Conservation Science W. Aust. 6 (3) : 1–214 (2008) Historical perspectives of the ecology of some conspicuous vertebrate species in south-west Western Australia IAN ABBOTT Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Bentley WA 6983 Email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT stagnant economy, slow population growth and hence minimal clearance of the original vegetation until the This paper, an integration of history, ecology and 1890s. The anthropogenic factors identified as significant zoogeography, is based on a comprehensive search for in the decline and depletion of the native fauna, together firsthand (eyewitness) information from navigators’ and with an understanding of their correct sequence of explorers’ journals (1658-1875), colonists’ accounts operation, provide a historically appropriate conceptual (1829-1889) and later settlers’ records and oldtimers’ model that may be applicable elsewhere in Australia. recollections (1890-2006). Pertinent data for 37 The baseline data and historical accounts provide a conspicuous vertebrate species (10 bird, 26 mammal and resource for specialists working on particular species, and 1 snake species) were collated, analysed, and integrated include much new material relating to the pelt industry with more recent scientific information. Much of the and pest control activities. information discovered in colonial records and obtained ‘what’s past is prologue’ (Shakespeare 1623, The from interviews with oldtimers has been neglected by Tempest, Act 2 Scene 1) zoologists and ecologists. The original distributional limits ‘The past is never dead. It’s not even past’ of many of the species studied were thus clarified and (Faulkner 1953) redetermined. ‘The pastness of the present and the presence of Detailed information is also provided on the history the past’ (Taruskin 1988) of the introduction of 14 mammal species into south-west WA, in order to assess their potential contribution to the extinction of native vertebrate species.