Michael Calver

Quantifying Diets of Wildlife and Fish presents different techniques available to study animal diets. Ecologists determine animal diets to build natural history knowledge, test hypotheses in ecological theory and make informed management decisions for important ecosystems. Many researchers use techniques traditionally applied to the animals they study, rather than techniques with the greatest potential for the aims of each project. In an effort to encourage researchers to consider new approaches, this book focuses on the techniques, rather than on particular groups of organisms or specific environments.

With contributions from leading ecologists, chapters explore experimental design, observational techniques (including new technologies), stomach contents and faecal analysis, eDNA, tracers and stable isotopes. They also cover the latest multivariate methods of analyses suitable for describing animal diets and feeding relationships, as well as testing hypotheses relevant to ecological theory, environmental management and biological conservation. The expert knowledge provided will encourage readers to look beyond the boundaries of their specialties, assist in testing important hypotheses and provide insights into management problems. The examples in this book cover a range of vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as different environments, to open these methods up for novice ecologists and stimulate lateral thinking in more experienced researchers.

Writing in 1920, Western Australia's Conservator of Forests Charles E Lane Poole looked forward to a time when people would develop a 'forest conscienceness' and ensure that forests were managed for the benefit of whole communities and not select interest groups. The unusual word 'conscienceness' has echoes of both awareness and responsibility, which were clearly parts of his vision. Eighty years later community interest in the many values of forests and in forest management policy has heightened throughout the world and it is appropriate to ask if Lane Poole's vision has been fulfilled. This book of abstracts and its accompanying CD ROM of full papers considers the question by integrating over 50 contributions from natural scientists, social scientists, foresters and community organizations in evaluating what 'forest conscienceness' means to forest managers and the diverse communities they represent at the beginning of the 21st century. Although the focus is predominantly Australian, contrasting international perspectives from New Zealand, southeast Asia, South Africa and both North and South America illustrate the universality of many of the issues. The broad themes covered include differing perspectives on what 'forest conscienceness' means to individuals and communities today, resolving conflicts over forest use, forest ecosystem health (including the capacity of forests to sustain healthy human communities), sustainable forest management and reconstructing forests of the past. The themes are complemented by a series of special topic papers highlighting illustrative examples from forest history. The publication is an important reference for all those interested in the history of forests and their management and the application of interdisciplinary approaches to the challenges faced in achieving 'forest conscienceness' today.