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The first broad overview of conservation needs of Australia's largely endemic freshwater insects, drawing on examples and information from many parts of the world to illustrate and develop needs and practical prospects for conservation in inland water environments. The wide variety of those environments in Australia and their diverse insect inhabitants - many of them highly localised and ecologically specialised and vulnerable - and threats to them is illustrated. Case histories demonstrate the different aspects of practical conservation management that may be possible in different contexts, and numerous references facilitate understanding by non-specialist readers and non-entomologist conservation managers and practitioners.
List of contents
1. Introduction: aquatic insects in Australia's environments.- 1.1. The background to concern.- References.- 2. Major habitats.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Ponds and lakes.- 2.3. Streams and rivers.- References.- 3. Australian inland waters.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. Waterfalls.- 3.3. Subterranean aquifers.- 3.4. Rock pools.- 3.5. Mound springs.- 3.6. Lakes.- 3.7. Billabongs.- 3.8. Streams and rivers.- 3.9. Exposed riverine sediments.- References.- 4. Monitoring freshwater macroinvertebrates.- 4.1. Scope and needs for assessments.- References.- 5. Threats: the background variations in condition.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. Drought.- 5.3. Flood.- References.- 6. Major imposed threats.- 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Water temperature.- 6.3. Sedimentation.- 6.3.1. Mining.- 6.4. Pollution.- 6.5. Salinisation.- 6.6. Exploitation.- 6.7. Electrofishing.- 6.8. Changes to riparian vegetation.- 6.8.1. Emergent vegetation.- 6.9. Alien species.- 6.9.1. Plants.- 6.9.2. Fish.- 6.9.3. Mammals.- 6.10. River regulation.- 6.11. Fire.- 6.12. Urbanisation.- 6.13. Recreation.- 6.14. Ecological traps.- 6.15. Climate change.- References.- 7. Macroinvertebrates of inland waters.- 7.1. Introduction.- 7.2. The variety of aquatic insects.- 7.3. Other macroinvertebrates.- 7.3.1. Crustaceans.- 7.3.2. Molluscs.- References.- 8. Insects of Australia's inland waters.- 8.1. Introduction.- 8.2. Ephemeroptera.- 8.3. Odonata.- 8.4. Plecoptera.- 8.5. Hemiptera.- 8.6. Coleoptera.- 8.7. Mecoptera.- 8.8. Megaloptera.- 8.9. Neuroptera.- 8.10. Lepidoptera.- 8.11. Trichoptera.- 8.12. Diptera.- 8.12.1. Control of aquatic pest flies.- References.- 9. Australia's flagship freshwater insects.- 9.1. Introduction.- 9.2. Selected flagship taxa.- References.- 10. Ecology and management.- 10.1. Introduction.- 10.2. Dispersal.- 10.2.1. Impacts of urban lighting.- 10.2.2. Pond colonization.- References.- 11. Conservation.- 11.1. Introduction.- 11.2. Protected areas.- 11.3. Management and restoration.- 11.4. Fish conservation.- 11.5. Education and involvement.- 11.6. Artificial water bodies.- 11.7. Temporary ponds.- 11.8. Intermittent streams.- 11.9. Stormwater retention ponds.- 11.10. Refuges.- 11.11. Woody debris.- 11.12. Riparian zones.- 11.13. Perspective and prospects.- References.- Appendix 1.- Index.
About the author
Emeritus Professor Tim New is an entomologist with broad interests in insect systematics, ecology and conservation. For long based at LaTrobe University, Melbourne, he has traveled widely to collect and study insects in many parts of the world, and his extensive publications on these topics include about 45 books. He is recognized globally as one of the leading advocates for insect conservation.
