]]
What's New
NCTWR held its first Tropical Rivers Forum on 12 November 2004 at Charles Darwin University to present research conducted to date toward the ‘ Australia's Tropical Rivers - Integrated Data Assessment and Analysis Project'. The Project is funded by Land and Water Australia and consists of three parts: Inventory and Mapping; Risk Assessment and Major Pressures; and Ecosystem Services Framework.
As the Project is still in the early stages of research, the Forum was a productive way for the NCTWR partner organisations (Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, James Cook University, The University of Western Australia & Charles Darwin University) to receive feedback from key stakeholders about their proposed research frameworks and methodologies.
More information on the Tropical Rivers Forum
Researchers from the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist successfully collect type specimens of Eophreatoicus , the genus of isopod that is abundant throughout interstitial waters, and surface seeps and springs of sandstone country of Kakadu and Arnhem Land (including the Jabiluka region).
More information about Eophreatoicus kershawi
Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist staff Maria Bellio and Gary Fox recently spent fifteen days doing an ecological risk assessment of the potential impact of the invasive Ginger ant, Solenopsis geminata, on colonies of seabirds at Ashmore Reef. ( location map showing Ashmore Reef )
Ashmore Reef provides important nesting sites for seabirds and turtles and supports a diverse range of species, including sea snakes, dugongs, and invertebrate fauna. Ecosystems of the Reserve are also recognised under international conventions, such as the JAMBA and CAMBA agreements, and the Reserve has been listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention since November 2002.
More information about Ginger Ant research trip
The Supervising Scientist's Annual Report 2003-2004 is available online at http://www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/annual-report/
We hope we have presented a comprehensive and informative account of the activities of the Supervising Scientist Division during 2003-2004.
However, we would value your feedback on this report.
If you have any suggestions for Supervising Scientist activities that you'd like to read more about and/or different ways you'd like to see the existing information presented, we'd be interested to hear your ideas. If so, please send your views by post or by e-mail to the addresses given below.
Supervising Scientist Division
GPO Box 461
Darwin NT 0801
e-mail: enquiries_ssd@deh.gov.au
The Supervising Scientist's reports on potable water contamination incident at Ranger mine and radiation clearance procedures for vehicles leaving the mine have been tabled by Senator the Hon. Ian Campbell, Minister for the Environment and Heritage.
A media release outlining the government's response to the reports is available from The Hon Ian Macfarlane MP, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources.
The reports are available online:
Prince Charles meeting conference delegates
The conference "Waterbirds around the world" was held in Edinburgh on 3-8 April 2004. Organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Wetlands International and the UK and Dutch governments, the conference was attended by 450 delegates from 90 countries. "Waterbirds around the world" focused on global conservation of waterbird flyways during their full annual cycle, reviewed the last 40 years achievements, and identified needs and initiatives for global flyway conservation and the species and habitats involved.
Max Finlayson and MariaGrazia Bellio from ERISS attended "Waterbirds around the world". Max gave a speech at the opening in his role as President of Wetlands International and a plenary paper on waterbirds and climate change (authors Finlayson, Gitay, Bellio & van Dam). Maria presented a poster 'Status and conservation of the Little Curlew (Numenius minutus) on its wintering grounds'.
Climate change emerged as a major new global threat to waterbirds (already under pressure from pollution, over-harvesting and impacts on wetland habitat). Maria Bellio in an article for the NT Field Naturalist Newsletter notes that a challenge for ornithologists is to convince other disciplines (eg meteorologists, sedimentologists, botanists, invertebrate biologists) to integrate their data to document habitat change and to make reliable forecasts of future needs. This is essential to understand and differentiate the impact of climate change from other human influences and short-term weather effects.
The Edinburgh Declaration was endorsed on the last day. The Edinburgh Declaration is a 'top-level' summary of issues considered by the conference and is targeted at government and international decision-makers.
Prince Charles gave the closing speech at the conference and met with delegates afterwards. Prince Charles's speech is available at http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speechesandarticles/a_speech_by_hrh_the_prince_of_wales_to_the_waterbirds_around_42.html
The Supervising Scientist, Dr Arthur Johnston, today advised the Northern Territory Government that he considered that ERA had met environmental and safety conditions such that he could now support the resumption of full operations at the Ranger mine. More information contained in 6 April media release
Last night the Supervising Scientist, Dr Arthur Johnston, provided advice to NT Government that mining operations could resume at the Ranger mine, subject to certain safety measures. More information contained in 1 April media release
The Supervising Scientist Dr Arthur Johnston said he understood that Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) was considering sending staff back to the Ranger mine site tonight and tomorrow to conduct maintenance. More information contained in 30 March media release
The Commonwealth Government's Supervising Scientist, Dr Arthur Johnston, said today that the people and the environment of Kakadu National Park had not been harmed by the leak of contaminated water from the Ranger mine last week. More information contained in 29 March media release.
Supervising Scientist, Dr Arthur Johnston, has requested Energy Resources Australia (ERA) not to recommence operations at the Ranger mine until he is satisfied that worker health, safety and the environment will not be at risk. More information contained in 26 March media release.
The Supervising Scientist, Dr Arthur Johnston, has been advised by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) that the drinking water supply at the Ranger mine in the Northern Territory has been contaminated. More information contained in 24 March media release.
The Wet has well and truly arrived in Kakadu and all three creeks that are monitored, Magela, Gulungul and Ngarradj, are flowing. Latest environmental monitoring data for the 2003-2004 wet season are now available on the SSD web site.