FENNER SCHOOL SEMINARS

  
Forestry Lecture Theatre :  Forestry Building 48 :  Thursday 8 October : 1.00-2.00pm

Dr Baihua Fu, Research Fellow, iCAM, Fenner School of Environment and Society :  "EXCLAIM2 - A tool for assessing climate change impacts on natural resources at a regional scale"

Abstract : Climate change has been identified as a potentially important element to be considered in natural resource management in the NSW Central West Catchment. A properly-designed decision support system (DSS) can be a useful tool to help managers compile and integrate knowledge and information to identify the potential risks of climate change. To assist the Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in their NRM planning, the prototype of Macquarie EXCLAIM DSS has been developed by iCAM in 2007, which helped explore how plausible climate scenarios could impact on hydrology, water quality, and ecological health. Since then, updated information and knowledge have been developed. To incorporate these new information, the EXCLAIM prototype (EXCLAIM1) has been substantially improved, hence EXCLAIM2. This presentation introduces the framework of EXCLAIM2, and the modelling approaches underlying the DSS. Some key outcomes from the Macquarie Marshes case study are also discussed.

Forestry Lecture Theatre :  Forestry Building 48 :  Thursday 8 October : 2.00-3.00pm

Dr Lorenzo Borselli, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrogeological Protection CNR-IRPI, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy : “State of the art and future development of erosion modelling in Italy and Europe”

Abstract:   Lorenzo Borselli is a senior scientist of the Italian National Research Counsel. He has twenty years of experience in the field on land degradation and hydro-geological risk assessment. In his talk, he will briefly present some of the current land degradation issues affecting the Italian landscapes (particularly in Tuscany), whose origins reside in both geo-hydrological conditions and land management (i.e. badlands, landslides, tillage erosion, and land levelling). He will then outline the main modelling approaches pursued in Italy to assess land degradation and water erosion, from broad-empirical ones to more process-based, in particular Eurosem. He will conclude with sharing his personal views of future developments for erosion modelling in Italy and Europe.

Kathryn Medlock PhD Student, Thursday 8 October, Council Room National Museum of Australia, 9.00-9.30 “The Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) in museums: collecting, science and extinction.”

Abstract:  I will be looking at the trade and exchange of thylacine specimens by museums in the 19th and early 20th century.  The trade in specimens altered over time as scientific advances were made, museum needs changed and extinction loomed. Several aspects of this trade will be examined. As specimens became rare, their value (monetary and scientific) increased.

Forestry Lecture Theatre:  Forestry Building 48:  Thursday 15 October: 1.00–2.00pm

Neil Gunningham, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU :  “Environment Law, Regulation, Governance: Shifting Architectures”

Abstract:  Environmental law and policy has come a long way since the birth of the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, and the launch of the first European environmental policy in 1972. Today law is no longer centre stage but simply one instrument amongst others in the environmental regulator’s toolkit. And talk of regulation may itself be giving way to the broader concept of environmental governance.

This talk examines the evolution of environmental law, regulation and governance over almost four decades. It explores the major initiatives of that period and the lessons that can be learned from them, it maps shifting regulatory architectures and explains what has worked and why, and it considers the changing nature of the environmental challenge itself. Finally it seeks to identify which particular architectures are most suited to deal with particular types of environmental problems.

MORNING TEA

Honours students:  Lance, Ian, Chaturangi, Ed, Nici,  and Jess  will be hosting this week’s morning tea in the John Banks Courtyard.

PUBLICATIONS

Hartmut Holzknecht and Martin Golman:  "Forest Sector Policy Making and Implementation", Chapter 11 (pp. 187 - 202) in R. J. May (ed.) September 2009.    Policy Making and Implementation: Studies from Papua New Guinea State Society and Governance in Melanesia Program, College of Asia Pacific, Monograph, No. 5. Canberra: ANU E Press.  ISBN 9781921536687 $29.95 (GST inclusive),  ISBN 9781921536694 (Online; individual chapters downloadable from ANU E Press website).

Smith, M. and Fankhauser, B. (2009): “Geochemistry and Identification of Australian Red Ochre Deposits”.  PalaeoWorks Technical Report 9.  Online at : http://palaeoworks.anu.edu.au/publications.html

Paull, John (2009) Korea Rediscovers Organic Agriculture, Journal of Bio-Dynamics Tasmania, 95:22-26. Available at: http://orgprints.org/16317/1/16317a.pdf

INFORMATION

Native grassland restoration volunteers wanted: on campus on Thursday 15th October, 12.45 to 3.15 pm.

Volunteers are wanted to help restore an ecologically significant native grassland remnant on campus.  The work will mostly involve weeding.  This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the local flora.  Participation will be limited to 12 volunteers.  Please register with John Fitzgerald by October 8th on john.fitzgerald@anu.edu.au Volunteers should wear sturdy, enclosed footwear and bring a hat and water bottle.  Volunteers should meet at the bus stop outside Old Canberra House (building 73) on Lennox Crossing by 12.45pm.

Saturday 17th October, 9am to 4pm, Fenner School - Friends of Grasslands woodland restoration working bee, Stirling Ridge.

Please let Deb Cleland know if you are willing to lead a weeding team, help set up monitoring points, or run the registration or barbeque, or just volunteer for weeding. Register with Deb Cleland: deborah.cleland@anu.edu.au or 6125 8150 or 0408 283 852.

Jess Weir's new book “Murray River Country”

has been besieged with reviews and interviews - this is a very exciting response to the book from a fine PhD thesis. If you want to contact her, her new e-mail is: <Jess.Weir@aiatsis.gov.au>