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https://theconversation.com/islands-in-the-sky-could-steep-sided-hilltops-offer-safe-haven-to-our-threatened-species-234925>
"Species are disappearing at an alarming rate around the world. But Australia’s
extinction crisis is especially severe – since European colonisation, we have
lost about 100 species of animals and plants. The loss of 33 mammal species is
largely due to canny invasive predators such as foxes and cats as well as
destruction of habitat.
To try to stem the losses, many scientists and conservationists are turning to
rewilding. This promising approach involves reintroducing species to their
former habitats or relocating them to new areas where they have a better chance
of survival.
To date, rewilding in Australia has worked best on islands free of foxes and
cats and in fenced-off safe havens, which act like islands on the mainland.
But is there a way we could bring back vulnerable native species beyond the
fence?
In research published today, we show how the humble mesa has potential to act
as a reintroduction site for threatened species. You might associate these
flat-topped, steep-sided landforms with American gunslinger westerns. But
Australia has plenty of its own mesas."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
