Dr. Mariah Millington
@letminnow.bsky.social
Aquatic biosecurity 🕵️ | Invasive freshwater fish 🚫🐟 | Wildlife trade 👩💻 | Embracing the slow life ☕🧵📚
AFSS 2024- Elaine Yuen looked at the semi-natural Tung Chung river in Hong Kong's "concrete jungle" 🌁🏞️
With a new city being built on its banks encompassing 60% of the valley, developers must convert the current concrete channel to a sustainable urban drainage system to help migratory fish 🌿🏞️
With a new city being built on its banks encompassing 60% of the valley, developers must convert the current concrete channel to a sustainable urban drainage system to help migratory fish 🌿🏞️
an aerial view of a city at night with a sign that says converse on it
ALT: an aerial view of a city at night with a sign that says converse on it
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 9:01 PM
AFSS 2024- Elaine Yuen looked at the semi-natural Tung Chung river in Hong Kong's "concrete jungle" 🌁🏞️
With a new city being built on its banks encompassing 60% of the valley, developers must convert the current concrete channel to a sustainable urban drainage system to help migratory fish 🌿🏞️
With a new city being built on its banks encompassing 60% of the valley, developers must convert the current concrete channel to a sustainable urban drainage system to help migratory fish 🌿🏞️
AFSS 2024- Richard Marchant gave an insight into how Macquarie Isl. has faired after rabbit populations were eradicated 🐇 🏝️
Despite 10 years since eradication, minimal plant recovery was recorded, with spp richness still 30% reduced from pre-rabbit. But, improvements in flatworms & crustaceans 🦀
Despite 10 years since eradication, minimal plant recovery was recorded, with spp richness still 30% reduced from pre-rabbit. But, improvements in flatworms & crustaceans 🦀
a rabbit sitting on the ground with a national geographic logo behind it
ALT: a rabbit sitting on the ground with a national geographic logo behind it
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:55 PM
AFSS 2024- Richard Marchant gave an insight into how Macquarie Isl. has faired after rabbit populations were eradicated 🐇 🏝️
Despite 10 years since eradication, minimal plant recovery was recorded, with spp richness still 30% reduced from pre-rabbit. But, improvements in flatworms & crustaceans 🦀
Despite 10 years since eradication, minimal plant recovery was recorded, with spp richness still 30% reduced from pre-rabbit. But, improvements in flatworms & crustaceans 🦀
AFSS 2024- Rodney Ubrihien explored better methods at assessing urban leaf litter productivity 🍂🌁
Using tank water, concrete channels, & barriers to better simulate urban gutters, Rodney found introduced species released ⏫ organic matter after multiple rain events, & continued release in natives 🍂
Using tank water, concrete channels, & barriers to better simulate urban gutters, Rodney found introduced species released ⏫ organic matter after multiple rain events, & continued release in natives 🍂
a young boy squatting down on a sidewalk looking at a puddle of water
ALT: a young boy squatting down on a sidewalk looking at a puddle of water
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:45 PM
AFSS 2024- Rodney Ubrihien explored better methods at assessing urban leaf litter productivity 🍂🌁
Using tank water, concrete channels, & barriers to better simulate urban gutters, Rodney found introduced species released ⏫ organic matter after multiple rain events, & continued release in natives 🍂
Using tank water, concrete channels, & barriers to better simulate urban gutters, Rodney found introduced species released ⏫ organic matter after multiple rain events, & continued release in natives 🍂
AFSS 2024- Isobel Walcott studied urban greening to reduce heat islands 🌡️🏝️
Wicking garden beds in carparks drained & stored water, increasing soil moisture retention & improving tree condition compared to traditional garden beds 💧🌳
Wicking garden beds in carparks drained & stored water, increasing soil moisture retention & improving tree condition compared to traditional garden beds 💧🌳
a bunch of white flowers growing next to a tree
ALT: a bunch of white flowers growing next to a tree
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:37 PM
AFSS 2024- Isobel Walcott studied urban greening to reduce heat islands 🌡️🏝️
Wicking garden beds in carparks drained & stored water, increasing soil moisture retention & improving tree condition compared to traditional garden beds 💧🌳
Wicking garden beds in carparks drained & stored water, increasing soil moisture retention & improving tree condition compared to traditional garden beds 💧🌳
AFSS 2024- Brendan Cox investigated how our intense bushfires impact freshwater invertebrates 🔥🦟
Lab experiments show 55'C significantly reduced diversity, with only 3/21 species found compared to controls.
