickly learn to recognise if an approaching creature is a threat, a mate or a harmless passer-by – according to its direction of approach.
Ms Chloe Raderschall, ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science, ANU
The Journal of Experimental Biology
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20112411-22880.html
Human activity is significantly weakening the ability of coastal ecosystems to dampen the impacts of rising CO2 levels, according to a new study by Sydney environmental scientists. The team has recommended that a high priority be placed on protecting and conserving seagrass, salt marsh and mangrove ecosystems.
Dr Peter Macreadie, Prof Peter Ralph, Prof Greg Skilbeck, University of Technology Sydney
Global Change Biology
http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2011/11/human-activity-pulling-the-plug-on-a-vital-carbon-sink
A recent translocation of 12 Gilbert’s potoroos (Potorous gilbertii) is helping save a species once thought to be extinct and revealing some surprise findings. The Gilbert’s potoroo is a critically endangered Australian native animal and the world’s rarest marsupial—existing only in pockets of WA’s south coast.
Dr Tony Friend, principal research scientist, WA Department of Environment and Conservation
http://www.sciencewa.net.au/3705.html
New technology for cleaning up nuclear spills, kids wearing the wrong seatbelts and re-writing the textbook on muscles and are just some of the stories we found interesting in Australian science in the last week.
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This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about travelling faster than light; ancient proteins; a vaccine for acne; missing planets; and more… Read the full article →
Coral, Cancer Capsules & Conservation
Three $20,000 L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellowships for 2011 were awarded to talented Australian women in science on Tuesday, 23 August 2011.
Then on 24 August the three fellows visited the Australian Synchrotron and presented their research to 160 female students in year's 9-11 for the L'Oréal Australia Girls in Science forum.
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Tracy Ainsworth James Cook University Coral interactions more complex than ever suspected. Dr Tracy Ainsworth’s research is changing our understanding of the life of the tiny coral animals that built Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef. Her work comes at a critical time for the future of coral reefs—threatened by a warming ocean and by coral [...]
Eve McDonald-Madden The University of Queensland Turning to mathematics to allow us to make smarter conservation decisions. The diversity of life on Earth underpins the global economy. But we’re losing biodiversity at an unprecedented rate and human-induced climate change will threaten more species—up to 37 per cent of the plants and animals with which we [...]
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about Australia’s big twist; slipped discs; poisonous rats; hungry bats; and more… Read the full article →
Marking International Women’s Day, five of the world’s women leaders in science each received the $US100,000 L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science at a ceremony in Paris. Read the full article →
