The Other Lepidoptera: Moth Conservation in Australia

ISBN-13: 9783031321023 / Angielski

Tim R. New

Spis treści

Contents

1        Introducing moth variety and diversity

1.1           Introduction

1.2          Richness and variety

1.3          Distinguishing and counting species

1.4          Noticing moth diversity

References

2        Moth ecology and conservation importance

2.1          Introduction

2.2         Specialisation and dietary breadth

2.3         Moths as pollinators

2.4        Variety in feeding and resources

References

3        Moth declines and the need for conservation

3.1          Introduction

3.2         Detecting and assessing species declines

3.3         Changes in moth assemblages

3.4        Dealing with rarity

References

4        Causes for concern: habitat change as the major imposed threat to moths

4.1          Introduction

4.2        Habitat change

References

5        Causes for concern: confounding threats to moths

5.1          Introduction

5.2         Chemical pollution

5.3         Climate change

5.4         Non-native species

5.5         Exploitation of populations

5.6         Light pollution

References

6        Australia’s moths and their habitats

6.1          Introduction

6.2         Accumulating information

6.3         Features of Australia’s moth fauna

References

7        A closer focus: threats to Australia’s moths

7.1           Introduction

7.2         Loss of native vegetation: a key to Australian moth conservation

7.3         Fire

7.4         Climate change

7.5          Pest management

References

8        Moth flagships in Australia: focus on single taxa

8.1          Introduction

8.2         Selecting and designating priority species

8.3         The current priority species

References

9        Conservation potential for Australia’s moths: focus on wider diversity

9.1          Introduction

9.2         Need for further survey

9.3         Interpreting the outcomes

References

10   Bringing potential to practice: a future for Australia’s moths

10.1        Introduction: some major concerns

10.2       Habitat management issues

10.3       Captive rearing and translocation

10.4      Moths in Australia: conservation targets or passengers?

References

Index

O autorze

Prof. Tim New is an entomologist with broad interests in systematics, ecology and conservation, and has published extensively in these areas.  He is acknowledged widely as a leading advocate for insect conservation, and his books include several dealing with conservation of Lepidoptera. He is a past Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Insect Conservation and past Regional Editor of Biological Conservation, and has received several prestigious awards for his insect conservation work. 

Blurb

Conservation interest in moths, by far the predominant components of Lepidoptera, lags far behind that for butterflies, for which conservation practice provides many well-established lessons for extension to their near relatives. The needs of moths are at least as great, but their greater richness and variety, and far poorer documentation of diversity and biology over much of the world contribute to this lack of attention. Australia’s rich moth fauna, largely endemic and of global interest, illustrates many of the problems of developing wider interest and support for moth conservation. Numerous species (perhaps half the total fauna) are undescribed, and many are ecological specialists in restricted and vulnerable environments over small parts of the continent. Establishing their conservation status and needs whilst accepting that foundation knowledge is highly incomplete and much species-focused conservation is impracticable provides complex problems in setting priorities, based largely on wider diversity and effective advocacy.  Most Australian vegetation systems, from grassland to forest and from sea-level to alpine zones, have been eroded in extent and quality since European settlement, resulting in massive habitat changes for native insects and to leave fragmented (and commonly degraded) remnants in which moths and others may persist. Recent surveys continue to increase recorded moth richness, reveal local faunal peculiarities, and indicate how assemblage changes may mirror wider environmental changes. This book is an overview of advances in documenting and interpreting moth diversity and ecology, to show how information from better-studied moth faunas can help in planning conservation of Australia’s moths through measures such as understanding the moths themselves by increased surveys and study, the factors influencing their diversity and wellbeing, and how such threats may be countered through increased coordinated conservation interest, commitment and management.