There are cross-benefits to protecting coastal wetlands in the wake of COVID-19

There are cross-benefits to protecting coastal wetlands in the wake of COVID-19

Dr Ryan Pearson Read Time: 503 words about 3 minutes. The effects of COVID-19 on the world has been profound. We're now re-evaluating intergovernmental, trade and personal relationships, and rethinking our consumer needs. Environmental groups have been encouraging people to 'eat more fish' in response to this pandemic.  Consumer surveys during the pandemic have  also highlighted [...]

Global fragmentation of mangrove forests

Global fragmentation of mangrove forests

By Dr Chris Brown Read Time: 354 words about 2 minutes. To inform conservation actions we need global indicators of wetland ecosystems that represent changes in ecosystem function. But current indicators are largely based on changes in the area of wetland ecosystems. In our new study we mapped fragmentation of mangrove habitats at a global scale. [...]

Climate Change strikes again: Warming rivers are reducing fish recruitment

Climate Change strikes again: Warming rivers are reducing fish recruitment

There is an urgent need to understand what factors contribute to successful breeding and juvenile survival for Australia’s freshwater fishes, especially as many freshwater fish species are affected by events like those that led to the recent fish kills in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Director’s Welcome to ARI Magazine Edition 3

Director’s Welcome to ARI Magazine Edition 3

Australian Rivers Institute Director, Stuart Bunn. We welcome you back to another edition of the Australian RiversInstitute (ARI) Magazine. (Link). Over the past few months our staff have been active in strengthening research partnerships and establishing new connections across the globe. The importance of connections, not only with fellow researchers, industry and government but also [...]

Climate change threat to fish diversity in Murray-Darling Basin

Climate change threat to fish diversity in Murray-Darling Basin

By Mark Kennard Read Time: Words 518 about 3 mins Native freshwater fish diversity in the Murray-Darling Basin could be under serious threat from climate change in coming decades. This potential loss of biodiversity could result in a further decline in the health of the Basin. Murray Darling Basin. Photo: iStock Freshwater fishes are highly [...]

While Australia burns under a changing climate, our mangroves die-off

While Australia burns under a changing climate, our mangroves die-off

By PhD student Yota Harada Climate driven mass die-back is causing significant changes in mangrove ecosystems. Numerous marine species, including crabs, prawns and fish, rely on mangroves for nurseries, refuges and food. Mangrove forests support global fisheries and the livelihood's of people, but large-scale mortality of mangroves is anticipated due to climate change and associated [...]

EFFECTIVE ACTION NEEDS ACCESSIBLE SCIENCE

EFFECTIVE ACTION NEEDS ACCESSIBLE SCIENCE

  By Dr Chris Brown Coastal wetlands are globally threatened. However, the plight of these habitats, like mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and saltmarshes, is not well recognised relative to other coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs. This translates into funding shortfalls both for the science needed to address coastal wetland decline and for the protection and [...]

Prey availability and flow conditions drive changes in barramundi abundance

Prey availability and flow conditions drive changes in barramundi abundance

By Mischa Turschwell Predator-prey interactions between fishes are important ecological processes that help maintain healthy populations and ecosystems. But often we don’t know if predators control prey numbers (top-down control) or if the number of prey available controls predator numbers (bottom-up control). We also don’t know how these interactions might change if environmental conditions like [...]

International Riversymposium 2018 – a special conference for emerging and mature river professionals

International Riversymposium 2018 – a special conference for emerging and mature river professionals

ARI Emeritus Professor Angela Arthington, Attending the 21st International Riversymposium (IRS) held in Sydney (Darling Harbour) earlier this year was a personal highlight.  This symposium is famous for its diverse and inclusive program on the theme of global river basin science and management.  Delegates come from far and wide, from river managers to policy developers, [...]