Disaster resiliency : interdisciplinary perspectives

Disaster resiliency – interdisciplinary perspectives (book review

Profiling Rockhampton’s regional business cohort : opportunities for innovation clusters

Regional business and industry are critical players in regional innovation systems, yet there is currently no reliable way to assess the actual makeup of these entities in regional Australia. This project set out to provide a comprehensive and current business audit for the Rockhampton Region, and then to use that information to identify the potential for innovation relationships between SMEs, the regional university, and various other regional service providers. In particular, the project was focussed on discovering ways to more strategically engage with local industry to facilitate cluster formation, develop R&D collaborations, access business expertise, and promote the region’s strengths and advantages. However, it quickly became evident that there is an exceptionally low level of detail to describe businesses and/or business activity at the regional/local level. Publicly available information is limited to that from central registers (such as the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Security and Investment Commission); purchased datasets have patchy, poor coverage; and privacy constraints make it very difficult to understand what linkages have already been made with clients of federal and state government service providers. This situation encourages over-servicing of identified, participant companies; potentially at the expense of lost opportunities with others. This paper will describe some of the methodologies used to collate and analyse information about regional business. It will also highlight the challenges and opportunities that regions face in generating an evidence-base about their local business profile; and what the implications of these are in terms of constructing regional advantage, based on partnering with SMEs for innovation

Cylindrospermopsin : a decade of progress on bioaccumulation research

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is rapidly being recognised as one of the most globally important of the freshwater algal toxins. The ever-expanding distribution of CYN producers into temperate zones is heightening concern that this toxin will represent serious human, as well as environmental, health risks across many countries. Since 1999, a number of studies have demonstrated the ability for CYN to bioaccumulate in freshwater organisms. This paper synthesizes the most current information on CYN accumulation, including notes on the global distribution of CYN producers, and a précis of CYN’secological and human effects. Studies on the bioaccumulation of CYN are systematically reviewed, together with an analysis of patterns of accumulation. A discussion on the factors influencing bioaccumulation rates and potential is also provided, along with notes on detection, monitoring and risk assessments. Finally, key gaps in the existing research are identified for future study

Introduction to the JESP special issue on regional megatrends

This Special Issue contains six papers, each providing a very different contribution to the stock of research on regional Australia. As has been the case with the previous Special Issue of JESP, these papers were linked with themes and presentations given at the annual Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) conference; which, in 2014, was convened at Alice Springs

Cylindrospermopsin in whole cell extracts and live cultures of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii: Ecotoxicity, bioaccumulation and management

