Sympatric speciation, the idea that species can arise without a period of geographical isolation, is at the centre of one of the longest running and most contentious debates in evolutionary biology. In The Origin, Darwin presented a verbal model of speciation that did not require geographical isolation. Since that time, support for sympatric models of...

This report looks at the proven benefits of marine parks for fish stocks (and therefore for the fishing industry), and estimates the value of ecosystem services provided by areas to be covered by the new marine parks. It also puts the modest and short-term economic impacts of the new marine reserves on the fishing industry...

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the revised Basin Plan to ministers as part of the next step in the process of developing a plan for the Murray–Darling Basin. The MDBA also released a report detailing the changes that have been made to the draft based on submissions received during the consultation period.

Climate change and water management are two of the most important public policy issues facing Australia. Adding to existing water management challenges is the fact that climate change, and policies aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change, can strongly affect water management outcomes. The National Water Commission’s 2011 biennial assessment of progress under the...

This draft report was released to assist participants in preparing a submission to the public inquiry into Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation. Climate change adaptation is action by households, firms, other organisations and governments to respond to the impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided through climate change mitigation efforts. An effective national...