The new nature
By: Tim Low.
Publisher: Viking
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Camberwell, Vic
Language: eng
Number of pages: 378
Subjects: Biological invasions -- Australia.; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Australia.
Description: The time has come to reinvent nature, to discard the romantic dream of the wilderness. The natural world is adapting to human intervention and changing fast. Our cities and our farms are now important wildlife habitats, even for endangered species, while animals exploit us more and more. Australian author.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [330]-351) and index.
"Winners and losers in wild Australia"--Cover.
Table of contents: title: Part I. Nature and Us: 1. Exploited by nature: nature using us; 2. Endangered weeds: rarities lurk among us; 3. Away from wilderness: questioning an unhelpful idea; 4. Ecosystem engineers: animals alter landscapes; 5. The ecology of sewage: wildlife wants our wastes; 6. Structure for nature: animals exploit our structures; 7. Nature needs weeds: weeds and crops suit wildlife; 8. Urban ecology: life in cities and farms; title: Part II. Changing Places: 9. On the move: animals expand ranges; 10. Foreign exchange: international spread; 11. Hidden hitchhikers: dispersal by vehicle; 12. Tales of transportation: relocating wildlife; 13. Noble arks: stocking national parks; 14. Fun with fish: fish stockers run amok; 15. Pardon my garden: native gardens spawn weeds; title: Part III. Conflicts: 16. Bad birds: native birds as eco-threats; 17. What kangaroos do: overgrazing in reserves; 18. To kill a tree: koalas and other tree-killers; 19. Vegetation wars: habitats in turmoil; 20. Gene scene: mixing gene pools; title: Part IV. Resolutions: 21. Wild strife in the garden: urban conservation myths; 22. Grazing and culling for conservation: ironies of modern management; 23. Forward to nature: living with wildness; title: Appendices: Appendix I. Errant native plants around cities; Appendix II. Australian animals as conservation threats.