Austral Ark : The State of Wildlife in Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand are home to remarkable and unique flora and fauna. Unfortunately tough, major losses to biodiversity have occurred since European contact. Austral Ark fills an important gap by presenting a research-informed synthesis of the current issues facing the Australasian biota and the challenges involved in their conservation.

Australia and New Zealand are home to a remarkable and unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Sadly though, by virtue of their long isolation, and a naïve and vulnerable biota, both countries have suffered substantial losses to biodiversity since European contact. Bringing together the contributions of leading conservation biologists, Austral Ark presents the special features and historical context of Austral biota, and explains what is being conserved and why. The threatening processes occurring worldwide are discussed, along with the unique conservation problems faced at regional level. At the same time, the book highlights many examples of conservation success resulting from the innovative solutions that have been developed to safeguard native species and habitats in both New Zealand and Australia. Austral Ark fills an important gap regarding wildlife gains and declines, and how best to take conservation forward to keep this extraordinary area of the world thriving.