A healthy and sustainable environment is essential to all humanity.
Population growth and climate change are already impacting on important elements of the environment and their ability to support social and economic benefits for humanity. Key coastal and catchment ecosystems are already facing escalating pressure from multiple climate change driven stressors (e.g. extreme weather events, sea level rise) and ongoing degradation through habitat destruction or alteration.
In Australia, over 85% of the population lives within areas projected to be directly affected by catchment or coastal alteration and climate-driven events, and all of the Australian population rely on healthy catchments for their supply of drinkable water. This research program establishes the value of respective catchment and coastal uses, explores key challenges for the future and establishes practical sustainable management options.
Key research priorities include:
- Environmental accounting- valuing our ecosystems
- Bio-sequestration of natural systems