Deep Learning For Ecological Monitoring: Performance In Novel Habitats And Benefits Of varied Training Data

Deep Learning For Ecological Monitoring: Performance In Novel Habitats And Benefits Of varied Training Data

By PhD candidate Ellen Ditria, Reading Time: 452 words, about 2 minutes. Fish IDing Sample. Photo: Global Wetlands Project. Deep learning has fast become recognised as a powerful data processing tool for ecologists faced with vast amounts of image-based data. The ability of deep learning to accurately detect target species in videos and images unlocks [...]

Coastal freshwater wetlands: the forgotten (wet)lands

Coastal freshwater wetlands: the forgotten (wet)lands

By PhD candidate Rebekah Grieger Read Time: 468 words about 4 minutes. Wetlands are important features in the coastal landscape, providing many important ecosystem services. Much of the research into coastal wetlands focuses on the salty ones – mangroves, saltmarsh, seagrass – but there are equally important wetlands just up-stream that are generally overlooked, coastal freshwater wetlands.  Our [...]

One of the building blocks of the Great Barrier Reef could be in danger

One of the building blocks of the Great Barrier Reef could be in danger

By PhD Candidate Tessa Page, Read Time: 404 words about 3 minutes. Our new research has revealed adults from one species of reef building coralline algae may be somewhat resilient to the degree of change oceans are predicted to endure by year 2100.   As humans continue to emit CO2 into the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate, major changes are occurring in our oceans, [...]

The role of wetlands in improving water quality and protecting coastal ecosystems

The role of wetlands in improving water quality and protecting coastal ecosystems

By Melanie Roberts and Fernanda Adame Article Read Time: 524 words about 3 minutes. The 2019 Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report from the Australian Government Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority identifies the risk of nutrient runoff from catchments for the reef as Very High, the same rating as the 2014 and 2009 reports.  --- This [...]

In the face of degradation: Planning framework can help safeguard Amazon wetlands

In the face of degradation: Planning framework can help safeguard Amazon wetlands

By Dr Vanessa Reis In the face of dramatic degradation of the Amazon ecosystems, a new conservation planning framework can help safeguard the floodplain wetlands. Floodplain wetlands are unique ecosystems often highly influenced by seasonal variation in their connection to rivers. They contribute to the Amazons high biodiversity and are used by the local people [...]

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 [...]

From the comfort of warm water to the freezing fjords of Denmark – collaborating in international waters as a PhD student

From the comfort of warm water to the freezing fjords of Denmark – collaborating in international waters as a PhD student

    Author: Kristin Jinks “I had no idea whether I was going to live up to the expectations of my collaborators, but it was too good an opportunity to let my doubts stop me,” explains Kristin Jinks. - Working in the environmental sciences has its perks. Including the opportunities to visit and work at [...]

The Amazon is under threat, but our new study gives hope to improving conservation planning and management

The Amazon is under threat, but our new study gives hope to improving conservation planning and management

Author: Dr Vanessa  Reis, Wetland ecosystems are important hotspots of biodiversity in the Amazon River Basin, but they're under threat from human activity.  These ecosystems rely on the maintenance of the annual river flood pulse that drives inundation across the major wetlands of the Amazon. Infrastructure project proposals such as dams have increased in response to higher [...]

 Active voice –  how a human geographer speaks up with First Nations people

 Active voice –  how a human geographer speaks up with First Nations people

  Author: Laura Griffiths Emergent is a five-part blog series that takes a fresh look at ARI’s early career researchers – a group of driven, passionate people with a shared sense of responsibility about our changing world. These emerging scholars are developing skills and applying them to real world issues.  Some are even taking opportunities [...]