In this issue


ECOS ECOS
Issue 194



Features

Taking stock of the opportunities and risks with landscape carbon
Take a look at the following photos of Australian landscapes, and hazard a guess as to which stores more carbon. First, we have the dry, arid landscape of central Australia. Below that, the wet, lush forests of southern Australia.
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Aboriginal people – how to misunderstand their science
Just one generation ago Australian schoolkids were taught that Aboriginal people couldn't count beyond five, wandered the desert scavenging for food, had no civilisation, couldn't navigate and peacefully acquiesced when Western Civilisation rescued them in 1788.
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How to create mineral wealth from waste and reduce landfill
While Australia's rich stocks of raw mineral resources have contributed to the nation’s wealth and given us a competitive advantage we are also one of the highest waste producing nations in the world (on a per capita basis).
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Sheep know best: shrub selection and the wisdom of the flock
As a livestock crop, perennials – especially native shrubs such as species of saltbush – not only capture rainfall all year round, but also sequester more carbon over time than crops or pastures that contain only annuals. But what do the livestock think?
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Science and the economics of adaptation in a warming world
For a long time, people were hesitant to discuss adapting to climate change. Some called it defeatist, others worried it would be used as an excuse to delay action on emissions reduction.
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How much suffering is OK when it comes to pest control?
Dr Clive Marks has published widely on pest control in peer-reviewed science journals. His research has led him to question why animal welfare remains largely sidelined in the pest control debate.
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Following the plot: the value of long-term ecological monitoring
While the outlook for those interested in biodiversity conservation in Australia is often grim, a recently published book, Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring, Challenges and Direction does contain some good news and success stories. An important ingredient in this success has been knowledge gained from long-term environmental monitoring.
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Adapting to climate change: window of opportunity closing fast but options still open
Last week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group II released its Fifth Assessment Report, which focuses on the vulnerability of natural systems to climate change, the impacts of this change, and adaptation options. While the issue received a fair bit of media coverage last week, here is a roundup of insights from five CSIRO researchers, all lead authors of the report, on how humanity can best adapt to the change.
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In Brief - Round-up of sustainability news

Novel antibiotic resistance genes found in cow manure
 
 
Shark study shows value of citizen science
 
 
Southern Ocean 'duck' turns out to be minke whale
 
 
‘Botox’ for plastic to freeze power costs
 
 
How much water do big rivers deposit in underground ‘banks’?
 
 
Tasmania ‘exports’ hydropower expertise to Bhutan
 
 
Better turbine design makes dams more fish friendly
 
 
Plants can play a role in avoiding dangerous global warming: Climate Institute
 
 
IPCC: Emissions accelerate, but effective savings still possible
 
 
Volunteers detect new species living in the midst of growth zone
 
 
Fast train a low emission, feasible option for east coast routes
 
 
Fish in acidic ocean lose fear of predators
 
 
Health impacts of climate change: nurses look ahead
 
 
Corals reveal effects of La Niña in the Pacific on Indian Ocean
 
 
Neither domestic dog nor wolf: dingo a distinct species
 
 
Pew report: who’s winning the clean energy race?
 
 

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