Αξιολόγηση εξωτερικοτήτων εγκαταστάσεων βιοαερίου

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4) is reported for the first time in northern Queensland, the centre of Australia’s commercial banana production. The identity of the pathogen was confirmed by vegetative compatibility group testing, TR4 specific PCR tests and sequencing. Although presently confined to a single property, the disease poses a serious threat to Australia’s banana industry

The “edge effect” phenomenon: deriving population abundance patterns from individual animal movement decisions

Edge effects have been observed in a vast spectrum of animal populations. They occur where two conjoining habitats interact to create ecological phenomena that are not present in either habitat separately. On the individual-level, an edge effect is a change in behavioral tendency on or near the edge. On the population-level, it is a pattern of population abundance near an edge that cannot be explained in terms of either habitat in isolation. That these two levels of description exist suggests there ought to be a mathematical link between them. Here, we make inroads into providing such a link, deriving analytic expressions describing oft-observed population abundance patterns from a model of movement decisions near edges. Depending on the model parameters, we can see positive, negative, or transitional edge effects emerge. Importantly, the distance over which animals make their decisions to move between habitats turns out to be a key factor in quantifying the magnitude of certain observed edge effects

The importance of protecting and conserving the wet Tropics: A synthesis of NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub tropical rainforest research outputs 2011-2014

This report provides an overview and synthesis of the key findings of research conducted under the Australian Government’s National Environmental Research Program (NERP) Tropical Ecosystems (TE) Hub relevant to tropical rainforests including the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area and Cape York. The NERP rainforest research theme comprised ten projects undertaken by researchers from James Cook University, Griffith University, the University of Queensland and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in collaboration with partner agencies. The intent of the NERP funded rainforest research was to improve our understanding of the impacts of future climate change and extreme events on plant and animal biodiversity; gain new insights for beneficial indigenous co-management of protected areas; identify the importance of tourism and community values; determine the status of threatened key indicator species; examine options regarding natural resource management (NRM) governance under greenhouse gas abatement measures; determine the role of fire in the management of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 listed ecosystems and species; and invasive species management. The research aimed to inform and facilitate management action and remediation to reduce, restore and increase resilience of the Wet Tropics ecosystems. The research findings are also applicable elsewhere, particularly in tropical ecosystems more broadly, but many outcomes can be translated for general application in terrestrial ecosystem management. The report provides an introduction to the Wet Tropics region, a synthesis of key ecological and socio-economic project highlights for the region (including status and trends), future pressures and threats, how research has informed policy and management, and future research priorities.Associated Grant:the Australian Government’s Department of Environmen

The role of topography and plant functional traits in determining tropical reforestation success

1. Early establishment and sapling growth is a key phase in ensuring cost-effective reforestation success in relation to biodiversity outcomes. Therefore, species selection must consider the interaction between plant functional traits and the often-challenging and heterogeneous biophysical environment of degraded landscapes

The importance of protecting and conserving the wet Tropics: A synthesis of NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub tropical rainforest research outputs 2011-2014

This report provides an overview and synthesis of the key findings of research conducted under the Australian Government’s National Environmental Research Program (NERP) Tropical Ecosystems (TE) Hub relevant to tropical rainforests including the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area and Cape York. The NERP rainforest research theme comprised ten projects undertaken by researchers from James Cook University, Griffith University, the University of Queensland and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in collaboration with partner agencies. The intent of the NERP funded rainforest research was to improve our understanding of the impacts of future climate change and extreme events on plant and animal biodiversity; gain new insights for beneficial indigenous co-management of protected areas; identify the importance of tourism and community values; determine the status of threatened key indicator species; examine options regarding natural resource management (NRM) governance under greenhouse gas abatement measures; determine the role of fire in the management of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 listed ecosystems and species; and invasive species management. The research aimed to inform and facilitate management action and remediation to reduce, restore and increase resilience of the Wet Tropics ecosystems. The research findings are also applicable elsewhere, particularly in tropical ecosystems more broadly, but many outcomes can be translated for general application in terrestrial ecosystem management. The report provides an introduction to the Wet Tropics region, a synthesis of key ecological and socio-economic project highlights for the region (including status and trends), future pressures and threats, how research has informed policy and management, and future research priorities

Economic Instruments and Regulatory Approaches in Implementing Riparian Revegetation Options: Observations of the Queensland System

Riparian vegetation can be an effective measure for preventing degradation of streambanks and riparian areas. However, riparian revegetation imposes large costs on landholders associated with tree establishment and removal of land from cropping, while providing benefits to downstream landholders, fishers, the local community and environmentalists. Appropriate policy instruments are required to promote sustainable and balanced use of riparian zones. This article analyses the capacity of existing legislation and other instruments to promote restoration of degraded riparian zones on private land. The role of legislation. economic instruments, community engagement and extension programs, in persuading landholders to revegetate riparian areas and improve riparian vegetation cover; is examined in the context ofa small degraded catchment in an intensive farming area in tropical north Queensland. It is found that while legislation and regulations can control undesirable modification of riparian areas, in general they are unable to make a useful contribution to restoration of these areas; incentives and assistance measures appear to offer greater potential