Environment Institute 2014 Annual Report Contents Environment Vision 02 2014 at a glance 03 Highlights Institute The Environment Institute exists to deliver The Environment Institute is affiliated with outstanding research across environmental 8 main programs and centres: 04 Aligning with South Australia’s economic priorities sciences. To enable this, it brings together > The Australian Centre for Ancient 06 Overviews 2014 Annual Report leading water and climate scientists and DNA (ACAD) researchers in fields including biodiversity, > Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology 08 Leveraging new technologies for cost effective marine biology, landscapes and genetics. environmental research and Biodiversity (ACEBB) By developing strong international > Conservation Science and Technology 10 Maintaining the safety and quality of our water collaboration and external engagement we Program (CST) can address complex future environmental 12 Laureate Fellow, Professor Alan Cooper, ancient DNA and > Global Ecology Lab (GEL) human evolution problems and export innovation to the world. > Landscape Futures Program (LFP) 14 Researching the past of our microbes to understand more about health and disease today Connecting knowledge to > Marine Biology Program (MBP) > Sprigg Geobiology Centre (SGC) 16 Sustaining viable landscapes lead change Our environmental specialists work together > Water Research Centre (WRC) 18 South Australian fossils give an exceptional view of past life on projects to deliver relevant, innovative 20 Safeguarding our marine environment and actionable research outcomes in areas of importance to the Australian 22 Trapdoor spiders provide key to rapid species identification community including: 24 Managing human-related impacts on biodiverity > water 26 Institute engagement > biodiversity > conservation 27 Environment Institute activities > landscape transformation 28 Awards and achievements > oceans and marine biology 30 Board members > climate change, resilience and adaptation 31 Our leading members > genetics, ancient DNA and DNA barcoding 32 Publications

Vision 1 2014 at a glance Highlights

The Environment Institute continues to > 2014 Future Fellow Dr Lee Arnold > Chair of the Environment Institute Advisory Researchers Grant income Publications develop strong international collaboration was part of an international team that Board, Steve Morton was awarded a and external engagement to address uncovered new clues to human evolution Doctor of the University in recognition of 25 Leading researchers Category 1 $7,823,714 Our core group of 25 research environmental problems and export from the Sima de los Huesos (the pit of his outstanding achievements relating 389 Total research members Category 2 $3,622,976 leaders have produced the following innovation to the world. bones) in Spain, an archaeological site to environmental and natural resource Category 3 $3,749,544 publications in 2014: with the most complete record of management. Category 4 $464,172 166 Journal articles > Professor Alan Cooper, Environment human fossils. Institute Research Leader and Director > Three University Medals awarded to ARC Grant success Total grant income 3 Science for 2014 $15,660,406 of the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA > Approval of the establishment of an Environment Institute members for 3 Nature 1 Australian Laureate Fellowship was awarded a prestigious Australian Unmanned Research Aircraft Facility outstanding PhD Theses. Two of the 2 Nature Climate Change Laureate Fellowship. (URAF) under the directorship of four Science University Research 3 Future Fellowships 1 Nature Communications Associate Professor Lian Pin Koh. Medallists from 2014 were from the 5 Discovery Projects > Continued delivery of high impact research This innovative technology will facilitate Marine Biology Group. 2 Proceedings of the National 3 Linkage Projects evidenced by three publications in both research to address biological conservation Academy of Sciences Nature and Science, and two each for 2 Discovery Early Career Researcher and land management problems that have 528 Citations Nature Climate Change and Proceedings Awards (DECRA) traditionally been difficult to implement. 2 Books Of The National Academy Of Sciences. > Success for Environment Institute 14 Book Chapters > Environment Institute research on the Members at the South Australian Young 5 Conference Papers evolution of birds from the T-rex in Achiever Awards, the SA Science collaboration with the South Australian Excellence Awards and the Royal Society Museum was named as one of Science of South Australia. magazine’s Top 10 breakthroughs of 2014.

2 2014 at a glance Highlights 3 Aligning with South Australia’s economic priorities

Late in 2014 the South Australian Premier The Knowledge State - Growth through innovation attracting a diverse student The Environment Institute works with released the State’s Top 10 Economic Priorities. body and commercialising Adelaide Research and Innovation (ARI) our research to commercialise research and help give The Environment Institute is already engaged Australian business an edge. Research Premium food and wine The world class research carried out by staff in several of these and will work to increase and commercialisation partners are working produced in our clean within the Environment Institute is a strong this engagement into the future. We can with governments worldwide to develop attractor of international students and staff to demonstrate a strong engagement in: environment and exported DNA tools to support new legislation. to the world Adelaide, to work in both the long and short term on cutting edge research. Unlocking the full potential of The marine investigations as part of the Promoting South Australia’s Spencer Gulf Ecosystem Development South Australia’s resources, Initiative provides industry with credible South Australia - a growing international connections energy and renewable assets evidence based development options destination choice for and engagement We have done this via the work of several to maintain the health of the Gulf and international and The Environment Institute is at the forefront of our members, in areas as diverse as coal safeguard the quality of seafood exports. domestic travellers of international connections, both in research seam gas, the potential of nuclear energy, partnerships and in research student the impact of increased resource extraction Much of our research is focused on areas training. Our staff partner into dozens of on the Spencer Gulf and the impact of the of great interest to the tourism market. countries internationally and they are regular removal of groundwater on the largely novel For example, we work very closely with international visitors, as well as hosts to Australian stygofauna. The Environment the South Australian Museum on the some of the great international scientists Institute has a strong positive role to play in world famous Ediacaran fossil site and of our time. assisting our State in this priority. the Kangaroo Island Cambrian fossil site. We undertake critical research in marine environments, including ground-breaking research on the Spencer Gulf cuttlefish population and we work to retain clean and healthy marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.

4 Aligning with South Australia’s economic priorities Aligning with South Australia’s economic priorities 5 Overviews

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) Advisory Board Chair Director

In June 2013 the Australian I am pleased once more to commend It has been a highly successful year the international dialogue by reporting research findings to agencies Government announced a new set of to you this Annual Report from the for the Environment Institute. The such as the United Nations and the European Union. Through these strategic research priorities to drive Environment Institute, with its exciting 2014 Australian Laureate awarded to endeavours, the Institute continues to attract high quality researchers investment in areas of immediate and record of leading-edge research, Professor Alan Cooper is the pinnacle from around the world, those who are leaders in their fields, as well critical importance to Australia and innovation and collaboration. of a multitude of success that spans as excellent research students who are set to become the next its place in the world. In 2014 the The Advisory Board of the the entire Institute. Our members generation of research leaders. Environment Institute continues to Environment Institute continued to continue to deliver excellent research Projects such as the Spencer Gulf Ecosystem Development Initiative, produce outcomes in line with these meet regularly throughout 2014. outcomes that support both our exploration of the Kangaroo Island Cambrian fossil site, and the priorities, in areas including living The objective of the Advisory Board State’s innovation agenda and the monitoring of carbon uptake and water use at the TERN OzFlux site in a changing environment, sound is to stimulate and encourage the national research priorities. The in Calperum are examples of researchers harnessing the offerings of management of our landscape, the researchers of the Institute by giving continued delivery of high impact the State and translating their research into increased productivity for provision of abundant clean water them perspectives from the world research is evidenced by three our region. and the promotion of population publications in both Nature and outside academia. Board members We have experienced a high level of success with the 2014 ARC health and wellbeing. Science in 2014. are most excited by research funding applications. In addition to the prestigious Laureate Award, I was delighted to see one of the Institute’s key researchers, efforts aimed at helping solve the complex environmental issues During 2014, our research leaders have continued to drive we have been awarded three new Future Fellowships, five Discovery Professor Alan Cooper, awarded a 2014 ARC Australian Laureate that confront us as a society, particularly through collective and partnerships with government and industry. Innovations such as the Grants, three Linkage Projects and two Discovery Early Career Fellowship. This funding is enabling a new project to use ancient collaborative approaches. As it happens, board members end up establishment of an Unmanned Research Aircraft Facility (URAF) Researcher Awards, further enhancing the potential of the Institute. DNA to construct the genetic history of indigenous Australia, and learning more than they impart because of the quality, excellence under the direction of Associate Professor Lian Pin Koh will provide The research outcomes delivered by this talented group of people will the impacts of colonisation on indigenous people around the and breadth of the Institute’s researchers. The board feels a platform for fruitful research partnerships with government and not only continue to build the international reputation of the University world. The project is of national and global importance and the privileged to be associated with such fine scientists. industry. This new technology will facilitate research to address as a world-class institution, but will provide invaluable contributions prestigious award cements the international reputations of biological conservation and land management problems that have The Environment Institute continues to shine as a centre for to some of the great challenges of our time, both locally and globally. both Professor Cooper and the University as a world leader in research excellence. Highlights demonstrating this performance traditionally been difficult to implement. ancient DNA research. for the year include outstanding results from Australian Research Increasing international engagement continues to be a priority for Professor Bob Hill In addition to the Laureate Fellowship, the Environment Institute Council funding, especially the Laureate Fellowship awarded to the Institute. Our researchers are working alongside world experts at Director, Environment Institute represented the University exceptionally well in the 2014 Australian Professor Alan Cooper; continued high-impact publications in some of the world’s premier research resources, such as the Sima Research Council funding rounds, with the award of three new Nature and Science; and the establishment of an Unmanned de los Huesos (the pit of bones) in Spain, an archaeological site Future Fellowships, five Discovery Grants, three Linkage Projects Research Aircraft Facility under the directorship of Dr Lian Pin Koh. with the most complete record of human fossils. We contribute to and two Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards. The Institute These research achievements clearly demonstrate the growth in continues to support the University’s Beacon of Enlightenment academic standing of the Environment Institute. strategic goals on multiple levels. There is no doubt that the The advisory board believes that the Environment Institute adds continued delivery of high-impact research, the establishment lustre to the University’s reputation as a leader in environmental of collaborative projects and the ability to attract high quality science in Australia. Through its national and international researchers from around the world, contributes immensely collaborations, plus its efforts in external engagement, the to the University’s international standing and reputation for Environment Institute is a noteworthy contributor to the resolution world-class research. of the environmental challenges facing South Australia, our nation, and the world. Professor Mike Brooks Deputy Vice Chancellor & Vice-President (Research) Dr Steve Morton Chair, Environment Institute Advisory Board

