Irwin reserve may hold answers for warming: researcher

The secrets to how animals and humans will cope with global warming may be locked in a remote reserve in Cape York, according to University of Queensland scientist Professor Craig Franklin.

Eco-physiologist Professor Franklin is conducting research in the 135,000 hectare Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, which he will discuss at the Inaugural UQ Steve Irwin Wildlife Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Brisbane Institute and sponsored by UQ’s Faculty of Science on April 28. Terri Irwin will be a special guest at the lecture.

A friend and colleague of the late Crocodile Hunter, Professor Franklin will tell the audience about his leadership of the world's longest and largest study of crocodile behaviour, which will involve tracking the movements of more than 100 animals over the next 10 years.

He said studying animals' reactions to changes in their environment could indicate their chances of surviving the full effects of global warming, which may also give humans insight into how they might cope with climate change.

"We hope to learn more about the animals so we can utilise the information to better manage them and protect them," Professor Franklin, who is an Australian Professorial Fellow, said.

"Fundamentally one of the goals of conservation is to understand more about the ecosystem and each of the plants and animals that live within that ecosystem, so that we can put the pieces of the jigsaw together."

Professor Franklin said the reserve _ which contained at least 35 distinct ecosystems and Australia’s greatest biodiversity of fish – was home to unique bauxite springs, which were attracting interest from scientists around the world.

"What’s remarkable is the water in the springs is very acidic. Normally these environments are quite toxic but here there’s a rich fauna of fish, frogs and plants that are able to survive under these very acidic conditions," he said.

"We’ve all heard about acid rain in the northern hemisphere.

"Acid rain normally causes the death of many animals, particularly fish, and we’ve heard of situations where populations have been decimated but here we have a group of animals and plants that can survive and we'd like to know how."

Professor Franklin said the reserve is “a huge commitment to scientific endeavour”.

"There are lots of examples of areas that have been set aside for conservation but the unique thing about this is that Australia Zoo and the Irwins are committed to research, understanding and education.

"This is not R&D for exploitation, it’s purely there for scientific discovery and informing people about the value of biodiversity."

The UQ Steve Irwin Memorial Lecture, hosted by The Brisbane Institute, will be held at 6.15pm on Tuesday 28 April at Customs House in Brisbane. For details, visit: www.brisinst.org.au.

Media Contact: Carmen Myler, Niche Consultants, 0400 791 148
Professor Craig Franklin, 07 3365 2355.