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A threatened ecological community: research advances and priorities for Banksia woodlands

Authors :
Siegfried L. Krauss
Russell G. Miller
Christopher Shaw
Giles E. St. J. Hardy
Christine Groom
Belinda J. Davis
William Fowler
Eddie J. B. van Etten
Anna J. M. Hopkins
Jason Stevens
Julian Bolleter
Leonie E. Valentine
Michael Hughes
Matthias Leopold
Richard J. Hobbs
Michael D. Craig
Alison L. Ritchie
Ryan Tangney
Katinka X. Ruthrof
Cristina E. Ramalho
Robert A. Davis
Erik J. Veneklaas
Ben P. Miller
Aaron Brace
Joseph B. Fontaine
Bronwyn M. Ayre
Paula Hooper
Lauren N. Svejcar
Raymond H. Froend
Source :
Australian Journal of Botany. 69:53
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
CSIRO Publishing, 2021.

Abstract

The rapid expansion of urban areas worldwide is leading to native habitat loss and ecosystem fragmentation and degradation. Although the study of urbanisation’s impact on biodiversity is gaining increasing interest globally, there is still a disconnect between research recommendations and urbanisation strategies. Expansion of the Perth metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain in south-western Australia, one of the world’s thirty-six biodiversity hotspots, continues to affect the Banksia Woodlands (BWs) ecosystem, a federally listed Threatened Ecological Community (TEC). Here, we utilise the framework of a 1989 review of the state of knowledge of BWs ecology and conservation to examine scientific advances made in understanding the composition, processes and functions of BWs and BWs’ species over the last 30 years. We highlight key advances in our understanding of the ecological function and role of mechanisms in BWs that are critical to the management of this ecosystem. The most encouraging change since 1989 is the integration of research between historically disparate ecological disciplines. We outline remaining ecological knowledge gaps and identify key research priorities to improve conservation efforts for this TEC. We promote a holistic consideration of BWs with our review providing a comprehensive document that researchers, planners and managers may reference. To effectively conserve ecosystems threatened by urban expansion, a range of stakeholders must be involved in the development and implementation of best practices to conserve and maintain both biodiversity and human wellbeing.

Details

ISSN :
00671924
Volume :
69
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Australian Journal of Botany
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........a0df1bda7ce08a54b04fc9a61a77d655
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1071/bt20089