6 Overviews Overviews 7 Research stories

Leveraging new technologies Given the rapid rates of environmental transformation we face today, in an increasingly for cost effective challenging research funding climate, low-cost civilian drones present promising possibilities. An ultra high resolution orthomosaic of a section of the environmental research Arid Recovery Reserve produced from drone images. Associate Professor Lian Pin Koh

as an extension of his research program Given the rapid rates of environmental within the Environment Institute. The URAF transformation we face today, high quality currently has six staff members holding Controller Certificates awarded by CASA. ecological data are needed now more than ever It is being accredited for an Operator Certificate for full compliance with CASA to build the evidence base for informing land use guidelines and regulations, and is also in the decisions and conservation strategies. process of seeking accreditation to provide drone training to staff and students. Unfortunately, the urgency of this requirement is Capabilities of the URAF include: starkly juxtaposed with an increasingly challenging >> Asset Management: Inspection of Fence Lines, Water and Gas Pipelines, Water research funding climate. Low-cost civilian drones Towers, and Cattle Watering Points Thermal imaging of a warren of the burrowing bettong. present promising possibilities. >> Precision Agriculture: Measurement and The URAF has been collaborating with Analysis of Crop Vigour in High Temporal, industry partners including: The civilian use of unmanned aircraft (or higher spatial, spectral and temporal Spatial and Spectral Resolution; Livestock >> SA Department of Environment Water and drones) is rapidly gaining popularity and resolution than conventional approaches. Location for Mustering; Integrated Pest Natural Resources (DEWNR) acceptance worldwide. A recent market Environment Institute leader Associate Management survey reports that by 2025, the economic >> SA Water Corporation (SA Water) Professor Lian Pin Koh is a pioneer in the >> Wildlife Management: Thermal Imaging impact of the civilian drone market will exceed development and use of these so-called and Detection of Wildlife; Radio Tracking >> Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial USD$80 billion in the United States alone, ‘conservation drones’. In 2012, he and UK- of Collared Animals; Population Estimation Research Organisation (CSIRO) Consumer drones are becoming more ever more accessible to conservation biologists for a wide range resulting in the creation of more than 100,000 of applications. based primatologist Professor Serge Wich of Wildlife >> Defence Science and Technology new jobs. The rapid growth of the civilian co-founded non-profit ConservationDrones. >> Habitat Management: Mapping and Organisation (DSTO) drone sector creates enormous potential for org, to bring this technology to conservation Monitoring of Invasive Plant Species; >> Arid Recovery Reserve stimulating Australia’s economy as well. In workers around the world. Since then Associate Mapping of Fire and Burn Sites; Detection Drones to monitor SA’s environment, water and the two years leading to 2014, the number of Professor Koh has partnered with conservation >> Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and Mapping of Mosquito Breeding Sites natural resources drone-related Australian companies accredited and research organisations from more than For more information about the facility, by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) a dozen countries including the Smithsonian >> Archaeological Surveys: Scouting and please visit www.adelaide.edu.au/ The Department of Environment, Water 3. Determining survival of released increased 13-fold, from 15 to almost 200. Tropical Research Institute, World Wide Mapping of Sites of Historical and/or environment/uraf/ and Natural Resources (DEWNR) is animals Drone technology presents excellent Fund for Nature, the Jane Goodall Institute, Cultural Significance; 3D Reconstruction of exploring the use of drone technology 4. Assessing fire severity and estimation cost-saving opportunities in field-based Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation Archaeological Sites for conservation work, particularly in the of fuel load after prescribed burns. more remote regions of SA, such as the applications such as the detection, International, Greenpeace, the Max Plank The overarching mission of the URAF is to DEWNR recognises the great potential Natural Resources South Australian Arid monitoring and mapping of wildlife, their Institute. He also spoke on conservation provide the organisational infrastructure, for this technology to assist in the Lands region. URAF is collaborating with habitats and the wider landscape. These drones at the 2012 WWF Fuller Symposium as well as the technical and legislative delivery of projects aimed at the DEWNR on four projects: applications are highly relevant to natural in Washington DC, the 2013 TEDGlobal event knowledge base concerning the use of conservation of native fauna species resource management goals including in Edinburgh, and the 2015 Clinton Global drones for a wide range of environmental 1. Population estimation of colony of significance, and the monitoring of species conservation, habitat protection Initiative University in Miami, Florida. and agricultural applications. It also serves as nesting birds natural habitats and fire events. and restoration, pest species eradication With the support of the Office of the DVC a coalescing node for fostering partnerships 2. Population estimation of the and watershed management. It also creates & VP (R), Associate Professor Koh recently and interactions related to drone applications yellow-footed rock-wallaby and new avenues and possibilities for research established the University of Adelaide’s between students, researchers, and natural other mammals in hilly terrain by enabling the collection of data of much Unmanned Research Aircraft Facility (URAF) resource managers in South Australia.

8 Leveraging new technologies for cost effective enironmental research Leveraging new technologies for cost effective environmental research 9 Research stories

Maintaining the safety and quality of our water

particularly successful and have flourished The global water challenges are great: we Access to clean and safe drinking water is something with anthropogenic changes to hydrology need to ensure potable water supply and the developed world takes for granted. There is an and nutrient loading. It is of concern that service irrigation industries to grow food; many modelling studies have predicted that we need to improve the plight of the billion expectation that every time we turn on the tap there the frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial people without access to clean drinking blooms is likely to increase further with water; we need to adapt to climate change will be a flow of cool, clear potable water. This is not climate change as these organisms grow and the new risks that this presents5 and we the reality in many parts of the world and a staggering well in warm temperatures. need to ensure water for the environment. Human society has committed to an increase Common to all these challenges is a need 1 billion people still do not have access to potable in temperature by our inability to control to translate the science into management, water or improved sanitation. greenhouse gas emissions. Nutrient control policy and technology. The Water Research therefore remains the most sustainable tool Centre’s partnerships with industry enables The report of the Open Working Group of The developed world is a long way down available to mitigate the predicted increase rapid uptake of the science and adoption the United Nations General Assembly on the track to achieving these goals. However, in cyanobacteria. into management. This science translation is Sustainable Development Goals, submitted there are several water quality issues that However, to manage cyanobacterial growth a core to our activities and allows us to blend to the Assembly in August 2014, contained continue to plague water utilities and water deeper understanding is needed on the level fundamental and applied science, boosting 17 goals with 169 targets covering a broad quality managers. Of particular concern are of nutrient reduction necessary to counteract the impact of our work to influence both local range of sustainable development issues. the cyanobacteria, notorious for forming the effects of warming and how nutrients and global water quality improvement. Associate Professor Justin Brookes was unsightly scums, producing highly toxic interact with indirect effects of temperature 1 Brookes J.D. and Carey C.C (2015) Rising to asked to write an article on the United compounds and compounds which taint the 2 as stratification. A meta-analysis , Bayesian the challenge: enabling access to clean and safe Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal taste and odour of water. network modelling of 20 lakes distributed water globally. UN Chronicles Vol LI, No. 4 6: Ensure availability and sustainable around the globe3, statistical modelling The Water Research Centre is active in 2 Science, 2011, 6052 (334), 46-47 management of water and sanitation for all. understanding the physiological traits of of the US EPA 1000 lake dataset4 and 3 Ecological Applications, 2015, 25 ( 1), 186-199 In the report1, he outlined four principles for the cyanobacteria that enable them to process base hydrodynamic-biogeochemical achieving this goal: outcompete other algae in stratified lakes, modelling of an oligotrophic and a eutrophic 4 Limnology and Oceanography, 2014, 59 (1), 99-114 1) Separate wastewater from identifying the genes responsible for taste lake all suggest that a reduction in nutrients 5 Environ. Sci. Technol., 2014, 48 (4), 2099–2101 drinking water; and odour production and determining can offset some of the impacts of climate how the cyanobacteria will respond to a change on the world’s lakes. Nutrient control 2) Treat drinking water to remove chemical changing climate. can be implemented at the catchment scale and biological contaminants; Human society has committed to an increase in Cyanobacteria have a range of traits that to build resilience in lake ecosystems to the 3) Protect and restore freshwater have enabled them to succeed for 3.5 inevitable increase in temperature. temperature by our inability to control greenhouse ecosystems; and billion years and exploit every habitat on 4) Guarantee water access and water rights. gas emissions. Nutrient control of our drinking water earth. Freshwater cyanobacteria have been therefore remains the most sustainable tool available to mitigate the predicted increase in cyanobacteria.

