Author(s)

D.N. Jones

Abstract

Contemporary urban ecology: the view from the Antipodes D. N. Jones Australian School of Environmental Studies, Grifith University, Australia Abstract Contemporary urban ecology has been as neglected in Australia as elsewhere. Nonetheless, Australian studies in urban bird communities have made a significant contribution to the international appreciation of the impact of urbanisation. While the avifaunas of Australian cities have many similarities with Northern cities, there also important differences. These include the preponderance of large, behaviourally aggressive species, many attracted to garden plantings intended to attract 'urban wildlife'. The presence of such species often reduces avian biodiversity. The abundance of these species is related to householder activities, including the otherwise ubiquitous practice of wildlife feeding. This is surprisingly controversial in Australia and is among the topics of much current research. 1 Introduction Traditionally, ecology has been a field

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