Australian universities, government research and the application of climate change knowledge in Australian coastal zone management

One of the key issues in Australia for sustainable management of the coastal zone is that the science of climate change has not been widely used by decision-makers to inform coastal governance. There exist opportunities to enhance the dialogue between knowledge-makers and decision-makers, and universities have a key role to play in researching and fostering better linkages. At the heart of these linkages lies the principle of more informed engagement between historically disparate groups. In Australia, the new ‘Flagship’ research programme, funded by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), emphasizes their partnering with universities in a more systematic and collaborative manner than previously achieved in such research projects. In order to address sustainability in general and coastal adaptation to climate change in particular, interdisciplinary learning needs to occur between the social and natural sciences; also, transdisciplinary understanding of that interaction needs to be fully developed. New methods of communicative engagement such as computer visualizations and animations, together with deliberative techniques, can help policy-makers and planners reach a better understanding of the significance of the science of climate change impacts on the coast. Deeper engagement across historically disparate groups can lead to the development of epistemological and methodological synergies between social and natural scientists, adaptive learning, reflexive governance, and greater analytical and deliberative understanding among scientists, policymakers and the wider public. This understanding can lead in turn to enhance coastal governance for climate adaptation on the coast.

Solar industrial process heating in Australia - Past and current status

Thirty years ago in Australia, there was a significant research, development and demonstration programme in solar industrial process heating (SIPH). This activity was led principally by the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation, the country’s main scientific research body. Other state government bodies also funded demonstration projects. Today, there is very little SIPH activity at any level in Australia. The contrast with the progress in other renewable energy technologies like wind and solar photovoltaic systems is striking. While the implementation of these technologies has progressed, SIPH has gone backwards. If Australia is to decarbonise its economy at the rate required, a massive deployment of solar thermal technology in those industries which use large quantities of low temperature hot water is also required. Recent developments nationally and internationally may rekindle new applications of solar thermal energy use by industry. This paper reviews the past achievements in SIPH in Australia and describes the lessons learned in order to better prepare for any new wave of SIPH activity.

Effects of fragmented habitat and fire on the distribution and ecology of the swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) in the Eastern Otways, Victoria

This study investigated the distribution, habitat and population dynamics of the swamp antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) in the eastern Otway Ranges. The species has a restricted, disjunct distribution and has been recorded at 25 sites between 1969 and 1999. All sites were located within 7 km of the coast, occurred at altitudes up to 80 m above sea level and within 10 m of a gully. Analysis of landscape site variables identified sun index as being significant in determination of the probability of occurrence of A. minimus. The presence of A. minimus is negatively associated with sun index, occuring at sites that have a southerly aspect and gentle slope. A. minimus was located in a range of structural vegetation including Open Forest, Low Woodland, Shrubland and Hummock Grassland and a number of floristic groups, some characterised by high frequencies of sclerophyll shrubs, others by high frequencies of Pteridium esculentum, hummock grasses and herbaceous species. A. minimus occurs in fragmented, small populations with maximum population densities of 1.1–18 ha^–1. Populations at inland sites became extinct after the 1983 wildfire which burnt 41 000 ha. These sites have not been recolonised since, while on the coast the species did not re-establish until 1993–97. One population that is restricted to a narrow coastal strip of habitat is characterised by high levels of transient animals. The species is subject to extinction in the region due to habitat fragmentation, coastal developments and fire. Management actions to secure the present populations and ensure long-term survival of the species in the area are required and include implementation of appropriate fire regimes, prevention of habitat fragmentation, revegetation of habitat, and establishment of corridor habitat.

Floristic and structural characteristics of a coastal heathland exhibiting symptoms of Phytophthora cinnamomi infestation in the eastern Otway Ranges, Victoria

The floristics and structure of heathland vegetation exhibiting symptoms of Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands infestation was assessed at two sites in heathlands at Anglesea, Victoria. There were significant effects in both floristics and structure. Thirteen heathland species were significantly less abundant in diseased areas and 23 species were more abundant. Diseased (infested) vegetation, when compared with non-diseased areas, had less cover of Xanthorrhoea australis and shrub species and a greater cover of sedges, grasses and open ground. Structural differences were observed between heights 0 and 0.6 m, with a decline in cover recorded in diseased vegetation. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination of the floristic data showed a clear separation of diseased and non-diseased vegetation and that changes in floristic composition post-infestation were similar at both sites. Although there was some evidence of regeneration of X. australis, the recovery capacity of other susceptible species at Anglesea is unknown. The long-term consequences of loss of species and structure in the eastern Otways mean that the vegetation is unlikely to return to former status, especially if the pathogen continues to reinfect.

