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It is well established in Australian research and policy literature that children attending schools in regional, rural, and remote locations will benefit from access not only to experiences and interactions offered in their own communities but also to the sorts of experiences available to those in more populated areas of Australia as well. Virtual interactions afforded by technology are an obvious solution to achieving this access by enabling Australian classrooms to be increasingly connected. However, with the plethora on offer and little oversight of their quality, literacy educators are left to sift and sort through volumes of virtual interactions and to make decisions regarding their capacity to promote the development of oral language through play. Using a design-based research approach, this study aimed to identify in research literature key principles for the design of virtual interactions for children that can support the development of oral language through play and test them against those currently on offer. The study confirmed the value of virtual interactions as rich sources for learning that offered shared experiences built on language interactions between creators and users and giving access to new information where learning is scaffolded and understandings can be transferred from virtual to real contexts. The study also identified personal advantages that access to new physical geographies within virtual interactions can offer to those in regional, rural, and remote communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the remarkable aspects of Australian life is its big-city focus and the status of inner suburbs versus outer suburbs, freeways, and airports. Explaining to somebody that you live in an inner suburb conjures up images and not so subtle reference points depending upon whether it is an inner-west suburb, an inner-east suburb, or an inner-northern suburb of Melbourne. As much a social status is important and as much as living in the right suburb is an effective way of signalling social status, it is arguable that the financial importance of where you live is part and parcel of the reproduction of Australia's elite. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: We quantify spatial turnover in communities of 1939 plant and 59 mammal species at 2.5 km resolution across a topographically heterogeneous region in south-eastern Australia to identify distributional breaks and low turnover zones where multiple species distributions overlap. Environmental turnover is measured to determine how climate, topography and geology influence biotic turnover differently across a variety of biogeographic breaks and overlaps. We identify the genera driving turnover and confirm the versatility of this approach across spatial scales and locations. Methods: Directional moving window analyses, rotated through 360°, were used to measure spatial turnover variation in different directions between gridded cells containing georeferenced plant and mammal occurrences and environmental variables. Generalised linear models were used to compare taxic turnover results with equivalent analyses for geology, regolith weathering, elevation, slope, solar radiation, annual precipitation and annual mean temperature, both uniformly across the entire study area and by stratifying it into zones of high and low turnover. Identified breaks and transitions were compared to a conservation bioregionalisation framework widely used in Australia. Results/Significance: Detailed delineations of plant and mammal turnover zones with gradational boundaries denoted subtle variation in species assemblages. Turnover patterns often diverged from bioregion boundaries, though plant turnover adhered most closely. A prominent break zone contained either comparable or greater numbers of unique genera than adjacent overlaps, but these were concentrated in a small subsection relatively under-protected by conservation reserves. The environmental correlates of biotic turnover varied for different turnover zones in different subsections of the study area. Topography and temperature showed much stronger relationships with plant turnover in a topographically complex overlap, relative to a lowland overlap where weathering was most predictive. This method can quantify transitional turnover patterns from small to broad extents, at different resolutions for any location, and complements broad-scale bioregionalisation schemes in conservation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a conceptual model to assist integration between physical geographical sciences, institutional frameworks and management in the context of coastal wetlands. Wetlands are key interconnected systems that will respond early to climate change and especially to associated sea-level changes. A major constraint on management of wetlands is the lack of congruence between the ecosystems and the institutional frameworks that govern their management: connectivity in coastal systems is overlain by institutional fragmentation. We introduce a model that facilitates integration of physical geographical(biophysical) information into the legislative, planning, policy and management process. It consists of interconnected parallel subprojects in science and in planning with strong cross-links with stakeholders at all levels, founded on long-term and trusting relationships. We also show progress that has been made in applying the model, with an Australian example. It is concluded that the approach has potential to move towards the goal of sustainable management but that it urgently needs to evolve, so as to meet the challenges of climate and associated changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the patterns of plant functional trait variation in relation to geomorphology, disturbance and a suite of other environmental factors in the riparian margin of the Upper Hunter River, New South Wales, Australia. Vegetation was surveyed on three geomorphic surfaces (point bar, bench and bank) along a 5.5-km stretch of the Upper Hunter River. Functional traits relating to plant growth and reproduction were collected for the identified species.anova and principal components analysis were used to compare the trait assemblages of species associated with each geomorphic unit. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to investigate trait variation with respect to environmental variables. There were clear differences in the plant functional trait assemblages associated with the three geomorphic units. Generally the point bar was associated with species that were herbaceous, with small seed mass, a short stature and a high specific leaf area (SLA). Conversely, the bench was associated with grasses that had unassisted seed dispersal and intermediate seed mass and SLA, while species on the bank had tall stature, large seed mass, a high SLA and a perennial life cycle. Variation along the primary gradient of plant functional trait composition was most strongly related to disturbance frequency and to a lesser extent soil nutrients and the proportion of clay and silt, while variation along the secondary gradient was associated with variation in substrate texture as well as soil nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We focus on potential pinning points on the southern and eastern margins of Australia and the southern and western margins of Laurentia and interpret a convergent plate boundary along the southern margin of the proto-Australian continent during the Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic (1800–1600Ma). Specific geological events within the southern Australian margin can be correlated with events preserved along the Medicine Bow–Yavapai–Mazatzal Belt in southwestern Laurentia. These belts were characterised by southward continental growth with varying degrees of crustal reworking and accretion of juvenile material. In Australia crustal reworking appears to have been the dominant process from 1800 to 1670Ma, with more juvenile material accreted at 1620Ma. In contrast, the Southern Laurentian terranes were dominated by accretion of juvenile material from 1800 to 1620Ma, although reworked continental crust was also accreted to the margin. In the interior of both continents basins developed with comparable histories from 1800 to 1670Ma. Thereafter the evolution of the interior basins diverged, with sag-phase processes dominant in Northern Australia and a protracted depositional hiatus in Laurentia. The geologic evolution is consistent with palaeomagnetic data and provides further evidence for geographic links between Eastern Australia and Western Laurentia from 1800 to 1600Ma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For the first time, the distribution of seafloor geomorphic features has been systematically mapped over much of the Australian margin and adjacent seafloor. Each of 21 feature types was identified using a new, 250 m spatial resolution bathymetry model and supporting literature. The total area mapped was >8.9 million km2 and included the seafloor surrounding the Australian mainland and island territories of Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Macquarie and Norfolk Islands. Of this total mapped area, the shelf is >1.9 million km2 (21.92%), the slope >4.0 million km2 (44.80%) and the abyssal plain/deep ocean floor >2.8 million km2 (32.20%). The rise covers 97 070 km2 or 1.08% of the mapped area. A total of 6702 individual geomorphic features were mapped. Plateaus have the largest surface area and cover 1.49 million km2 or 16.54%, followed by basins (714 000 km2; 7.98%), and terraces (577 700 km2; 6.44%), with the remaining 14 types each making up <5%. Reefs, which total 4172 individual features (47 900 km2; 0.54%), are the most numerous type of geomorphic feature, principally due to the large number of individual coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The geomorphology of the margin is most complex where marginal plateaus, terraces, trench/troughs and submarine canyons are present. Comparison with global seafloor geomorphology indicates that the Australian margin is relatively under-represented in shelf and rise and over-represented in slope area, a pattern that reflects the mainland being bounded on three sides by rifted continent - ocean margins and associated large marginal plateaus. Significantly, marginal plateaus on the Australian margin cover 20% of the total world area of marginal plateaus. The mapped area can be divided into 10 geomorphic regions by quantifying regional differences in diagnostic assemblages of features, and these regions can be used as a starting-point to infer broad-scale seafloor habitat types. The present study has application for the future management of Australia's ocean resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stratigraphy in Vines 1, a 2017.5 m-deep cored stratigraphic hole drilled by the Geological Survey of Western Australia in 2001 near the Western Australian - South Australian border, has been reinterpreted with implications for the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian geological history of the Officer Basin. A previous interpretation considered the intersected succession as a conformable stratigraphic package, the Vines Formation. An assemblage of palynomorphs, found throughout the hole and previously used to infer an age of no older than earliest Cambrian, is now thought to consist of contaminants. An older