This submission was produced at the request of the editor, Professor Mike Calver, to honour the life of the late Adjunct Professor Barbara York Main. The authors of this submission are thankful for the opportunity to create an article in tribute to such an inspiring woman scientist.

A semisystematic literature review supported by expert local knowledge documents existing knowledge on the ecological components, functional relationships and threatening processes of Tasmanian coastal saltmarshes. Research gaps and priorities are identified to assist saltmarsh recovery actions and improve its conservation status.

This study investigates, and provides information useful for the conservation assessment of, the endemic and Data Deficient Tagula butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis). Research benefits came from the species’ high cultural value among local residents. This forest-dependent species remains vulnerable and was found to be restricted to four remote islands in the Louisiade Archipelago (Papua New Guinea).

This research examines patterns of woody plant species richness and structure in dry forests on the three largest islands in the Galápagos. We identify the conservation status of woody plants within the dry forest region, assess forest cover change, and compare results to other tropical dry forests in the Pacific.

Threatened species possess many traits that make them highly vulnerable to climate change. We reviewed the conservation assessments for listing species and communities in NSW, Australia, and found only 13% of species and 24% of ecological communities had climate change identified as a threat. These estimates are likely conservative, suggesting that biodiversity management at the landscape-scale may be more effective than targeted, single-species management actions.

Remote underwater video, snorkel and above-water observations of morays, combined with salinity measurements, reveal that the small-toothed moray, Gymnothorax polyuranodon, is capable of tolerating salinity of at least 14.4 for approximately an hour, and can inhabit salinity of 19 for a period of several minutes.

Tropical estuaries can be challenging and dangerous places to survey fish communities. Underwater video provides an alternative to traditional survey methods, however poor water clarity can impact the effectiveness of video surveys. We demonstrate how image enhancement techniques can improve identification of fish species from video in reduced visibility conditions.

Field-based video recording of courtship between a male and female Stiphodon semoni (Family Gobiidae) afforded the opportunity to discern specific behaviours not reported of sicydiine gobies previously, including tail-wagging and kiss-like behaviour by the male.

Sawfish conservation status is of increasing concern as populations have disappeared from much of their historical range. The usefulness of historic articles containing the generic term ‘sawfish’ was assessed and the historic range for the species Pristis pristis was extended.

Plastic straps have been recorded from single point in time observations in various shark species. Here, we report a bull shark with a plastic strap around its head from the time of acquisition until its loss after two years.