Australia's biodiversity and climate change [electronic resource] / Will Steffen [and others].

ISBN:

9780643098190

9780643096059

Title:

Australia's biodiversity and climate change [electronic resource] / Will Steffen [and others].

Author:

Steffen, W. L. (William L.), 1947-

Publication Information:

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 236 pages) : illustrations (some color), maps

Contents:

Climate change challenge -- Nature of Australia's biodiversity -- Australia: the isolated continent -- Why is the conservation of Australia's biodiversity important? -- Australia's biodiversity today -- Drivers of changes in Australia's biodiversity -- Threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems -- Rate and magnitude of climate change -- Responses of Australia's biodiversity to climate change -- Biodiversity and climate change: impacts and responses -- Predictions about future impacts: how can we do better -- Current biodiversity management under a changing climate -- Current conservation strategies and tools -- Securing Australia's biotic heritage -- Strategies and tools to meet the climate change challenge -- Responding to the future -- Responding to the climate change challenge.

Local Note:

eBooks on EBSCOhost

Subject Term:

Climatic changes -- Australia.

Biodiversity -- Climatic factors -- Australia.

Biodiversity conservation -- Australia.

Added Author:

Steffen, W. L. (William L.), 1947-

Added Corporate Author:

CSIRO (Australia)

Format:

Electronic Resources

Electronic Access:

Click here to view

Publication Date:

2009

Publication Information:

Available:*

Shelf Number	Material Type	Copy	Shelf Location	Status
333.950994 22	1:E-BOOK	1	1:ONLINE	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Australia's unique biodiversity is under threat from a rapidly changing climate. The effects of climate change are already discernible at all levels of biodiversity - genes, species, communities and ecosystems. Many of Australia's most valued and iconic natural areas - the Great Barrier Reef, south-western Australia, the Kakadu wetlands and the Australian Alps - are among the most vulnerable. But much more is at stake than saving iconic species or ecosystems. Australia's biodiversity is fundamental to the country's national identity, economy and quality of life.

In the face of uncertainty about specific climate scenarios, ecological and management principles provide a sound basis for maximising opportunities for species to adapt, communities to reorganise and ecosystems to transform while maintaining basic functions critical to human society. This innovative approach to biodiversity conservation under a changing climate leads to new challenges for management, policy development and institutional design. This book explores these challenges, building on a detailed analysis of the interactions between a changing climate and Australia's rich but threatened biodiversity.

Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change is an important reference for policy makers, researchers, educators, students, journalists, environmental and conservation NGOs, NRM managers, and private landholders with an interest in biodiversity conservation in a rapidly changing world.