Resilient environments and communities

The protection and restoration of ecosystems is critical to combating climate change, pollution, desertification and loss of biodiversity.

La Trobe researchers work in partnership with environment and community groups, government, industry and First Peoples to develop new approaches to ensure our ecosystems and natural resources are resilient, sustainable, biodiverse and protected. La Trobe is uniquely positioned to engage with regional communities to achieve this goal.

Understand our ecosystems

Our researchers ensure conservation and biodiversity by investigating how species and ecosystems respond to environmental changes.

Respond to climate change

Our researchers safeguard landscapes, resources and communities by examining the impact of climate and environmental threats.

Promote agricultural sustainability

Our researchers provide solutions to ensure that sustainable agricultural practices enhance environmental resilience for improved health and wellbeing.

New role to accelerate climate change adaptation

Establishing Australia's first Climate Change Adaptation Lab

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Scientist set out to sing the story of our origins

At the close of the 18th century, the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn wrote one of his masterpieces: an oratorio – a large concert piece for orchestra, choir and solo singers – entitled The Creation, with a libretto based on the biblical story of the creation of the world.

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Sex lives of orchids reads like science fiction

An international team of scientists including researchers at La Trobe University and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria have created a global database of pollination data for almost 3000 orchid species.

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Non-native plants climbing the Australian Alps

La Trobe University researchers have found an increase in non-native plants species reaching new altitudes at sites near Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and in New South Wales in the last 10 years.

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Alien plants and animals threaten Antarctica

The most complete and up-to-date record of alien plants and animals into Antarctica – despite strict controls on biosecurity – reveals these alien species invasions are a key threat to Antarctic ecosystems.

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Relying on predictions to guide conservation

We asked eight experienced ornithologists to predict how bird species respond when farmland is revegetated – a common conservation practice.

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