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Restorative Bivalve Aquaculture Offers New Hope for Climate and Coastal Ecosystems
Environment Institute member Dr Alice Jones latest research explores the role of restorative bivalve aquaculture in supporting blue carbon ecosystems and reducing the climate footprint of food production. With over 51,000 bivalve farms now operating globally, there鈥檚 growing interest in 鈥blue foods鈥 that offer both nutrition and environmental benefits. Dr Jones鈥檚 work highlights how, when carefully designed, shellfish farming can help protect coastal habitats like seagrasses, mangroves, and tidal marshes鈥攁ll critical to oceanic carbon storage.
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Harmful Algal Bloom and Human Wellbeing Impact
The harmful algal bloom (HAB) affecting our coastal waters in recent months is more than an environmental problem, it鈥檚 a public health, economic, and community wellbeing crisis. Its effects are rippling through coastal communities, disrupting livelihoods in fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism while posing direct threats to physical health, from respiratory irritation to eye and skin discomfort. Hear what our Environment Institute members have said.听
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Environment Institute Members Win 2025 Young Tall Poppy Science Awards
We鈥檙e proud to share that Environment Institute researchers听Dr Georgina Falster听and听Dr Nina Wootton听have been recognised with听South Australia鈥檚 2025 Young Tall Poppy Science Awards! Dr Falster studies how Australian droughts are changing by tracing shifts in the water cycle using climate data and isotopes. Dr Wootton investigates the impacts of plastic pollution on seafood species and works with industry to drive sustainable change.
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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鈥檛 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鈥攔ewetting wetlands, restoring floodplains, and supporting nature-based regeneration.
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亚洲色吧鈥檚 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听Short, high-intensity downpours (10鈥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.听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鈥檚 brand new nature series 'Dr Ann鈥檚 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鈥檚 most elusive creatures. In Episode 2,听Dr Ann joins Associate Professor , Dr , and their team in Dampier Marine Park to explore the secret lives of these mysterious marine reptiles.
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NEST Planting Day Success
We鈥檙e proud to have supported the first event through NEST this past weekend, an inspiring day of hands-on conservation, community connection, and collaborative learning. Over 2000 rare and endangered plants were successfully planted across 16 properties, restoring swamps and riparian zones with the help of 35+ student and researcher volunteers and 30+ landholders.
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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 亚洲色吧, South Australia, on 3鈥4 December 2025. Presented by the Environment Institute, in partnership with Green 亚洲色吧 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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