Resilient environment and climate change
In a world that faces increasing environmental challenges, UWA researchers play a critical role in seeking new ways to address issues such as habitat loss, biodiversity preservation and climate change.
From informing conservation efforts to food security, our research is leading the way in ensuring the health and resilience of terrestrial and aquatic life.
Research highlights
Our research at UWA is unlocking the secrets of interconnected ecosystems, both on land and within bodies of fresh and sea water. Projects cover multi-disciplinary areas and tackle challenges affecting living things and systems, spanning evolution and genetics, and plant biology and fisheries science.
Oceans
Advancing transformative science to protect and develop sustainable use of our oceans has never been more important. Our research strengths include oceanography, deep-sea exploration, ecology, conservation management and governance to address key ocean challenges.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- UWA Oceans Institute
- Oceans Graduate School
- Minderoo OceanOmics Centre at UWA
- Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre
- Coastal and Offshore Engineering Lab
- National Geo-Technical Centrifuge Facility
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
- Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC)
- The Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI)
Drought tolerant agriculture
We provide innovative, research-based solutions across plant biology, agronomy, animal production, environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration, agricultural engineering, and agribusiness. Our researchers use prototyping facilities, rainfed and irrigated plot land, netted areas, greenhouses and temperature-controlled spaces for testing ideas.
Leading international research
Our agricultural science research is underpinned by extensive national competitive funding and support from industry and grower groups to enhance the economic value and sustainability of agricultural and environmental resources.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- UWA Institute of Agriculture
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment
- UWA Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development
- Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture & Ecological Restoration
- CRC for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agribusiness, Food and Environments (SAAFE)
- Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI)
- Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture CRC (ZNE-Ag CRC)
- Centre for Regional Development
Food security
UWA’s research is focused on environmental factors, technologies and policies that influence global food security. Our scientists are exploring plant, animal, and microbe systems to understand how social and environmental issues such as population growth, climate change, urbanisation and land use, as well as the availability of water and fertilisers, can all impact global food systems. From farm to lab, we’re at the cutting-edge of finding solutions to ensure a sustainable future.
Soil restoration
UWA’s soil science and plant nutrition researchers explore the influence of land management practices and climate variability on soils.
Areas of expertise include using native plant species to enhance water availability, carbon capture and prevent erosion to restore biodiversity and soil function. By combining imaging techniques with information on changes in soil function, our researchers have gained detailed insights into the day-to-day life of soil and how best to manage and sustain this important resource.
Explore our schools, institutes and strategic research centres
WA biodiversity
Ecosystems face a myriad of challenges and pressures, including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources and invasive species. We’re developing advanced knowledge on how to respond to climate and human impacts to protect our unique biodiversity.
Strong industry links
Our work integrates an understanding of physical, chemical, and biological processes, supported by advanced sensing and measurement technology. Strong links with industry and government enable us to develop and trial solutions and promote improved natural resource management.
Explore our schools, institutes, and strategic research centres:
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Molecular Sciences
- School of Agriculture and Environment
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology
- Centre for Water and Spatial Science (CWSS)
- Centre for Engineering Innovation - Agriculture and Ecological Restoration
- Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy
- Ecology, People, Place Research Group (EcoPeoPle)
- Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management
- National Environmental Research Program Resilient Landscapes Hub
- Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI)
Get in touch
To hear more about UWA’s extensive research, or if you have a specific enquiry, connect with us today.
Breakthrough methods to protect our coastlines
Dive into our groundbreaking research on oyster reefs for coastal protection. Our interdisciplinary team joined forces to design reef modules aimed at attenuating wave energy and fostering oyster settlement. Early results indicate promising effectiveness, marking a significant stride towards sustainable coastal protection.
Restoring Our Oceans: UWA's Groundbreaking Kelp Forest Revival
Discover how researchers at the University of Western Australia are leading a bold initiative to restore vital kelp forests along the southern coast. Using innovative techniques like 'green gravel,' UWA's team is scaling up efforts to revive these underwater ecosystems that were devastated by marine heat waves. Learn how this project is not only protecting marine biodiversity but also helping to fight climate change by capturing blue carbon. Watch to see how UWA is future-proofing our oceans for generations to come.
Driving Ocean Innovation: UWA’s Coastal and Offshore Research Lab
The University of Western Australia's Coastal and Offshore Research Lab (CORL) is transforming the future of the blue economy. From testing cutting-edge artificial reefs to developing sustainable offshore energy solutions, CORL recreates complex ocean conditions to drive real-world impact. Through industry partnerships and pioneering research, CORL is shaping innovations that protect marine environments and unlock new economic potential along Australia’s 59,000 km coastline. Discover how UWA is leading the way in sustainable marine engineering and environmental innovation.
Indian Ocean Marine
Research Centre
Explore our specialist facilities
- UWA Farm Ridgefield
- Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre
- Shenton Park Field Station
- Coastal and Offshore Engineering Lab
- Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Centre
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN)
- Australian Plant Phenomics Facility (APPF)
- Bioplatforms Australia - Metabolomics Australia (MA)
- Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)
- Genomics WA
- Western Australian Proteomics Facility
Discover our world-renowned researchers
- Kadambot Siddique – Agriculture – HiCi
- Jacqueline Batley – Biological Sciences, Oceans and Agriculture – HiCi
- Thomas Wernberg – Biological Sciences and Oceans – HiCi
- Hongqi Sun – Molecular Sciences – HiCi
- Marco Fiorentini – Earth Sciences
- Jessica Meeuwig – Wen Family Chair in Conservation, Biological Sciences and Oceans
- Christophe Gaudin – Director, UWA Oceans Institute
- Nicki Mitchell – Deputy Director, UWA Oceans Institute
- Harvey Millar – Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology