Category: Environment

NCWQ July Environment Report By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser. Researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) have shown that without major disturbances from cyclones, coral bleaching and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, coral reefs can recover as measured by hard coral cover.  But that the composition of coral species can change.  However, if the frequency and severity of disturbances increases, as expected from climate change, recovery could be more difficult.

By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser. This report focusses on water quality in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). As noted in the Position Statement by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA),  pollutants in land-based run-off are a major threat to water quality of the GBR and particularly inshore marine ecosystems and consequently to the long-term health and resilience of the GBR.  

By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser Renewable technology has advanced, helped by the support and funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Security and reliability of supply has led to an interest in systems

By Pat Pepper,NCWQ Environment Adviser The Problem: Too much water or more often not enough is a perennial problem in Australia. Recently billions of megalitres (ML) of water flooded out to sea while major parts

By Pat Pepper,NCWQ Environment Adviser Condition of Great Barrier Reef (GBR): The Australian Institute of Marine Science’s (AIMS) Annual GBR Condition Update report shows hard coral cover continued to decline in the central and southern