Sediment acted as refugia, only reaching 37'C & invertebrates actively buried themselves 🔥
Lab experiments show 55'C significantly reduced diversity, with only 3/21 species found compared to controls.
Sediment acted as refugia, only reaching 37'C & invertebrates actively buried themselves 🔥
a close up of a cockroach crawling through the dirt .
ALT: a close up of a cockroach crawling through the dirt .
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:31 PM
AFSS 2024- Brendan Cox investigated how our intense bushfires impact freshwater invertebrates 🔥🦟
Lab experiments show 55'C significantly reduced diversity, with only 3/21 species found compared to controls.
Sediment acted as refugia, only reaching 37'C & invertebrates actively buried themselves 🔥
Lab experiments show 55'C significantly reduced diversity, with only 3/21 species found compared to controls.
Sediment acted as refugia, only reaching 37'C & invertebrates actively buried themselves 🔥
AFSS 2024- Andre Siebers talked about cyanobacterial blooms 🌊🦠
Andre told us there has been an increase in the intensity, frequency, & duration of these blooms which has caused widespread "brownification" of waterways as they carry higher organic matter loads 🏞️🦠
Andre told us there has been an increase in the intensity, frequency, & duration of these blooms which has caused widespread "brownification" of waterways as they carry higher organic matter loads 🏞️🦠
a person is holding a blue spoon in a bowl of water with the word mundo on the bottom right
ALT: a person is holding a blue spoon in a bowl of water with the word mundo on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:23 PM
AFSS 2024- Andre Siebers talked about cyanobacterial blooms 🌊🦠
Andre told us there has been an increase in the intensity, frequency, & duration of these blooms which has caused widespread "brownification" of waterways as they carry higher organic matter loads 🏞️🦠
Andre told us there has been an increase in the intensity, frequency, & duration of these blooms which has caused widespread "brownification" of waterways as they carry higher organic matter loads 🏞️🦠
AFSS 2024- David Deane looked ahead to how climate change might shift wetland plant functional groups 🔮🌿
Looking at hydrological risk, David was able to keenly identify wetland plant community shifts & what functional groups would be replaced as rainfall decreases 🌧️🚫🌿
Looking at hydrological risk, David was able to keenly identify wetland plant community shifts & what functional groups would be replaced as rainfall decreases 🌧️🚫🌿
a map of the world showing temperatures from 1880 -1884
ALT: a map of the world showing temperatures from 1880 -1884
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:16 PM
AFSS 2024- David Deane looked ahead to how climate change might shift wetland plant functional groups 🔮🌿
Looking at hydrological risk, David was able to keenly identify wetland plant community shifts & what functional groups would be replaced as rainfall decreases 🌧️🚫🌿
Looking at hydrological risk, David was able to keenly identify wetland plant community shifts & what functional groups would be replaced as rainfall decreases 🌧️🚫🌿
AFSS 2024- Catherine Leigh looked at differences in pest plant invasions between wetland protection levels ⛲🌿
Catherine found conserved wetlands with good riparian zone buffers had <15% of their plant community as pest plants, but this was up to 100% in unprotected wetlands 🚫🌿
Catherine found conserved wetlands with good riparian zone buffers had <15% of their plant community as pest plants, but this was up to 100% in unprotected wetlands 🚫🌿
the trees are reflected in the water and the sun is shining through them
ALT: the trees are reflected in the water and the sun is shining through them
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:06 PM
AFSS 2024- Catherine Leigh looked at differences in pest plant invasions between wetland protection levels ⛲🌿
Catherine found conserved wetlands with good riparian zone buffers had <15% of their plant community as pest plants, but this was up to 100% in unprotected wetlands 🚫🌿
Catherine found conserved wetlands with good riparian zone buffers had <15% of their plant community as pest plants, but this was up to 100% in unprotected wetlands 🚫🌿
