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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 47(4)

Using invertebrate bioindicators to assess agricultural sustainability in Australia: proposals and current practices

Maurizio G. Paoletti A C , Linda J. Thomson B and Ary A. Hoffmann B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Agroecology & Ethnobiology, Department of Biology, Padova University, Padova 35100, Italy.

B Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, Zoology Department, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: paoletti@civ.bio.unipd.it

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(4) 379-383 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05288
Submitted: 31 October 2005  Accepted: 28 November 2006   Published: 9 March 2007

Abstract

The papers in this special issue, ‘Using Invertebrate Bioindicators to Assess Agricultural Sustainability in Australia: Proposals and Current Practices’, highlight the diversity of invertebrates in agricultural environments and associated environments, and the varied roles they play in agricultural production. The papers demonstrate the various ways that the constitution of the invertebrate fauna can change rapidly in response to environmental inputs such as chemicals and landscape management. Given these factors, invertebrates show enormous potential to be used as indicators of sustainability in agriculture. However, this potential remains to be realised.


Acknowledgements

Many people have inspired, helped and stimulated us to produce this special issue and two persons have to be specially mentioned: Ken E. Lee and Tim New. For providing taxonomical and ecological information and for their help on fieldwork, we are particularly grateful to: Geffroy Allen, Martin Baher; Patrice Bouchard, Peter Cranston, Wilhelm Foissner, Tony Friend, Beth Gott, Alison Green, Jane Gower, Alisin Green, Barrie Jamieson, Ken E. Lee, Alison Mac Gregor, Mark Harvey, David Madge, Eric Mattews, Peter Neville, Lawrence Mound, Roberto Pace, Clive Pankhurst, Sarina Pearce, Aldo Poiani, Stefano Taiti, Ken Walker and Alan York.


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