Associate Professor Justin Brookes

10 Maintaining the safety and quality of our water Maintaining the safety and quality of our water 11 Research stories

Laureate Fellow, The Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD) undertakes research and development of advanced Professor Alan Cooper, ancient ancient DNA approaches for evolutionary, environmental and conservation applications. DNA and human evolution Professor Alan Cooper

in Science. Notable results include the In 2014, Professor Alan Cooper was awarded several first ancient DNA from extinct Australian ARC grants, most notably a prestigious $2.8M ARC megafauna (a sthenurine kangaroo and Research suggests all modern Europeans have Protemnodon, both from NW Tasmania), a hunter-gatherer and early farmer DNA Laureate Fellowship. In addition to his position, the complete phylogeny of marsupials, and the Genetic history of Europeans uncovered This study has added significantly to our three-part evolutionary history of the modern by 7000 year old German farmer knowledge of the genetic make-up of five year Fellowship provides project support and European genome. Researchers Professor Alan Cooper our European ancestors.” funding for two postdocs and two PhD students. 2014 saw two main field expeditions. The first and Dr Wolfgang Haak along with They compared the ancient humans was to the former gold rush city of Dawson an international team of experts to present-day people, looking at the The Laureate project focuses on microbiology, to climate change, paleontology, in the Yukon, Canada to collect deep frozen have sequenced the genomes of a genetics of about 2,400 individuals understanding the interaction between climate paleoecology and macroevolution. animal and plant remains directly from the ~7,000-year-old farmer from Germany from almost 200 diverse worldwide and paleoenvironments, human evolutionary permafrost. The material is exposed by miners Other major ARC funding in 2014 included and eight ~8,000-year-old hunter- contemporary populations. history and the evolution of our microbiome a Linkage Grant with the South Australian using high-pressure water to accelerate gatherers from Luxembourg and Sweden. “The surprising finding was that present- (the bacteria we carry). It will use combined Museum for a landmark study on Indigenous the natural thawing of the permafrost, Upon analysis of the genomes, day Europeans trace their ancestry signals of bacterial, genomic and climate Heritage, using historic hair samples collected and includes thousands of bones of large researchers found that most present- back to three and not just two ancestral data to reconstruct the impacts of migrations, by anthropological expeditions between the mammals that grazed the steppes of the day Europeans derive from at least three groups as previously thought,” says changes in diet, environment, and health in 1930s and 1960s. This project uses cutting- Berigian region during the late Pleistocene highly ancient populations: ACAD Director and Australian Laureate different parts of the world. A major outcome edge science, detailed archival research, and a (10 to 200 thousand years ago). Samples Fellow Professor Alan Cooper who, will be a major program studying the genetic comprehensive family outreach and reporting of interest were bison, wolves, horses, and >> West European hunter-gatherers, together with Dr Haak, is co-author on history of indigenous Australia, and a detailed program to develop the first genetic map of plants, and this material is key to an existing >> Ancient north Eurasians (related to the study. understanding of the impacts of colonisation Aboriginal Australia. It is designed to work in ARC Discovery Grant contrasting plant and Upper Palaeolithic Siberians), and on indigenous people on a global scale. animal genomic adaptive strategies during The third ancestral group is a mysterious partnership with Aboriginal communities and >> Early European farmers of mainly periods of pronounced climate change. population that spanned North Eurasia Over the past three years ACAD has invested individuals to reconstruct personal, family and Near Eastern origin. heavily to build genomics and bioinformatics community history. The second expedition was to Natural Trap and genetically connects Europeans and Ancient DNA and entire genomes of these “Recent genetic studies we did at Native Americans. capacity, as this area has become the critical The data will allow reconstruction of migration, Cave in Wyoming, a 100ft pitfall trap on a species will be contrasted between the Yukon the University of Adelaide on ancient bottleneck in any area of research involving trading and communication patterns, and ridge high above the Big Horn Canyon Contrary to some previous and Natural Trap Cave, as these locations hunter-gatherers and early farmer DNA. The timing of the Laureate was critical investigate the origins of Aboriginal Language Reservoir. The cave is home to a unique reconstructions that show Mesolithic were separated by the massive ice sheets remains suggested a massive expansion in allowing this strategic development to Diversity. It is anticipated that both the new collection of Ice Age mammal remains, from people with fair skin, and farmers covering NW Canada during the Ice Ages. The of people into Europe coinciding with continue. Key purchases include a second knowledge and the focus on Aboriginal animals that have fallen in over the past depicted with dark skin, these findings genetic information will reveal how the species the spread of farming. However, the computing cluster for the group, making Heritage will assist Australia’s reconciliation 100 000 years including a large number of show the opposite. adapted to climate change, speciated, and relative proportions and distributions of ACAD the largest single group computing process, and provide powerful material for rare carnivores such as the American cheetah went extinct during the colonisation of the New the genetic components contributing to This research was published in Nature facility in South Australia. school education programs. and lion, and other species such as camels, World, and how these processes differed in modern Europeans remained unclear. (2014) 513, 409-413. In 2014, the bioinformatics team consisted bison, mountain sheep and many different Further ARC funding in 2014 included Beringia and the lower 48 States. of three postdocs and three PhD students, a three year Discovery Project on Bovid horses. The only previous excavation in the and is recognised across the University paleogenomics, aimed at developing Ice cave was in the 1970s, and Professor Cooper as an important strategic area of research Age Steppe Bison of Beringia into a model is leading a three year NSF funded excavation excellence. ACAD’s strategic view is to organism for studying the impacts of climate to collect DNA containing material. Due to his continue to prioritise the development and change, speciation processes, hybridisation extensive experience in cave exploration, he is integration of bioinformatics and genomics and extinction. also in charge of cave safety and vertical rope with a wide range of other areas of biology - work, which is a challenge when dealing with Professor Cooper published 29 papers from human evolution, forensics, health and a team of novice US paleontologists. in 2014, including two in Nature and one

12 Laureate Fellow, Professor Alan Cooper, ancient DNA and human evolution Laureate Fellow, Professor Alan Cooper, ancient DNA and human evolution 13 Research stories

Researching the past of our microbes to understand more about health and disease today

However, these two revolutions did not What does it mean to be human when 370 happen simultaneously worldwide, and were trillion microbial cells, ten times the number both highly dynamic, while other places did not experience them at all. Around the of human cells, live on the body? This diverse world, differing plants were cultivated by numerous cultures (e.g. Native Americans in ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and viruses, otherwise the United States raised corn), while other referred to as our microbiota has a multitude indigenous groups never adopted agricultural subsistence strategies. of complex interactions with the human body, Today, remaining hunter-gatherer societies aiding in digestion, supporting the immune around the world (Africa, Amazon Basin, and Venezuela) have very different microbiota system, protecting us from infectious disease, and than Europeans. In fact, microbiota from contributing to our behaviour and well-being. individuals living in industrialised countries contains less diversity and lack key species However, the microbiota has also been In 2013, researchers from ACAD described that play critical roles in disease, such as recently linked to numerous human diseases, how the bacteria of the human body were obesity and asthma. including obesity, diabetes, heart disease impacted during the cultural revolutions in Expanding on research published in Nature and depression. While these are serious ancient Europe. Drastic alterations of the Genetics in 20131, our researchers are health threats, the microbiota are absolutely bacterial species that inhabited the human examining how the distinct histories of required for daily bodily functions. Microbiota body first occurred during the Neolithic different human populations around the can also rapidly adapt to dietary and Revolution (~7,500 years ago), when world contribute to the microbiota they environmental changes, raising important humans moved away from hunting and harbour today, and how these differences questions about whether or not the bacterial gathering, and adopted farming. Another may affect their health. communities we see today are the same as marked shift occurred during the Industrial our ancestors’, and, if not, what this means Revolution (~150 years ago), when large- for health and disease. scale food processing changes occurred. Microbiota from Together with other researchers at the These microbial changes associated with individuals living in Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), these revolutions are directly linked to Bacteria preserved in ancient, calcified With the help of universities and museums on cultures, it will be better understood how the Dr Laura Weyrich is examining just these significant changes in oral health, and it is industrialised countries dental plaque (calculus) on human remains six continents, they are exploring microbial modern microbiota came to be, the events questions, taking a closer look at how likely that large dietary changes, especially contains less diversity allow the researchers to go back in time and diversity in humans as they spread from Africa that shaped it, and how the community the microbial communities have evolved, increased dietary carbohydrates and sugar examine the bacteria of ancient individuals. nearly 60,000 years ago, moved through present in different cultures today contribute adapted, and changed through time, along in-take, are the reason for these large-scale and lack key species Using the preserved bacterial DNA in over different environments, ate diverse food to human health, unlocking what it really with their human hosts. At ACAD, they microbial changes. that play critical roles in 700 different calculus specimens collected sources, and practised different cultural rituals means to be human. are taking a closer look at the evolutionary globally, ranging from 50,000 years old to eventually colonise nearly every continent. history of these bacteria, fungi, and viruses. disease, such as obesity Laura Weyrich was awarded an ARC to the present, they are examining the They are also investigating how European Discovery Early Career Researcher and asthma. diversity of the oral microbiota across whole globalisation and urbanisation over the Award in 2014. populations, both in ancient times and today. past 300 years has impacted this diversity. Dr Laura Weyrich By surveying microbial diversity in ancient 1 Nature Genetics, 2013, 45 (4), 450-455

14 Researching the past of our microbes to understand more about health and disease today Researching the past of our microbes to understand more about health and disease today 15 Research stories

