Environment Institute

Stefan Caddy-Retalic, Environment Institute member and adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Arboretum and, has commented on the challenges faced by the Overbury Drive red gum as urban development impacts its health. This historic tree, over 200 years old and standing more than 20 meters tall, has struggled as infrastructure changes disrupted its natural water sources. In response to community concerns, the City of Unley installed water bollards to support the tree’s roots and planned modifications to reduce urban stress. Stefan highlighted the importance of proactive urban planning to preserve mature trees, noting that cities can balance growth while protecting their natural heritage. His insights have been featured in The Guardian, Yahoo News, AOL, and MSN. Learn more about the red gum’s journey and Stefan’s comments in the full article: https://lnkd.in/gxx7_KnQ #UrbanEcology #TreePreservation #Adelaide #Sustainability #environmentinstitute

 🕷️ Giant spiders in the Nullarbor? Yes, really. Environment Institute member Dr Jess Marsh, has become one of the first people on written record to encounter a Troglodiplura spider in the wild, a species as large as your hand and completely eyeless. These spiders are among the most troglomorphic primitive spiders in the world, having adapted to total darkness with elongated limbs, lack of pigment, and no eyes. “I will never forget seeing one for the first time… They’re beautiful animals. Completely eyeless,” says Dr Marsh. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of cave ecosystems, it highlights the delicate balance between species, climate, and conservation. We extend our congratulations to Dr Marsh as she begins her ARC Industry Fellowship at the University of Adelaide, focusing on the Nullarbor caves and the Troglodiplura species. 🔍 Read more about the science of troglomorphism, climate vulnerability, and the importance of protecting unique subterranean biodiversity: https://lnkd.in/gSwJuWmn 📸 Dr Steve Milner  #environmentinstitute #caving #spider #newspecies #discovery #biodiversity #fellowship #newresearch #australia

Economic models have been underestimating the true impact of climate change on the global economy. Mark Lawrence Environment Institute member at the University of Adelaide shares insights on new research, revealing that if global temperatures rise by 4°C the average person could be 40% poorer, far worse than previously estimated. Featured in media outlets such as AOL UK, The Guardian, Yahoo News, and Exec review Mark states,“If anything, I believe the economic impacts [of climate change] could be even worse,” says Mark. Click the link to read more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/g3RPVXwu #environmentinstitute #climatechange #supplychain #economy #riskanalysis #globaleconomy #gdp

🌱Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre - March 2025 Newsletter is out today! 🌱 This month, we’re sharing exciting research updates and activities from across the Centre – including insights from the Blue and Teal Carbon Project, reflections on our latest Research Networking Day, a celebration of women in science, and a creative opportunity to engage with the ‘Community Adaptation to Worsening Floods and Droughts’ project team. 🔗 Read the full newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gMtW-FzX #CLLMMRC #Research #EnvironmentalScience #CommunityAdaptation #ClimateChange #WomenInScience

Chris Keneally and Justin Brookes members of the Environment Institute and their team have uncovered fascinating insights into how the 2022 floods transformed the Coorong Lagoon’s microbial communities. In their recently published piece for The Conversation Australia + NZ, the research shows that the influx of freshwater not only reduced harmful methane-producing microbes but also boosted beneficial bacteria crucial for nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. This discovery highlights the importance of maintaining environmental flows to support biodiversity and combat climate impacts. It’s a powerful reminder of how natural events can help restore balance in fragile ecosystems. Discover more insights in our blog and read their piece for The Conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dSc_DZ4x 📸 Tyler Dornan #EnvironmentalScience #Ecology #ClimateChange #Biodiversity #Research #Coorong #EnvironmentInstitute

Australia’s fight against illegal wildlife trade is gaining momentum. Earlier this month, the Wildlife Crime Research Hub brought together experts from across the country for a two-day workshop in Canberra, uniting over 50 investigators, scientists, legal minds, and agency reps to tackle one of our most urgent but under-recognised issues. Key outcomes? 🐾 Stronger cross-agency collaboration 🐾Calls for legislative reform 🐾 A push for national awareness and education It’s time to take wildlife crime seriously. Click the link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gaCernTv #WildlifeCrime #Biodiversity #Conservation #EnvironmentalLaw #WildlifeProtection #CollaborationForConservation #EnvironmentInstitute

Are we witnessing a major setback for Australia’s nature protection laws? This week, a bill was introduced in Parliament that would limit the government’s ability to reconsider past environmental approvals, even in cases where new evidence shows harm to the environment. This has major implications for the endangered Maugean skate in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, where salmon farming is set to continue despite mounting scientific concerns. Environment Institute Future Making Fellow Dr Phillipa McCormack breaks it down in her powerful new piece for The Conversation Australia + NZ calling out the urgent need to reform Australia's outdated nature laws. 📝 For deeper insight, check out our full blog post and read Phillipa's article here: https://lnkd.in/dadraZUJ #Biodiversity #Environment #Policy #Research #SalmonFarming #MacquarieHarbour #naturelaws #lawreform #australia #salmoninparliament #Conservation #EPBCAct #EnvironmentInstitute University of Adelaide

Calling all environmental champions! There's still time to get your nomination in for the 2025 Environment Awards! Presented by the Conservation Council SA, in partnership with the Department for Environment and Water, Green Adelaide and the The University of Adelaide Environment Institute, the awards are all about shining a light on the amazing people, groups and organisations who give their time and talents to help care for our natural environment. Nominations are open across six categories recognising individuals, groups and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting SA’s environment, young environmental champions, scientific research in conservation, and innovative solutions for a sustainable future. The awards also recognises individuals who have dedicated their life’s work to caring for our environment, through the Lifetime Achievement award. Department for Environment and Water Chief Executive Ben Bruce said the awards recognised the passionate people who were caring for, protecting and restoring South Australia’s environment. “The SA Environment Awards are an opportunity to bring people together and recognise the environmental champions of South Australia,” Mr Bruce said. “Nominating a person or a group for one of these awards is a great way to highlight their achievements and celebrate their efforts. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday March 31 ahead of an awards ceremony on World Environment Day, on June 5. Follow the link for all the details: https://bit.ly/41fCogV

Happy 20th birthday to The Australian Science Media Centre! Our Institute Director Professor Andrew Lowe attended the celebration held Monday, alongside Dr Susannah Eliott FTSE CEO of ASMC. Congratulations on strengthening science reporting in the media, helping make science more accessible to all Australians! #ASMC #EnvironmentInstitute #Sciencecommunications #media #science

🔍 50 regional schools across three Australian states took part in the "Insect Investigators" project, exploring the incredible diversity of insects and arthropods. In their recently published article for The Conversation Australia + NZ, Environment Institute members Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries and Professor Patrick O'Connor, in collaboration with Dr Trang Nguyen and Dr Andy Howe, highlighted how the project not only contributed to biodiversity research but also significantly enhanced student wellbeing and engagement. 🔍 Through hands-on learning experiences led by students and teachers, an astounding 3,000 of the 12,000 species collected were found to be previously unrecorded in the Barcode of Life DNA database. The project encouraged students in several meaningful ways: 🐛 Spending more time outdoors 🐛 Sparking joy in learning 🐛 Providing an accessible and engaging way to connect with science 🐛 Fostering critical thinking skills Most importantly, it has inspired a new generation to actively participate in conserving Australia’s unique biodiversity. Click the link to read their full article and report: https://lnkd.in/gCNDNWmP #environmentinstitute #biodiversity #insects #conservation #australia The Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide