Tasmania Untouched

Our alpine research team maintains Tasmania's longest-running high-altitude climate monitoring system, tracking environmental changes across the Central Highlands and Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Through permanent vegetation plots established over three decades ago, we document shifts in plant communities, snowpack duration, and ecosystem health in response to climate change. This vital research provides early warning indicators of environmental stress and informs adaptive management strategies for Tasmania's sensitive alpine regions.

The alpine ecosystems of Tasmania contain plant species found nowhere else on Earth, many of which have evolved over millions of years to survive in these harsh environments. Our monitoring reveals concerning trends, including upslope migration of plant communities and increased pressure from introduced species. By understanding these complex ecological dynamics, we can develop targeted interventions to preserve these irreplaceable natural treasures.

Our marine research initiative documents and addresses the dramatic changes occurring in Tasmania's coastal waters due to warming ocean temperatures and shifting currents. Once home to extensive giant kelp forests, Tasmania has lost over 95% of these crucial marine habitats in recent decades. Our team conducts regular underwater surveys, satellite tracking of marine temperature anomalies, and experimental restoration of kelp ecosystems. This work provides critical data on the cascading effects of marine habitat loss on fish populations, invertebrate communities, and coastal productivity.

Through pioneering "Super Kelp" breeding programs, we're developing heat-resistant strains of giant kelp that can withstand warming waters, offering hope for ecosystem recovery. Our research extends to understanding the complex interplay between commercial fishing practices, marine protected areas, and ecosystem resilience in a changing ocean climate. This holistic approach ensures that conservation efforts address both immediate threats and long-term sustainability challenges.