New SE Queensland 'Think Tank' Created to Tackle Past Human-Envrionmental Interactions

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A new group of researchers with unique expertise in understanding past human-environment interactions has just been established. The group is based in the greater Brisbane region and includes scientists from the University of Queensland, Griffith University, QUT and Queensland Museum along with inter-state partners. Queensland is developing rapidly and environmental systems are under stress from both human driven and natural change including rampant urbanisation, resource extraction and the inferred consequences of climate change including sea-level rise. The group has come together to provide base line information to manage and mitigate these emerging social and environmental issues in Queensland.

The new group met at the University of Queensland’s Marine Studies Research Station on North Stradbroke Island on 6-7 March. They call themselves the ‘Palaeo’ Group (Greek for ‘old’); they are made up of leading researchers in archaeology, geomorphology, palaeontology, climatology and other environmental sciences. The meeting highlighted that humans have been responding to climate change, sea level rise, cyclones and fires in this region for thousands of years and there is much to learn about the response of natural systems from these past interactions. There is currently very little understanding of past human-environmental interactions and consequences in Queensland, especially away from major urban centres. The group members are committed to contributing their skills and expertise to solving these important issues of societal concern.

“We have already begun to develop projects around some key themes that relate to managing development in Queensland in a sustainable manner” said Professor James Shulmeister, Head of the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management at the University of Queensland and a leader of the Palaeo Group. “These themes include ‘disentangling European/Indigenous and Natural Impacts on coastal environments in South East Queensland’ and ‘A framework for environmental sustainability in Queensland resource provinces’.

Media Contacts:
Prof. Marshall Weisler (m.weisler@uq.edu.au)
Dr Andrew Fairbairn (a.fairbairn@uq.edu.au)
Prof. James Shulmeister (james.shulmeister@uq.edu.au)

Michelle Langley (media liason) (michelle.langley@uqconnect.edu.au)