Category: Science

Getting to know Gariwerd
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Getting to know Gariwerd

Back in 2006, a major wildfire burned approximately 85,000 hectares of the Grampians National Park. Lightning sparked the blaze and a burning question – how will the system respond to this large, high intensity fire?...

Wild and Proud
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Wild and Proud

This is going to be contentious, but I’ve got to say it, parasites – particularly our native parasites – are pretty darn awesome. Almost every animal, bird, and fish has at least one endemic parasite, which means that they account for a large amount of biodiversity...

Toadfish: Getting a Bad Rap?
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Toadfish: Getting a Bad Rap?

During my many dives and snorkels in Port Phillip Bay, I have always enjoyed coming across toadfish (Tetractenos glaber) – their curious demeanour along with their big eyes and upturned ‘smiling’ face have always made them a delight to encounter...

Oasis in the Desert
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Oasis in the Desert

Imagine, just for a second, that you were transported to far-Western Victoria as it was 300 years ago. The sweeping plains and occasional dunes continue on as far as the eye can see, with not a scrap of barbed wire in sight....

Melbourne’s Parasites: Biodiversity Unseen
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Melbourne’s Parasites: Biodiversity Unseen

Parasites include a huge proportion of the Earth’s biodiversity, with some categorising more than half of the world’s animal species as parasites. This is an aspect of biodiversity rarely seen and even more rarely thought about. However, this group includes some of the most fascinating animals found in the natural world...