Environment

Genomic assessment of early signatures of adaptation from a provenance trial

This project performs genomic analyses of juvenile eucalyptus trees from the Collaborator’s climate-adapted provenance trial at Nardoo Hills. The expected outcome is to identify genetic variation associated with greater fitness in two key revegetation eucalypts, Eucalyptus microcarpa and Eucalyptus melliodora. The project may provide valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underpinning resilience and adaptation, which are vital for informing conservation strategies and restoring ecosystems.

Policy and regulatory aspects of water banking in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia and California, USA

This project investigates the policies and rules that influence the ability and motivations to store river water in underground aquifers for use during drought. The expected outcome is information that can be used to design policies and regulations that allow greater uptake of water banking techniques. These practices can provide cost effective water supplies during drought conditions for Murray-Darling Basin communities, irrigators, First Nations peoples, and the environment.

Enhanced resilience of irrigated agricultural floodplain landscapes of the Murray-Darling Basin

This project investigates the functional response of floodplain vegetation to environmental drivers at multiple scales in the Murray-Darling Basin. The expected outcome includes a series of tools for prioritising the management of floodplain vegetation communities across the landscape of the Murray-Darling Basin at multiple scales and identifying thresholds for environmental watering. The potential benefits are spatial data and new knowledge that will guide future environmental flow management for the benefit of iconic floodplain vegetation communities and related ecosystem services, especially those important to irrigated agricultural, such as water quality. 

Enhancing sustainable land management practices through natural capital profiles

This project addresses knowledge gaps in environmental sustainability and social marketing, focusing on river health and sustainable land management practices via co-creation and adoption of Natural Capital Profiles. The expected outcome is to extend existing frameworks in social marketing, with a particular emphasis on the Co-Create – Build – Engage (CBE) process, to design more user-friendly behaviour change solutions for improved river health and land management practices. The project will potentially increase the adoption of Natural Capital Profiles by landholders, enabling healthier river ecosystems and better land management.

Identifying serum biomarkers in PFAS serum concentration using metabolomics

This project investigates the health impacts of PFAS exposure in firefighters using advanced metabolomic techniques to identify biomarkers. The expected outcome is the development of new biomarkers for PFAS exposure, enhancing health diagnostics and preventive measures. This research will potentially lead to improved health risk assessments, better regulatory policies, and enhanced safety for workers exposed to hazardous substances.

Every drop counts: ensuring water security in a changing climate in southwest Australia

This project investigates the impacts of climate change and land use change on water availability and quality in Southwest Australia. The expected outcome is to develop and assess management strategies to increase water yield and reduce sedimentation and evaporation losses. The project will support long-term water security for local communities and ecosystems. 

Quantifying methane emissions from wastewater treatment

This project aims to quantify methane emissions from wastewater treatment plants. The expected outcomes are improved understanding of methane emissions from within the plant, their spatial and temporal variability, and how they contribute to the total emissions. This may reduce emissions of methane.  

Improving cropping decisions with AI-enhanced weather forecasts

This project will investigate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve weather forecasts and discover how AI forecasts can advance farming decisions by coupling with crop models and smart farming tools. This is an exciting opportunity to develop or integrate novel AI-enhanced weather forecasts into real world modelling applications, for example in the sugarcane industry. With research being undertaken alongside real farm advisors, your research can help industry to optimise resource use and enhance overall farm productivity while minimising environmental impact.