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is an alkaloid toxin produced by at least six bluegreen algal genera. In Australia, the most common producer organism is Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. This research determined the toxic effects and potential for toxin bioaccumulation associated with toxin-producing C. raciborskii, using environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. Short-term semi-static renewal ecotoxicity tests were conducted on four freshwater test organisms, using freeze-thawed C. raciborskii whole cell extracts or live cultures of C. raciborskii containing CYN. Duckweed (Spirodela oligorrhiza) demonstrated variable responses to whole cellextract exposures containing 0 – 500 μg L-1 of CYN. Growth stimulation and growth inhibition were recorded from the duckweed, depending on toxin exposure concentrations and length of the incubation period. Chlorophyll content of Spirodela was also affected by toxin exposure, with small peaks in chlorophyll a recorded in conjunction with exposure to 8 μg L-1 CYN. Changes to frond morphology (chlorosis, necrosis) and reduced root lengths were also noted, but these effects were not consistent throughout all trials. Bioconcentration of free CYN was not detected in the tissues of Spirodela; small quantities of toxin recovered from the tissues probably represented toxin sorption to the cell walls. Growth of water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata) was stimulated by exposure to whole cell extracts of C. raciborskii containing a maximum of 400 μg L-1 CYN. Exposure to the test solutions appeared to promote the redistribution of plant resources in H. verticillata, and the possible benefits of this, particularly with respect to increased root production, were considered. Effects on the chlorophyll content of Hydrilla were variable and included decreases in total chlorophyll content and changes to the chlorophyll a:b ratio. Bioconcentration of free toxin was not detected in the tissues of Hydrilla. In trials with Melanoides tuberculata, exposure to whole cell extracts or live algal cultures did not significantly affect the behaviour or relative growth rates of adult snails. However, changes in the number of hatchlings released from parent snails were recorded: exposure to whole cell extracts corresponded with increased numbers of hatchlings compared with controls, whereas decreases in hatchling numbers compared with controls were recorded from treatments containing live C. raciborskii. Both bioconcentration and bioaccumulation occurred in the soft tissues of snails, although exposure to whole cell extracts resulted in only minor tissue contamination compared with that from live C. raciborskii exposures. Bioaccumulation of the analog deoxy-CYN was recorded in the soft tissues. M. tuberculata did not bioconcentrate CYN in the shell. Tadpoles of the cane toad (Bufo marinus) featured the most dramatic responses to the test solutions. Exposure to live C. raciborskii cultures resulted in up to 66% mortality of B. marinus, whereas all tadpoles survived exposure to whole cell extracts of comparable CYN concentrations. Decreases in the time spent swimming and relative growth rates were recorded from surviving tadpoles during both types of exposure regimes. Histological examination of Bufo tissues revealed tissue injuries to multiple organs, with particular severity noted in the liver, intestine, nephric ducts and gill epithelia. The extent of cellular damage was similar in whole cell extract (containing a maximum of 400 μg L-1 CYN) and the live culture trials (containing a maximum of 232 μg L-1), despite the unequal toxin concentrations. Bioconcentration of CYN was not evident during the whole cell extract trial, whereas exposure to live cultures resulted in maximum average tissue concentrations of 895 μg toxin kg-1 fresh weight. A secondary aim of the thesis was to identify and address gaps in management approaches for toxin bioaccumulation and possible environmental effects associated with toxin-producing C. raciborskii blooms. A predictive management strategy was developed to determine the likelihood of tissue contamination in aquatic organisms inhabiting water bodies affected by blooms. The ten-step framework for predicting bioaccumulation risk was based upon characteristics of cyanotoxin bioavailability, exposure and uptake routes during the progression of a toxic bloom. Key concepts included monitoring changes in toxin availability throughout the progression of a toxic bloom, and the prediction of bioaccumulation risks based on threshold toxin values for selected aquatic organisms. These threshold values were re-examined following the completion of the laboratory trials. Current approaches for the management of blooms with respect to environmental risks were discussed, and procedures for the proper evaluation of environmental risks associated with Cylindrospermopsis blooms were assessed. These included adequate detection and monitoring systems, setting of environmental guideline values, and options for the control and remediation of toxic blooms

Interpreting the possible ecological role(s) of cyanotoxins : compounds for competitive advantage and/or physiological aide?

Abstract: To date, most research on freshwater cyanotoxin(s) has focused on understanding the dynamics of toxin production and decomposition, as well as evaluating the environmental conditions that trigger toxin production, all with the objective of informing management strategies and options for risk reduction. Comparatively few research studies have considered how this information can be used to understand the broader ecological role of cyanotoxin(s), and the possible applications of this knowledge to the management of toxic blooms. This paper explores the ecological, toxicological, and genetic evidence for cyanotoxin production in natural environments. The possible evolutionary advantages of toxin production are grouped into two main themes: That of “competitive advantage” or “physiological aide”. The first grouping illustrates how compounds produced by cyanobacteria may have originated from the need for a cellular defence mechanism, in response to grazing pressure and/or resource competition. The second grouping considers the contribution that secondary metabolites make to improved cellular physiology, through benefits to homeostasis, photosynthetic efficiencies, and accelerated growth rates. The discussion also includes other factors in the debate about possible evolutionary roles for toxins, such as different modes of exposures and effects on non-target (i.e., non-competitive) species. The paper demonstrates that complex and multiple factors are at play in driving evolutionary processes in aquatic environments. This information may provide a fresh perspective on managing toxic blooms, including the need to use a “systems approach” to understand how physico-chemical conditions, as well biological stressors, interact to trigger toxin production