assemblage, which is considered to be reworked and inherited from underlying rocks, provides a new maximum age constraint of mid-Neoproterozoic. Based on sedimentological interpretations and comparisons with other drillholes in the western Officer Basin, and the succession in the eastern Officer Basin, the Vines 1 succession is reinterpreted as four discrete sedimentary packages, the Pirrilyungka (new name), Wahlgu, Lungkarta and Vines (redefined) Formations, in ascending order. The Pirrilyungka and Wahlgu Formations include glacigenic sediments and may correlate with similar glacial successions in Supersequences 2 and 3 (mid to late Cryogenian) of the Centralian Superbasin, and the Sturt Tillite and Elatina Formation and their equivalents in the Adelaide Rift Complex of South Australia, respectively. The eolian Lungkarta Formation and fluvial Vines Formation are considered, on regional evidence, to be most likely of Ediacaran to earliest Cambrian age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Facies, provenance and palaeocurrent analysis of the predominantly siliciclastic Neoproterozoic succession of the east Kimberley district of northwestern Australia indicates southwesterly-directed regional palaeoice-flow directions associated with continental glaciation. Facies relationships at three key study sites in the east Kimberley record glacial advance, retreat and marine transgression and the likely effects of ice dynamics on local basin depositional history. Ice-scour linked with provenance data indicate ice advance from the northeast. Additional ice-flow data from the west Kimberley and the Daly River area of Northern Territory are consistent and record a regional palaeoice-flow direction towards the southwest. Palaeocurrent data and facies relationships in the east Kimberley, however, suggest that sediment transport directions within the east Kimberley basin were influenced by a combination of ice-induced lithospheric flexure, pre-existing topography and modification of basin topography and sediment dispersal paths by ice-induced redistribution of debris. A basin evolution model incorporating these concepts within the framework of ice advance, retreat and marine inundation is proposed. Identification of regional ice-flow trends of this scale should ultimately prove a useful tool in testing possible palaeogeographic reconstructions of continent configurations in a post-Rodinian world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Late Archaean (2715–2704Ma) calc-alkaline volcanic complexes in the Kurnalpi Terrane are identical in facies and geochemistry to modern intra-arc volcanic complexes. Preserved volcanic rocks and associated feldspathic sedimentary rocks represent proximal to medial submarine facies of submarine to locally emergent intra-oceanic arc-related volcanoes. The least-altered volcanic rocks are dominantly andesite but range from basalt and basaltic andesite to rare rhyolite, and are the product of magmas similar in composition to those of modern arcs. Intermediate magmas were most likely derived from large ion lithophile element (LILE) enriched mafic magmas by fractional crystallisation (with or without assimilation) processes. The Kurnalpi Terrane thus provides an example of a Late Archaean volcanic arc in which hydrated mantle wedge melting was the main mechanism for magma genesis. TTD-suite volcanism derived from slab melting was either absent or played a subordinate role. The adjacent Gindalbie Terrane contains younger (∼2692–2680Ma) bimodal (basalt–rhyolite) volcanic complexes, with associated quartz-rich sedimentary rocks, and calc-alkaline intermediate-silicic volcanic complexes. Volcanosedimentary basement to the Gindalbie volcanic sequences is deeply eroded equivalents of the calc-alkaline volcanic complexes, their associated sedimentary rocks and younger basaltic sequences found in the Kurnalpi Terrane. Gindalbie basalt–rhyolite successions locally contain volcanic-hosted massive Cu–Zn mineral deposits. Rhyolites derived by low-pressure fractional crystallisation, or melting, of andesites are more abundant than in the Kurnalpi volcanic complexes. Facies associations and the local occurrence of distinctive incompatible element-enriched, mildly peralkaline (A-type) rhyolites are consistent with rifting of a mature arc system. The two terranes most likely represent volcanic evolution of the same Late Archaean volcanic arc but are different tectonic fragments that were welded together by ∼2660Ma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Samples of alluvial and colluvial deposits from the coastal plain and coastal valleys north and south of Cairns (17°S) have been dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) protocols, with additional thermoluminescence (TL) and Radiocarbon assays. Coarse fanglomerates from elevated coastal terraces date back to 81 ka, but most are clustered in oxygen isotope stage three (OIS3, 64–28 ka), indicating high-energy conditions during this period. Extensive fans and terraces of finer calibre sediments are widely represented grading from coarse gravels and cobbles in proximal zones fine sand and silt in distal areas. Dates show that vertical accumulation of 10–15 m of sediment occurred between ∼28 and 14 ka (OIS2), after which the fans were dissected and Holocene deposits become fragmentary. A number of deposits indicating hillslope instability were successfully dated and these fall mainly into OIS3 and post 12 ka. These results are interpreted as catchment responses to Late Pleistocene climate and vegetation changes, documented elsewhere from local pollen and ocean drilling sites. Correlation with these records and with evidence for regional climate change from the Austral-Asian region is good