|
Showing 1 - 3 of
3 matches in All Departments
It is the evening of 26 August 2009 on Christmas Island. The last
known pipistrelle emerges from its day-time shelter. Scientists,
desperate about its conservation, set up a maze of netting to try
to catch it. It is a forlorn and futile exercise - even if
captured, there is little future in just one bat. But the bat
evades the trap easily, and continues foraging. It is not recorded
again that night, and not at all the next night. The bat is never
again recorded. The scientists search all nearby areas over the
following nights. It has gone. There are no more bats. Its corpse
is not, will never be, found. It is the silent, unobtrusive death
of the last individual. It is extinction. This book is about that
bat, about those scientists, about that island. But mostly it is an
attempt to understand that extinction; an unusual extinction,
because it was predicted, witnessed and its timing is precise. A
Bat's End is a compelling forensic examination of the circumstances
and players surrounding the extinction of the Christmas Island
pipistrelle. A must-read for environmental scientists,
policy-makers, and organisations and individuals with an interest
in conservation. FEATURES: Fascinating forensic examination of the
processes and players involved in the extinction of the Christmas
Island pipistrelle bat, including personal accounts of ecologists,
administrators and politicians Considers our relationship with
nature, and the extent to which we should and do care for nature
Uses the Christmas Island pipistrelle bat's extinction as a case
study, from which lessons can be learned that will resonate more
broadly Examines Australia's environmental law and policy, and
provides recommendations to strengthen these Foreword written by
Tim Low, renowned Australian environmental consultant and author.
"To bear witness to extinctions is painful, and made worse when
hardly anyone knows they took place. By exploring one extinction
from all angles, John gives Australians the opportunity to know
what transpired on that island and to reflect on what it says about
our nation's treatment of its wildlife. He tells a powerful and
perceptive story, one that should be taken to heart by every
Australian."" Tim Low, excerpt from the Foreword.
Lizards and snakes (squamate reptiles) are the most diverse
vertebrate group in Australia, with approximately 1000 described
species, representing about 10% of the global squamate diversity.
Squamates are a vital part of the Australian ecosystem, but their
conservation has been hindered by a lack of knowledge of their
diversity, distribution, biology and key threats. The Action Plan
for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017 provides the first
comprehensive assessment of the conservation status of Australian
squamates in 25 years. Conservation assessments are provided for
986 species of Australian lizards and snakes (including sea
snakes). Over the past 25 years there has been a substantial
increase in the number of species and families recognised within
Australia. There has also been an increase in the range and
magnitude of threatening processes with the potential to impact
squamates. This has resulted in an increase in the proportion of
the Australian squamate fauna that is considered Threatened.
Notably over this period, the first known extinction (post-European
settlement) of an Australian reptile species occurred - an
indication of the increasingly urgent need for better knowledge and
management of this fauna. Six key recommendations are presented to
improve the conservation management and plight of Australian
squamates. This Action Plan represents an essential resource for
research scientists, conservation biologists, conservation
managers, environmental consultants, policy makers from
Commonwealth and State/Territory governments, and the
herpetological community. FEATURES First assessment of the
conservation status of the Australian squamate fauna in 25 years.
Complete assessment of the 986 Australian squamate reptile species
recognised as at 2017. Analysis of the changes in conservation
status of the squamate fauna over the past 25 years. Draft
conservation assessments for the species described between the 2017
workshops and the 31st August 2018. Development of six key
recommendations to improve the conservation management of
Australian squamates.
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.
|
|