Download or read book A Natural History of Australia written by Tim M. Berra and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It also deals with the country's colorful history, its laidback lifestyle and the quirky and entertaining brand of English that Australians speak.

Download or read book The Natural History of Sydney written by Daniel Lunney and published by Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. This book was released on 2009-09-01 with total page 451 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On 3 November 2007, the Royal Zoological Society of NSW held its annual forum, with the topic being The natural history of Sydney. It has remained as the title of this book. The program contained the following introduction as the theme of the forum and it has remained as the theme for this book: “Sydney has a unique natural history, providing a home for iconic animals and plants while remaining a global city. It captured the imagination of prominent naturalists and inspired visits and collecting trips to the infant colony of New South Wales in the late 1790s and early to late 1800s. From these collections flowed great descriptive works detailing the new and unusual animals and plants of the antipodes. Gould, Owen, Huxley, Peron, Banks and many others recounted new and evocative flora and fauna. Many collecting trips for the great museums and institutions in Europe began in Sydney. Sydney still continues to engage naturalists and those grappling with the current drama of climate change and conservation. The Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, founded in Sydney in 1879, is a product of the grand 19th century tradition of natural history, with a particular emphasis on animal life. Sydney is also home to some of Australia’s oldest and finest institutions, such as the Australian Museum, the University of Sydney and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Throughout Sydney, there are places where the natural habitat has not been supplanted by urban growth, and the interest in Sydney’s endemic flora and fauna remains strong. This forum draws on a magnificent interdisciplinary vision while continuing to employ all the modern tools in the investigation and communication of Sydney’s natural history. It reflects a resurgence in local history and pursues the natural history of our harbour-side city in a modern framework.” The day of the forum was a captivating display of the diversity of the fauna of Sydney, both native and introduced, and its varied habitats, and of the diverse ways of appreciating natural history, including the history of natural history. Also on display was the depth of scholarship lying behind each of the presentations. The subject clearly has a profound hold on many professional biologists, historians and those keen to conserve their local area, but if the day is any guide, there are vastly more people living in or visiting Sydney who have more than a passing interest in this topic. The subject matter ranged from the history of institutions engaged in natural history, through animal groups as diverse as reptiles and cicadas, to ideas on how to see Sydney as a natural setting. Other papers dealt with the use by Aboriginal peopleof the native biota in terms of fishing and being displayed in rock paintings, before the arrival of the colonists. There is little doubt that this theme could run to 10 volumes, not just this one, but the diversity of ideas, skills and organisms displayed in this one book will serve as a guide to what lies beyond these pages. A considerable effort was made by each author to present their material as both interesting and accurate. The material is built on lifetimes of sustained effort to study, record and communicate findings and ideas. It is also built on the lifetime work of our predecessors, who laboured to find and record the natural history of Sydney. We are indebted to their efforts. This book records not only the outcome of a successful day of presentations, but more importantly the lifelong scholarship of those authors in each of the specialist fields. Not only have the authors been absorbed by documenting the biodiversity, they have included studies, or intelligent speculation, on the factors which have impacted on this diversity since Cook sailed along the NSW coast in 1770. The Macquarie Dictionary, e.g. the revised third edition, defines ‘natural history’ as ‘the science or study dealing with all objects in nature’, and ‘the aggregate of knowledge connected with such knowledge’. This makes natural history of wide interest to the entire community of Sydney, both residents and visitors. However, we have specialised to the extent that we have focused principally on fauna, the RZS being a zoological society. Nevertheless, plant communities are recognised as part and parcel of the natural history of Sydney, as is a sense of the geography of the city, with its magnificent harbour, sandstone backdrop and spectacular national parks surrounding the city. Also of great importance is how others in the past have seen the natural history of what is now called Sydney. All these ideas are captured in this book. One of the strengths of being a naturalist, i.e. ‘one who is versed in or devoted to natural history, especially a zoologist or botanist’ (Macquarie Dictionary), is the opportunity to look across the individual disciplines, be it a specialist in birds, mammals or polychaetes, a taxonomist, or an ecologist or writer. Their advantage is the ability to see the richness of a place such as Sydney. Consequently, most botanists and zoologists have one or two highly specialised skills, but a keen interest in the broader picture and can thus appreciate the importance of, for example, cave art or fish diversity in the harbour, and recognise that the vertebrate fauna of Sydney has changed over the 222 years since European settlement, and no doubt the invertebrate fauna has changed although it is less easily assessed. Our aim in this book is to draw attention to the natural history of Sydney for scholars, as well as those who have the task of looking after a particular area, such as within a local government area, or a particular taxon, such as reptiles or fish, and those who have the opportunity to conserve areas, taxa or institutions through their employment or legislative responsibilities. It is also for teachers and lecturers, colleagues in other cities and towns in Australia, and those with a keen interest in managing our urban wildlife, our cultural heritage or promoting the profound value of our natural heritage within a city landscape. It also displays the importance of museum and herbarium collections in documenting the changes since 1770.