Our data will be used to populate and validate vegetation growth, water use and productivity models and feed into the national and international energy, carbon and water exchange models. Sustaining viable landscapes Professor Wayne Meyer

With this much rain we expected that need to make an estimate of the rate of Carbon, water, drought and fire – life in the Mallee the mallee and spinifex would respond ecosystem respiration. This is usually done quickly with increased growth and leaf from the measures of CO2 at night when Drones and soil bugs Following carbon uptake and water use water and carbon fluxes and stores for area. However we could infer from the there is no photosynthesis. of Mallee vegetation on Calperum Station this ecosystem. This will be combined The amount of carbon dioxide taken up and distribution of the trees. The tree measurements of water vapour exchange near Renmark in South Australia has with vegetation characterisation, carbon Unfortunately at night, conditions are often by the vegetation and the amount of centres are slightly less than 3m apart on and hence evapotranspiration that this produced some significant insights into how stock assessment and surveyed change in very still so that there is very little mixing of water evaporated is strongly determined average and randomly distributed. This vegetation is very conservative in its water this perennial system has adapted to the vegetation condition over time in response the gases in the atmosphere and with our by the area of leaves. We have been means that there are often small clumps use, even when there is plenty of water in extremes of the Australian environment. to destocking and fire regimes. The data instruments at 20m above the ground. This regularly monitoring the canopy of the of trees and then open spaces in which the soil. It was not until a year later that there lack of mixing causes uncertainty in the trees using ground based, upward the spinifex proliferates. These patches A team lead by Professor Wayne Meyer has will complement existing ecological studies was a significant increase in the canopy sampling of the CO2 being generated. One photographs. When the trees had full operate quite differently in terms of installed and operated a TERN OzFlux site of this ecosystem, be used to populate size of the mallee trees (more leaves). The way to overcome this limitation is to measure canopy it is often hard to tell where one organic matter exchange and hence soil on Calperum since August 2010. The site and validate vegetation growth, water use inference from our on-ground measures soil respiration independently. This we are now tree ends and another is close by. respiration. The leaf and bark debris from adds to the national network of flux sites that and productivity models and feed into the was confirmed from satellite information that doing as a PhD project, out of which we hope the trees seems to provide the carbon for are measuring the major ecosystems of the national and international energy, carbon and However, after the fire and with the stump shows the gradual increase in “greenness” to develop the relationship between soil water soil borne organisms while the open areas Australian continent. Using the measures water exchange models. regrowth the location of each tree stump as the trees gradually increase their leaf area. availability, soil temperatures and the respiration tend to remain free of organic debris and of carbon uptake, water used and energy The science questions being addressed are: becomes much more obvious. A drone rates in different patches of the vegetation. flight over our 1ha vegetation monitoring hence have much lower respiration rates. received contributes to the national effort >> What are the fundamental energy, carbon, Mallee vegetation Our first estimates of the amount of carbon site next to the flux tower has given us This patchwork of microsites is a feature to improve estimates of continental scale water and nutrient stocks and flows in the that this ecosystem accumulates shows very detailed information on the spacing of these semi-arid ecosystems. effects on global carbon and water balances semi-arid mallee woodland? gathering carbon that there are periods of time during the year and terrestrial energy exchange. The open path infra-red gas analyser that is >> How are these stocks and flows when soil water and temperature conditions measuring the concentration of CO2 in the responding to the management favour respiration over photosynthetic stage threatened the outskirts of Renmark. appearing from the lignotuber (the “mallee atmosphere is combined with information Why Calperum? interventions - destocking and fire? carbon accumulation. At these times there We received the 9am download but not the stump”) of the mallee trees. New, spikey on vertical wind speed measured with a 3D >> How is the biota changing in form, frequency is no net growth of the plants. However over 3pm one. A phenocam camera on top of shoots of spinifex started growing from An OzFlux site has been established in anemometer, both at 20m above the ground. and distribution as climate changes? a whole year carbon is being accumulated. the tower showed an eerie orange glow at the areas where the clumps of old spinifex an extensive area of mallee woodland on The data from these instruments is collected Our estimates show that in the four years of 1pm. The 2pm image showed smouldering provided the ground fuel for the fire, and Calperum Station adjacent to the Chowilla at a rate of 10Hz, i.e. ten times a second. 2010 to 2013 the carbon accumulated was stumps and tree trunks, black ashes on the surprisingly, mallee and Myoporum seedlings floodplain of the River Murray near Renmark Large amounts of data are collected through Drought and then rain 0.3, 2.2, 7.7 and 2.7 t/ha respectively. The ground and no unscorched leaves in sight. started appearing even before there was in South Australia. This ‘mallee-type’ a data logger that aggregates it, stores it and The site was chosen in May 2010 with largest accumulation occurred in 2012, a All tower instruments below 10m and all autumn rain. ecosystem is a function of a unique set of transmits it via radio and telephone links every installation of the 20m flux tower and year after the drought breaking rains. ground wiring had been destroyed. Very pedologic and geomorphic influences in the six hours to the office in Adelaide. A year later and the shoots from the mallee instruments completed in July. The first alkaline terrain unique to southern Australia. fortunately the data logger and equipment roots are nearly a metre high and clearly measures of incoming and outgoing energy, When the data is processed we can see These soil types occupy 24% of Australia’s in the steel cabinet at the base of the tower indicate the base of each tree. The burnt all the weather variables and fluxes of carbon detailed daily, as well as the seasonal Fire and its aftermath land area. The associated ecosystems was intact. Three months of equipment “trunks” stand as black sentinels for what dioxide and water vapour began in August. effects. For example, the amount of CO2 in While we were aware that fire is a feature are undergoing significant human induced and wiring replacement followed – a rapid was there before. Soon, many of these The region had been in drought for the the atmosphere shows a distinct seasonal of this ecosystem, hence its mention in our change. Their sustainable management is recovery aided by loaned instruments trunks will fall over as the termites hollow previous eight years with average annual trend – around 350 ppm in mid-summer to starting objectives, we envisaged something hampered by a lack of understanding of the from the OzFlux network and facilitation by out the now dead wood just above the rainfall between 2006 and 2009 being only 400 ppm in winter. The measure of CO2 that that would be mostly controlled. In January interdependence among local habitats, the University insurance staff. live stumps. The many shooting stems will 200mm, at least 50mm short of the long term we make is a net value that comes from the 2014 there was a significant heat wave size and extent of flows of energy, nutrients, Fires such as our site experienced result in compete for light, water and nutrients to average. In September 2010 rain began with a uptake of CO2 by photosynthesising plants period when ten of the first 14 days had carbon and water, and the consequent very large loss of stored vegetation carbon eventually have three to eight dominant ones couple of daily amounts of 40 and 60mm. This balanced by the CO2 released by respiration maximum temperatures above 36C and up influences on flora and fauna. into the atmosphere. However as we were to become the next trunks for the rejuvenated was followed with more rain at the start and of both the plants and the organisms in the to 46C. Thunderstorm activity on the 12th The primary aim of the Chowilla Calperum learn, fire is a great rejuvenator of the mallee. tree; and so the cycle begins again. end of 2011 with an annual total of 510mm. soil. To estimate how much CO2 or carbon and 13th preceded the bushfire on the 14th. mallee site is to establish the energy, Within a few weeks, new shoots started is being accumulated by the vegetation we The fire raced through 50,000 ha and at one

16 Sustaining viable landscapes Sustaining viable landscapes 17 Research stories

Adelaide is the only city in the world that is located within a few hundred kilometres of sites that preserve fossils of organisms that lived around South Australian fossils give the time of the first record of undisputable animals, more than half a billion years ago. an exceptional view of past life Dr Diego García-Bellido

The younger fossil sites are found to the Some of the world’s most unique fossil collections south, along the Fleurieu Peninsula, but gathered from the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo especially in the north coast of Kangaroo Island, where the Emu Bay Shale is located. Island are now housed at the South Australian These Cambrian fossils of ~505 Ma are completely different: they are all unequivocal Museum. Dr Diego García-Bellido chose to come examples of animals, often have shells (like to The Environment Institute at the University those of clams), spicules or hard, mineralised armours (not unlike some modern of Adelaide from Spain in order to expand the crustaceans), and there is clear evidence of knowledge of this branch of scientific endeavour. predation and other complex behaviour. The most diverse group is the arthropods Where do the various animal groups come immediately before and after this major (just like today), among them the most from and how are they related to each other? biodiversification event, which is what abundant are an extinct class known as This is a question that most people have captivated Spanish palaeobiologist Dr Diego trilobites, but we also find fossils of sponges, asked themselves at one time or another. García-Bellido. worms, molluscs, echinoderms and early And, as with many other fascinating topics in This Adelaidian “perfect frame” for the chordates. What is most the striking feature evolution, we don’t have a complete answer Cambrian explosion begins in the older of the Emu Bay Shale is the quality of yet. One of the various ways of addressing rocks, which are found to the north, preservation, where cuticle, muscles, guts this issue is through the study of fossils, throughout the Flinders Ranges. Their age (sometimes containing their last meal) and particularly those around the time of the first is ~555Ma, from the geological period even the most delicate structures (such as record of undisputable animals, more than immediately preceding the Cambrian: the eyes) can be found. Above: Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido half a billion years ago. Ediacaran. This period of Earth history, Dr García-Bellido and his team are interested This appearance took place during what recognized all over the world, was officially in how these different types of organisms Above right: An artists impression of the vetulicolians, now believed to be related to humans. (Katrina Kenny) is known as the Cambrian ‘explosion’, a named after the Ediacaran Hills (about 30km lived, how they were related to one another sudden –in geological terms– evolutionary SW of Leigh Creek, in the northern Flinders and, more recently, have been looking into Right: Emu Bay fossil site, Kangaroo Island, radiation about 540–520 million years Ranges) just ten years ago. the complexity of these earliest multicellular South Australia ago (Ma) after which we find the first The fossil organisms found there range in communities and how they changed from representatives of most phyla, such as size from millimetres to over a metre, and the Ediacaran to the Cambrian. arthropods (now represented by crayfish, have very diverse morphologies (round, spiders, butterflies), molluscs (which includes elongated, stalked, with annulations, with modern-day clams, snails and squids), fractal branching), but are mostly bi- echinoderms (the ancestors of sea starts and dimensional and lack any form of hard parts sea urchins) and the earliest chordates (the (internal or external skeletons). There are very group to which we humans belong), together few examples of movement and feeding, and with a plethora of many other minor groups. no evidence at all of predation. The family Adelaide is the only city in the world that is relationships of most of these organisms are located within a few hundred kilometres of unresolved, and even their assignment to the sites that preserve fossils of the organisms animal kingdom is still highly debated.

