News: Environment Institute
Local Action: The Key to the Murray-Darling Basin Recovery
The latest evaluation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is out, and the message is clear: fixing flows alone won’t fix the Basin. We need to restore the land itself. As co-author, Environment Institute member Professor Seth Westra highlights, we must go beyond water volumes and fix the land itself—rewetting wetlands, restoring floodplains, and supporting nature-based regeneration.
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Adelaide’s Shift to Intense Downpours and Rising Drought Risk
New research led by Environment Institute member Assoc Prof Mark Thyer, with Prof Seth Westra and researchers from the Goyder Institute for Water Research, has revealed a major shift in our rainfall patterns. By analysing decades of weather station data, radar technology, and climate models, the team found Short, high-intensity downpours (10–60 minutes) are becoming more intense and annual rainfall is decreasing, raising the risk of drought. These shifts have big implications for flood preparedness and stormwater management.
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Feral Rabbits Evolve in Unexpected Ways
What happens when domesticated rabbits go feral? They don't just revert to their wild form, they evolve new, unpredictable traits. A new study led by Environment Institute member Associate Professor Emma Sherratt reveals that feral rabbits develop distinct anatomical changes not seen in either wild or domestic populations. This groundbreaking work deepens our understanding of how invasive species adapt to novel environments and evolve over time.
An 'Underwater Bushfire' Sparks Urgent Calls Urgent Calls for Action in South Australia
Environment Institute Members are at the forefront of the algal bloom crisis, with the federal government announcing $14 million funding packing to help South Australia. We are fortunate enough to house leading expert researchers that have been on the front foot to inform the media and government about about the impacts and implications of the agal bloom.
Uncovering The Truth About Sea Snakes
ABC’s brand new nature series 'Dr Ann’s Secret Lives' follows presenter Dr Ann as she ventures into the wild with leading scientists to uncover the fascinating and often hidden behaviours of some of the world’s most elusive creatures. In Episode 2, Dr Ann joins Associate Professor Kate Sanders, Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, and their team in Dampier Marine Park to explore the secret lives of these mysterious marine reptiles.
Tickets Now Available for the International Symposium on Green Urban Futures
Registration is now open for the International Symposium on Green Urban Futures, taking place at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide, South Australia, on 3–4 December 2025. Presented by the Environment Institute, in partnership with Green Adelaide and Treenet, the symposium is chaired by Professor Veronica Soebarto, initiative lead of Green Urban Futures and Planetary Health at the Environment Institute.
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100 Years of The Koonamore Project
The Koonamore Project based in The TGB Osborne Vegetation Reserve at Koonamore, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary year this year, and which makes it the oldest long term ecological study in Australia and one of the oldest in the world. The site is a clear demonstration of the capacity of recovery in Australian arid ecosystems, even after extreme degradation.
What Border Seizures Tell Us About the Transnational Shark Trade
Environment Institute members Dr Patrick Reis-Santos, Professor Phill Cassey, Professor Bronwyn Gillanders, and PhD Candidate Josephine Lingard recently published a new paper looking at the transnational shark trade, showing what they've uncovered as a cause for concern. With over one-third of shark species now threatened with extinction, largely due to overfishing and international trade, this study provides new insights into the personal use trade of shark products through Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
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Applying the IUCN Species Conservation Cycle in Australia
At the IUCN Species Survival Symposium, Dr Jess Marsh co-led a workshop and joined a panel discussion focused on applying the IUCN species conservation cycle—assess, plan, and act—to support national conservation efforts. These three steps work together: assessing species' status, planning tailored strategies, and—most critically—acting on the ground to deliver conservation outcomes. Each step is essential to preventing extinction, especially for data-poor or hyper-diverse taxa like fungi and invertebrates.
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How South Australia's Algal Bloom Is Threatening Marine Life and Public Health
Environment Institute members have expressed concern over the toxic algal bloom affecting South Australia's coastline. Professor Justin Brookes highlighted that while algae play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, the current Karenia mikimotoi bloom is toxic and spreading rapidly due to warm temperatures and nutrient-rich waters. Future Making Fellow Dr Dominic McAfee described the event as an “underwater bushfire,” urging a coordinated response similar to land-based natural disasters. Both experts emphasised the need for continued monitoring and proactive measures to protect marine life and coastal communities.
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