... species. For example, ecological drivers such as fire and precipitation play an important role in shaping distinct southern terrestrial ecosystems. This paper summarizes observed impacts of climate change on Australian species, both terrestrial and marine, identifies key knowledge gaps, and provides...

... At the time of European settlement, the terrestrial reptile fauna of the Sydney metropolitan area, west and north to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, consisted of 45 species, based on Australian Museum records, although most regions had between 30-36 species. Skinks and elapid snakes dominated...

... practice on the flora and fauna. The effects on a biodiverse and functionally important component, the terrestrial invertebrates, are largely unknown. This study looked at ground-active invertebrates and found that grazing impacts operate within a configuration of broader environmental and historical...

... There has been much discussion about the difference between marine and terrestrial systems and appropriateness of applying terrestrial conservation methods to marine systems. To investigate these issues, 43 criteria were assessed for magnitude of difference and implications for conservation...

... characteristic arthropod assemblages and that composition of terrestrial arthropod communities is related to the structure and disturbance history of the ground layer. ...

... The native herpetofauna of Tasmania, though a small part of the rich Australian fauna, is ecologically and biogeographically distinctive. It contains 31 terrestrial species and six marine species. Among the terrestrial fauna nine species (29 per cent of the fauna) are endemic. Only one species...

... Birds are useful for testing ecological theory, monitoring environmental change, and establishing the basis of a national conservation programme. However, there are difficulties in estimating the numbers of terrestrial birds. Observer error and differences in spatial and temporal detectability...

... In many aquatic systems, cascading trophic interactions are important determinants of community structure, via top-down (predation) and bottom-up (productivity) factors. In contrast, little is known of the importance of these factors in the structuring of diverse terrestrial communities...