The race to save endangered orchids

Scientists from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are in a race against time to save some of Australia’s most endangered native orchids.

The Meg is a horror story but our treatment of sharks is scarier

While fiction about shark attacks fascinate the public, in reality, it is the sharks who suffer at the hands of man. Millions are slaughtered every year, despite the vital role they play in ocean ecology.

Why heatwaves hit some cities harder than others

Heatwave-related deaths are influenced not only by absolute temperatures but also by how acclimatised people are to heat, according to new research published in ‘Climatic Change’.

Fairy wrens learn by listening in

New research involving biologists from The Australian National University (ANU) shows that some birds are just as skilled as humans at eavesdropping.

Working with nature can help us build greener cities

A more strategic approach to urban growth can ensure our cities maintain adequate green space and become low-carbon, efficient and affordable.

City-slicker kiwis: bringing natives back to the big smoke

Restoring New Zealand’s native species should not be limited to national parks or isolated islands of protection – creatures like kiwi, bats, and tuatara could also be reintroduced into suitably prepared urban areas.

Whatever happened to the ‘eighth wonder of the world’?

The fate of the spectacular Pink and White Terraces of Lake Rotomahana in New Zealand has been contentious since they disappeared following the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. New research may hold the answer.

Why the plastic bag backflip is a bad idea

Supermarket Coles has backflipped on its vow to dump single-use plastic bags saying customers aren’t coping with the change to reusable bags. Six experts explain why it’s a bad idea

How dingoes sculpt the landscape of the Australian desert

A new study by UNSW scientists has shown how the presence – and absence – of dingoes affects the desert landscape.

Feral cats threaten endangered possums

New evidence has raised concerns about the possibility of feral cats preying upon the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, with a cat detected on cameras at two nest boxes used by the possums.

Our ocean wilderness is rapidly disappearing

An international study led by University of Queensland scientists has found that only 13 per cent of the ocean can still be classified as wilderness, untouched by commercial shipping, sediment runoff and fishing.

Top 7 eco-friendly backyard ideas

Gardens can offer a valuable haven for wildlife as well as people, replenishing the local environment rather than acting as another drain on natural resources.