News: Environmental Science
Past climate safe havens now most vulnerable
![Forecast warming threatens species in biodiversity rich regions, including the Indo–Pacific](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-02/news-climate-change-se-asia-map-fish.jpg?h=1255a8dd&itok=WTGiGvor)
Scientists are investigating ways to intervene and facilitate climate adaptation at high-biodiversity locations expected to be hit the hardest by climate change.
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eDNA techniques to transform subterranean environmental assessment
![A tiny (0.7 mm long) crustacean from the family Parabathynellidae found in groundwater aquifers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Image by Kym Abrams)](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-01/news-subterranean-fauna-parabathynellidae.jpg?h=fbf4b26c&itok=I67RS2Zy)
A new project is set to transform understanding of the impact of mining on Australian subterranean species.
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Drones helping Australian sea lion survival
![Australian sea lions are in trouble. Their population has never recovered from the impact of the commercial sealing that occurred mainly in the 19th century.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-01/news-sealion-main.jpg?h=96a96008&itok=UY25lboU)
Australian sea lions are in trouble. Scientists are using drones to investigate the health of these animals.
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Insects are under threat - here's six ways to help them
![A flower fly. Scientists need help form the public to track insect numbers. Denis Anderson/CSIRO](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-12/news-flowerfly-convers.jpg?h=11cbac27&itok=xktWLF9g)
Are you planning a big garden clean-up this summer, or stocking up on fly spray to keep bugs at bay? Before you do, it’s worth considering the damage you might cause to the insects we share the planet with.
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Healthy coastal habitats combat climate change
![Researchers Alice Jones and Michelle Waycott - Photo by Emma O'Loughlin](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-12/coastal-habitats-jones-waycott-by-emma-oloughlin.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=j7MQwcJj)
How coastal systems can help mitigate climate change in South Australia.
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Biodiverse soil dust linked to reduced anxiety
![Naturally-diverse airborne environmental microbial exposures modulate the gut microbiome and may provide anxiolytic benefits in mice](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-11/liddicoat-biodiverse-soil-anxiety.jpg?h=91a56051&itok=34t0UVqv)
Growing evidence links natural green space exposure with a range of health benefits, including for mental health.
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Gene scans provide deep insights into plant evolution
![Gnetum gnemon (Nature)](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-11/lowe-gnetum-gnemon.jpg?h=5d515c91&itok=7fmjxuKl)
The availability of high-quality plant genome sequences and advances in functional genomics is revolutionising our ability to understand plant evolution.
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Hot as shell: birds in cooler climates lay darker eggs to keep their embryos warm
![Birds lay eggs with a huge variety of colours and patterns, from immaculate white to a range of blue-greens and reddish browns.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-10/news-bird-nest.jpg?h=08b866d1&itok=1gT7888V)
Research shows that climate is an important indicator of what colour and pattern bird eggs will be.
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Who's eating away Australia's national parks?
![Kangaroos grazing](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-10/news-kangaroos-grazing.jpg?h=2084ef8f&itok=cQVX06nS)
Australia’s national parks are under serious threat of overgrazing and native kangaroos are major contributors to the problem.
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