On the Brink
Yes – we know - mosquitoes are part of the delicate balance of nature. Still, would the ecosystem really collapse if they disappeared? Do we care if mosquitoes become extinct? Of course, in principle yes — biodiversity matters. Every species, no matter how irritating, plays a role in the grand web of
On the Brink
So why do we worry if some tiny bug or obscure frog can no longer be found in the wild? It’s likely that there are many people who secretly long for the day when mosquitoes become extinct! But here are some reasons why we should worry - even about
On the Brink
One thing about researching for this column is that I have found that many of the arguments put forward by people, especially when they are about contentious issues, are simply not true. Here are a few of these myths. Barmah heritage horses. The feral horses in the Barmah Forest wetlands
On the Brink
While most people know about the European carp and the damage it does to the ecologies of our lakes and rivers, few have heard of the mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki), which is common in our waterways and also does a great deal of ecological damage. The mosquito fish is a
On the Brink
Some time ago ‘On the Brink’ looked at the various native bee species. In this edition it is the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and its impact upon the environment that is being looked at. The European honey bee was introduced into Australia in 1822. While it was brought to
On the Brink
In the last Brink we looked at two native species that are easily mistaken for the house mouse and the black rat (both introduced). In this edition we continue looking at more rat and mouse look-alikes. Alpine and sub-alpine huts attract bushwalkers; they are always sited near water and have
On the Brink
Many years ago, I was visiting a friend who lived in the Environmental Living Zone near Kangaroo Ground. I went into the kitchen and disturbed a large mouse on the counter which promptly scurried off. I called out to my friend that she had a mouse in her kitchen. She
On the Brink
Loss of habitat is a major driver in the decline of our wildlife populations. Most people only think of habitat in terms of the broader landscape that supports the larger, more visible species of the ecosystem. In truth, habitat and species extend down to include the microscopic level. Habitats must
On the Brink
Islands are like an evolutionary petri dishes. Strange things happen to the resident species. Large species morph into small species and small species morph into large species in a process known as Foster’s rule. Some of the results are surprising. On an island where there are no large predators
On the Brink
Trail cameras are marvellous things. They can be set to keep watch on a site 24/7. No need to rely on stumbling across wildlife. No need for live trapping or netting. Trail cameras are revealing rare, ‘extinct’ and unrecorded species and their ranges. Recent trail camera footage has revealed
On the Brink
With poor spring rains, not much rain over summer and then the autumn rains failing it has been an increasingly tough time for the plants and animals of our forest. Much of this has gone unnoticed; only noticed when it becomes blatantly obvious. Most days I go for a walk
On the Brink
Most readers will be familiar with the extinction of the thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus). Its range once extended over Papua and New Guinea, mainland Australia and Tasmania where it was an apex predator. It became extinct in PNG and mainland Australia around 3,500 years ago; probably due