Natural Environment Blog

Colorful fish at Rapture Reef, French Frigate Shoals of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

According to the Australian newspaper, several scientists have downplayed the significance that global warming will have on our coral reefs.

Specifically, they respond to a recent comment by University of Queensland’s Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, that sea temperatures are likely to rise 2C over the next three decades, which would undoubtedly kill the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg, also of the Australian Research Council’s Centre for Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS), has spent the past 15 years warning us about the impact of climate change on the coral reefs.   

But Dr Andrew Baird principal research fellow at CoECRS says that this is a pessimistic view, and that there are serious knowledge gaps about the impact that rising sea temperatures would have on coral. 

Baird believes that coral has the ability to adapt to climate change.

“I believe coral has an underappreciated capacity to evolve. It’s one of the biological laws that, wherever you look, organisms have adapted to radical changes.” he said.

However, Dr Baird did acknowledge that we need to do something about the impact of climate change on coral reefs.

“There will be sweeping changes in the relative abundance of species,” he said. “There’ll be changes in what species occur where.

“But wholesale destruction of reefs? I think that’s overly pessimistic.” he added.

Russell Reichelt, chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority shared Dr Baird’s sentiment.

“I think that he’s right,” he said. “The reef is more adaptable and research is coming out now to show adaptation is possible for the reef.”

Dr Reichelt, a marine scientist, believes that the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef is water quality. In particular, he refers to the coastal regions where sediment and fertilizer is draining into the ocean and therefore threatening the future of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef.

“If a reef’s going to survive bleaching, you don’t want to kill it with a dirty river,” he said.

Coral can Cross-Breed

Baird and Reichelt aren’t the only ones who believe that coral could adapt to climate change.

Recent studies carried out by CoECRS have found that at least one species of coral can cross-breed and create a hybrid species, suggesting that coral may in fact be able to adapt to climate change.  

Ocean Acidification

Rising sea temperatures isn’t the only threat to our coral reef systems. Ocean acidification has been recently cited as a major threat.

At least three recent studies - one of which professor Hoegh-Guldberg was involved in - have concluded that rising CO2 emissions is a major threat to coral reefs around the world. This is because increased CO2 leads to increased ocean acidification - which in turn, destroys coral reefs.

Coral on the Great Barrier Reef

A lot of recent studies have been warning about the threat that climate change is posing on the world’s coral reef systems. The common conclusion appears to be that, if nothing is done about global warming, our reefs face imminent extinction. 

But according to a new study, there may yet be hope for our coral reefs.

Scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Australia (CoECRS), James Cook University, the Museum of Tropical Queensland and the Australian Institute of Marine Science have released a research paper indicating that at least one rare coral species may actually be able to adapt to climate change.

The study found that some Acropora (staghorn corals) coral - a particularly rare species of coral - are in fact hybrids. This means that they have cross-bred with other Acropora species to result in a hybrid species. By hybridising with other species, these corals draw on genetic variation in other species, increasing their own potential to adapt to changing conditions.

The Importance of Acropora

Zoe Richards, lead author of the research paper, says “Acropora are the main reef-builders throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and so of critical importance to the ability of reefs to cope with changing conditions. However, till now, very few clear cut examples of hybridisiation were known, and some people did not even accept that corals can cross-breed.”

She added that corals may prove tougher to exterminate than many people feared.

“Hybridising with another species actually makes a lot of genetic sense if you are rare and the next colony of your species may be hundreds of kilometres away.  It suggests these creatures are far more resilient that we thought, based on what we know from the behavior of land animals.” she said.

A number of factors are threatening coral reefs around the world. In particular, rising CO2 levels is leading to increased ocean acidifcation. Also, poor water quality is having a major impact on coral reefs.

Two rare species of gecko have been discovered and identified as new species in Australia.

Scientists discovered the geckos recently during expeditions to Northwest Cape and the southern deserts of Western Australia and South Australia.

Geckos are small to medium sized lizards which are found in warm climates around the world. They are known for their ability to stick to vertical surfaces, and for their high pitched “chirping” sounds during interactions with other geckos.

The newly described species are known as the Cape Range Gecko (scientific name: Diplodactylus capensis) and the Southern Sandplain Gecko (scientific name: Lucasium bungabinna).

Cape Range Gecko

Cape Range Gecko - Male. Photo: Western Australian Museum

The Cape Range Gecko was named after Cape Range in the north-western part of Australia. It had previously been mistaken for a Pilbara species, but it is more closely related to another species - the closest of which is 600 kilometers to the south of Cape Range.