18 South Australian fossils give an exceptional view of past life South Australian fossils give an exceptional view of past life 19 Research stories

Incorrect species classification can lead to Safeguarding our unsustainable fishing, meaning an isolated cephalopod population may be exploited to extinction. marine environment Dr Sarah Catalano

and Flinders University are partnering in surface of the body. Although they are often While over 100 species of dicyemids had it was uncovered that host species could be Our local environment carries many lessons for the SGEDI project led by the University’s overlooked, parasites can provide many clues been described worldwide, there was a re-classified with high accuracy to their true global mitigation of climate change and management Environment Institute. and answers to challenging questions in biology. clear knowledge gap from Australian waters, biological entity based on dicyemid faunal “The Spencer Gulf is a prospering With knowledge on how a parasite is with no species described from this area. composition. In addition, different dicyemid of increased development and industry activity. development zone for South Australia but transmitted and at which stage of its Questions such as their natural level of species distributions were found at different Our seafood is exported to the world and our also home to an ecosystem of national lifecycle, mechanisms can be set in place to infection in our waters, faunal composition geographic collection localities for some significance and great value. Simultaneously break this transmission, which is especially and genetic framework were all missing. cephalopod species, suggesting further delicate Gulf environment, host to unique marine managing commercial and environmental useful to prevent parasite outbreaks in In order to shed light on this knowledge cryptic population structuring that was not interests is like juggling fish - but through this natural and cultured populations. Parasites gap, some exciting new research was apparent from phylogeographic analysis of species, is sensitive to change. initiative we believe we can drive responsible can also provide insights into the hosts initiated. To date, it has formally described the hosts themselves. decision-making for a thriving Gulf region.” they infect, including host range, habitat, ten new dicyemid species from six Australian This is important as we are asking whether longevity, diet and social behaviour. cephalopods, representing the very first these cephalopods belong to a single group of introduced species. Professor Gillanders SGEDI’s vision is a thriving Gulf region Shipping and the Spencer records from our waters. Patterns of infection or species, or whether they are significantly has been involved with studies surrounding where progressive development continues Recent research has explored the use of Gulf Ecosystem and faunal composition were explored different from each other that they warrant the effects of shipping on the giant Australian alongside a protected and enhanced parasites as biological tags to assess host in comparison to Northern Hemisphere placement in two or more groups or species. The Spencer Gulf is a rare reverse estuary cuttlefish in the Gulf, and believes that further ecosystem - and community opportunity population structure, as parasites can be more counterparts, and unknowns in the dicyemid located where the Indian, Southern and Pacific research and monitoring would help enable is optimised. finely subdivided between host populations If this is overlooked, what may be thought lifecycle were investigated. Oceans meet. An area of unique biodiversity, sustainable recommendations for proposed To date the initiative has developed a then revealed using other techniques. of as a sustainable fishing practise could the Gulf provides a nursery to a significant new ports, including Port Spencer and the knowledge review of the gaps in science One little-known group of marine parasites Surprisingly, they found that the left and be wrong, meaning an isolated cephalopod proportion of South Australia’s fish species. Port Bonython expansions. relevant to the Gulf’s ecology. It is working are the dicyemid mesozoans. These tiny right kidneys of a single host individual were population may be exploited to extinction. Economic development to this area requires towards the framework and science program organisms are found exclusively in the kidneys infected independently of each other, with one Our research can inform cephalopod careful management. Considering the impacts for a structured decision-making process on of benthic cephalopods (squid, octopus kidney infected by asexual forms and the other fisheries management in an effort to of a changing climate is also important. Sustainable industry future development that takes into account and cuttlefish), and while they are simple in by sexual forms, suggesting this mechanism is ensure cephalopods remain in our marine Professor Bronwyn Gillanders is leading a development for Spencer Gulf social, economic, cultural and ecological appearance – made up of only 8-40 cells parasite-controlled not host-mediated. environment for future generations to come. major marine investigation looking at shipping concerns. All this will be placed within an without any obvious tissue structure – they do To combat the lack of genetic framework This research has not only increased in the Spencer Gulf that brings together We want to ensure that integrated marine management framework. have surprisingly complex lifecycles. for this group, the complete mitochondrial knowledge on our own previously social, economic and biophysical information the scientific evidence The project also aims to deliver clearer They have two modes of reproduction, COI minicircle molecule was sequenced undocumented dicyemid parasite fauna, but to understand the Gulf’s environment and development approval pathways with asexual and sexual, and exist in two forms. for ten dicyemid species, allowing the first also contributed to the overall worldwide assess the growing pressures on it. The helps inform public potential to reduce costs and time delays. Adults are long and slender whereas embryos preliminary phylogeny to be published. body of research on this group by providing Spencer Gulf Ecosystem Development can be a clone of the adult only smaller, or Characteristics and the evolutionary a phylogenetic framework, Southern Initiative (SGEDI), focuses on traffic, pest opinion and delivers consequences of this unusual mitochondrial Hemisphere counterpart comparison and a The secret lives of have a distinctive circular form. To infect a management and potential impacts on the positive outcomes. new host, the circular embryo form of the genome architecture was also investigated. tool for using dicyemids as biological tags to environment. The study aims to enable marine parasites parasite is released with the host’s urine out The use of dicyemid parasites as biological assess host population structure. credible, evidence based assessment of Professor Gillanders into the sea. It then has to find a new squid or tags to assess cephalopod host population Sarah Catalano conducted this research New research by Dr Sarah Catalano development options that fully consider social cuttlefish or octopus individual that is of the structure was also examined. As these as part of her PhD thesis under the could provide a tool to ensure current and economic benefits while protecting and Major industries, BHP Billiton, Santos, Alinta, right species within a limited time-frame before parasites are found in high numbers in supervision of Professor Bronwyn Gillanders, fishing practises are sustainable and avoid enhancing the health of the Gulf. Arrium Mining, Centrex Metals, Flinders it perishes, while also battling environmental the kidneys of benthic cephalopods, and Professor Steve Donnellan, and Associate extinction of local species. Monitoring shipping is important, as ships from Ports and Nyrstar are working together with conditions such as strong water currents and are highly host-species specific, they Professor Ian Whittington, resulting in the all over the world enter the Gulf each week. the Fisheries Research and Development Parasites are everywhere - plants, animals, varying salinity. Somehow this tiny organism represented worthy candidates to explore following publications: There are tankers, ships and carriers from Italy, Corporation, Adelaide University’s Marine humans, even parasites themselves, can – just a few cells in size – manages this host population structure. Innovation SA collaborators, South Australian be host to a whole suite of different parasite International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Liberia, Hong Kong and Panama to name complex and highly specific reinfection and the Using a combination of classical taxonomic Research and Development Institute species which can infect every organ and Wildlife, 2014 3 (2): 220–226 a few. This poses biosecurity risks in terms astonishing lifecycle beings again. methods and molecule genetic techniques, Folia Parasitologica, 2014, 61 [4]: 301–310.

