17 January 2007

Researcher studies impact of climate change on aquatic reptiles

Climate change is a current hot topic for debate. While talk has focused around what it will mean for us, our agriculture and our economy generally, a University of Canberra researcher is looking at how such changes are affecting our aquatic reptiles.

Professor Arthur Georges said the debate has been brought to a head by the combined effects of increased diversion of our scarce freshwaters to meet production goals and the current drought.

"Nowhere are these problems more acute than in our own Murray-Darling basin. Many people are very worried about the future. But what about our wildlife? How will they respond?

"After all, the Australian fauna and flora has probably seen it all before, and those species with us today have persisted. But is the rate of change too fast, or perhaps more importantly, as we strive to protect our interests - our economy and standard of living - are we modifying the system in a way that reduces scope for our wildlife to respond effectively as they have done in the past?" Professor Georges said.

Prof. Georges will give a presentation on his research on turtles and other water-dependent reptiles of the Murray-Darling basin as part of the National Botanic Gardens 'Snakes alive!' exhibition tomorrow, at 12 MD. He will talk on how these aquatic reptiles might meet the challenges of climate change in the Murray-Darling, and what effect our activities might have on their ability to survive if rainfall continues to decline and the demands we place on our waters continue to increase. The public presentation will be co-presented with Sarah Ryan (CSIRO Land and Water).

What           Presentation on Climate change and reptiles of the Murray-Darling Basin

Where         National Botanic Gardens ANBG theatrette (opposite the Visitor Information Centre)

When                   Thursday January 18 at 12 Midday

UC Communications

Gaye Morrison
T: 02 6201 5855
M: 0409 470 755

Kaddie Pass
T: 02 6201 2681

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Last Updated on August 1, 2005