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Ecologists and managers of natural resources readily acknowledge
the importance of long-term studies and monitoring for improved
understanding and management of complex environmental systems.
Long-term data are crucially important for providing baselines for
evaluating environmental change. They are also fundamental for
detecting and evaluating changes in ecosystem structure and
function, and for evaluating response to disturbances such as
climate change or pollution. Countless scientific articles, books,
management plans and other documents have been written about the
need to conduct long-term studies and monitoring. However, although
there have undoubtedly been some highly successful long-term
ecological studies and monitoring programs, there is a history of
poorly planned and unfocused efforts that are either ineffective or
fail completely. In this book, the authors outline some of the key
pitfalls and deficiencies in ecological monitoring programs and
long-term studies. They then describe some the features of
monitoring programs and long-term studies that are essential to
make them viable, using case studies such as those of Rothamsted
(UK) and the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (USA). Based upon their
collective experience spanning 70 years in establishing long-term
studies and natural resource monitoring programs, the authors
propose a new approach, which they call Adaptive Monitoring, to
resolve some of these problems underlying poorly planned and
unfocused monitoring programs.
Ecologists and managers of natural resources readily acknowledge
the importance of long-term studies and monitoring for improved
understanding and management of complex environmental systems.
Long-term data are crucially important for providing baselines for
evaluating environmental change. They are also fundamental for
detecting and evaluating changes in ecosystem structure and
function, and for evaluating response to disturbances such as
climate change or pollution. Countless scientific articles, books,
management plans and other documents have been written about the
need to conduct long-term studies and monitoring. However, although
there have undoubtedly been some highly successful long-term
ecological studies and monitoring programs, there is a history of
poorly planned and unfocused efforts that are either ineffective or
fail completely. In this book, the authors outline some of the key
pitfalls and deficiencies in ecological monitoring programs and
long-term studies. They then describe some the features of
monitoring programs and long-term studies that are essential to
make them viable, using case studies such as those of Rothamsted
(UK) and the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (USA). Based upon their
collective experience spanning 70 years in establishing long-term
studies and natural resource monitoring programs, the authors
propose a new approach, which they call Adaptive Monitoring, to
resolve some of these problems underlying poorly planned and
unfocused monitoring programs.
By 2050, the global population of humans is predicted to
increase by 35%. Approximately 70% more food may be required, and
this will take place against a backdrop of 15-40% land degradation.
This book examines land use intensification and biodiversity
conservation and its impacts. It also discusses whether suites of
species, and/or functional groups of taxa will either benefit or
suffer from land use intensification and whether it is possible to
make robust predictions of biotic responses across landscapes,
regions, and continents.
An increasing number of Australians want to be assured that the
food and fibre being produced on this continent have been grown and
harvested in an ecologically sustainable way. Ecologically
sustainable farming conserves the array of species that are
integral to key ecological processes such as pollination, seed
dispersal, natural pest control and the decomposition of waste.
Wildlife Conservation in Farm Landscapes communicates new
scientific information about best practice ways to integrate
conservation and agriculture in the temperate eucalypt woodland
belt of eastern Australia. It is based on the large body of
scientific literature in this field, as well as long-term studies
at 790 permanent sites on over 290 farms extending throughout
Victoria, New South Wales and south-east Queensland. Richly
illustrated, with chapters on birds, mammals, reptiles,
invertebrates and plants, this book illustrates how management
interventions can promote nature conservation and what practices
have the greatest benefit for biodiversity. Together the new
insights in this book inform whole-of-farm planning.
Monitoring is integral to all aspects of policy and management for
threatened biodiversity. It is fundamental to assessing the
conservation status and trends of listed species and ecological
communities. Monitoring data can be used to diagnose the causes of
decline, to measure management effectiveness and to report on
investment. It is also a valuable public engagement tool. Yet in
Australia, monitoring threatened biodiversity is not always
optimally managed. Monitoring Threatened Species and Ecological
Communities aims to improve the standard of monitoring for
Australia's threatened biodiversity. It gathers insights from some
of the most experienced managers and scientists involved with
monitoring programs for threatened species and ecological
communities in Australia, and evaluates current monitoring
programs, establishing a baseline against which the quality of
future monitoring activity can be managed. Case studies provide
examples of practical pathways to improve the quality of
biodiversity monitoring, and guidelines to improve future programs
are proposed. This book will benefit scientists, conservation
managers, policy makers and those with an interest in threatened
species monitoring and management.