20 Safeguarding our marine environment Safeguarding our marine environment 21 Research stories

Trapdoor spiders provide key to rapid species identification

from the Environment Institute (to Mike Idiosoma nigrum, perhaps better known as the Rix) has been crucial to the development Black rugose trapdoor spider, are found only in and testing of an NGS method that allows numerous genes to be sequenced from 96 south-western Australia, They live in burrows up samples simultaneously. to 32cm deep and can live for over 20 years. This method, called parallel tagged amplicon sequencing, will now be used to generate a Trapdoor spiders belonging to the family The industry partners are Rio Tinto, BHP massive multi-gene dataset for nearly 300 Idiopidae are extremely diverse in Australia Billiton, Biota Environmental Sciences, idiopid trapdoor spiders. These data, to be and highly endemic at all taxonomic levels, Western Australian Museum and the South generated prior to the completion of the with nine genera, over 100 described Australian Museum, with the involvement project at the end of 2015, will form the basis species and a large number of undescribed of the mining and assessment companies of all subsequent analyses. species known from collections. being aligned with the conservation The results will provide an unparalleled The family has experienced a massive significance of these spiders, their relevance insight into the phylogeny of Australian evolutionary radiation on the continent, to the environmental approvals process, trapdoor spiders, the diversity and especially in temperate and subtropical and the need to develop better methods of biogeography of the Australian fauna, and Western Australia, and due to their longevity molecular species identification. the identification of species in lineages of (> 20 years), habitat specialisation, poor The specific aims of this project are to: major conservation significance. powers of dispersal and propensity for >> develop high-throughput molecular Follow-up funding from the Australian short-range endemism, many species are of methods for the next-generation Biological Resources Study has been conservation significance. sequencing of multiple loci. awarded to APDI Mike Rix, allowing the results of this project to be fully analysed, Above: Lichen-encrusted trapdoor of Euoplos sp. A Western Australian species, Idiosoma >> test the phylogeny and generic from Young, NSW. published and further translated into a nigrum, is currently listed as vulnerable under classification of the Idiopidae within rigorous taxonomy for the Australian both Western Australian and Commonwealth Australia. Right: Live female spider of the Western Australian conservation legislation. All excavate idiopid spider fauna. species, Idiosoma nigrum >> reconcile gene trees and species trees burrows, and most species in the family build The following publications have been enabled by for Australian taxa, to investigate the highly camouflaged trapdoors. this ARC Linkage Project: utility of different molecular markers for Invertebrate Systematics, 2014, 28, 375-385. This group of spiders is the focus of a large accurate species delimitation, and infer ARC Linkage Project which is examining their potential ‘hotspots’ of idiopid diversity and Biological Reviews, 2014 (in press, doi: 10.1111/ evolution and biogeography, and implications endemism. brv.12132) for conservation biology and environmental It is the last of these aims that is central to assessment. Professor Andy Austin, Director industry involvement in the project, with a of the Australian Centre for Evolutionary core focus on developing better molecular Biology and Biodiversity (ACEBB) is leading markers for rapid species identification. the project, and has spider expert Dr Mike Rix as an Industry Australian Postdoctoral The development of next-generation Fellow involved in all aspects of the research. sequencing (NGS) genomic technologies and fieldwork has now been completed. Funding

22 Trapdoor spiders provide key to rapid species identification Trapdoor spiders provide key to rapid species identification 23 Research stories

Managing human-related impacts on biodiversity

Managing human-mediated impacts continues to Multi-scenario modelling of world human “The corollary of these findings is that The researchers developed a multi-species population used by Professor Corey society’s efforts towards sustainability would model of the food chain and economics Global extinction be a clear focus for conservation biology, but with Bradshaw and Professor Barry Brook has be directed more productively towards of a rangeland cattle enterprise, including shown that even stringent fertility restrictions reducing our impact as much as possible simulations of pasture regrowth, grazing rates have soared over an increasing acknowledgement that extinction or a catastrophic mass mortality would not through technological and social innovation.” pressure and cattle live-weight gain. Trade- the past century, due drivers are usually interacting and self-reinforcing. bring about large enough change this century This research was published in Proceedings offs between livestock density, kangaroo to solve issues of global sustainability. of the National Academy of Sciences of the abundance, calf losses and dingo control predominantly to the Understanding how biodiversity will respond to Published in the Proceedings of the National USA 2014, 111 (46): 16610-16615. were examined. resource demands future human impacts requires innovative new Academy of Sciences of the USA, the study “Dingoes are predators and they do of a burgeoning highlighted that the “virtually locked-in” Dingos could bring occasionally take out young livestock, but approaches which explicitly couple ecological and population growth means the world must they also eat a lot of kangaroos and, in fact, human population. focus on policies and technologies to reverse economic benefit seem to prefer them. climatic-geophysical processes. the rising consumption of natural resources Research undertaken by Professor Corey In a typical cattle station setting in arid Shifting land-use and and enhance recycling, for more immediate Bradshaw, Associate Professor Phill Cassey Australia, cattle and kangaroos compete for Delivering the predictive tools required to wildlife exploitation, Study finds population control sustainability gains. Fertility reduction efforts, and Dr Thomas Prowse shows that stopping the most limiting resource - grass and other anticipate ecological responses to climate is no environmental quick fix through increased family-planning assistance control measures such as baiting and fencing vegetation. With fewer kangaroos around, and elevated rates change in the context of other human-driven and education, should still be pursued, as could increase net profit for cattle graziers. there is more grass for cattle to eat and more threatening processes is a central theme of competition and this will lead to hundreds of millions fewer Research models published in the Journal of food means bigger and fatter cattle, which of the research being undertaken by Dr Global population people to feed by mid-century. Applied Ecology, that the profit margin could leads to more profit for the grazier.” predation by invasive Damien Fordham, 2014 ARC Future Fellow. has risen so fast over “We examined various scenarios for be improved by as much as $83 000 a year In his current project: “Integrating models The researchers showed that under normal organisms have global human population change to the for a 100 000 hectare cattle station. with molecular ‘logbooks’ to better forecast the past century that stocking conditions in outback Australia year 2100 by adjusting fertility and mortality reduced the range extinction risk from climate change”, he uses “Our study challenges the conventional with unbaited dingoes and controlled roughly 14% of all the rates to determine the plausible range of complex mechanistic models to improve perception of dingoes as an economic kangaroos, pasture biomass increased by and abundance of population sizes at the end of this century. forecasts of how biodiversity will respond human beings that pest that must be controlled. By helping 53kg a hectare. Even a world-wide one-child policy like many species, directly to environmental change. dingoes thrive, we expect improved biomass Not only are the graziers’ profits higher, but China’s, implemented over the coming have ever existed are of native pastures through the reduction of there is less inter-annual variation. Fewer causing severe This research includes: century, or catastrophic mortality events like kangaroo populations – and improved returns kangaroos reduces the amount of change in >> Balancing model complexity and predictive still alive today - that’s global conflict or a disease pandemic, biodiversity loss at local to cattle graziers.” grass biomass from one year to the next.” skill to improve forecasts of species’ range a sobering statistic. would still likely result in five to ten billion movement and persistence in response to people by 2100.” This research was published online in the Journal scales, and indirectly This is considered of Applied Ecology, 18 December 2014. global change The researchers constructed nine different limiting the scope for >> Using the fossil record and genetic data unsustainable for a scenarios for continuing population ranging sufficient ecological and to determine uncertainties in forecasts of range of reasons, not from “business as usual” through various species’ responses to climate change fertility reductions, to highly unlikely broad- evolutionary adaptation >> Incorporating evolutionary and least being able to feed scale catastrophes resulting in billions of to future environmental demographic processes into everyone as well as the deaths. Their work revealed that effective phenomenological and mechanistic models family planning and reproduction education change. worldwide have great potential to constrain >> Accounting for complex species interactions impact on the climate the size of the human population and alleviate Dr Damien Fordham, 2014 ARC Future Fellow in climate change simulation models and environment. pressure on resource availability over the >> Using the species area relationship to longer term. calculate extinction risk under climate change Professor Corey Bradshaw

24 Managing human-related impacts on biodiversity Managing human-related impacts on biodiversity 25 Institute Environment engagement Institute activities

