Innovation and research
International Tundra Experiment (ITEX)
The Department of Sustainability and Environment is a supporting partner for the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) - a scientific network of experiments focusing on the impact of climate change on selected plant species in tundra and alpine vegetation. The Victorian Government is supporting one of only two southern hemisphere components of this research, which involves warming parts of the alpine environment with small open topped chambers to observe how species, plant communities and landscapes are likely to respond to climate change.
This research in the Victorian alps includes studies of genetics, ecology, species interactions, and land management and will lead to a better understanding of the management actions most likely to effectively conserve biodiversity in the face of climate change.
Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation
The Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research, established in September 2009 is located at the University of Melbourne as a centre of excellence in developing solutions to the impacts of climate change on Victoria.
The Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Research Centre (VicCCCAR) supports the Victorian Government's other climate change investments and programs, help the Government address knowledge gaps and build on existing capacity and learning. The Centre will inform government decisions about how to best respond to changes in our climate, encourage the inclusion of adaptation needs into government planning by bringing together cross-disciplinary expertise.
The Centre will be co-ordinated through the University of Melbourne with other members from Monash, La Trobe and RMIT universities. It aims to foster a collaborative effort between the Victorian Government and Victorian universities to undertake climate change adaptation research and assist in building the capacity of both the Victorian Government and the university sector.
Increasing Victoria's capacity to undertake multi-disciplinary research on climate change adaptation, specific to Victoria, will underpin evidence-based policy development. By supporting the Research Centre, Victoria will also be able to engage with, and contribute to, national and global networks, research knowledge gaps between traditional disciplines, and provide direct evidence to support to the ability of government and the community to make better choices in an uncertain future.
The Victorian Government committed $5 million dollars to the Centre over the next 5 years.
Professor Rod Keenan, former head of the Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science within the University of Melbourne is the inaugural Director of the Centre. Professor Keenan oversees the development of a research program that will include annual forums to showcase research, a research grants program to complement the national adaptation research efforts, regional think tanks and a visiting fellowship program to draw on international expertise.
More more information about the Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research visit the VCCCAR website.
Project updates
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What is climate change?
Adapting to climate change video
