Australian Saltmarsh Ecology

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Description

Australian Saltmarsh Ecology presents the first comprehensive review of the ecology and management of Australian saltmarshes. The past 10 years in particular have seen a sustained research effort into this previously poorly understood and neglected resource. In 10 chapters contributed by experts in each discipline, the book outlines what is known of the biogeography and geomorphology of Australian saltmarshes, their fish and invertebrate ecology, the use of Australian saltmarshes by birds and insectivorous bats, and the particular challenges of management, including the control of mosquito pests, and the issue of sea-level rise. It provides a powerful argument that coastal saltmarsh is a unique and critical habitat vulnerable to the combined impacts of coastal development and sea-level rise.

Reviews

"A fair percentage of the references are recent, having been published within the last decade, reinforcing both the currency of this book and how much it is needed. I think that the valuable work done by scientific researchers, as demonstrated in this book, needs to be shared with the stakeholders and a wider public."-- (06/01/2009)
"In a concise ten chapters, this book presents a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge on the flora, fauna, ecosystem functions, and management issues of the coastal marshes in Australia, and calls attention to significant gaps in relevant information. In summary, a highly recommendable, stimulating book, valuable from both the scientific and management points of view, and interesting not only for researchers and students dealing with Australian saltmarshes, but for everyone interested in these sensitive and endangered ecosystems."-- (06/25/2009)
"The outstanding contribution to the volume is that of Paul Adam on the global context, which contains an excellent review of invasive species and their impacts...any reader, whether a professional saltmarsh ecologist or not, will learn a lot from reading this volume, even which State to live in to minimise the chances of contracting Ross River fever."--Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, Australian Marine Sciences Association Bulletin (01/01/2009)

Author Bio

Neil Saintilan is Principal Research Scientist in the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change where he heads the Rivers and Wetlands Unit. He has spent more than 20 years exploring the ecology of coastal wetlands, including mangroves and saltmarshes. He and his students have discovered the importance of coastal saltmarsh a range of organisms including crustaceans, birds, fish and bats, and have documented the vulnerability of coastal saltmarsh to sea level rise. Professor Saintilan lives in Sydney.