AFSS 2024- Another great waterbird talk by Heather McGinness, this time on satellite tracking to understand lifecycles & important habitats 🦆🛰️📡
With a key waterbird "flyway" found between nesting, foraging, & stopover sites, scientists now know where targeted water releases are vital 🛣️🦆
With a key waterbird "flyway" found between nesting, foraging, & stopover sites, scientists now know where targeted water releases are vital 🛣️🦆
a flock of birds are flying over a body of water with a netflix logo in the background
ALT: a flock of birds are flying over a body of water with a netflix logo in the background
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:00 PM
AFSS 2024- Another great waterbird talk by Heather McGinness, this time on satellite tracking to understand lifecycles & important habitats 🦆🛰️📡
With a key waterbird "flyway" found between nesting, foraging, & stopover sites, scientists now know where targeted water releases are vital 🛣️🦆
With a key waterbird "flyway" found between nesting, foraging, & stopover sites, scientists now know where targeted water releases are vital 🛣️🦆
AFSS 2024- Samantha Tonisoo gave an update on the governmental changes to the guiding document for waterway barrier works 🚧🐟
The aim is to improve fish passage by altering existing or future barriers such as culverts to help fish migrate and disperse 🌊🐟🏞️
The aim is to improve fish passage by altering existing or future barriers such as culverts to help fish migrate and disperse 🌊🐟🏞️
a pipe with water coming out of it in a field
ALT: a pipe with water coming out of it in a field
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:52 PM
AFSS 2024- Samantha Tonisoo gave an update on the governmental changes to the guiding document for waterway barrier works 🚧🐟
The aim is to improve fish passage by altering existing or future barriers such as culverts to help fish migrate and disperse 🌊🐟🏞️
The aim is to improve fish passage by altering existing or future barriers such as culverts to help fish migrate and disperse 🌊🐟🏞️
AFSS 2024- Ryan Burrows looked at how billabong metabolism changes after high flow creates connectivity with the main river channel 🌊🏞️
Ryan found primary production and respiration was higher in billabongs where it had been a long time since last connection ⏫📈
Ryan found primary production and respiration was higher in billabongs where it had been a long time since last connection ⏫📈
a large body of water surrounded by trees with a watermark that says ' brooklyn ' on the bottom
ALT: a large body of water surrounded by trees with a watermark that says ' brooklyn ' on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:50 PM
AFSS 2024- Ryan Burrows looked at how billabong metabolism changes after high flow creates connectivity with the main river channel 🌊🏞️
Ryan found primary production and respiration was higher in billabongs where it had been a long time since last connection ⏫📈
Ryan found primary production and respiration was higher in billabongs where it had been a long time since last connection ⏫📈
AFSS 2024- Jean Dind investigated how River Red Gum leaf litter in soils can suppress plant growth through leachate chemicals 🚫🌿
Jean found soils under & around these trees significantly reduced the ability for rooted plants to grow as these leachate chemicals are stored in the soil 🍂 🧪
Jean found soils under & around these trees significantly reduced the ability for rooted plants to grow as these leachate chemicals are stored in the soil 🍂 🧪
a person is digging in a pile of mulch which says high quality mulch
ALT: a person is digging in a pile of mulch which says high quality mulch
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:41 PM
AFSS 2024- Jean Dind investigated how River Red Gum leaf litter in soils can suppress plant growth through leachate chemicals 🚫🌿
Jean found soils under & around these trees significantly reduced the ability for rooted plants to grow as these leachate chemicals are stored in the soil 🍂 🧪
Jean found soils under & around these trees significantly reduced the ability for rooted plants to grow as these leachate chemicals are stored in the soil 🍂 🧪
