Queensland Department of Environment and Science

Increasing abundance of nitrogen-fixing Trichodesmium in Australian waters

Context The filamentous cyanobacteria, genus Trichodesmium, is a marine diazotroph that converts atmospheric nitrogen into more bioavailable forms and is therefore important in nutrient cycling in oligotrophic marine ecosystems. Aims This study aimed to confirm findings from hist...

Fifteen years of regional climate downscaling in CORDEX-Australasia

Regional climate modelling plays a central role in understanding and projecting climate change across Australasia, a region characterised by complex topography, diverse climate regimes, and high exposure to climate extremes. Over the past fifteen years, CORDEX-Australasia has coo...

Changes in breeding periodicity of a long-lived vertebrate over 30 years

Abstract Changes in breeding periodicity in vertebrates can highlight important trends in population demographics that have conservation implications. Following widespread conservation measures, some previously endangered species have shown population recoveries across their rang...

Where is the evidence? Mapping the fire–biodiversity knowledge base of northern Australian savannas

Fire shapes the biodiversity of tropical savannas, yet challenges exist in accessing and interpreting the breadth of fire-ecology evidence to support appropriate management. We compiled a comprehensive fire–biodiversity database for Australian tropical savannas to improve knowled...

Bidirectional migration routes of Chelonia mydas from the northern Great Barrier Reef

Understanding the full migration dynamics of highly migratory marine species is essential for effective conservation and management. In sea turtles, research has largely focused on one-way, post-nesting migrations, leaving key gaps in knowledge regarding return movements and over...

Assessment of Tropical Cyclones Over the Australian Region From Downscaled CORDEX‐CMIP6 Simulations

Abstract Tropical cyclones (TCs) cause major economic losses in Australia due to severe winds and floods; however global climate models (GCMs) are too coarse to properly resolve them. Here, we dynamically downscale ERA5 reanalysis and 16 CMIP6 simulations from 11 GCMs using the C...

Experimental constraints on the differentiation of CM-like planetary embryos

This study investigates the onset of differentiation of hydrous (ice-bearing) planetary embryos in the early Solar System. To do so, we conducted high-pressure (1 GPa) melting experiments on a CM2 chondrite (MCY12002) across a temperature range of 1050-1400°C, with durations vary...

Costing global biodiversity framework delivery in megadiverse Australia

Most nations worldwide face substantial funding gaps to halt biodiversity loss, yet many governments lack comprehensive cost estimates essential for effective budget allocation and implementation planning. This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the costs Australian gover...

Conserving Australian lizards and snakes: an update on progress since 2017

The Action Plan for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017 summarised results from the first comprehensive assessment of the Australian squamate fauna by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), updating a more precursory assessment in 1993. This review outlines the...

Catchment to coast contaminant transport to a protected marine park on the East coast of Australia

Coastal contamination is an ongoing global concern where metal, nutrient and agrochemical runoff are enhanced by human development along coasts and in catchments. Identification of contaminant mobilisation and transportation behaviours can provide valuable insights into pollutant...

A machine learning approach to predict river hydrographs for water quality sampling

Abstract Hydrology and water quality are innately linked, as flow dynamics control the transport of pollutants within river systems. Consequently, the timing of sample collection in water quality monitoring programs strongly influences the accuracy of estimated pollutant loads. T...

Fossil denticles reveal how ocean productivity shapes shark baselines and recovery potential

Shark populations on coral reefs have declined globally, but few baselines exist to quantify natural variability before human impact. Using fossil dermal denticles preserved in reef sediments, we reconstructed shark communities across the Isthmus of Panama before substantial expl...

Chilled and freeze-dried preservation of saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) spermatozoa

CONTEXT: Artificial insemination in farmed crocodiles is limited by poor sperm survival after cryopreservation, requiring alternative preservation strategies. AIMS: This study evaluated the effects of three extenders on saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) semen during chille...