Environment

Increasingly, societies are dealing with environmental degradation, climatic variability and loss of biodiversity. Effective restoration and conservation relies on detailed data and models of human, geological and ecological landscapes over time, knowledge of basic evolutionary and economic principles, and direct communication between scientists, policymakers and the public.

Our world-renowned researchers convert foundational scientific knowledge into strategic solutions for global environmental problems.

UQ Science supports more than 220 biologists, molecular biologists, ecologists, geologists, geographers, urban planners, sociologists and environmental scientists working in this cross-disciplinary research theme.

Research impacts

Protecting and restoring the Great Barrier Reef

UQ Science researchers are leading global efforts to monitor, protect and regenerate the Great Barrier Reef.

A range of collaborations and individual projects are focusing on diverse challenges, including:

the eradication of destructive crown-of-thorns starfish
helping coral to recover after bleaching events and cyclones
using innovative techniques and technology to map the reef to allow for better monitoring
analysing the reef's geochemistry to help predict its future responses to environmental change
examining coral skeletons to understand an area's environmental history.

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Mapping the environment with remote sensing

UQ Science researchers have developed a collaborative program that enables scientists, policy-makers and legislators to map and measure changes in the environment. By staying abreast of developments in Earth observational remote-sensing technology, our researchers can apply techniques in the field, share information with the public, and enable governments to measure environmental change in a way that is scientifically and legally defensible.

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Mathematical modelling for sustainable fish stocks

UQ Science researchers are collaborating with Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to monitor fish stocks and support sustainable fisheries. By developing and applying innovative mathematical and statistical models, the researchers have estimated catch numbers and trends in several studies, the results of which can be used to investigate possible future outcomes and improved management strategies.

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Mapping consequences of global wilderness loss

Improving fish passage and river connectivity

UQ Science researchers have improved river connectivity, which is crucial to the reproduction and survival of Australian native fish, through a long-term project. By producing tools and strategies to ameliorate the impacts of anthropogenic structures on native fish passage, the researchers were able to install several newly designed and strategically placed passages.

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Protecting the Great Artesian Basin Springs

Contact us

To connect with UQ Science researchers in this theme, email us at science.research@uq.edu.au.