Tapping into nature’s own landscape services

This article from Farming Ahead looks at how farmers, scientists and conservationists are looking for ways to make Australian farming landscapes more sustainable by harnessing the ecosystem services provided by native vegetation. (3 pages)

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Australia's tropical savannas cover two million square kilometres and are largely uncleared. They account for about a third of Australia's land-based carbon stores and have the potential to store even more.

Industry's battle against grain bugs reliant on phosphine

The Australian grain industry continues to rely heavily on the use of phosphine for effective insect control.

Refuges harbour pests and beneficial insects

That refuge crops, planted near Bt cotton to prevent resistance developing, also support significant populations of secondary pests and beneficial species is argued in this article from Farming Ahead. (3 pages)

Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture

CSIRO and James Cook University have a strategic alliance known as the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture (TLJV) to facilitate collaborative research between these two world-class organisations.

Invasive alien species threaten global biodiversity

CSIRO is putting considerable resources into research on invasive alien species and their effect on Australia's biodiversity, targeting invasive species already in Australia as well as trying to anticipate and avert the next generation of invasive alien species.

Application of Bayesian hierarchical modelling to a delayed action oscillator model for the El Niño-Southern Oscillation technical report

This 20-page technical report by CSIRO’s Dr Edward Campbell is about an application of Bayesian hierarchical modelling to a delayed action oscillator model for the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. The report assesses the model and examines the issues involved in forecasting.

Bushfires - Types, Measurement and Fuel

Learn about bushfire classification, measurement and fuel types.

New vaccines offer disease protection potential article

CSIRO is using new technology to develop vaccines that prevent disease in our livestock. This three-page article outlines some of the issues surrounding vaccination and research into finding alternatives to antibiotics.

CSIRO biotechnology benefits global poultry industry

CSIRO biotechnology was a key component of the world's first one-dose hatchery vaccine against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), a major global disease affecting chickens.

Protecting crops against Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus

Plants with total immunity to the devastating Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus could be a step closer thanks to breeding of resistant species and the creation of a synthetic gene primed to recognise the virus and destroy it. (2 pages)

What is responsible for the low establishment of the bridal creeper leaf beetle in Australia?

This one-page poster details the reasons behind the low establishment rate of the leaf beetle, Crioceris species, a biological control agent for bridal creeper in Australia.

Backyard Biodiversity invasive species worksheet

Just how big is the problem of invasive species in Australia? Explore the spread of animal pests and weeds using this worksheet.

Dead or alive – bridal creeper is bad for environment

Bridal creeper, a native of southern Africa, is an attractive plant once much loved by gardeners. Now it is one of southern Australia’s worst environmental weeds. It smothers native vegetation and its huge tuber mats prevent germination of native plants.

Modelling Climate Change Impacts on Sleeper and Alert Weeds: results of CLIMEX models Part 1

This document contains profiles for 15 of the 41 alert and sleeper weed species that were assessed for their potential to change distribution due to climate change as part of the report Modelling Climate Change Impacts on Sleeper and Alert Weeds. (116 pages)

Biosecurity in the new bioeconomy: threats and opportunities

From 18-21 November 2009 CSIRO Entomology held a frontier symposium in Canberra, Australia, to bring together the science behind new crop development and biosecurity research.

Parkinsonia biological control program

CSIRO scientists are developing long-term management strategies to sustainably manage parkinsonia across the diverse landscape in which it occurs.

CSIRO Pyrotron: A National Bushfire Research Facility

A national research facility testing combustion and spread of bushfires to improve fire safety and fire-fighting for Australian communities.

Foot & Mouth Disease experts to meet in Melbourne

The latest developments in Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) research, diagnostics, surveillance and control measures will be discussed at the inaugural international FMD Symposium and Workshop to be held in Melbourne from 12-14 April 2010.

Biological control of Scotch broom

Scotch broom is an introduced weed threatening environmental, forestry and grazing land in higher rainfall areas of South-Eastern Australia.

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.

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.

The mimosa flea beetle joins the fight against Mimosa pigra

The tiny leaf-beetle, Nesaecrepida infuscata, a biological control agent released on the weed Mimosa pigra in northern Australia, attacks the roots and leaves.

Fire speed – faster than a speeding bullet?

Bushfires are often reported as moving at phenomenal speeds that would outrun a speeding car – but can they really go that fast?

Overview of modelling climate change impacts on sleeper and alert weeds in Australia

This document outlines details of a report on alert and sleeper weed species that were assessed for their change of potential distribution due to climate change in Australia.