Seed dispersal science used to combat weed invasions

In a scientific first, ecologists are applying their understanding of native rainforest seed dispersal to predict where and how the seeds of invasive weeds will spread across the landscape.

Conference on Bushfire Modelling and Fire Danger Ratings Systems: Proceedings

Conference on Bushfire Modelling and Fire Danger Ratings Systems: Proceedings collects papers delivered by leading scientists and managers during a 1988 conference in Canberra.

Science for tomorrow: New developments

This article from Farming Ahead contains four stories on bushfire research, design and management of plantings for greenhouse mitigation, the use of local seed in revegetation and indigenous values guiding water research in the north. (1 page)

Combating the sheep blowfly

Funded by late sheep grazier Les Bett, CSIRO is continuing its research to eliminate blowfly strike – a devastating disease that affects sheep.

Managing diseases borne by bats (Podcast 20 Mar 2009)

Bats can carry a number of diseases that are transmittable to humans, such as Australian bat lyssavirus, Nipah virus, SARS and potentially even the Ebola virus. Yet the bats carry these viruses with very little, if any ill effects. (6:25)

Dr Mary Whitehouse: enhancing the use of beneficial insects and spiders in cotton

Dr Whitehouse is researching predator prey interactions in cotton ecosystems, focusing on the management of green mirids using conservation biological control.

Functional Ecology and Systematics

The Functional Ecology and Systematics Program is helping to manage the increasing threat from invasive species and the benefits to agriculture from ecosystem services while ensuring the preservation and sustainable use of Australian ecosystems.

Fire-generated wind

Bushfires are often associated with high winds - but does a bushfire generate its own wind?

Melaka virus: a significant discovery for human health

A CSIRO team led by Dr Linfa Wang played a key role in uncovering a new virus that can cause a respiratory tract illness in humans. Dr Wang explains the significance of the discovery in this video. (6:00)

Climate change impacts on fire weather

The combined frequencies of days with very high and extreme Forest Fire Danger Index ratings are likely to increase.

Rooting out Pythium and its allies

This three-page article from Farming Ahead details CSIRO research on the fungal disease Pythium, with the aim of providing the foundations for the development of new methods to help control and ultimately prevent the disease.

Keeping Australia foot and mouth free

This article from Farming Ahead looks at recent conference on Australia's preparedness for a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak and the strategies in place to ensure Australia is not tested with a real-life outbreak. (3 pages)

Strengthening scientific research links between Australia and China

An agreement between CSIRO and the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine (CAIQ) will facilitate joint research in biosecurity and quarantine between Australia and China.

Dr John Oakeshott: Ecosystem Sciences Chief Scientist

Dr John Oakeshott is working to create an understanding of the potential benefits of biotechnology for Australian rural and manufacturing sectors.

Science for our environment

CSIRO and its partners seek to develop solutions to Australia’s environmental challenges. CSIRO is committed to the challenge of using science, combined with community and industry knowledge, to make sure that our ecosystems are sustainable for the long term prosperity of Australia.

Livestock industries’ future – value or volume?

Australasia’s major annual livestock industries’ science conference – Horizons in Livestock Sciences – will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 28-30 October.

Dr Chris Hardy: researching ecogenomics

Dr Chris Hardy is applying advanced molecular techniques to better understand biological complexity at environmentally meaningful scales.

Dr Elizabeth Lindsay: researching woodland management

Dr Elizabeth Lindsay is investigating the effects of livestock grazing and nutrient enrichment on litter invertebrates, weed invasion and ecosystem processes within grassy woodlands.

Housing options in bushfire-prone areas

A house that is fairly conventional in design but is able to resist flames may provide an affordable alternative in bushfire prone areas.

Ms Sandra Crameri: using microscopy to detect disease agents

Ms Sandra Crameri is an electron microscopist working within the microbiologically secure Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria. As Diagnostic Laboratory supervisor, her focus is on diagnostic activities within the imaging facility.

Drought Report pushes alarm bells (Podcast 15 Jul 2008)

Mr Kevin Hennessy, Principal Researcher, explains why farmers and the Government have reacted with alarm to a collaborative report indicating that hot periods and low rainfall years that have occurred every 20 years, may become much more frequent. (5:36)

A vaccine for gill disease in Atlantic salmon

Scientists are working with Atlantic salmon growers to develop a vaccine against amoebic gill disease, a major health problem for the Tasmanian industry.

Managing lippia under climate change

This article from Farming Ahead details research on the use of computer simulation models to show how climate change is likely to affect the invasive plant, lippia, in the Murray-Darling Basin and how the results are relevant to other riparian weeds. (3 pages)

Professor Peter Walker: reducing the risk of viral disease emergence

Professor Peter Walker leads research at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), focusing on understanding and mitigating the factors that lead to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.

Biological control of blue heliotrope

CSIRO investigated possible biological control options for the introduced plant, blue heliotrope, which is now a major weed in some areas.