Download or read book Wombats written by Barbara Triggs and published by . This book was released on 1991 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents, in text and photographs, the habits, life cycle, and natural environment of the Australian wombat, one of the world's largest burrowing animals.

Download or read book The Natural History of Man Australia New Zealand Polynesia America Asia and ancient Europe written by John George Wood and published by . This book was released on 1870 with total page 886 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Volcanoes written by Keith Lye and published by . This book was released on 1996-05 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The early reader's introduction to the human body, the planet, and our neighbors in space Simple, powerful descriptions clarify complex body systems, Earth habitats, forces of nature, environmental concerns, and space exploration. Each book includes an illustrated glossary and an index.What are volcanoes? How can scientists predict an eruption? Investigate causes, effects, and benefits of volcanoes through history.

Download or read book The Koala written by Roger Martin and published by UNSW Press. This book was released on 1999 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rev. ed. of: The koala / Anthony Lee and Roger Martin. 1988.

Download or read book Wild Habitats written by Allan Fox and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fully illustrated journey through the Australian landscape from the Steve Parish team, featuring stunning photography depicting the Australian continent in all its wild glory.

Download or read book A Natural History of Australian Bats written by Greg Richards and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2012 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first book on Australian bats that focuses on their natural history. It describes the bioregions, describe what bats do in them and the ecosystem services that they provide. The book features a description of the 80.90 species in Australia, a section on bat myths and stories and rock art from indigenous Australians.

Download or read book A Natural History of Australian Parrots written by Joseph M. Forshaw and published by . This book was released on 2016-10-15 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is the final collaboration of Joseph M. Forshaw and William T. Cooper and combines the finest Cooper artwork with an updated, authoritative Forshaw text. Presented as a deluxe edition, this book is truly a combination of art and science presenting many previously unpublished Cooper drawings, sketches and paintings. Containing more than 300 artworks, it is fully cased in grey Ballantine cloth, with black blocking and marbled endpapers. The book is landscape format printed on fine quality satin art paper and the size is 350 mm x 305 mm.

Download or read book Kookaburra written by Sarah Legge and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2004-06-10 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Laughing Kookaburras are the largest kingfishers in the world, and Blue-winged Kookaburras are not far behind. Their size and distinctive shape and posture make them easily recognisable; their comical and personable characters make them readily memorable. They are able to live in a wide variety of habitats, and adapt to living around humans relatively well. This cheerful familiarity has caused them to figure prominently in the psyches and folklores of all peoples who have inhabited Australia. Kookaburras live in family groups marked by the extremes of social behaviour. Whilst in the nest, chicks fight their siblings for dominance and food so aggressively that the smallest chick is often killed. In complete contrast, many adult kookaburras delay their own breeding in order to help their relatives raise young. Kookaburra: King of the Bush provides a complete overview of kookaburras and their unique place in Australian culture and natural history.