and indicates that these changes were sufficient to transform fluvial activity and slope processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The contribution of the pioneer Australian geologist W. B. Clarke to mineral exploration, the development of geological research in Australia, and the deciphering of global Palaeozoic and Mesozoic stratigraphy has been well documented. However, it is only with the publication of his voluminous scientific correspondence, together with the recognition of his importance as a scientific journalist, that an assessment of the significance of his geomorphological work has been possible. His observations on the origins of valleys, a problem much debated until at least the 1870s, are of particular importance because of his close association with Dana, Darwin, Jukes, and Huxley, who played major roles in that debate. His work clearly illustrates the great state of flux in geomorphology in the first half of the 19th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The dynamics of plumes from large rivers are relatively well known. Many estuaries are small, however, and discharge directly onto exposed, open shorelines and presumably produce smaller plumes that may have different properties. Therefore this study measured traits of a small estuary on the Australian East Coast as a model system, focusing on (a) plume size, (b) distinctness of plume edges, and (c) imprints on the seafloor. Although plumes were found to be limited in spatial extent (ca. 1km offshore×2.4km longshore) and were constrained near the shore by onshore winds, they exported high nutrient loads from an urbanised watershed. The small plumes were shallow (<2m) and strongly buoyant, with sharp vertical and horizontal clines similar to much larger plumes. The edges of the plumes were highly distinct, clearly separating disparate water masses that trapped significantly higher amounts of nutrients inside the plume. Some particulate material exported from the estuary in the plumes reached the benthos of the nearshore zone, as evidenced by increases in copper concentrations in sediments under the plume. By contrast, the amount of land-sourced carbon delivered by small plumes to the seafloor was minor in comparison to larger inputs from marine sources (e.g. onshore advection of phytoplankton blooms or algae dislodged from reefs) that swamped any contribution from plumes. Overall, small plumes can be important in land–ocean coupling, but their zone of influence may be limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Low Isles Reef is the most southerly located of 46 coral reef platforms unique to the inner shelf of the northern Great Barrier Reef Province, Australia, which support both sea grass and mangrove growth. Such reefs develop in areas that are influenced by river flood plumes and where interreef sediments are dominated by terrigenous mud. Low Isles Reef has long been a popular tourist destination. Informal reports of decreasing visibility, a decline in scleractinian corals, and increases in soft coral and macroalgae have sparked speculation that agricultural activities in coastal catchments are affecting the reef. Comparison of the modern surface of Low Isles Reef with historical surveys and photographs dating back to 1928 allows quantification of modern sedimentary processes, rates of change, and factors influencing reef development. Results indicate that changes on Low Isles Reef are related to remobilization of coarse sediment during storm events and gradual shoreline retreat associated with rising sea level. Retreat of shingle ram-parts and elongate ridges of coral debris toward the reef interior has led to the infilling of subtidal ponds on the reef top, which supported hard coral colonies in 1928. The gradual development of a composite shingle rampart along the windward margin has promoted an increase (∼150%) in the area of the reef top covered by mangroves. On the leeward margin, a decrease in hard corals since 1950 may reflect a rising contribution of organic debris from the expanding mangrove swamp. Results suggest that recent changes on Low Isles Reef can be explained in the context of natural processes. Further study is needed before the effects of agricultural activities in coastal catchments on reef health can be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the typological split between the Australian Pama-Nyungan and non-Pama-Nyungan languages is here described by reference to palaeogeography. In the model advanced here these currently contiguous groups are understood to have originated in widely separate regions of Sahul at a time depth about twice that of previous estimates. Australian linguistic diversity is explained in terms of climatic events at the end of the last ice age—those that brought about the evacuation of the central arid zone during it and the evacuation of the Arafuran floodplain after it. The argument advanced here crucially concerns the origin and nature of the Pama-Nyungan and non-Pama-Nyungan (Arafuran) language groups, and the implications of the model for this discussion are addressed. The Pama-Nyungan and non-Pama-Nyungan groups are now understood to represent very ancient Sprachbünde rather than the results of phylogenetic spreading from proto-language ancestors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a progress report from the published works relating to coastal geomorphology from last year in Australia. Productiveness of its goal to provide a useful and quick reference for academics, scientist and students; Identification of Quaternary evolution of the lower Saxony coast over a number of transgression based on sedimentary evidence; Identification of tsunami as a significant agent of coastal evolution.

