In this issue

	ECOS Issue 195

Features

Record rains made Australia a giant green global carbon sink Record-breaking rains triggered so much new growth across Australia that the continent turned into a giant green carbon sink to rival tropical rainforests including the Amazon, our new research shows.

Big tick for entomologists and biosecurity: 3D colour scans of insects Natural-colour 3D digitisation of insects could play a role in protecting Australia‘s environment, its food and agricultural industries, and the health of its people.

Male-only gene trick could leave invasive fish species floundering A genetic modification that creates male-only populations could give Australia a new weapon against invasive fish such as carp that plague its waterways.

Gene ‘poaching’ the secret to eucalypt resilience? Despite what most people think, identifying eucalypts is no easy task. A tree that may look like an alpine ash might also harbour genes more commonly found in a mountain ash tree downslope. In fact, this tendency of eucalypts to readily ‘poach' genes from related species may hold the key to their survival in a rapidly changing climate.

Catching fires in a neural net What do you do in your spare time? Bit of gardening? Swimming? Cooking? How about training a computer neural network to predict where bushfires might break out?

What is climate sensitivity? How much humans add to the greenhouse effect Humans are emitting CO₂and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As these gases build up they trap extra heat and make the climate warmer. But how much warmer? Two of Australia's leading meteorologists explain how the greenhouse effect works.

Birds on the edge: species at risk from climate change 2002 was a dry year in the rainforests of Cape York Peninsula, and proved tough for local bird species, particularly the white-faced robin – a delightful little bird that takes insects from the forest floor. Of the robins that were tagged, only around 25 per cent survived that year (in normal years, annual survival tops 70 per cent).

In Brief - Round-up of sustainability news

Benefits of bush restoration stack up for environment and communities

Australian device could help US clean up contamination faster and at less cost

New research shows plants and rain may have a deeper connection

Mallee biofuel could cut aircraft emissions, create new regional industry

Study will help Bangladesh adapt to a changing climate

Tree for tree, Borneo soaks up more CO2 than the Amazon

Cheaper e-tags enable tracking of more Australian animals

Rising CO2 pushes cold air south, away from Australia

Scientists work with fishing industry to keep an eye on Corner Inlet

‘Green business’ to-date not enough to save the planet warns report

Wind reduces SA emissions with no added burden to the grid

Social, environmental impacts of dams can be reduced: IIED

Environmental experts meet for national ‘Grand Workshop'

The science is in: the solution to pollution is not dilution

Protective skin probiotics may help endangered frogs

‘Baby bonus’ to tackle decline in captive Lao elephant population

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