AFSS 2024- Mike Grace looked at how flooding impacted the "breathing" of Goulburn River 🏞️💨
Mike found no boom or bust in productivity, as all the organic materials were used up out on the floodplain before the waters receded to the river bed 🚫🏞️
Mike found no boom or bust in productivity, as all the organic materials were used up out on the floodplain before the waters receded to the river bed 🚫🏞️
a video of a swirl of water in a desert with the words viralhog on the bottom right
ALT: a video of a swirl of water in a desert with the words viralhog on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:34 PM
AFSS 2024- Mike Grace looked at how flooding impacted the "breathing" of Goulburn River 🏞️💨
Mike found no boom or bust in productivity, as all the organic materials were used up out on the floodplain before the waters receded to the river bed 🚫🏞️
Mike found no boom or bust in productivity, as all the organic materials were used up out on the floodplain before the waters receded to the river bed 🚫🏞️
AFSS 2024- Kris Kleeman discussed water quality issues in Lake Hume after the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires were followed by 4 years of heavy summer rainfall 🔥🌧️🏞️
Kris reported:
1. lake water gave a sulphurous smell 💨
2. acidity levels damaged vegetation 🌿
3. crayfish "rusted", changing colour 🦀
Kris reported:
1. lake water gave a sulphurous smell 💨
2. acidity levels damaged vegetation 🌿
3. crayfish "rusted", changing colour 🦀
an aerial view of a forest fire with the netflix logo in the corner
ALT: an aerial view of a forest fire with the netflix logo in the corner
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:31 PM
AFSS 2024- Kris Kleeman discussed water quality issues in Lake Hume after the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires were followed by 4 years of heavy summer rainfall 🔥🌧️🏞️
Kris reported:
1. lake water gave a sulphurous smell 💨
2. acidity levels damaged vegetation 🌿
3. crayfish "rusted", changing colour 🦀
Kris reported:
1. lake water gave a sulphurous smell 💨
2. acidity levels damaged vegetation 🌿
3. crayfish "rusted", changing colour 🦀
🎤 Concurrent session 1 🎤
AFSS 2024- Will Higgisson talked about an amazing discovery of a 2nd olive perchlet population in the lower Murray-Darling Basin 🏞️🐟
Surprisingly, Will found the new population was genetically distinct & had survived the millennium drought in deep human-developed ponds 🌊🐟
AFSS 2024- Will Higgisson talked about an amazing discovery of a 2nd olive perchlet population in the lower Murray-Darling Basin 🏞️🐟
Surprisingly, Will found the new population was genetically distinct & had survived the millennium drought in deep human-developed ponds 🌊🐟
December 4, 2024 at 4:25 AM
🎤 Concurrent session 1 🎤
AFSS 2024- Will Higgisson talked about an amazing discovery of a 2nd olive perchlet population in the lower Murray-Darling Basin 🏞️🐟
Surprisingly, Will found the new population was genetically distinct & had survived the millennium drought in deep human-developed ponds 🌊🐟
AFSS 2024- Will Higgisson talked about an amazing discovery of a 2nd olive perchlet population in the lower Murray-Darling Basin 🏞️🐟
Surprisingly, Will found the new population was genetically distinct & had survived the millennium drought in deep human-developed ponds 🌊🐟
Plenary speaker Erin O'Donnell made us think about the rights of rivers 🌊⚖️
We see water as a resource that we manage/control, but is this the relationship we want?
Instead of the usual extraction narrative in Australia, what do we want FOR the river and how do we get there WITH the river?
We see water as a resource that we manage/control, but is this the relationship we want?
Instead of the usual extraction narrative in Australia, what do we want FOR the river and how do we get there WITH the river?
December 3, 2024 at 11:23 PM
Plenary speaker Erin O'Donnell made us think about the rights of rivers 🌊⚖️
We see water as a resource that we manage/control, but is this the relationship we want?
Instead of the usual extraction narrative in Australia, what do we want FOR the river and how do we get there WITH the river?
We see water as a resource that we manage/control, but is this the relationship we want?
