Biodiversity
Surprising twist in the war on weeds
Invasive plant species are working together against biocontrol measures, becoming stronger and smarter.
Climate
Iconic Ningaloo Reef in hot water
Western Australia’s Ningaloo and some remote northern reefs had largely escaped the worst effects of coral bleaching – but now a severe marine heatwave is taking its toll.
Biodiversity
Australia gives up on eradicating devastating wood-boring beetle
Authorities have ceased trying to eradicate the invasive pest that has destroyed 4500 trees in the one city where it has been detected.
Flora & Fauna
Peacock spiders: More than meets the eye
Evolution hasn’t only gifted peacock spiders with spectacular markings – these nimble arachnids are also remarkable athletes.
Flora & Fauna
Australia’s cutest mammal is now Australia’s cutest three mammals
The kultarr was thought to be a single widespread species, until now.
Nature & Wildlife
Dwarf minke whale’s call sounds just like a lightsaber
A recent encounter on the Great Barrier Reef has yielded one of the clearest recordings to date of a dwarf minke whale vocalisation – a sound so strange and resonant it has been likened to a Star Wars lightsaber.
Climate
Bringing in the sea
Could so-called blue carbon be key to resolving some of Australia’s biggest environmental and cultural challenges?
Flora & Fauna
Orcas filmed grooming each other with seaweed in rare case of ocean mammal tool use
Australian marine scientists say new research documenting orcas using seaweed as a tool for grooming is further evidence of the species’ complex social structures.
Nature & Wildlife
Nocturnal sea slugs don’t bother looking fancy
Sea slugs with the brightest colouration and most eye-catching patterns are active during the daytime, when their appearance is at its most striking, recent research from The University of Queensland confirms.
Nature & Wildlife
Spotting leopard sharks once again
Australian shark experts and aquariums are supporting a world-first conservation project to save the elusive leopard shark in Southeast Asia.