WA Museum curator of herpetology Dr Paul Doughty said ”The Cape Range is made up of an ancient block of limestone which has created a unique habitat to which the species has adapted”

The Cape Range Gecko is characterised by a distinctive broken stripe on its back, larger head and reddish coloration which matches the color of the rocks on the Cape Range.

“Little is known of this new species and we are still in the process of describing other new species of reptiles from this special area of Western Australia.” said Dr Doughty.

Southern Sandplain Gecko

Southern Sandplain Gecko - Male. Photo: Western Australian Museum

The Southern Sandplain Gecko occurs in the southern deserts in Western Australia and South Australia, north of the Nullarbor Plain. 

The species has smaller toe pads than other geckos, and it has been observed climbing low shrubs.

The scientific name ‘bungabinna’ is derived from the Bungalbin Sandplain in Western Australia and the Yellabinna Sandplain in South Australia where it occurs.

The Research

The research was carried out by scientists from the Western Australian Museum and South Australian Museum. The project was funded by a grant from the Australia and Pacific Science Foundation.

The beautiful Great Barrier Reef - if climate change doesn't destroy it first, sediment and runoff will. Photo: Copyright (C) Richard Ling (rling.com)

Anna Bligh, Premier for the Australian state of Queensland, has indicated that she would move to introduce farm regulation in order to save the Great Barrier Reef.   

Ms Bligh’s announcement came on Friday, during the Reef Water Quality Summit in Parliament House, Brisbane.

The summit was being held in response to a recent report on the water quality around the reef. The report shows that the water quality around the reef is not improving. Sediment and phosphorous discharge levels are four times higher than they were prior to European settlement, and nitrogen discharge levels are five times higher.

Much of the discharge comes from farms and mining sites located on the mainland adjacent to the reef. 

Reef Water Quality Action Plan

In order to address this issue, the State Government launched a 10 year Reef Water Quality Action Plan with the Federal Government in 2003. Ms Bligh said that, since launching that plan, her Government has invested about $25 million per year in protecting and managing reef catchments.

The goal of the Reef Plan is to: 

halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering the Reef within 10 year

The plan aims to acheive this goal with following two objectives:

1. Reduce the load of pollutants from diffuse sources in the water entering the Reef; and
2. Rehabilitate and conserve areas of the Reef catchment that have a role in removing water borne pollutants.

To date, no regulations or penalties have been included in the plan. Instead, farmers have been given financial incentives to improve land practices.

Voluntary Action is Not Enough

But Ms Bligh says that after 5 years, not enough is being done. 

“We want to work with farming groups, we want to work with scientists, but after five years of a voluntary approach the science is telling us it’s just not working” she said.

“We need tougher action and a renewed sense of urgency”.

Ms Bligh indicated that the voluntary system wasn’t working and needed to be replaced by regulation.

“The science cannot be ignored and new action will be needed. That means moving from a voluntary regulated system and making the financial commitment needed to make it work” she said.

Responses to The Premier’s Announcement

John Cherry, CEO of the Queensland Farmers Federation, wasn’t happy with the announcement. 

“We believe we can move a lot more farmers to best practice through voluntary measures,” he said.

“We are concerned that regulation will undermine goodwill and make it harder to achieve that.”

Brett de Hayr, CEO of broadacre farm lobby AgForce shared this sentiment.

“Industry certainly recognises we need to look at controls for those people who won’t do the right thing, but for states to move down a purely regulatory approach - you don’t get best practice from regulation, you get the lowest common denominator.”

But Andre Leu, chairman of the Organic Federation of Australia, welcomed the news. He hoped that the premier’s announcement would lead to the farming and research community working together with the federation on ways to adopt commercially proven methods to reduce pesticides and synthetic fertilisers.

The Australian federal government has announced that it will roll out $23 million over the next few weeks in order to help improve the water quality around the Great Barrier Reef.

The money has already been set aside as part of “Reef Rescue”, a $200 million budget allocation set aside to tackle climate change and improve water quality around the Great Barrier Reef, located in Queensland Australia. 

“Most of this $23 million will help farmers in the sugar, horticulture, grazing, cropping and dairy industries to continue that good work, which will boost productivity and reduce costs” said Tony Burke Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The intention with the Reef Rescue package, is for regional and industry organisations to work together with private landholders and land managers in order to help the Great Barrier Reef resist the impacts of global warming.

As part of the allocation:

• Five regional organizations will each receive up to $7 million to work with industry organisations, land managers and landholders to give the Reef a better chance to survive climate change impacts.
• In addition, just over $1 million will support a partnership between five primary production industry organizations, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Regional Groups Collective to raise awareness of the need for land management changes.

