Lumen Autumn 2024 - Flipbook - Page 32
News in Brief
Rare bats discovered
A cave containing thousands of endangered
Pacific Sheath-tailed bats has been
discovered on Vanua Balavu, an island
of the remote Lau archipelago in Fiji.
It was previously thought the Pacific
Sheath-tailed bat population numbered
in the hundreds, but a joint expedition
involving the University of Adelaide, the
Australian Museum Research Institute,
and Conservation International found
an estimated 2,000-3,000 bats.
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
PHD CANDIDATE SITERI
TIKOCA SAID THE VANUA
BALAVU DISCOVERY HAS
IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS
FOR CONSERVATION.
Global river water quality
A review of almost 1000 studies on the
effects of climate change and extreme
weather events on rivers around the world
has found an overall negative effect on water
quality in rivers globally.
An international team of experts,
including scientists from the University
of Adelaide and led by Utrecht University
in the Netherlands, reviewed 965 studies,
sourced from every continent, conducted
between 2000-2022.
Multidecadal climate change was shown
to have increased water temperatures and
“Discoveries this striking for an
endangered species are rare and present a
more accurate foundation for conservation
planning,” she said.
“They provide researchers with valuable
information about this habitat, behaviour,
and population size. It is not just about
recording an existence – but we must take
steps to protect this site and this species
before it is too late.”
Although the number of bats discovered
is significant, Associate Professor Wayne
Boardman, who was part of the Fiji
expedition, said it is not enough to remove
the species from the endangered list.
“The numbers are still precarious – it
just gives us more hope that the population
is in a slightly healthier position than it was
before,” he said.
algae levels in 56 per cent of studies, which
is partly responsible for a general decrease
in dissolved oxygen concentrations in river
water. The review also found droughts and
heatwaves led to increased salinity and
higher concentrations of pollutants, such
as pharmaceuticals.
“The severe effects climate change is
already having on water quality globally are
very concerning. Previous climate change
predictions flagged this, but unfortunately,
we are now seeing these extreme events
play out across the world,” Associate
Professor Luke Mosley, who participated
in the research, said.
Illegal weeds
Hundreds of harmful, prohibited weeds
have been found being advertised on public
online marketplaces in Australia, many of
them sold as ornamental plants.
The discovery was made by a University
of Adelaide research team, led by Jacob
Maher from the School of Biological
Sciences, which found thousands of online
advertisements for illegal weed species.
OVERALL, INVASIVE PLANTS
ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE
COST AUSTRALIA
$200 BILLION SINCE 1960.
Cacti and pond plants were the most
frequently advertised species, which are
prohibited in Australia due to their harmful
impact on the country’s environment and
agriculture. Ornamental plants, which are
those grown in homes and gardens, are a
major way weeds are introduced to new
places. Some make their way into the
environment and become invasive.
Back and neck pain study
Back and neck pain are major public health
burdens with millions of sufferers around
Australia. Now, a nationwide study will
explore for the first time the significant
impact of these conditions on health
and welfare.
Experts from the University of Adelaide
are leading the Australian Longitudinal
Study on Back and Neck Pain, working with
researchers from the University of South
Australia, the South Australian Chronic
Pain Statewide Clinical Network at the
Commission on Excellence and Innovation
in Health, and peak consumer organisation
Chronic Pain Australia.
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