Curtin University\u2019s Institute for Biodiversity and Climate (CIBC) researchers are organising the inaugural Margaret River Flourish Symposium to discuss how climate change will affect the South-West.<\/p>\n
CIBC Director, Associate Professor Grant Wardell-Johnson, said Flourish was a great opportunity to build understanding in the community about issues involving the safeguarding and management of safe havens for biodiversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe South-West has been facing anthropogenic climate change for decades, and drying and warming trends are set to continue,\u201d Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA drying South-West climate will place increasing stress on these forested ecosystems, with fire a particular concern under more frequent extreme conditions. This will require new management approaches to safeguard the diverse vegetation and wildlife of the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson said he would use the Symposium to open a dialogue with community, scientists, industry and local government about the environmental challenges and threats faced by the region, as well as highlighting the importance for practical research outcomes in conservation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe South-West is home to more than 7,300 native plant species, 49 per cent of which are unique to this region, and more than 2,500 species presenting a conservation concern. Moreover, numerous surviving species in this environment have their origins deep in evolutionary time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, the bio-geographic and conservation significance of these environments is profound. Our Mediterranean-climate region occupies the south-west corner of the world\u2019s most arid and insular populated continent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson said the ecology of the region existed on old, highly weathered, nutrient-deficient, and fire-prone landscapes.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, this hotspot is projected to be the most adversely affected under climate change projections,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth-Western Australia\u2019s high rainfall zone is now an important \u2018safe haven\u2019 for the conservation of its remaining animals and plants but faces significant threat.\u201d<\/p>\n
CIBC researchers will be at the Flourish Symposium in Margaret River on 7 October 2011. They will also be attending a number of associated Flourish activities over the weekend of 8 and 9 October, to outline research activity in the safeguarding and management of refugia for biodiversity in the South-West.<\/p>\n
Flourish will host a symposium, exhibitors, entertainers, displays, educational activities, workshops, topical speaker sessions, interactive demonstrations, children\u2019s activities and an exclusive Under the Stars dinner.<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson will present his talk, Forests and biodiversity in south-western Australia: An introduction, on Friday 7 October.<\/p>\n
Contacts :<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Grant Wardell-Johnson, Director CIBC, Curtin University Andrea Barnard, Public Relations, Curtin University
\nTel: 08 9266 3702, Mob: 0413 628 201, Email: g.wardell-johnson@curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTel: 08 9266 4241, Mob: 0401 103 755, Email: andrea.barnard@curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n