Proceedings, 10th Queensland Weed Symposium : 'Celebrating 20 years : managing weeds in a climate of change', 26-29 July 2009, Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, Queensland

Proceedings of the 10th Queensland Weed Symposium, 26-29 July 2009, Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, Queensland

Capricornia Business Dashboard

The Capricornia Business Dashboard project was initiated in response to questions about the current status of the local economy, trends in local business activity and growth, and how growth in local businesses can be better supported. The Dashboard project is a collaborative initiative between the Capricornia Chamber of Commerce, Regional Development Australia (Fitzroy and Central West) and the Queensland Government. A clear focus for the project was to understand the local business environment, with a focus on the ways that the project partners can support local businesses as they cope with challenging and changing times. CQUniversity Australia was contracted to undertake the Phase 1 research component of the Capricornia Dashboard project, with Phase 2 involving the identification and prioritisation of business support activities to be offered within the region over the coming 12 months. This report presents the results of the baseline research, together with suggestions for ways to best support local business activity in the near-term, based on the available data. The information is presented through three sections: • a thematic overview (a series of key results); • factsheets describing key trends for business in each of four economic pillars (agriculture, construction, resources and tourism); and • key recommendations. Information about specific business support activities that will be planned and/or offered in the Capricornia region will be made available from the project partners at a later date

Planning the innovation agenda for sustainable development in resource regions : a central Queensland case study

The ability to identify and foster innovative solutions to complex challenges is critically important in regional Australia, and particularly so in ‘resource regions’. This paper explores the role for innovation in delivering regional outcomes across the social, economic and environmental domains. It describes the value of regional innovation strategies in assessing regional assets, challenges and emerging opportunities, through a case study focus on Central Queensland. This region is one of Australia’s key resource hubs, which benefits from the economic activity linked with extractive, transport and processing industries, but also experiences a range of adverse social and environmental effects. Awareness of innovation systems and innovative practices allows regional development practitioners, as well as the mining industry itself, to re-frame issues and opportunities beyond current drivers, development paradigms and planning horizons. The paper presents a set of innovation-based principles to consider when developing strategic responses to these challenges and opportunities. It also introduces the concept of ‘innovation wedges’ to strengthen regional capacity to adjust and adapt to the rapid and cumulative impacts of resource development activity

Beyond carbon : a case study of Cleantech and innovation for sustainable regional development in Central Queensland

The challenges confronting regional Australia include drivers such as climate change, uneven population growth, natural resource management and land use conflicts, liveability concerns and regionalization agendas. There is a need to explore ventures that simultaneously address these pressures if regional areas are to flourish and contribute to national targets in social, environmental and economic areas. One way to achieve this is to exploit the natural advantage that regional areas may have for innovation. ‘Cleantech’ refers to a range of technologies and processes that focus on improved efficiency, reduced environmental impacts and better profitability: cleantech is emerging as an innovative way to tackle sustainable regional development challenges. Central Queensland (CQ) is a region that is well-suited for the development of cleantech: it has high cleantech demand; a suite of useful natural assets; advantageous infrastructure and waste products; existing professional skill and trade sets in relevant industries; a diverse economy and economic incentives to operate in cleantech; a cooperative and engaged regional University; supportive local Government and a core of businesses already dealing in cleantech. Most importantly, there is substantive human capital in the area. This paper explores how innovation activity could be encouraged by engaging SMEs and other regional stakeholders to establish a Cleantech CQ hub. This hub could drive regional development and competitiveness, help resolve a range of regional environmental pressures and move the CQ region ‘Beyond Carbon’