Austral Ark

The State of Wildlife in Australia and New Zealand

Norman Maclean editor Adam Stow editor Gregory I Holwell editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:22nd Dec '14

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Austral Ark cover

A detailed, research-informed synthesis of the current issues facing the Australasian biota and the challenges involved in their conservation.

Australia and New Zealand are home to remarkable and unique flora and fauna. Unfortunately tough, major losses to biodiversity have occurred since European contact. Austral Ark fills an important gap by presenting a research-informed synthesis of the current issues facing the Australasian biota and the challenges involved in their conservation.Australia and New Zealand are home to a remarkable and unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Sadly though, by virtue of their long isolation, and a naïve and vulnerable biota, both countries have suffered substantial losses to biodiversity since European contact. Bringing together the contributions of leading conservation biologists, Austral Ark presents the special features and historical context of Austral biota, and explains what is being conserved and why. The threatening processes occurring worldwide are discussed, along with the unique conservation problems faced at regional level. At the same time, the book highlights many examples of conservation success resulting from the innovative solutions that have been developed to safeguard native species and habitats in both New Zealand and Australia. Austral Ark fills an important gap regarding wildlife gains and declines, and how best to take conservation forward to keep this extraordinary area of the world thriving.

'This splendid book is a unique up-to-date synthesis of the global values, threats to existence and conservation of Australian and New Zealand wildlife. The authors illuminate the challenges faced by a remarkable selection of plant species and vegetation types, vertebrates and invertebrates; on land, in surface and underground freshwater, and the oceans. The growing list of threats to wildlife is assessed, with particular focus on global warming, changing wildfire patterns, plant, animal - and microbial invasions, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Useful examples of successful conservation projects are reinforced by templates for the design of conservation reserves on land and in the oceans. The book captures the urgency of the current situation, throwing new light on the modern requirements for wildlife conservation science and policy in this mega-diverse region. In achieving this, it crucially informs conservation efforts worldwide.' Andrew Beattie, Macquarie University, Sydney
'Whether a reader is embarking on a career in conservation, ecology, evolution, or biology or just wants to understand the current state of Australian and New Zealand wildlife and what is being done to secure its future, Austral Ark is essential reading.' Tara Martin, The Quarterly Review of Biology

ISBN: 9781107033542

Dimensions: 253mm x 197mm x 34mm

Weight: 1660g

680 pages