The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Cherax destructor complex (Decapoda : Parastacidae) examined using mitochondrial 16S sequences

This study uses nucleotide sequences from the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene to investigate the taxonomy and phylogeny of freshwater crayfish belonging to the 'Cherax destructor' complex. The sequencing of an approximately 440-bp fragment of this gene region from freshwater crayfish sampled from 14 locations identified significant haplotype diversity. Phylogenetic analysis found three distinct clades that correspond to the species C. rotundus, C. setosus and C. destructor. C. rotundus is largely confined to Victoria, and C. setosus is restricted to coastal areas north of Newcastle in New South Wales. C. destructor is widely distributed in eastern Australia and shows significant phylogeographic structure, with three well supported clades. None of these clades, however, correspond to species previously recognised as C. esculus, C. davisi or C. albidus. The failure to genetically distinguish these morphologically defined species is consistent with reproductive information and morphological plasticity relating to habitat similar to that documented for other Cherax species.

The systematics of freshwater crayfish of the genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda : Parastacidae) in eastern Australia re-examined using nucleotide sequences from 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes

Nucleotide sequence data were used to re-examine systematic relationships and species boundaries within the genus Cherax from eastern Australia. Partial sequences were amplified from the 12S (~365 bp) and 16S (~545 bp) rRNA mitochondrial gene regions. Levels of intra- and inter-specific divergence for Cherax species were very similar between the two gene regions and similar to that reported for other freshwater crayfish for 16S rRNA. Phylogenetic analyses using the combined data provided strong support for a monophyletic group containing 11 eastern Australian species and comprising three well-defined species-groups: the 'C. destructor' group containing three species, the 'C. cairnsensis' group containing four species and the 'C. cuspidatus' group containing two species. Cherax dispar and C. robustus are distinct from all other species and each other. In addition, two northern Australian and a New Guinean species were placed in the 'Astaconephrops' group, which is the sister-group to the eastern Australian Cherax lineage. Several relationships were clarified, including: the status of northern and southern C. cuspidatus as separate species; a close relationship between C. cairnsensis and C. depressus; the validity of C. rotundus and C. setosus as separate species and their close affinities with C. destructor; and the distinctiveness of the northern forms of Cherax. The analysis of the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA data is highly concordant with the results of previous allozyme studies.

Do dietary changes of Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) reflect variability in pelagic fish stocks?

The relationship between changes in the diet of Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) and commercial fisheries landings was investigated. The contribution of pilchard (Sardinops sagax) to the diet of gannets was significantly related to the commercial catch of that species, suggesting that changes in the relative proportion of pilchard in the diet of gannets may be a useful index of pilchard abundance and availability. Equivalent relationships, however, were not found for other common prey species in the gannet diet. It is considered that the abundance of important prey items in the gannet diet, such as pilchards, and commercial landings are proportional to stock abundance. The implications of this relationship for fisheries management are examined.

Chemistry of carbon nanotubes

Judicious application of site-selective reactions to non-aligned and aligned carbon nanotubes has opened a rich field of carbon nanotube chemistry. In order to meet specific requirements demanded by particular applications (e.g. biocompatibility for nanotube biosensors and interfacial strength for blending with polymers), chemical modification of carbon nanotubes is essential. The tips of carbon nanotubes are more reactive than their sidewalls, allowing a variety of chemical reagents to be attached at the nanotube tips. Recently, some interesting reactions have also been devised for chemical modification of both the inner and outer nanotube walls, though the seamless arrangement of hexagon rings renders the sidewalls relatively unreactive. This review provides a brief summary of very recent progress in the research on chemistry of carbon nanotubes.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid improves carcass leanness without altering meat quality in the growing pig

One constraint facing the pig industry is that ad libitum feeding can often result in high levels of body fat and technologies which can reduce the ratio of lean to fat deposition in the pig are continually being explored. Conjugated linoleic acids have been shown to decrease body fat content in pigs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether dietary conjugated linoleic acids supplementation has any effect on meat quality and carcass characteristics in finisher pigs. Sixty female crossbred (Large White × Landrace) pigs (average initial weight 56.6 ± 1.9 kg and average initial P2 backfat 11.4 ± 1.3 mm) were used in the present study. Pigs were individually housed and randomly allocated to 1 of 6 dietary treatments: 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.0% (w/w) of conjugated linoleic acids-55. The wheat-based diets were formulated to contain 14.3 MJ DE and 9.3 g available lysine per kg and were fed ad libitum for 8 weeks. Pigs were slaughtered and meat quality was determined on the longissimus thoracis using standard techniques. Dietary conjugated linoleic acids reduced subcutaneous back fat in a linear manner with effects being most pronounced in the middle back fat layer. There was also a linear (P<0.001) decrease in intramuscular fat with increasing dietary conjugated linoleic acids supplementation. However, there was no effect of conjugated linoleic acids on subjective measures of marbling of the loin. Also, loin muscle ultimate pH (P = 0.94), lightness values (P = 0.46) subjective colour scores (P = 0.79), cooking loss (P = 0.71), drip loss (P = 0.40), shear force (P = 0.61) and subjective measures of wetness/firmness (P = 0.19) were unaffected. Dietary conjugated linoleic acids did not alter oxidation, as measured by the level of TBARs at day 1 post-slaughter (P = 0.38) or after 9 days of simulated retail display (P = 0.35). These data confirm that dietary conjugated linoleic acids can improve carcass quality by decreasing back fat depths without having any detrimental effects on meat quality.

