Abstract

The centrepiece activity of The Royal Society of Queensland is the production of the annual Proceedings, supplemented from time to time with Special Issues on specific themes. Whilst the year 2020 has been difficult in so many ways, it has been exceptional for the Society. Two volumes of the annual Proceedings and three Special Issues have been published online with free public access, as well as in print. The present volume, PRSQ 128 2020, is divided into two main sections that serve to differentiate peer-reviewed papers from important Society reports. The first section of Volume 128 features diverse contributions from across the natural and social sciences. They include studies on forest ecology and vegetation change, the productivity and biomass of Australian rangelands, marine invertebrate and fish ecology, freshwater fish communities and river health monitoring, and historical perspectives on astronomy and tsunami hazards in Queensland. A paper on the concept of One Health and its role in the control of COVID-19 brings human health into sharp focus in a particularly timely contribution. Another paper describes plans for the recovery of Indigenous cultural knowledge through research and community activities of YACHATDAC, based in Barcaldine. Finally, a review on the legacy of the International Biological Program in Australia honours Emeritus Professor Raymond L. Specht AO, a member of the Royal Society since 1957 and a Life Member since 2015. Royal Society reports form the second section of Volume 128. The Presidential Address “Science Through a Big Window” delivers the powerful message that “a ‘business as usual’ approach in scientific research will not solve our current ‘big’ problems, e.g. global warming, sustainable energy to drive human societies, COVID-19 and the inevitable onset of further zoonotic impacts”. The Society’s Annual Report (16 November 2019 to 15 November 2020) follows, with news of the continuation of activities by means of frequent Newsletters, virtual meetings and voluminous email traffic, keeping the Society in business during this extraordinary year. Reports from the Society’s Research Grant program, a PhD dissertation Abstract and an Obituary honouring a dedicated scientist and teacher conclude this volume.