Echidna Conservation Science Initiative - Echidna CSI
Echidna CSI is an Australia-wide initiative that is helping to conserve our wild echidnas.
We are a team of world-leading echidna researchers connecting with the community to learn more about these unique creatures.
Thousands of Australians have sent us photos of echidnas through our Echidna CSI app. They have even collected echidna poo for University of Adelaide researchers to use for molecular analysis.
Echidna CSI has collected unprecedented data and material to help ensure the long-term survival of this iconic Australian animal.
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See an echidna? Take a photo or video with your smart phone and send us the details!
Echidna CSI news
Tracing the rapid spread of the fox across Australia
New research reveals that red foxes colonised Australia in just 60 years. Environment Institute Deputy Director Associate Professor Damien Fordham says the findings help explain past biodiversity losses and provide vital data to prevent future extinctions, offering a new framework for tracking other invasive species such as cats. Read the full study published in Diversity and Distributions, and article for The Conversation here.
Dr Dominic McAfee, Future Making Fellow and Professor Andrew Lowe, Director, Environment Institute were invited to appear at the Federal Senate Inquiry for the harmful algal bloom (HAB), alongside EI members Professors Luke Mosley and Ivan Nagelkerkern. Professor Lowe spoke of the need to restore both marine and terrestrial ecosystems to help stop sediment and nutrient run off from the land - by restoring waterways and riverine systems - and soak up nutrients and sediments that enter coastal waters – by restoring shellfish reefs and seagrass ecosystems. Dr McAfee has been working closely with communities, traditional landowners, and school students on community-based restoration projects. One of these projects is creating oyster baskets to help shellfish ecosystem restoration in the Port River in partnership with the OzFish Adelaide Chapter.
Dr Phillipa McCormack on Reforming Australia’s Outdated Environment Laws
Environment Institute Future Making Fellow Dr Phillipa McCormack co-authored a recent article for The Conversation, outlining key recommendations for how Australia’s environment laws should be reformed. The Albanese Government has indicated it is close to striking a deal with the Coalition on new environmental laws, which must deliver substantial improvements. In the article, they provided various recommendations for the reform, covering topics like an independent watchdog, habitat protection, climate change, First Nations voices, logging, and the need for defined targets.
Image credits: Banner image - Cecilia Webster; 'Download the app' image - Matthew Wilkinson.