Australian Caves and Karst Systems
Australian Caves and Karst Systems

Author: John Webb

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-08-31

Total Pages: 395

ISBN-13: 303124267X

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This book, part of the series Cave and Karst Systems of the World, begins with a review of the interaction between people and caves in Australia (including conservation), followed by descriptions of the spectacular cave diving sites, before comprehensively covering all the major carbonate and noncarbonate karst areas, subdivided by rock type and region, and including the origin of the caves. This is followed by broad overviews of cave minerals and speleothems, cave biology and cave fossils. Each section was written by one or more specialists in the topic and is illustrated by clear diagrams and superb colour photos. The book emphasises the unique aspects of the Australian karst, including the variability in the age of the caves (very old to very young) and the impact of isolation on the stygofauna, as well as the vertebrate fossils preserved in the caves. Written in an easy-to-read style, the book is a primary reference guide to Australian karst and represents a valuable asset for anyone interested in the topic, not only cavers and academics.

Biomes of the Southern Hemisphere
Biomes of the Southern Hemisphere

Author: Ladislav Mucina

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-07-04

Total Pages: 229

ISBN-13: 3031267397

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This is the first comprehensive and critical evaluation of the biome (large-scale, functional biotic communities) patterns in the Southern Hemisphere. Revising the Heinrich Walter's zonobiome system for the Southern Hemisphere appeared as necessary because of the bioclimatic imbalance between the Hemispheres. This revision resulted in formulation of a new zonobiome system, considering the geographic peculiarities of both Hemispheres, hence creating a new, powerful tool of global nature-resource survey and conservation. The system has a potential to attract the interest of the global climate modeling community as the concept of biome (and associated hierarchical system) has a strong functional focus. All zonal biomes of the Southern Hemisphere are featured, and the major challenges we face in understanding their origins, structure, and functioning are discussed. The book contains a wealth of original data resulting from collation of bioclimatic data and vegetation mapping.

Soil Health and Climate Change
Soil Health and Climate Change

Author: Bhupinder Pal Singh

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2011-07-24

Total Pages: 399

ISBN-13: 364220256X

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“Soil Health and Climate Change” presents a comprehensive overview of the concept of soil health, including the significance of key soil attributes and management of soil health in conventional and emerging land use systems in the context of climate change. Starting with a review of the physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil health and their significance for monitoring the impacts of climate change, this book then focuses on describing the role of soil structure, pH, organic matter, nitrogen, respiration and biota in sustaining the basic functions of soil ecosystems, and their anticipated responses to climate change. Further topics include the management of cropping, pastoral, and forestry systems, and rehabilitated mine sites, with a focus on mitigation of and adaptation to climate change impacts. Finally, the opportunities and potential risks of organic farming, biochar and bioenergy systems, and their ability to sustain and even enhance soil health, are discussed.

The Kimberley
The Kimberley

Author: Victoria Laurie

Publisher: UWA Publishing

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 9781921401329

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In a highly biodiverse part of Australia, the Kimberley conveys the excitement of discovering a new species, the resurgence of life in once fire-ravaged places, and the effect of humans on the landscape. This is the Kimberley at its most beautiful, from teeming bird life to elusive desert animals; from cascading waterfalls and tangled vine thickets to wide savannah plains. The book offers world-class photography, information on up-to-date scientific discoveries, and an in-depth understanding of the balance between flora, fauna, land, and sea. Featuring over 200 stunning images in full color, The Kimberley is well-written, accessible, and engaging.

Crafting Country
Crafting Country

Author: Caroline Bird

Publisher: Sydney University Press

Published: 2020-04-01

Total Pages: 314

ISBN-13: 1743326173

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Based on ten years of surveys and excavations in Nyiyaparli country in the eastern Chichester Ranges, north-west Australia, Crafting Country provides a unique synthesis of Holocene archaeology in the Pilbara region. The analysis of about 1000 sites, including surface artefact scatters and 19 excavated rock shelters, as well as thousands of isolated artefacts, takes a broad view of the landscape, examining the distribution of archaeological remains in time and space. Heritage compliance archaeology commonly focuses on individual sites, but this study reconsiders the evidence at different scales – at the level of artefact, site, locality, and region – to show how Aboriginal people interacted with the land and made their mark on it. Crafting Country shows that the Nyiyaparli ‘crafted’ their country, building structures and supplying key sites with grindstones, raw material and flaked stone cores. In so doing, they created a taskscape of interwoven activities linked by paths of movement.

The Action Plan for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017
The Action Plan for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017

Author: Nicola Mitchell

Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING

Published: 2019-12-01

Total Pages: 680

ISBN-13: 148630947X

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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.