2014 snapshot >> “Ancient DNA ends Aussie claim to Events Seminars Speaker Seminar title Origin Date kiwi origins” The Researchers at the Environment Institute The Institute continues to connect and Professor 100 years of observations from the University of 20 January A study published in Science, led by 50K unique web page views continue to communicate their research collaborate with prestigious international and Stephen J Hawkins Marine Biological Association Southampton, UK Professor Alan Cooper dispelled the long 25 Media releases to a wide audience, to both the public and interstate researchers. Professor Sustainable and resilient urban University of Illinois, 19 March held belief that the extinct elephant bird Barbara Minsker stormwater management USA 20% increase in Facebook community the broader scientific community including In 2014 the Environment Institute hosted the of Madagascar was closely related to the Dr Jonathan The soil organic matter conundrum: CSIRO Land and 4 April % industry, government and other universities. following visiting speakers: 10 increase in a well-established (>2000) emu, when in fact, ancient DNA studies Sanderman Why do thermodynamically Water, Adelaide, Twitter community now reveal it is closely related to New The Institute strives to maintain engagement unstable compounds persist Australia with the community through both 14 Seminars by visiting researchers Zealand’s kiwi. The story was picked up by Conferences & Workshops in soils? over 600 media outlets, one of Adelaide involvement with and hosting of some Professor Exceptional fossils and new Flinders University, 2 May 8 Training workshops and conferences In 2014 The Environment Institute supported University’s best records. fantastic events: John Long technologies: revealing the big Adelaide, Australia the following well attended training steps in early vertebrae evolution >> WOMADelaide 2014: Professors Tom >> “Reducing population is no workshops and conferences: In the news Wigley and Peter Ward were invited Dr Nerilie Abram Warming and ice melt on the Australian National 30 May environmental ‘quick fix’” Antarctic Peninsula University, Canberra, panellists for the Planet Talks >> GEL Linnaeus Workshop The Environment Institute continues to Professor Corey Bradshaw’s research Australia >> GEL Spatial Statistics and Modelling of receive solid coverage in the media. The published in the Proceedings of the National >> Science in the Pub: Professor Corey Professor Continuous, well dated records of Australian National 27 June Species distribution workshop delivered by Institute and our researchers actively publicise Academy of Sciences of the USA, sparked Bradshaw presented “The bees knees: Eelco Rohling sea level change: new details for Museum, Canberra, Fangliang He the past 500ky, and first extension Australia their research to help inform and engage worldwide interest following the finding The importance of pollinators and their over 5.3 My the community on relevant environmental that even a world-wide one-child policy recent decline”. >> ACAD Computational Macroevolution: Professor Historical perspective in marine University of 1 August issues, as well as maintain visibility to aid like China’s, implemented over the coming >> 2014 South Australian Climate analysis and visualisation of complex in the formation of new relationships and dynamics on phylogenetic trees workshop John Pandolfi ecology and conservation Queensland, century, or a catastrophic mortality event Adaptation Showcase: presentation by Brisbane, Australia collaborations with industry and government. Bayden Russell. like global conflict or a disease pandemic, >> ACAD Computational Genomics workshop Dr Kale Sniderman Pliocene reversal of late neogene University of 29 August Many of our researchers communicate their would still likely result in five to ten billion >> DEWNR NRM Science Conference: >> ACEBB Advanced workshop in Bayesian aridication: vegetation history of semi- Melbourne, Australia research to a broad audience through in- people by 2100. The research was reported Corey Bradshaw, Barry Brook, Phill Phylogenetics and Dating arid Nullarbor Plain based on U-Pb depth interviews on radio stations including by news outlets including BBC News, The Cassey, Sean Connell, Steven Cooper, dated speleothem pollen record >> SGC Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis ABC 891 Adelaide, ABC Radio National Washington Post and the Huffington Post. Graeme Dandy, Bronwyn Gillanders, Professor Modelling species distributions in University of Alberta, 22 October (CSIA) workshop Fangliang He fragmented landscapes Edmonton, Canada and the University’s own Radio Adelaide, >> “Scientists are live tweeting a major Andrew Lowe, Wayne Meyer, John Tibby >> SGC 18th Australian Organic appearances on television programs such fossil dig in Wyoming” and Michelle Waycott all presented at this Dr Franck Interactions between climate University Paris XI, 5 November as the 7:30 report and writing for news sites Geochemistry Conference Courchamp change and biological invasions France There was a social media flurry as a result two day conference attended by over including the Conversation (14 articles) and 500 government, industry and university >> Early Career Researcher Leadership Dr Pauline Grierson Delta-O18 fingerprinting to University of Western 7 November of Professor Alan Cooper’s visit to the understand past and present Australia, Australia local Adelaide University magazine eScience representatives. Development Workshop “Dragons Den”, Natural Trap Cave in Wyoming, USA. Alan hydro climate and ecological water (nine features). presented by Karilyn Fazio from Impetus was filmed by fellow Australian Centre >> The Natural History of Spencer Gulf requirement in Western Australia There were many research breakthroughs for Ancient DNA researchers inside the Book launch: Professor Bronwyn Professor Survivors: the animals and plants Senior palaeontologist, 28 that made headlines around the world. cave, answering questions about ancient Gillanders co-edited the book and has Richard Fortey that time has left behind Natural History November Some of the top stories of the year include: DNA and the fossil site, which is a site also authored a chapter on the giant Museum, London, England >> “How small birds evolved from giant containing fossils of extinct megafauna. Australian cuttlefish. The book was meat eating dinosaurs” The video has received over 35 thousand officially launched by Minister Brock. Professor A haystack from a needle: using Pennsylvania State 5 December Katherine Freeman biomarkers to understand ancient University, USA Research lead by Associate Professor views following being picked up by CNN >> Professor Richard Fortey delivered a forest structure after being tweeted by The Bureau of Mike Lee and published in the journal public lecture attended by over 400 Dr Melvin Gumal Burning the midnight oil – Malaysia Program 8 December Science. This discovery was also listed Land Management in Wyoming. Samples people (co-hosted by ACAD) conservation of orang-utans, Director, Wildlife as one of Science magazines top ten from the cave have been brought back to tigers and elephants in Malaysia Conservation Society, breakthroughs of 2014. Adelaide for analysis. Malaysia

26 Institute engagement Environment Institute activities 27 Awards and achievements

Channel 9 Young Achiever Sarah Catalano’s PhD included research Congratulations to Environment Institute members on the giant Australian cuttlefish and the Award unknown reasons for their fluctuating Congratulations to Sarah Catalano who population. Sarah completed her PhD Atmospheric Research, the largest such Doctor of the University received the South Australian Channel under the supervision of Professor Bronwyn research group in the Southern Hemisphere. (honoris causa) 9 Young Achiever Awards Flinders Port Gillanders, Professor Steve Donnellan and From 2005 to 2007 he was Group Executive, Holdings Environment Award. The award Dr Steve Morton, Chair of the Environment Associate Professor Ian Whittington. CSIRO Sustainable Energy and Environment, recognises those who are dedicated Institute Advisory Board, received a degree Owen Burnell completed work identifying where he negotiated combined R&D effort to nurturing and protecting our natural of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in how local and global scale changes in from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO surroundings, and demonstrating real recognition of his outstanding achievements marine systems can shape seagrass to form the Centre for Australian Weather environmental impact on a local, national relating to environmental and natural habitats. Owen completed his PhD under and Climate Research; led a successful bid or world scale. resource management. for Commonwealth Government funding to the supervision of Professor Sean Connell, Alison Snel, Communications & Marketing Manager, Laura Falkenberg was runner up for the Steve Morton received his Bachelor of a new Climate Adaptation National Research Flinders Ports presented the Award to Sarah (right) Dr Bayden Russell and Dr Andrew Irving. South Australian Channel 9 Young Achiever Science with Honours and PhD in animal Flagship Program; and led a successful bid Simon Divecha presented research on Sarah Catalano completed her PhD Awards Flinders Port Holdings Environment ecology from the University of Melbourne. for expanded Commonwealth Government the impact of climate change on business on a poorly understood and little- Award. Laura’s PhD reshaped how people He then went on to postdoctoral studies at funding to the Energy Transformed National strategy, culture and collaboration in two known group of marine parasites called think about managing climate change. She the University of California, Irvine, and the Research Flagship Program. From 2008 major international companies. Simon is dicyemid mesozoans, which are found showed that local management of pollution University of Sydney. He joined CSIRO in to 2010, he was Group Executive, CSIRO currently working with the Environment in high numbers on the kidney surface can substantially reduce the effects of ocean 1984 at the Alice Springs laboratory and Manufacturing, Materials and Minerals. Institute as a consultant for the Spencer Gulf of cephalopods, including squid, warming and acidification which are not transferred to Canberra, a decade later. Ecosystem and Development Initiative as well Amongst many other roles, Dr Morton has under the control of local managers. Her octopus and cuttlefish species. Her as the ARC Discovery Grant funded Aboriginal Dr Morton was Chief of CSIRO’s Division been a board member for two CRCs; Chair work was highlighted by the European Union research has discovered and described Hair project led by Professor Alan Cooper. of Sustainable Ecosystems from 2000 to of the Working Group on Natural Systems ten new parasite species, the very first in a communication to their environmental 2003. In this role he effected the merger of and Biodiversity, Prime Minister’s Science, policy makers. Dr Steve Morton from Australian waters. Her approach CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology with Tropical Engineering and Innovation Council, of using parasites as tags for these SA Science Excellence Award Agriculture to create a new Division focused Canberra; a member of the Wentworth creatures may guide future conservation Sarah Catalano has been awarded the SA on sustainability science, led expansion Group of Concerned Scientists; and many University Doctoral Medal efforts to maintain species diversity Science Excellence Award for PhD research of economic and social science expertise other specialist roles in government and Congratulations to Sarah Catalano, Owen in our waters, and has earned her excellence in the Life and Environmental in CSIRO, stimulating growth of a cadre industry advisory groups. He chaired the Burnell, and Simon Divecha who have numerous awards including a Dean’s Sciences category. of staff from about 20 to 150 today, and Advisory Committee of the University of Commendation in Doctoral Thesis all been awarded the prestigious 2014 re-developed engagement of CSIRO with Adelaide’s Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Excellence, a SA Science Excellence University of Adelaide Doctoral Research Aboriginal people, leading to focus on Biodiversity for ten years from 2001, and since Award for PhD research excellence Medals. The Doctoral Research Medal Award Royal Society of SA Award Indigenous R&D in northern laboratories 2011 has been chair of the Advisory Board of in life and environmental sciences recognises the highest quality PhD theses for best PhD Presentation and a formal Organisational Indigenous the University’s Environment Institute. examined each year. Two of the four science category, the Harold Woolhouse Andrew Farrer Engagement Strategy. He has published more than 140 scientific Prize for best PhD thesis produced University Research Medalists from 2014 From 2003 to 2005 he was Group Executive, papers, book chapters, books, refereed in the Faculty of Sciences, and a were from the Marine Biology Group. CSIRO Environment and Natural Resources, reports and popular articles. He is currently 2014 University of Adelaide Doctoral where he led the creation of large-scale an Honorary Fellow with CSIRO Ecosystem Research Medal. Sarah also received National Research Flagship Programs in Sciences at Alice Springs. Dr Morton is one the South Australian Channel 9 Young Water and Oceans across several CSIRO of the country’s foremost thinkers on issues Achiever Award in the Flinders Port Divisions; and oversaw the merger of facing conservation, land management and Holdings Environment category. two Divisions into CSIRO Marine and ecological sustainability.

