The effects of agricultural run-off on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef will be highlighted at a seminar at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute tomorrow (Wednesday 23 February 2011).

Increases in sea surface temperature and ocean acidification have been associated with climate change which is likely to affect the biodiversity of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, however the reef is also facing pressures from land-based pollutants.

Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of The James Hutton Institute, will be discussing the issues during him seminar, ‘Linking Land and Ocean – Managing Agriculture to Protect Australia’s Great Barrier Reef’. He explains, “Globally we need to increase efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but as far as Australia is concerned the most effective action that can be taken locally is to reduce the sediments, pesticides and herbicides that flow out of the rivers into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.”

“The Federal and State Governments have recently implemented new funding and policy initiatives to encourage the agricultural sector to change management which aims to reduce the amount of pollutants leaving farms and protect the reef in the face of climate change.”

The seminar takes place from 2pm at The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen. The seminar is free and open to the public but prior registration is required by contacting Jenna Gray on 01224 395000 or j.gray@macaulay.ac.uk.

ENDS

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Macaulay Land Use Research Institute

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute was founded in 1930 and is an international centre for research and consultancy on the environmental and social consequences of rural land uses. With an annual income from research and consultancy of over £14m, the Institute is the largest interdisciplinary research organisation of its kind in Europe, and aims to provide evidence to help shape future environmental and rural-development policy on a national and international basis.

In April 2011, the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and SCRI will join to create The James Hutton Institute. This new institute will be one of the largest research organisations of its type in Europe and presents an exciting opportunity for its researchers to more effectively address major global issues relating to food, energy and environmental security. This opportunity applies equally to those working within the new institute and to those collaborating with them.