The five regional organizations are:

• Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM: to receive $3,546,300
• Burnett Mary Regional Group: to receive $3,063,000
• Fitzroy Basin Association: to receive $3,611,654
• Reef Catchments (Mackay / Whitsunday): to receive $5,808,124
• Terrain Natural Resource Management (Wet Tropics): to receive $6,804,650

The details of the allocation was announced today by Mr Burke and Australian Government Environment Minister Peter Garrett, who will also be attending the Reef Water Quality Summit today in Brisbane.

“I am very pleased that through this program Rudd Labor Government is bringing together farmers, land managers, environmental groups and the industry in an unprecedented way to ensure that the Great Barrier Reef has the best chance of survival, particularly in the face of dangerous climate change,” said Mr Garrett.

The Reef Water Quality Summit will be held today to address urgent concerns about the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The summit was prompted by a 2007 report entitled 2007 Water Quality Report for the Great Barrier Reef, which was released earlier this month.

The report found that the water quality issue is worse than previously thought.

Agforce president, John Cotter says that farmers have been working with conservationists and the Federal Government to reduce farm run-off to the reef.

“The last thing that will get the best outcome for the reef is to have a series of blunt instruments or regulatory tools imposed on both not only the agricultural industry but the development industry,” he continued.

In response to the report, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said “We have had a lot of effort put in over the last five years, but recent scientific reports indicate that that effort has not been enough and it has not been happening fast enough”.

“So I want to hear from all those groups who are using the reef and who are concerned about it, ideas to accelerate the work that we are doing to improve water quality” she continued.

The summit, which will include Queensland and federal governments, conservation groups, farming groups, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, will take place in Parliament House in Brisbane today (24th October, Australian time).

International travel travel company, Abercrombie & Kent, have partnered with Australian based conservation organization, Rainforest Rescue, to help ensure that Australia’s ancient Daintree rainforest is protected forever.

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), who specialize in luxury journeys across seven continents, is supporting Rainforest Rescue’s “Daintree Buyback and Protect Forever” project.

About the Project

This Daintree Buyback and Protect Forever project identifies, and purchases precious rainforest at risk of development and establishes nature refuge status which protects it forever under Queensland law. 

Since it started in 2000, the project has purchased and protected 10 properties in the Daintree, thanks to individuals’ donations and corporate support. These are properties that could otherwise have been purchased by a developer wanting to build.

About the Daintree

The Daintree rainforest is located in Tropical Far North Queensland Australia, just north of Cairns. The Daintree is among the most significant regional ecosystems in the world.

The Daintree contains the largest range of plants and animals anywhere on Earth. Unfortunately, it also contains the highest number of threatened species anywhere on Earth.

At more than 135 million years old, the Daintree rainforest is also among the oldest rainforests in the world.

Although the Daintree rainforest is a World Heritage Listed area, many parts are still not protected and are under theat from development. 

The Partnership

As part of the partnership, A&K will be encouraging its clients to visit the Daintree rainforest, to learn about the region, as well as to learn about this project. 

A&K, who are also involved with Friends of Conservation, see travel as a way of educating individuals in the diversity of culture and the untamed beauty of the natural world. 

“A&K has always believed passionately in adventures that both respect the natural environment and benefit indigenous peoples.  Our long held philosophy is governed in equal parts by this unswerving commitment to conservation whilst creating lasting travel experiences. It is this thinking that has lead to the establishment of A&K Philanthropy and the announcement of this initiative with Rainforest Rescue. We aim to make a difference whilst giving A&K travellers the most inspiring lifetime experiences.” says Jorie Butler Kent, Vice Chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Group, who is also founder of A&K Philanthropy. 

Rainforest Rescue Corporate Partnerships Manager, Lana Nancarrow said ”It’s great to have organisations like Abercrombie & Kent supporting us, as with many of our other corporate partners, they’re business philosophy is founded on a strong commitment to conserving our natural environment”.

Rainforest Resue has been in business for over 10 years now, and have been busy establishing a number of projects dedicated to conservation.  They are completely supported by donations from individuals, philanthropists, business sponsorship and foundation grants. They do not receive government funding.

In what has been described as “an astounding achievement for conservation”, two respected conservation organizations have partnered to purchase 1.7 million acres of desert in Australia.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Australia Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) purchased the Kalamurina Ranch, which is near the common boundaries of South Australia, Northern Territory, and Queensland states (near the center of Australia). 

The Kalamurina Ranch, which was previously a cattle ranch, will now be known as Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite being a former cattle ranch, most of the land is relatively undisturbed. This is due to the fact that the ranch was not heavily stocked with cattle. 

Prime Position

One of the significant things about this purchase is that, it links two other protected pieces of land - resulting in 19 million acres of contiguous protected land. The Simpson Desert Regional Reserve lies directly to the north, and the Lake Eyre National Park is directly to the south.  

