Articles
Biodiversity
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Strathfield set to be Australia's living laboratory for heat-proof suburbs
Strathfield is set to feature as a ‘cool’ epicentre for groundbreaking research at more than five local schools with university scientists, council urban forestry experts, and environmentalists joining students to explore how different levels of planting – including trees, shrubs and ground covers – can reduce urban heat. Research often focuses on trees and canopies […]
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Understanding and Combating Plant Blindness
What is plant blindness? Plant awareness disparity, often referred to as PAD or simply plant blindness, is the human tendency to overlook plants in one’s own environment. This phenomenon is especially prevalent in the presence of animals, where people tend to view animals as more “alive” than other plants. Plant blindness does not mean that […]
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Zoning in on the ozone solution: Lessons for other environmental challenges
The healing of the ozone layer with over 99 per cent of ozone-depleting substances phased out is often cited as an excellent example of how humanity can work together to counter environmental problems. Restoring ozone in the atmosphere is seen as a major success in the scientific and nonscientific world for fighting back on human-related […]
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Flying foxes’ key role for our Eucalypt forests
As recently reported in the New York Times, Australia’s flying foxes are very much underestimated and under-appreciated. While local environmental experts have been singing their praises for decades, a new study published in Scientific Reports points to the fact that flying foxes, through the dispersal of seeds, are responsible for the creation of more than […]
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The Urban Aussie Big 5
Australia is known for its incredibly diverse flora and fauna. In fact, 85 per cent of Australia’s plant species are endemic, meaning that they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Australia is also home to half of the world’s marsupial species, according to the 2021 Australia State of the Environment. It’s no surprise […]
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Citizen Science Corners: Bridging Public Accessibility and Scientific Contribution
Magnifying glasses, books and activity guides are just a few of the things you’ll see when you walk up to a Citizen’s Science Corner. These displays are dedicated spaces housed in public libraries that feature books on local flora and fauna, interactive kits, and step-by-step guides that facilitate contribution to real, ongoing research projects. These […]