Associate ProfessorSusanna Venn

Combining snow science and seed ecology to better manage alpine ecosystems

Using plant functional traits to find generalities in alpine vegetation change worldwide

Snow, shrub and climate feedbacks: impacts of shrub expansion in the Australian alpine zone

The purpose of the Victorian Alps Protection Working Group (VAP) is to advise the VNPA on matters relevant to the Victorian Alps, including threats to, and the effectiveness of its management in conserving, its outstanding natural and cultural values in perpetuity and remaining a place for visitors to enjoy in harmony with nature. Objectives • To anticipate, investigate and collate evidence and expert opinion to inform VNPA’s strategic directions, advocacy, and campaign requirements, including anticipating risks, responding to proposed new uses and developments, and identifying potential opportunities for additions to the protected area estate. • To monitor current and emerging threats and issues affecting the values and integrity of the Victorian Alps and recommend effective actions VNPA could take to ameliorate identified threats. • To establish connections and relationships with relevant individuals and organisations, including Traditional Owners, to understand their interests and aspirations for the Victorian Alps and clarify their views in-so-far as helping to inform VNPA policy.

The IUCN Alpine Plants Specialist Group is dedicated to fostering collaboration and communication among plant researchers of the isolated alpine ecosystem, which comprises approximately 3% of terrestrial habitats and spans the globe from pole to pole. These are areas above the treeline with a mean growing temperature of less than 6.4°C, recognizing that not all plants in the high-latitude, low-elevation tundra areas may be considered as alpine. Recognizing the profound impacts of climate change on these high and cold regions, we strive to advocate for the conservation of alpine-adapted plants. By collecting and sharing comprehensive observations, we aim to create an invaluable dataset that enhances our understanding of this vulnerable ecosystem and promotes effective conservation strategies. Together, we are committed to safeguarding the future of alpine environments and the unique biodiversity they harbor.

The ARU’s mission is to facilitate the development and capacity-building of a high-excellence African-based mountain research ‘community of practice’ that informs global mountain research theory and practice and contributes to mountain-related policy and governance from an African perspective, thus balancing a predominance of mountain research driven from the Global North and the Northern Hemisphere.

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is established under section 8 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act), and its functions are: (a) to advise the Minister for Environment and Minister for Agriculture on the listing of taxa or communities of flora and fauna and potentially threatening processes (b) to advise the Ministers on any other flora and fauna conservation matters. The SAC consists of 7 to 9 scientists from government, education or private sector backgrounds appointed by the Ministers. The majority are not Victorian Government employees. All members are experts in flora or fauna conservation or ecology. The convenor of the SAC is a non-government scientist. Members of the public or organisations can nominate items for the SAC to consider for listing or reassessment.

GMBA is a platform for international and cross-disciplinary collaboration on the assessment, conservation, and sustainable use of mountain biodiversity. Its primary aims are to (i) coordinate and promote scientific research on current and future change in mountain biodiversity and in the provisioning of ecosystem services by mountain regions; (ii) facilitate the access to and usage of research outcomes for scientists, policy makers, and stakeholders; (iii) provide a framework for bottom-up involvement of policy makers and stakeholders in research efforts via tools such as co-design and participatory modelling.