Research

Our research is focussed on approaches to reduce carbon emissions and to develop adaptive strategies to address the anticipated impacts of climate change.

Despite efforts to reduce emissions it is predicted that increased temperatures and drier conditions are likely to generate pressures on both natural and agriculture systems across southern Australia. It is therefore important to build knowledge about the climate dependency of native and introduced species and how they are likely to respond to variations in climate and identify the most vulnerable systems and regions. We focus on the following areas:

Energy, emissions and offsets

Research Director - Professor Gus Nathan

Development of renewable energies focuses on geothermal (hot rocks), biofuels and wind energy.  The widespread use of micro wind turbines is currently limited due to their noise. Research is taking place to identify and control this aerodynamic noise. Engineering solutions include combustion and enabling technologies to reduce emissions from all renewable fuels, in particular biodiesel fuels, and techniques for CO2 containment (eg geosequestration). 

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Adaptive responses for sustainable environments

Research Director - Professor Andy Lowe  

The impact of climate changes (past, present and future) on terrestrial and aquatic systems, resource and habitat management, and the adaptability and vulnerability of regional and urban communities are included in this program area. Likely future impacts are being modelled at a regional and a local scale to provide sound research and scientific understanding to inform Government policy and industry responses.

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Marine Impacts

Research Director – Associate Professor Corey Bradshaw  

This program explores the implications of climate change for the marine biota. The adaptability of marine species to climate forcing will be examined in conjunction with other drivers of population change, such as fishing exploitation, coastal development and other forms of habitat degradation. Future impacts are being quantified and modelled to provide well-supported predictions of marine system health across Australia.

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Productive agriculture under global change

Research Director - Professor Randy Stringer

Research to evaluate changes in threatening processes (eg landscape fragmentation, invasive species) and their impact on the interrelationships between natural and production systems is being carried out.

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Population health and social impacts 

Research Director - Dr Peng Bi

Climate change and increased climatic variability will have considerable social and economic impact in rural communities. This is particularly so in those areas of the country where communities are largely economically dependent on agricultural production.

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Water Use under Increased Climate Variability

Research Director - Assoc Professor Justin Brookes

Research will track, manage and allocate water to ensure that both society and the environment gain the greatest net benefit from the available water as the climate becomes more variable.

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Strategic Climate Policy 

Research Director - Professor Barry Brook

Communicating cutting-edge research on climate change to the public domain, and providing a conduit for the transfer of knowledge and applied tools to service the policy needs of government, business and society.

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