On the Brink
Looking at endangered or extinct flora and fauna.
Flora biodiversity is important because it provides essential ecosystem services like clean air, water, and fertile soil, which are critical for human health and survival.
On the Brink
Do we care if mosquitoes become extinct?
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
Why worry?
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
Myth Busters
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
Mosquito fish
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
Buzzy bees
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
More mice and rats
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
Of mice and men
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
The ecology of fallen wood
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
Island life
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
Leadbeater’s in NSW
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
Hard times
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