RZS NSW News

Bates et al. showed how historical records can be used to uncover the unusual captive breeding history for the mountain pygmy-possum. This presentation provided an overview of the value and future directions for the mountain pygmy-possum breeding facility at Secret Creek Sanctuary and how it will help to save the species from extinction.

Carrion and scavenging in a changing climate: the Australian Alps as a case study

Cairncross et al. provided an overview of how climate change might impact the ecosystem services provided by scavengers using results from a study in the Australian Alps. The talk demonstrated the value of monitoring carcasses as a tool to explore species assemblages and behaviours, and how s

tudies along gradients of environmental change can inform ecosystem responses to a changing world.

Playing with fire: The effects of changing fire regimes on fauna in the Blue Mountains, Australia

Simpson et al. used an array of wildlife cameras to compare the recovery of burnt and unburnt areas following the 2019-20 megafires. Their results are helping to develop appropriate fire management practices and species recovery plans in the face of anthropogenically transformed fire seasons.

Session 2

Resilience to extremes? Microbat responses to fire severity and frequency three years after Australian megafires

Conservation efforts following the 2019-20 Greater Blue Mountains Heritage Area bushfires highlighted the lack of baseline population data for microbats. By tracking microbat foraging guilds assemblages across gradients of fire severity and frequency, Harvey et al. found that forest structure, rather than fire, was associated with microbat activity. The ambiguity of these results may signify that this post-fire approach cannot take the place of currently-lacking species knowledge in assessing microbat population responses to disturbances.

Flying-fox colonies, extreme heat events and the need for empirically tested intervention methods: towards a temperature-humidity index for the Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus

Mo et al. reported on the development of a misting system to protect endangered flying-fox colonies from the effects of extreme heat events. 

Testing the utility of sprinklers for mitigating heat stress in Australian flying-foxes

In a complimentary presentation, Yabsley et al. presented the results of testing a misting system in situ. Although the misting system may increase local humidity, it was successful in lowering the air temperature during an extreme heat event, however flying-foxes were not present. The effects of this system were highly localised, therefore many individual sprinklers are needed to cover a large area.

Climate change as portrayed in the Sydney Morning Herald: a zoologist’s perspective

After reading every Sydney Morning Herald edition for a year, Lunney provided his results and views on how the masthead portrays climate change. Given the difficulty of reporting on complex stories, or topics that are difficult to photograph, the SMH does not provide a broad coverage of the zoological effects of climate change.

Session 3

Cooking our creeks? Conserving wildlife of Australia’s inland waters under a changing climate

Pittock et al. spoke about inland water ecosystems in Australia, which are rich in biodiversity, but are critically threatened by climate change and human activities. Effective conservation requires a shift from hydro-climatic modelling to practical measures like floodplain restoration and creating fish passages, alongside a focus on relatable wildlife outcomes. To meet global biodiversity goals, Australia must invest in comprehensive bioregionalization for inland water ecosystems and manage all risks to water resources, ensuring a sustainable future for both wildlife and human needs.

Does size really matter? Effects of climate change on Australian frog body size

Mitchell et al. showed that recent research reveals that Australian frogs are undergoing morphological changes due to climate change, with body size being influenced by temperature and rainfall variations. By analysing over 600 museum specimens alongside 150 years of climate data, scientists can track the impact of climate change on frog morphology, offering a unique perspective on these shifts over time. Understanding how changing climate conditions affect frog sizes is crucial for conservation efforts as ongoing temperature increases and unpredictable rainfall patterns could significantly impact these unique species and their ecosystems in Australia.

Impacts of altered hydrology and climate change on the biodiversity of microorganisms in the Macquarie Marshes

Kobayashi et al. spoke about the critical role played by the Macquarie Marshes (the largest floodplain wetland system in southeastern Australia) in supporting diverse microbial communities that are vital to the overall ecosystem. Changes in hydrology and climate are expected to significantly affect microbial biodiversity, leading to shifts in bacterial diversity, potential Cyanobacteria blooms, and altered hatching patterns of dormant species. The intricate interactions among environmental factors pose challenges for water resource managers, highlighting the need for adaptive management strategies to effectively conserve biodiversity in the face of climate change.

State of the platypus: current progress towards better conservation of a freshwater icon

Bino et al. spoke about how the platypus serves as a crucial indicator of freshwater ecosystem health, highlighting the impacts of habitat degradation and climate change on biodiversity. Recent evidence shows significant declines in platypus range and density, with local extinctions documented, particularly in South Australia and Victoria, where the species is classified as threatened. Addressing the threats posed by habitat fragmentation and extreme weather patterns requires collaborative conservation strategies to ensure the long-term survival of the platypus and its habitats.

Session 4

Catastrophic coral bleaching and mortality in the highly protected One Tree Reef, southern Great Barrier Reef

Byrne et al. reported that, in early Jan-Feb 2024, the southern region of the Great Barrier Reef (including One Tree Island, the most protected reef system in the GBR scientific research zone) experienced severe bleaching for the first time in recorded history. Of 305 affected coral colonies, 43% were dead by May and only 10% recovered. In particular, Acropora colonies experienced a 100% mortality rate. Not only were corals bleached, but some colonies also developed black band disease which caused near 100% mortality. So even though this reef was protected, this status did not prevent the occurrence of mass coral bleaching or the resulting disease, mortality and transition to coral rubble.

Coral Nurture Program: A collaborative approach to coral propagation and out-planting on the Great Barrier Reef

Camp et al. collaborated with the tourism industry to plant more tolerant coral colonies in sites important for tourism on the Great Barrier Reef. This program yielded some success, including providing costs for such coral propagation. This talk highlighted the importance of partnerships to support localised, effective reef restoration activities.

Comparative lipidomics analysis of a temperate and a subtropical coral under acute temperature stress

La Motta et al. focussed on a local Sydney coral species, and an invasive subtropical coral species to understand the effects of seasonal temperature changes on lipid composition. They documented for the first time that lipid proportions change between seasons, which may represent a potential mechanism to tolerate increasing water temperatures with climate change.

Searchin’ for urchins: Harnessing museum collections and citizen science to accurately assess species on the move in the genus Tripneustes

McLaren et al. used museum collections and citizen science to understand the thermal ranges of two species of sea urchins. One species has a wide distribution from Torres Strait to Jervis Bay. The other species has a far more restricted distribution from Byron Bay to Narooma. These two species had previously been confused, however results show that they have distinct realised thermal niches.

Oyster responses to the climate emergency and marine heat waves

Ross et al. reported on long term studies on the impacts of marine heat waves, which are increasing in frequency, intensity and duration, with estuarine waters warming at higher rates than oceanic waters. They studied the native Sydney Rock oyster and the invasive Pacific Oyster. 90% of oyster reefs have been lost in SE Australia and remaining reefs are critically endangered. Both of these oyster species are valuable ecologically and economically.

Image credits

Photo 1: Stephen Ambrose keeps time. Photo by Dan Lunney.

Photo 2: Chris Dickman (Chair) and Dan Lunney field questions. Photo by Pat Hutchings.

Photo 3: Pat Hutchings (Chair) and Maria Byrne field questions. Photo by Dan Lunney.