28 Awards and achievements Awards and achievements 29 Board members Our leading members

Professor Bob Hill, Director Professor Sean Connell Associate Professor Mike Lee Dr Steve Morton (Chair) Mr Carl Binning Professor Mike Brooks Director, Environment Institute Australian Research Council Future Fellow SA Museum Marine Biology Program Honorary Fellow, Managing Director, Creating Communities Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice-President Professor Bronwyn Gillanders Professor Megan Lewis CSIRO Ecosystems Sciences (Research), University of Adelaide Carl Binning is the Managing Director Deputy Director, Environment Institute Professor Alan Cooper Associate Dean - Future Students Sciences Director, Marine Biology Program Director, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA Dr Steve Morton is an Honorary Fellow with of Creating Communities. A believer in Professor Mike Brooks is the Deputy Professor Andy Lowe Spencer Gulf Ecosystem Development Initiative Australian Research Council Future Fellow the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems in Alice sustainable development, he provides Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Director, Conservation Science and Technology Lead Researcher Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow Springs in the Northern Territory. As well as advice on integrating communities with (Research) at the University of Adelaide. Australian Research Council Future Fellow Chair of Plant Conservation Biology Professor Steve Cooper being chair of the Advisory Board for the environmental and economic strategies. He is a leading international researcher in Professor Wayne Meyer Professor Andy Austin Principal Research Scientist of the South Australian Director, Landscape Futures Program Environment Institute, he is also Director of Over the last 20 years he has held various computer vision and image analysis. His Director, Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology Museum Evolutionary Biology Unit and Biodiversity Bush Heritage Australia, a Board Member senior leadership positions within industry, work has seen wide commercial use in the Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Associate Professor Ivan Nagelkerken of Desert Knowledge Australia, Director government and community. He was Vice- security and defence industries and has Associate Professor Jeremy Austin Dr Damien Fordham Australian Research Council Future Fellow on the Board of Territory Natural Resource President of Health, Safety, Environment resulted in international awards. Professor Marine Biology Program Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA Australian Research Council Future Fellow Management and Chair of the Seven and Communities for BHP Billiton’s Iron Ore Brooks has published many influential papers Australian Research Council Future Fellow Global Ecology Laboratory Professor Peter Ward Member Lake Eyre Basin Scientific Advisory Business and Chief Executive of Community in the areas of auto-calibration, structure from Professor Corey Bradshaw Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido Sprigg Geobiology Centre Panel. He is interested in the ecology of based environment organisation, Greening motion and video surveillance. He is a Fellow Co-Director, Global Ecology Laboratory Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Professor Michelle Waycott Australian deserts, science of Indigenous Australia. Carl has also held roles at CSIRO of the Australian Computer Society, a Fellow Australian Research Council Future Fellow Sprigg Geobiology Centre HBS Womersley Chair in Systematic Botany advancement, and the use of R&D for as Principal Research Economist in Wildlife of the Australian Academy of Technological Professor Barry Brook Australian Research Council Future Fellow Chief Botanist of the State Herbarium of South Australia natural resource management. Ecology, where he focused his research Sciences and Engineering, Associate Editor of Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change Associate Professor Frank Grutzner Professor Tom Wigley on designing economic incentives and the International Journal of Computer Vision, Co-Director, Global Ecology Laboratory Australian Research Council Future Fellow Australian Research Council Discovery Outstanding institutions for sustainable natural resource and serves as a non-executive director on Australian Research Council Future Fellow Researcher Award Dr Susannah Eliot management and developing mechanisms for several boards. Professor Martin Kennedy Associate Professor Justin Brookes Professor Phillip Weinstein Chief Executive Officer, Australian Science the conservation of biodiversity outside public Director, Sprigg Geobiology Centre Director, Water Research Centre Head of school of Biological Sciences Media Centre nature reserves. He has a profound interest in Associate Professor Lian Pin Koh Associate Professor Phill Cassey the integration of economic and social issues Mr Allan Holmes Deputy Director, Conservation Science and Technology Susannah Eliot has more than 20 years Deputy Director, Conservation Science and Technology with environmental policies. Allan Holmes has been a career public Chair of Applied Ecology and Conservation of practical experience in science Chair of Biosecurity and Invasion Ecology servant with more than 35 years of service in communication. Susannah is currently Victoria and South Australia. He recently left CEO of the Australian Science Media Ms Pauline Gregg government after 15 years as chief executive Centre, an independent not for profit General Manager (Environment), Telstra of the South Australian Department of organisation that works with the news Environment, Water and Natural Resources. media to highlight the scientific evidence Pauline Gregg is Telstra’s General Manager He has worked in biochemistry, agriculture, behind the story. Previously appointed to the – Environment, and is responsible for their environment protection, forestry, park national Climate Commission and Chair for environmental strategy. Pauline has over management and nature conservation. He the Expert Working Group on Science and 20 years experience in environmental currently chairs Nature Play SA, is a board the Media for the Federal Government. She sustainability in both the public and private member of the SA EPA as well as Arid currently sits on the Federal Government’s sectors. Pauline is passionate about Recovery Inc. and consults intermittently. Science Sector Working Group and the educating companies on the importance of Allan is an active contributor to public Environment Institute Board. the environment in their operations. Pauline’s discussion of environmental matters. interest in the environment has seen her take on an advisory role to the Board of the Environment Institute.

30 Board members Our leading members 31 Publications 2014

The following list comprises The Environment Institute’s Top 20 Impact Factor Publications in 2014. 166 journal articles were published by our leading researchers. To view this list, please visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/environment

1. Orlando L, Cooper A. Using ancient DNA to 8. Cortez D, Marin R, Toledo-Flores D, Froidevaux 15. Thomson VA, Lebrasseur O, Austin JJ, understand evolutionary and ecological processes. L, Liechti A, Waters PD, et al. Origins and Hunt TL, Burney DA, Denham T, et al. Using Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and functional evolution of y chromosomes across ancient DNA to study the origins and dispersal of Systematics; 2014. pp. 573-598. mammals. Nature 2014, 508(7497): 488-493. ancestral Polynesian chickens across the Pacific. Proceedings of the National Academy of 2. Burivalova Z, Şekercioǧlu ÇH, Koh LP. 9. Necsulea A, Soumillon M, Warnefors M, Liechti Sciences of the United States of America Thresholds of logging intensity to maintain tropical A, Daish T, Zeller U, et al. The evolution of lncRNA 2014, 111(13): 4826-4831. forest biodiversity. Current Biology 2014, 24(16): repertoires and expression patterns in tetrapods. 1893-1898. Nature 2014, 505(7485): 635-640. 16. Arsuaga JL, Martínez I, Arnold LJ, Aranburu A, Gracia-Téllez A, Sharp WD, et al. Neandertal 3. Wich SA, Garcia-Ulloa J, Kühl HS, Humle T, 10. Willerslev E, Davison J, Moora M, Zobel M, roots: Cranial and chronological evidence from Lee JSH, Koh LP. Will oil palm’s homecoming spell Coissac E, Edwards ME, et al. Fifty thousand years Sima de los Huesos. Science 2014, 344(6190): doom for Africa’s great apes? Current Biology of Arctic vegetation and megafaunal diet. Nature 1358-1363. 2014, 24(14): 1659-1663. 2014, 506(7486): 47-51. 17. Lee MSY, Cau A, Naish D, Dyke GJ. Sustained 4. Sequeira AMM, Mellin C, Fordham DA, Meekan 11. Pearson RG, Stanton JC, Shoemaker KT, miniaturization and anatomical innovation in the MG, Bradshaw CJA. Predicting current and Aiello-Lammens ME, Ersts PJ, Horning N, et al. dinosaurian ancestors of birds. Science 2014, future global distributions of whale sharks. Life history and spatial traits predict extinction risk 345(6196): 562-566. Global Change Biology 2014, 20(3): 778-789. due to climate change. Nature Climate Change 2014, 4(3): 217-221. 18. Mitchell KJ, Llamas B, Soubrier J, Rawlence 5. Gutiérrez-Marco JC, García-Bellido DC. NJ, Worthy TH, Wood J, et al. Ancient DNA reveals Micrometric detail in palaeoscolecid worms 12. Smith SJ, Wigley TML, Meinshausen M, Rogelj elephant birds and kiwi are sister taxa and clarifies from Late Ordovician sandstones of the Tafilalt J. Questions of bias in climate models. Nature ratite bird evolution. Science 2014, 344(6186): Konservat-Lagerstätte, Morocco. Gondwana Climate Change 2014, 4(9): 741-742. 898-900. Research 2014. 13. Elhaik E, Tatarinova T, Chebotarev D, Piras 19. Lee MSY, Cau A, Naish D, Dyke GJ. 6. Mao M, Austin AD, Johnson NF, Dowton M. IS, Calò CM, De Montis A, et al. Geographic Morphological clocks in paleontology, and a Coexistence of minicircular and a highly rearranged population structure analysis of worldwide human mid-cretaceous origin of crown aves. Systematic mtDNA molecule suggests that recombination populations infers their biogeographical origins. Biology 2014, 63(3): 442-449. shapes mitochondrial genome organization. Nature Communications 2014, 5. Molecular Biology and Evolution 2014, 31(3): 20. Fordham DA, Brook BW, Moritz C, Nogués- 636-644. 14. Bradshaw CJA, Brook BW. Human population Bravo D. Better forecasts of range dynamics reduction is not a quick fix for environmental using genetic data. Trends in Ecology and 7. Mitchell KJ, Pratt RC, Watson LN, Gibb GC, problems. Proceedings of the National Evolution 2014. Llamas B, Kasper M, et al. Molecular phylogeny, Academy of Sciences of the United States biogeography, and habitat preference evolution of America 2014, 111(46): 16610-16615. of Marsupials. Molecular Biology and Evolution 2014, 31(9): 2322-2330.

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