Instead of the usual extraction narrative in Australia, what do we want FOR the river and how do we get there WITH the river?
AFSS 2024- Emmalie Sanders reviewed the global decline of freshwater mammals 🌊🐹
Emmalie found 38% of freshwater mammals are imperilled primarily due to resource use and agriculture, with bigger animals that need to disperse/migrate most at-risk 🏞️
Emmalie found 38% of freshwater mammals are imperilled primarily due to resource use and agriculture, with bigger animals that need to disperse/migrate most at-risk 🏞️
a sea otter is swimming in the water with its arms outstretched .
ALT: a sea otter is swimming in the water with its arms outstretched .
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:39 AM
AFSS 2024- Emmalie Sanders reviewed the global decline of freshwater mammals 🌊🐹
Emmalie found 38% of freshwater mammals are imperilled primarily due to resource use and agriculture, with bigger animals that need to disperse/migrate most at-risk 🏞️
Emmalie found 38% of freshwater mammals are imperilled primarily due to resource use and agriculture, with bigger animals that need to disperse/migrate most at-risk 🏞️
AFSS 2024- Belinda Robson looked at farm dams as drought refugia in Western Australia 🏜️⛲
Unfortunately, Belinda found community differences between dams and rivers, meaning dams won't be a refuge for flow dependant species 🏞️🚫
Unfortunately, Belinda found community differences between dams and rivers, meaning dams won't be a refuge for flow dependant species 🏞️🚫
an aerial view of a lake mead in 1984
ALT: an aerial view of a lake mead in 1984
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:35 AM
AFSS 2024- Belinda Robson looked at farm dams as drought refugia in Western Australia 🏜️⛲
Unfortunately, Belinda found community differences between dams and rivers, meaning dams won't be a refuge for flow dependant species 🏞️🚫
Unfortunately, Belinda found community differences between dams and rivers, meaning dams won't be a refuge for flow dependant species 🏞️🚫
AFSS 2024- Sally Maxwell used the power of ChatGPT for her literature review in sorting & analysing huge piles of results 📚👩🏻💻
Sally found floodplain management globally predominantly focuses on vegetation restoration, but in Australia we mainly do flow restoration 🏞️🌿
Sally found floodplain management globally predominantly focuses on vegetation restoration, but in Australia we mainly do flow restoration 🏞️🌿
a man is squatting down in a garden with a shovel .
ALT: a man is squatting down in a garden with a shovel .
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:30 AM
AFSS 2024- Sally Maxwell used the power of ChatGPT for her literature review in sorting & analysing huge piles of results 📚👩🏻💻
Sally found floodplain management globally predominantly focuses on vegetation restoration, but in Australia we mainly do flow restoration 🏞️🌿
Sally found floodplain management globally predominantly focuses on vegetation restoration, but in Australia we mainly do flow restoration 🏞️🌿
AFSS 2024- Heather McGiness looked ahead at the potential spread of human zoonoses from waterbirds in Australia 🦠🦆🐔
Heather told us that avian flu is likely to come in soon from overseas via migrating waterbirds, and spread rapidly as waterbirds link wetlands, urban areas, and agricultural land 🏞️🐖🏙️
Heather told us that avian flu is likely to come in soon from overseas via migrating waterbirds, and spread rapidly as waterbirds link wetlands, urban areas, and agricultural land 🏞️🐖🏙️
a cartoon of a chicken wrapped in a blanket holding a cup of tea .
ALT: a cartoon of a chicken wrapped in a blanket holding a cup of tea .
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:19 AM
AFSS 2024- Heather McGiness looked ahead at the potential spread of human zoonoses from waterbirds in Australia 🦠🦆🐔
Heather told us that avian flu is likely to come in soon from overseas via migrating waterbirds, and spread rapidly as waterbirds link wetlands, urban areas, and agricultural land 🏞️🐖🏙️
Heather told us that avian flu is likely to come in soon from overseas via migrating waterbirds, and spread rapidly as waterbirds link wetlands, urban areas, and agricultural land 🏞️🐖🏙️