Research Highlights

Researchers at The University of Queensland (UQ), funded through an ARC Linkage Projects grant, have highlighted the devastating impact of marine rubbish on wildlife, taking out the 2015 Healthy Waterways Research Award. The study, by researchers at UQ’s North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay Research Station, sought to understand the impact of ingested marine debris on marine animals in Moreton Bay. UQ’s UniDive also won the Waterway Stewardship Award and the 2015 People’s Choice award for their project Caring for our local reefs. Dr Kathy Townsend said the marine rubbish project used endangered sea turtles as an indicator species. “Our studies found more than 30 per cent of stranded turtles die due to eating marine debris, with another 6% due to entanglement.”

Media issued by The University of Queensland

Scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) have found that some native frogs are winning their war against the world’s most devastating frog-killer—the chytrid fungus—while others are losing it. Their studies show that the whistling tree frog is successfully beating the lethal fungus, as is the alpine tree frog. However the iconic yellow‐and‐black striped corroboree frog—a critically endangered Australian species—is fast losing the struggle. The research is also revealing what causes frogs to live or die, providing scientists with crucial clues in the fight to save the nation’s remaining frogs. “Frogs catch the fungal infection through contact with infected water or direct contact with other infected frogs,” said PhD student at ANU, Ben Scheele. “It attacks the skin, making it difficult for the frogs to breathe, and this stops their heart eventually.” It’s crucial to maintain high quality habitats for frogs that are surviving or re‐expanding their population, he adds.

Media issued by The Australian National University

Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University have discovered that suspended sediment damages fish gills and can increase the rate of disease in fish. Suspended sediments result from flood plumes, coastal agricultural and industrial development. “Fish gills are in direct contact with their environment and are the first line of defence in the animal’s immune response, which makes them the perfect place to look for damage associated with sediment,” said co-author Dr Jodie Rummer. “Plus, harm to this vital organ affects every activity in the animal’s body that requires oxygen. For the study, the researchers simulated sediment conditions frequently found on inshore reefs on the Great Barrier Reef, but they say the problem isn’t limited to Australian waters. Coastal oceans affected by suspended sediment tend to overlap critical fish habitats and nurseries.

Media issued by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.

Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University have found that marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef reduce the prevalence of coral diseases. It’s been known for some time that marine reserves are important for maintaining and enhancing fish stocks, but this is the first time marine reserves have been shown to enhance coral health on the Great Barrier Reef. The research has revealed that coral disease levels are four times lower inside no-take marine reserves, where fishing is banned, compared to outside reserves. “We surveyed more than 80 000 corals around the Whitsunday Islands for six different diseases that commonly harm reef corals around the world,” said the Centre’s Dr Joleah Lamb. “We found three coral diseases were more prevalent on reefs outside no-take marine reserves, particularly on reefs with high levels of injured corals and discarded fishing line.”

Media issued by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.