The University of Queensland

Climate Change Adaptation 
As part of the CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship, we are developing novel approaches to integrate information on the vulnerability of key habitat types and species to climate change, urban development and other threats.  We are identifying priority locations for conservation investment to maximise the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in South East Queensland. This project involves scientists from CSIRO, Griffith and Sunshine Coast Universities. Read more...

Manta project 
This project uses the inshore manta ray as a model to examine how biotic and abiotic factors relate to the movements of individual animals on a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Outcomes will advance our understanding of how environmental conditions affect a species' distribution in time and space, permitting the development of models for predicting how species' distributions may be affected by climate change. Read more...

Coral reef connectivity 
Identifying and protecting key reef areas will be critical for long-term persistence of tropical marine biodiversity. However, existing theories and tools for reserve designs do not incorporate information about how marine larvae move among reefs. Cynthia Riginos, Hugh Possingham and colleagues are evaluating this connectivity for coral reef species in the Coral Triangle and Great Barrier Reef using both physical (oceanographic) and genetic methods. Read more...

Thiaki project  
Reforestation is currently an unlikely option for most landholders in Australia’s tropics given the lack of data on the economic benefits obtainable from such efforts. Margie Mayfield, Peter Erskine and colleagues are examining the profits obtainable through the carbon market for each reforestation approach with the goal of increasing the feasibility of rainforest reforestation on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. Read more...