The Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland are viewed as a “canary in the coal mine” in observing the effects of climate change. Climate models predict the loss of more than half of all regionally endemic bird and mammal species if temperatures in the region rise by 3°C or more. The iconic Great Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Queensland, is also under threat, both from rising temperatures and ocean acidification. Students investigate the potential responses and resilience of biotic communities to climate change and major climatic events.
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