Two CRC researchers, from Queensland’s Environmental
Protection Agency, have been recognised in Australia ’s
premier science awards, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
Dr Rod Fensham and Russell Fairfax from the EPA’s Botanical
Sciences Unit (QLD Herbarium) won the Sherman Eureka Award for
Environmental Research and $10,000 prize money. Rod and Russell
have been regular participants in previous CRC projects and Rod is
part of the CRC’s new project on vegetation change.
The work of the botanists has significantly contributed to the
understanding of issues related to land clearing in northern
Australia and provided impetus for the development of a range of
conservation measures for protecting native vegetation.
According to the EPA, their research has influenced management of
native vegetation in Queensland , resulting in the acquisition of
reserve areas and a range of cooperative measures to protect native
vegetation.
Some of their work to highlight the biodiversity consequences of
dramatic rates of clearing has underpinned the scientific rationale
for legislation prohibiting broadscale vegetation clearing in
Queensland in 2006."
The Botanic Gardens Trust Eureka Prize is presented to an
Australian individual, team or organisation for innovative
scientific research that makes an outstanding contribution to the
conservation of Australia's biodiversity.
Visit the website below for further information about the 2005
Eureka Awards.
Check out Catalyst
Rod Fensham and Russell Fairfax also appeared on the ABC’s
Science Show Catalyst on 11 August. The show highlighted their work
over the past 10 years investigating the causes of woody thickening
in Queensland . Their research has demonstrated the influence of
climate on thinning and thickening of vegetation. To read the
transcript to the story go to the ABC website, link below.
You can also read about the new CRC project on vegetation change
through the research link below.