But what the two organizations are really excited about, is that three of central Australia’s most important rivers converge on the property. The Macumbah River and Kallakoopah Creek converge with the Warburton River on Kalamurina before flowing into Lake Eyre - the largest lake in Australia.

“One glance at a map and it’s clear how important Kalamurina is,” says AWC Executive Director, Atticus Fleming. “In most parts of the world, a gap this large would look like too big a mountain to climb. But here, with just one acquisition, we were able to fill the gap.”

Endangered Species

This part of Australia has become a critical area for conservationalists. Most of the native animals are either endangered or extinct. This is because they are being eaten by non-native predators. Many of the native animals are small marsupials. Most of these animals have little chance against foxes - which were introduced by English settlers for recreational hunting.

And if non-native species aren’t killing the animals, they’re competing with them for food and water.

Michael Looker, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Australia program says, ”One of the most important things we can to do help nature survive and adapt to the impacts of climate change is to give plants and animals room to move and, especially here in the desert, access to water”.

More Work to be Done

The acquisition of the land is only the beginning. The land will now need to be restored and maintained to ensure a true sanctuary for the desert wildlife.

And, the partnership won’t stop with this acquisition. TNC and AWC plan to purchase more land to the north of the central desert. 

“We have a tremendous window of opportunity in central and northern Australia,” says AWC Executive Director Atticus Fleming. “This region is considered one of five last great wild places on Earth. Working together like this will enable us to move quickly, before that window closes”.

A 6 degree increase in average temperature could force one species of kangaroo to extinction.

Global warming could seriously diminish kangaroo populations over the next 20 years, according to researchers from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.  

The result of the study has been published in the December issue of Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 

The researchers, Euan G. Ritchie and Elizabeth E. Bolitho, estimate that a 2 percent increase in temperature could shrink kangaroos’ ranges by 48 percent. A 6 degree increase in temperature could shrink ranges by 96 percent. 

These projected temperature ranges are not unheard of either. Climate models indicate that a temperature increase of between 0.4 and 2 degrees is likely to occur in northern Australia by the year 2030, and anincrease of between 2 and 6 degrees is expected by 2070.

Extinction

Global warming could force one species of kangaroo to extinction.

The antilopine wallaroo, a kangaroo species that resides in wet tropical climates, may become extinct if temperatures increase by 6 degrees.

It all depends on how the animal can adapt. Such a temperature increase would produce an environment that is seriously lacking in water. Even an increase in 2 degrees could shrink its geographic range by 89 percent.

The Main Cause - Less Water

The decrease in available water is what would cause the most harm. It’s likely that the kangaroos themselves could cope with higher temperatures - as long as their habitat didn’t change. Unfortunately, increased temperatures would lead to less available water, and less water would lead to a much different (and drier) environment to live in.

The kangaroos would be forced to adapt or move. Unfortunately, even if they could move to another environment, it’s unlikely that the vegetation and topography that they’re used to, would shift at the same rate.

The authors of the study write, “If dry seasons are to become hotter and rainfall events more unpredictable, habitats may become depleted of available pasture for grazing and waterholes may dry up, this may result in starvation and failed reproduction… or possible death due to dehydration for those species that are less mobile”.

The world’s tallest known hardwood tree has been found in Tasmania, Australia.

The tree, dubbed Centurion, is a eucalyptus tree (or eucalyptus regnans), standing at 101 meters tall. 

Forestry Tasmania managing director Bob Gordon says, “It is the only known standing hardwood tree in the world to be over 100 metres tall”.  

Actually, Centurion has broken two records. It is also the tallest flowering plant in the world.

According to some news reports, Centurion is the second tallest tree in the world - second only to this giant redwood. But I beg to differ. I can name 15 redwoods that are taller than Centurion. 

But not to take anything away from Centurion. Centurion is a hardwood tree. The giant California redwoods are softwood trees. Also, Centurion is classified as a flowering plant (and the tallest a that!).

Centurion is not the only tall eucalyptus tree to be seen in Australia. Eucalyptus trees are amongst the tallest trees ever recorded. The challenge these days, is to allow them to grow to their full potential without chopping them down.

Centurion, which measures 405 centimeters in diameter, is located about 5 kilometers from Tahune Airwalk, a popular tourist walk through the tree tops. Forestry Tasmania plan to create a boardwalk to Centurion so that the public can view the massive tree.

About the Name “Centurion”

A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army in charge of 100 soldiers. Well, to be precise, centurions initially commanded a centuria, or “century” of 100 soldiers. Later, they commanded 60 men. Then this number rose to 80 soldiers.

Let’s hope that Centurion (the tree) doesn’t lose the number of trees its in charge of!