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Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society

Author Archives: Geoff Edwards

Citizen Science and Great Southern Bioblitz 2023

Updated on date by author
Citizen Science Conference: 20 November 2023 @ 9:18 am – 24 November 2023 @ 10:18 am
University of Sunshine Coast
ACSA Qld Events

The Australian Citizen Science Association Conference, CitSciOz23 will be held on 21-23 November at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The themes this year are “Inspire, Impact, Influence”.

  • Monday 20th November (side event): Workshops & excursions
  • Tuesday 21st November: Conference Day 1 (Opening, Keynotes, breakout rooms, short talks, long talks, posters, & official welcome evening event)
  • Wednesday 22nd November: Conference Day 2 (Keynotes, short talks, long talks, posters, dinner TBA)
  • Thursday 23rd November: Conference Day 3 (Keynotes, short talks, long talks, posters, conference official close, dinner TBA)
  • Friday 24th November (side event): Bonus Bioblitz Day! Join us as we kick off the Great Southern Bioblitz 2023. Learn how to use iNaturalist from experts, get to know the local wildlife, meet the locals and discover species new to science in the Sunshine Coast area.

See https://scienceqld.org/2023/08/05/citscioz23-proceedings/ after the event has closed to access the papers.

 

 

Bioblitz on Norfolk Island

The Great Southern BioBlitz 2023 can be of special interest to Norfolk Islanders. It is an opportunity to focus the attention of Islanders in observing features of the natural environment around them. It also encourages collaboration amongst like-minded people and allows those who are simply curious to be supported by those with expert knowledge. See the flyer for details.

Posted in Get Involved |

EcoNorfolk

Posted on date by author

EcoNorfolk Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting ecologically sustainable development on Norfolk Island.

Founded by environmental activist Denise Quintal, the Foundation aims to assist in advancing the science of sustainability with the wider international community to lead the way for sustainability in the South Pacific.

Its role within the community is to support the preservation of natural resources through education, publicity campaigns, scientific research and development, and merging this with the everyday activities and practices of the Norfolk Island people.

EcoNorfolk Foundation has been involved in projects such as Footprinting and Experimental Prototype Communities, to foster awareness of the global context of local environmental issues. For example, the ‘Sustainable Islands Project’ focuses on the training of skilled professionals from small remote islands, in the area of sustainable environmental and economic development.

EcoNorfolk at the date of writing (March 2023) is in recess.

Posted in Get Involved |

Bee survey 2022

Updated on date by author

The honey bee population on Norfolk Island is unique from a pest and disease perspective. No other honey bee population in the world has fewer pests and pathogens. This important finding was confirmed in 2022 by a survey by Dr John Roberts of CSIRO. The report recommended that ongoing surveillance in Norfolk Island as part of the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program be resourced. Read the report here. The report can also be found on the Department’s website: Norfolk Island bee pest survey 2021–2022. The Department has summarised the results as follows:

 

“Honey bees are an important part of the ecosystem and culture of Norfolk Island. Honey bees support food security through reliable pollination services as well as producing honey and hive products. Having access to up-to-date information on bee pests and diseases is critical to maintaining the Island’s bee biosecurity.

In December 2022 and April 2023, Dr John Roberts visited Norfolk Island to conduct surveys of the honey bee population. Under the guidance of Norfolk Island’s beekeepers, Dr Roberts collected samples from bees, honey and hives to test for pests and diseases. He sampled 67 bee colonies (approximately 50% of all managed colonies) and inspected and tested for 16 pests and diseases.

The key findings of the survey are:

  • Since the last 2012–14 survey, no new honey bee pests or diseases were detected in Norfolk Island honey bees.
  • All previously reported pests and diseases were detected, including
    • high prevalence and infection levels of the gut parasite, Nosema ceranae
    • high prevalence of Lake Sinai virus, a common bee virus group with no known disease
    • low detection of the lesser wax moth (Achroia gresella), a minor hive pest.
  • The honey bee population on Norfolk Island is unique from a pest and disease perspective. No other honey bee population in the world has fewer pests and pathogens.

The report made three recommendations:

  • Permit only commercial importation of certified irradiated honey into Norfolk Island.
  • Resource ongoing surveillance in Norfolk Island as part of the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program.
  • Registration for all Norfolk Island beekeepers and encouraging beekeepers to perform regular hive inspections in line with Australia’s Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.

 

Posted in Insects, Invasive Species, Weak Biosecurity |