Australia's biodiversity / editor, Justin Healey.

ISBN:

9781920801724

Title:

Author:

Healey, Justin.

Publication Information:

Thirroul, N.S.W. : Spinney Press,, c2007.

Physical Description:

44 p. : ill., maps ; 30 cm.

Series:

Issues in society (Balmain, N.S.W.) ; v. 262

Series Title:

Issues in society (Balmain, N.S.W.) ; v. 262

Contents:

Chapter 1. Understanding Biodiversity Biodiversity background; Biodiversity; Number of species in Australia and the world; Australia's biological diversity; Global hotspots; Biodiversity at a glance; Climate change impacts and adaptation biodiversity; Biodiversity and climate change; Biodiversity: sustaining our future; National biodiversity hotspots; The Biodiversity Hotspots Program; International biodiversity hotspots; The great variety show of life; Biodiversity and land -- Chapter 2. Biodiversity Conservation Background to biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; The Convention on Biological Diversity sustaining life on Earth; Australia's biodiversity; Mass extinctions underway but it's still possible to stop species loss; More plants and animals join 'red list' of endangered species; Global biodiversity being destroyed by humans; Numbers of threatened species by major groups of organisms; We can all fight the threat to our rare species; Climate change endangers native species; Plenty more fish in the sea? Don't bet on it; Oceans in trouble from exploitation; Invasive species in Australia; Pest animals; Extinction: Australia's biodiversity; Biodiversity get involved; Time to act: conserve our biodiversity.

Subject Term:

Biodiversity -- Australia.

Biodiversity conservation -- Australia -- Management.

Added Author:

Healey, Justin.

Format:

Books

Publication Date:

2007

Publication Information:

Thirroul, N.S.W. : Spinney Press,, c2007.

Available:*

Shelf Number	Material Type	Copy	Shelf Location	Status
333.9515 AUS	Book	1	Standard shelving location	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Biodiversity is usually explored at three levels which work together to create the complexity of life on our planet ¿ genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. It is estimated that there are 13.6 million species of plants, animals and micro-organisms on Earth. Australia has about one million of these ¿ over 7% of the world's total and more than twice the number of species in Europe and North America combined. As a developed nation, Australia has a special responsibility for biodiversity conservation and management. Of global concern are the environmental threats of loss of habitat and loss of species caused by greenhouse pollution, climate change, extinction and overpopulation. Current biodiversity conservation practice clearly acknowledges that it is far more efficient to conserve whole ecosystems which encompass biodiversity at all levels, rather than focus on a few highly visible and popular species in isolation. What are the features of Australia's biodiversity and what are we currently doing to conserve it for future generations? Can we achieve ecological sustainability? Chapter 1: Understanding Biodiversity Chapter 2: Biodiversity Conservation Glossary; Facts and Figures; Additional Resources; Index