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This book offers a sweeping history of Pureora Forest Park, one of
the most significant sites of natural and cultural history interest
in New Zealand. The authors review the geological history of the
volcanic zone, its flora and fauna, and the history of Maori and
European utilization of forest resources. Chapter-length
discussions cover management of the native forest by the New
Zealand Forest Service; the forest village and its sawmills; the
intensive timber harvesting, and the conflicts with
conservationists and expensive compensation agreements that ensued.
Separate chapters cover initiatives to protect the forest from
introduced herbivores; to guard protected species, especially
birds, from predators; the facilities for recreational hunting; the
development of the Timber Trail, an 83 km cycleway through the
forest and along old logging tramways, complete with detailed
interpretation signs illustrating the history of logging; and the
family recreation areas and tracks. The final chapter gathers
conclusions and advances prospects for the future of Pureora
Forest. In sum, the book demonstrates how ecological study,
combined with a respect for people and for nature plus a flexible,
interdisciplinary approach to both local history and current
scientific priorities, can be welded into a consistently effective
strategy for addressing the pressing forest-ecology questions of
our time.
The story of invasive species in New Zealand is unlike any other in
the world. By the mid-thirteenth century, the main islands of the
country were the last large landmasses on Earth to remain
uninhabited by humans, or any other land mammals. New Zealand's
endemic fauna evolved in isolation until first Polynesians, and
then Europeans, arrived with a host of companion animals such as
rats and cats in tow. Well-equipped with teeth and claws, these
small furry mammals, along with the later arrival of stoats and
ferrets, have devastated the fragile populations of unique birds,
lizards and insects. Carolyn M. King brings together the necessary
historical analysis and recent ecological research to understand
this long, slow tragedy. As a comprehensive historical perspective
on the fate of an iconic endemic fauna, this book offers
much-needed insight into one of New Zealand's longest-running
national crises.
The story of invasive species in New Zealand is unlike any other in
the world. By the mid-thirteenth century, the main islands of the
country were the last large landmasses on Earth to remain
uninhabited by humans, or any other land mammals. New Zealand's
endemic fauna evolved in isolation until first Polynesians, and
then Europeans, arrived with a host of companion animals such as
rats and cats in tow. Well-equipped with teeth and claws, these
small furry mammals, along with the later arrival of stoats and
ferrets, have devastated the fragile populations of unique birds,
lizards and insects. Carolyn M. King brings together the necessary
historical analysis and recent ecological research to understand
this long, slow tragedy. As a comprehensive historical perspective
on the fate of an iconic endemic fauna, this book offers
much-needed insight into one of New Zealand's longest-running
national crises.
Field naturalists have observed the activities of weasels for
centuries. Their descriptions were often accurate but sometimes
misinterpreted the animals' behaviors and underlying explanations
for those behaviors. "Organized natural history" became one of the
roots of the science of ecology in
the 1920s and by the 1960s scientists had begun to study the
biology of weasels with all the critical, objective advantages of
modern theory and equipment. Until the first edition of this book
appeared in 1989 no one had attempted to explain these results to
non-specialist naturalists. Now
thoroughly revised, this book will continue to be the main one-stop
reference for professionals. But both kinds of knowledge are
brought together here-- observations for the traditional naturalist
and rigorous measurements and interpretations for modern
scientists, integrated into a single, readable
account.
This new edition provides a comprehensive summary of the extensive
advances over the last 15 years in our knowledge of these
fascinating animals. A new U.S.-based co-author reshapes the
content to be more U.S.-centric. Stories about North America
trappers and backwoodsmen interacting with weasels
replace some (not all) of the previous stories about English
gamekeepers. These changes permeate the book, so readers familiar
with the first edition will recognize some material, but will find
a lot that is new. Much less reliable European information quoted
in the first edition was there at the
time when no better information was available. Now a new NZ chapter
focuses on predation problems of the species introduced to that
country. This edition, much more than a simple update, is now truly
aninternational treatment and a more valuable resource.
Field naturalists have observed the activities of weasels for
centuries. Their descriptions were often accurate but sometimes
misinterpreted the animals' behaviors and underlying explanations
for those behaviors. "Organized natural history" became one of the
roots of the science of ecology in the 1920s and by the 1960s
scientists had begun to study the biology of weasels with all the
critical, objective advantages of modern theory and equipment.
Until the first edition of this book appeared in 1989 no one had
attempted to explain these results to non-specialist naturalists.
Now thoroughly revised, this book will continue to be the main
one-stop reference for professionals. But both kinds of knowledge
are brought together here-- observations for the traditional
naturalist and rigorous measurements and interpretations for modern
scientists, integrated into a single, readable account.
This new edition provides a comprehensive summary of the extensive
advances over the last 15 years in our knowledge of these
fascinating animals. A new U.S.-based co-author reshapes the
content to be more U.S.-centric. Stories about North America
trappers and backwoodsmen interacting with weasels replace some
(not all) of the previous stories about English gamekeepers. These
changes permeate the book, so readers familiar with the first
edition will recognize some material, but will find a lot that is
new. Much less reliable European information quoted in the first
edition was there at the time when no better information was
available. Now a new NZ chapter focuses on predation problems of
the species introduced to that country. This edition, much more
than a simple update, is now truly an internationaltreatment and a
more valuable resource.
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