Chital deer are an introduced species to north-east Australia, where they have been very slow to increase in abundance and distribution. In north-east Queensland chital show declines in body condition and population size that is associated with erratic rainfall. It is likely drought mortality has contributed to chital’s limited spread.

Alpine ecosystems play a special role throughout the world, and the vegetation of these systems is important for these functions. Unpalatable plants such as Achnatherum inebrians will increase with overgrazing assisted by further disturbance by rodents, altering the species composition in these habitats. If overgrazing continues, this toxic plant will become increasingly abundant, causing major disturbances throughout these alpine ecosystems.

Leaves and stems of Leymus chinensis, a dominant species in the steppe rangeland of Inner Mongolia, China, tend towards dwarfism to avoid defoliation by livestock, whereas root behaviour also requires analysis as it is fundamental to nutrient absorption. Total root length, root surface area, root volume, the number of links and root tips of L. chinensis all declined under overgrazing, and their correlations varied. These results enhance the understanding of plant community succession under grazing.

The ecosystem in the Karst areas of southwest China has important ecological functions, but has been experiencing significant changes of degradation and restoration induced by natural factors and human activities. This research showed human activities were mainly responsible for ecosystem degradation, whereas climate change was beneficial to ecosystem restoration in southwest China in the past decade. The research adds to further understanding the factors influencing terrestrial ecosystem dynamics change and provide useful information for the management of terrestrial ecosystem.

The Australian bush tomato (Solanum centrale) is a hardy sub-shrub with edible berries and great potential as a source of food and income in arid regions. This study provides evidence that rapid clonal propagation from thick underground lateral roots, or fragments of these roots, is the main method of reproduction of the species. The root-suckering ability can be manipulated in cultivated situations to maximise fruiting and long-term productivity.

In a recent paper we illustrated the magnitude of economic and environmental sustainability issues facing the north Australian beef pastoral sector. In response, McLean and Holmes posited that we had misrepresented their economic data and that fundamental land sector change was not required. Here we refute their substantive claims and demonstrate that diversified sustainable land sector development, although challenging, is essential.