Rates of inorganic nutrient and oxygen fluxes, and gross community primary productivity were investigated using incubated cores in July, August and September 2001, in a seagrass meadow of Lake Illawarra, a barrier estuary in New South Wales, Australia. The results indicated that rates of gross primary productivity were high, varying from C = 0.62 to 1.89 g m-2 d-1; low P/R ratios of 0.28–0.48 define the system as heterotrophic and indicate that more carbon is respired than is produced. In order to determine the effect of macroalgae on O2 and nutrient fluxes, measurements were also conducted on cores from which the macroalgae had been removed. The results showed that the O2 fluxes during light incubations were significantly lower in the cores without macroalgae (P<0.01), indicating that macroalgae could be a significant contributor to the primary production in the lake. In general, nutrient fluxes showed a typical diurnal variation with an efflux from sediments in the dark and a reduced efflux (or uptake) in the light. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (NO2-+ NO3-+NH4+) net fluxes were directed from the sediments towards the water column and dominated by the NH4+ fluxes (>80%). NO2-+ NO3- and o-P fluxes were always very low during the sampling period. The increasing tendency of net nutrient effluxes, especially NH4+ from July to September, is consistent with the increase of the water temperature and seagrass biomasses. However, in September, significantly lower light, dark and net NH4+ effluxes were found in the cores with macroalgae (SA-sediments) compared with the cores without macroalgae (S-sediments). These results support the hypothesis that actively-growing dense macroalgal mats (i.e., algal blooms in September) may act as a filter reducing the flux of nutrients to the water column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the contribution and achievements of professor Joseph Michael Powell in the field of geography in Australia. It states that Powell, who is a past president of the Institute of Australian Geographers, has written several books, and his articles have been published in several academic journals. His works emphasized the historical geography and focused on the understanding of the role of geography and geographers in Australian life. His several works on geographer Griffith Taylor represent his interest in the relationship between geography, identity and nationhood, as well as the relevance of debates on environmental limits to national development.

The article discusses the research work of Ian Douglas in the field of physical, environmental and applied geography, and his role in Australian Geography. The work includes erosion in urban areas in the tropics, rural land-use practice effects on erosion and river systems. Ian Douglas fulfils the institute of Australian Geographers criteria for the International award and has been placed out to pasture as a professor at School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester.

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are widely relied upon as representations of the Earth's topographic morphology. The most widely used global DEMs available are ETOPO5, TerrainBase and JGP95E at a 5-arc-minute spatial resolution, and the GTOPO30 and GLOBE (version 1) global DEMs at a 30-arc-second spatial resolution. This paper presents the results of intercomparisons of these global DEMs over Australia, and with the GEODATA 9-arc-second DEM (version 1) of Australia. These DEMs were also compared to an independently produced, altimeter-derived orthometric height database. This allows not only a totally independent assessment of the quality of these different DEMs over Australia, but also an insight into the ERS-1 radar altimeter's ability to measure orthometric heights on land. The results of all these comparisons reveal large differences among the DEMs, with the greatest difference between JGP95E and ETOPO5 (mean 49 m, standard deviation ±274 m). The comparison with the altimeter-derived database shows good agreement with the version 1 GEODATA DEM (mean 2 m, standard deviation ±27 m), thus demonstrating that the altimeter is a viable method for quality assessment of DEMs in lowland regions. A further conclusion is that the representation of the Australian land surface in both the JGP95E and TerrainBase global DEMs is more accurate than the higher resolution GLOBE (version 1) global DEM, even though JGP95E displays a disparity along the 140°E meridian because of the different data sources used in its construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]