Wildlife Australia - Summer 2002

From the Editor

The special focus on Threatened Species in this issue of WILDLIFE Australia is both timely and topical.

With cutting-edge stories about wildlife, a wildlife crossword, wildlife photography tips, and comment from people who passionately believe that the our natural world is something worth fighting for, each issue of WAM is designed to collect and cherish for years to come.

Establishment of issue ‘themes’ has, on the whole, been a successful editorial decision. Themes give each edition a framework, a target, a sense of direction. And as we largely rely on voluntary contributions from suitably qualified writers, the issue themes channel informed submissions from journalists, scientists and field workers into appropriate editions.

Summer 2002 is a splendid example of the theme system at work. Many months ago, we contacted Anna Knee, a journalist who now lives and works in Geneva, and asked her to contribute a feature that outlined the role of the IUCN Red List for our ‘threatened species’ edition.

Meanwhile, Wendy Pyper, a Brisbane based freelance science writer and associate editor of the CSIRO magazine Ecos, reveals that changes to the way butterflies are classified are causing concern for several eminent Australian scientists.

In 'The Earthworm and the Damselfly', Alan Yen takes up the cudgel for Victorian invertebrates. After playing a back seat role in environmental management, invertebrates such as the Giant Gippsland Earthworm and Hemiphlebia Damselfly are increasingly being seen as valuable bioindicators.

Long-time readers will recognise that many of Alan’s sentiments closely match those expressed by John Stanisic, a regular WAM columnist and founding member of the Queensland Museum’s Centre for Biodiversity.

Overall, I hope you discover this to be an edition that challenges, informs and entertains you over the summer holidays. As I will be taking extended leave from my role as WAM's editor, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the many people who have helped me during the past three years. Former WILDLIFE Australia editor, Saren Starbridge, will be taking up the challenge as guest editor, fresh from her stint as a senior writer for the widely acclaimed Living Planet magazine.

RON HOHENHAUS
WILDLIFE Australia Magazine

Peering Behind The Red List

By Anna Knee

Few people know of its existence, but the IUCN Red List gets larger and more complex every year. Discover the intense efforts that go into assembling and maintaining the accuracy of this global conservation tool.

Butterfly Effect

By Wendy Pyper

Many important changes are taking place in the way that butterflies are studied and assessed. However, not everyoneis confident the new changes will have the desired effect.

 

Magnetic Gnomes

By Lee K. Curtis

On Magnetic Island, off the coast of Townsville, residents have learnt to become more tolerant of their feathered garden gnomes, but how long can the Bush Stone-Curlews survive the challenges of modern island life?

 

The Earthworm and the Damselfly

By Alan L. Yen

They may not be well known, but two strikingly different animals in Victoria are now recognised as indicators of overall habitat conditions for a much larger group of invertebrates.

 

Big Chill

By Michael Lunney

An Australian Antarctic expeditioner returns with an impressive collection of images and memories from an 18-month adventure in the world’s last great wilderness.

 

Forest Friend Needs Public Help

By Dave Patmore

An ambitious project to change public attitudes and plant thousands of food trees is drawing support from a wide section of the community.

 

Underwater Report Card

By Neville Coleman

After more than 12,000 underwater dives, Neville Coleman issues a timely warning about how we’re managing Australia’s threatened aquatic species.

 

The Powerful Owl

By Annette Henderson

Although their property was selectively logged sometime between the late 19th century and the 1940s, the Hendersons are delighted to share it with the ‘nightwatchmen of the bush’.

 

 

Cyber Jungle

New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
WPSQ Bayside Branch
The Green Community
The IUCN Red List
Owlpages
World of Owls

Also in this edition:

Wildlife Report, EcoMedia, Book Reviews, Scratchings and Rustlings, WPSQ in Action, Summer Skies, Photo Image, 'Comment', Young and Wild, Nature Watch, Swamp Cartoon and our regular environmental crossword.

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