Growth and condition in Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus (Carnivora : Pinnipedia)

Mass and length growth models were determined for male (n = 69) and female (n = 163) Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) collected at a breeding colony on Seal Rocks (38˚31′S, 145˚06′E), Bass Strait, in south-east Australia, between February and November during 1970–72. Growth was best described by the logistic model in males and the von Bertalanffy model in females. Asymptotic mass and length were 229 kg and 221 cm for males, and 85 kg and 163 cm for females. In all, 95% of asymptotic mass and length were attained by 11 years and 11 years, respectively, in males compared with 9 years and 5 years, respectively, in females. Males grew in length faster than females and experienced a growth spurt in mass coinciding with the onset of puberty (4–5 years). The onset of puberty in females occurs when approximately 86% of asymptotic length is attained. The rate of growth and sexual development in Australian fur seals is similar to (if not faster than) that in the conspecific Cape fur seal (A. p. pusillus), which inhabits the nutrient-rich Benguela current. This suggests that the low marine productivity of Bass Strait may not be cause of the slow rate of recovery of the Australian fur seal population following the severe over-exploitation of the commercial sealing era. Sternal blubber depth was positively correlated in adult animals with a body condition index derived from the residuals of the mass–length relationship (males: r² = 0.38, n = 19, P < 0.001; females: r² = 0.22, n = 92, P < 0.001), confirming the validity of using such indices on otariids. Sternal blubber depth varied significantly with season in adult animals. In males it was lowest in winter and increased during spring prior to the breeding season (r² = 0.39, n = 19, P < 0.03) whereas in females it was greatest during winter (r² = 0.05, n = 122, P< 0.05).

Interactions between fur seals and a squid jig fishery in southern Australia

Interactions between Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and the Southern Squid Jig Fishery (SSJF) were investigated in April–May 2002. Details on the number of seals present, distance from the vessel, age and gender, and their behaviour were recorded using scan sampling techniques over 26 nights from eight vessels operating out of Portland and Port Fairy on the southwest coast of Victoria. Seals were observed on all nights but none were recorded in 30% of all (777) scan observations. Of the seals attending vessels at any one time (1.89 ± 0.24), 67% were involved in activities unrelated to jigging operations with the most common behaviour category being resting/grooming. Only 3.6% of observations involved seals targeting squid caught on jig lures whereas a further 29% were of foraging on squid within 40 m of the vessel. Damage to fishing gear attributable to seals was recorded on only three occasions. There was no evidence of negative impacts on seals from vessel operations. The majority of seals foraging on squid around vessels were adult females (71%) with the remainder being almost exclusively juvenile males. The current level of interactions between Australian fur seals and vessels in the SSJF appears minor.

Characterising indoor air temperature and humidity in Australian homes

Information about indoor air temperatures in residential buildings is of interest for a range of reasons, e.g. the health and comfort of occupants, energy demand for space heating and cooling. To date there have been few long term studies that measure and characterise indoor air temperatures in Australian homes. New primary research undertaken by the authors measured temperatures in 273 homes over the period 2011 to 2014 in seven climate zones, from Melbourne in the south to Cairns in the north of Australia. Humidity data was also collected in 20 homes. This paper is a description of the data collected and the subsequent analysis.

Indoor temperatures were compared with outdoor temperatures and a mathematical model was fitted to the data. In general, monthly average indoor temperatures were found to be 2 degreesC higher than monthly average outdoor temperatures, apart from periods with consistently cold weather, where the monthly average outdoor temperature was less than 20 degreesC, which were found to have larger differences. The indoor temperature model developed has been compared with data measured by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in 438 homes in three Australian cities. The model developed using project measurements are highly consistent with the CSIRO data.

Further data collection compared indoor and outdoor humidity in 20 houses in Sydney and Melbourne. The indoor humidity ratio was found to be, on average, slightly higher than outdoors, but indoor levels generally track outdoor levels quite closely. This is likely due to the high air exchange rate in most houses.

Publication bias in industrial relations research

Publication bias arises when statistically non-significant results are suppressed or when only results satisfying prior expectations are published. Like most fields, research in industrial relations is vulnerable to publication bias. In this paper qualitative and quantitative techniques are used in order to detect publication bias in the union-productivity effects literature. We find no evidence of publication bias in this literature, although there does appear to be autoregression in the published results.