Download or read book Australian Lizards written by Stephen K. Wilson and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2012 with total page 207 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The extraordinary lives of lizards remain largely hidden from human eyes. Lizards feed, mate, lay eggs or give live birth, and carefully manage their temperatures. They struggle to survive in a complex world of predators and competitors. The nearly 700 named Australian species are divided into seven families: the dragons, monitors, skinks, flap-footed lizards and three families of geckos. Using a vast array of artful strategies, lizards have managed to find a home in virtually all terrestrial habitats. Australian Lizards: A Natural Historytakes the reader on a journey through the remarkable life of lizards. It explores the places in which they live and what they eat, shows how they make use of their senses and how they control their temperatures, how they reproduce and how they defend themselves. Lavishly illustrated with more than 400 color photographs, this book reveals behavioral aspects never before published, offering a fascinating glimpse into the unseen lives of these reptiles. It will appeal to a diverse readership, from those with a general interest in natural history to the seasoned herpetologist.

Download or read book Australian Snakes written by Richard Shine and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 1995 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing on years of experience and an impressive grasp of the literature, Richard Shine covers the day-to-day lives of snakes, discussing their anatomy, evolution, and habitat, and describing their behavior, sex habits, life history, and diet.

Download or read book Australian natural history written by Sydney Australian Museum and published by . This book was released on 1962 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Kangaroos written by Terence J Dawson and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2012-04-16 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a clear and accessible account of kangaroos, showing how their reproductive patterns, social structure and other aspects of their biology make them well adapted to Australia’s harsh climate and demanding environment. Since the last edition of this book nearly 20 years ago, much more is now known about the biology and ecology of these iconic animals. This completely revised edition describes these new perspectives and attempts to counter the many urban and rural myths that still exist.

Download or read book Native Mice and Rats written by Bill Breed and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2007 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Details the diversity, evolution and ecology of this much neglected group of animals, and describes their range of reproductive strategies and dietary adaptations. The book includes a chapter on rodent diseases, the impact of human settlement, and the efforts that are being made to conserve key species.

Download or read book The Hawkesbury River written by Paul Boon and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2017-07-01 with total page 566 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Hawkesbury River is the longest coastal river in New South Wales. A vital source of water and food, it has a long Aboriginal history and was critical for the survival of the early British colony at Sydney. The Hawkesbury’s weathered shores, cliffs and fertile plains have inspired generations of artists. It is surrounded by an unparalleled mosaic of national parks, including the second-oldest national park in Australia, Ku-ring-gai National Park. Although it lies only 35 km north of Sydney, to many today the Hawkesbury is a ‘hidden river’ – its historical and natural significance not understood or appreciated. Until now, the Hawkesbury has lacked an up-to-date and comprehensive book describing how and when the river formed, how it functions ecologically, how it has influenced humans and their patterns of settlement and, in turn, how it has been affected by those settlements and their people. The Hawkesbury River: A Social and Natural History fills this gap. With chapters on the geography, geology, hydrology and ecology of the river through to discussion of its use by Aboriginal and European people and its role in transport, defence and culture, this highly readable and richly illustrated book paints a picture of a landscape worthy of protection and conservation. It will be of value to those who live, visit or work in the region, those interested in Australian environmental history, and professionals in biology, natural resource management and education.

Download or read book A Fragile Balance written by Chris R. Dickman and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The extraordinary story of these fascinating animals, A Fragile Balance, provides up-to-date information on marsupials without losing sight of the unique set of circumstances that led them to diversify Down Under. Covering all marsupial species in Australia, the book uses an evolutionary and natural history framework to interpret their biological traits. The general chapters on biology, evolution, natural history, cultural history and conservation are bounded by feature treatments of six species of note. A Fragile Balance is the first book to emphasize interactions among marsupials, and between marsupials and their environment, as well as between humans and marsupials. The text is completed by accounts of all known species, each including a basic biological and ecological description, a range map and a measure of conservation status."--BOOK JACKET.