Rocky outcrops are landscape features with disproportionately high
biodiversity values relative to their size. They support
specialised plants and animals, and a wide variety of endemic
species. To Indigenous Australians, they are sacred places and
provide valuable resources. Despite their ecological and cultural
importance, many rocky outcrops and associated biota are threatened
by agricultural and recreational activities, forestry and mining
operations, invasive weeds, altered fire regimes and climate
change. Rocky Outcrops in Australia: Ecology, Conservation and
Management contains chapters on why this habitat is important, the
animals that live and depend on these formations, key threatening
processes and how rocky outcrops can be managed to improve
biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes, state forests
and protected areas. This book will be an important reference for
landholders, Landcare groups, naturalists interested in Australian
wildlife and natural resource managers.
The fully revised second edition of the highly acclaimed book.
Long-term monitoring programs are fundamental to understanding the
natural environment and managing major environmental problems. Yet
they are often done very poorly and ineffectively. This second
edition of the highly acclaimed Effective Ecological Monitoring
describes what makes monitoring programs successful and how to
ensure that long-term monitoring studies persist. The book has been
fully revised and updated but remains concise, illustrating key
aspects of effective monitoring with case studies and examples. It
includes new sections comparing surveillance-based and
question-based monitoring, analysing environmental observation
networks, and provides examples of adaptive monitoring. Based on
the authors' 80 years of collective experience in running long-term
research and monitoring programs, Effective Ecological Monitoring
is a valuable resource for the natural resource management,
ecological and environmental science and policy communities.
Australia's nature is exceptional, wonderful and important. But
much has been lost, and the ongoingexistence of many species now
hangs by a thread. Against a relentless tide of threats to our
biodiversity,many Australians, and government and non-government
agencies, have devoted themselves to thechallenge of conserving and
recovering plant and animal species that now need our help to
survive. Thisdedication has been rewarded with some outstanding and
inspiring successes: of extinctions averted, ofpopulations
increasing, of communities actively involved in recovery efforts.
Recovering Australian Threatened Species showcases successful
conservation stories and identifiesapproaches and implementation
methods that have been most effective in recovering threatened
species.These diverse accounts - dealing with threatened plants,
invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals- show that the
conservation of threatened species is achievable: that it can be
done and should be done.They collectively serve to inform, guide
and inspire other conservation efforts. This is a book of hope
andinspiration. It shows that with dedication, knowledge and
support, we can retain and restore our marvellous natural heritage,
and gift to our descendants a world that is as diverse, healthy and
beautiful as that which we have inherited. FEATURES: Foreword
written by Gregory Andrews, Australia's first Threatened Species
Commissioner. Features inspiring Australian conservation success
stories spanning a wide range of threatened species and habitats,
demonstrating that recovery of threatened species is both
achievable and worthwhile. Includes perspectives from expert
conservation practitioners and draws lessons about what elements
are important in achieving conservation successes.
What are the 10 key issues that must be addressed urgently to
improve Australia's environment? In this follow up to the highly
successful book Ten Commitments: Reshaping the Lucky Country's
Environment, Australia's leading environmental thinkers have
written provocative chapters on what must be done to tackle
Australia's environmental problems - in terms of policies,
on-ground actions and research. Each chapter begins with a brief
overview of the 10 key tasks that need to be addressed in a given
field, and then each issue is discussed in more detail. Chapters
are grouped into ecosystems, sectors and cross-cutting themes.
Topics include: deserts, rangelands, temperate eucalypt woodlands,
tropical savanna landscapes, urban settlements, forestry management
, tropical and temperate marine ecosystems, tropical rainforests,
alpine ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, coasts, islands, soils,
fisheries, agriculture, mining, grazing, tourism, industry and
manufacturing, protected areas, Indigenous land and sea management,
climate change, water, biodiversity, population, human health,
fire, energy and more. Ten Commitments Revisited is a 'must read'
for politicians, policy makers, decision makers, practitioners and
others with an interest in Australia's environment.
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