Australia’s Eucalypt Forests: Environmental Communication Denise Anette Elias B. App. Sci. (Scientific Information Services) A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2013 School of English, Media Studies and Art History i Abstract Of what worth are Australia’s old eucalypt forests: what habitats do they provide; who lives in them? Why is “old-growth” forest important? This work communicates ecological values of Australia's eucalypt forests to those without a background in ecology, followed by an investigation into the value of such an endeavour. The forest communication piece explores the development, processes and habitats of old eucalypt forests, and highlights wildlife species that use these habitats. Setting the scene, a hypothetical encounter by a millipede with a eucalypt log expands into a brief illustration of the service provided by the previously standing eucalypt to the forest community, from its maturity through senescence and death. The work is then formally introduced with a contention that greater public understanding and appreciation of eucalypt forests and their ecology is required to support their conservation. From here commences a journey into the old eucalypt forests to observe features that develop with time. The ageing process of eucalypts is observed as they leave behind the vigour of early maturity and become decrepit and broken. An account of the intricate workings of decay within trunks and limbs, enacted by an array of organisms, follows – a process causing hollows to arise. Many colourful, and often little-known, mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs that use these hollows for shelter and breeding are introduced, their vignettes illustrating the importance of a variety of hollow sizes and types to meet their needs and particularities. The focus then turns to the thick and loosening bark of expanding eucalypt girths and limbs, within and upon which myriad invertebrates find homes and shelter. They make the bark a rich foraging place, and a variety of vertebrates taking advantage of this situation are described, along with some small enough to squeeze behind the bark to shelter or breed. Values of dead branches and trees are then examined, these found to harbour yet more invertebrates and to provide foraging sites, spider web for nest-building, and hollows. A summary of the remaining journey, being developed for an expanded work, then follows. With the old or dead eucalypts having collapsed, this sees: logs upon the forest floor eventually assimilated into the soil while providing food and shelter for invertebrates and vertebrates; the hidden world of the litter and soil with their countless organisms, again providing forage and breeding sites for wildlife; the layered and patchy vegetation that develops with forest age, and the wildlife habitat this forms; and forest functions and process, such as carbon storage and water regulation, and how these are enhanced with forest age. The journey concludes with a reflection upon old-growth eucalypt forest values, and the importance of retaining and extending these places. ii The essay, reflecting upon this work and its possible form as a book, investigates whether popular environment-based books (termed “environment-writing” books) are a useful form of environmental communication – can they help nurture attitudes and behaviours sympathetic towards the environment? Following a positioning of the research question and clarification of the term, “environment writing”, part 1 opens with an investigation into cognitive properties of ecological information within environment-writing books. Segments of two books, Gum by Ashley Hay and Tree: A Biography by David Suzuki and Wayne Grady, are analysed to demonstrate how their ecological information may educate about the environment and ecology, enhance reader insight into ecological phenomena, and potentially increase reader appreciation of the subject. I then explore ways in which information within environment-writing books might evoke affective responses sympathetic towards the environment, including: sympathetic attitudes (with an examination of what attitudes are); a sense of connectedness; concern; empathy or identification; and indignation. In light of the ascertained cognitive and affective properties of environment- writing books, three environmental psychology models on the information-attitude-behaviour link are reviewed, and the place of the books within these models identified. A note follows on other properties of books that may facilitate their environmental-communication capacity. Part 2 transitions from potential personal/individual effects to collective responses, with investigation into known and theorised influences of environment-writing books in society. I review historical evidence of the influence of the classic books, A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, which shows them to have made significant and far-reaching contributions to environmental awareness, knowledge and action. An intertextual model is then drawn upon to demonstrate a way in which all environment-writing books, including those less known, can exert influence through stimulating and building public dialogue and constructs regarding the environment. These analyses: cognitive and affective properties of popular environment-writing books; theoretical models on environmental behaviour; historical and ongoing influences of two classic books; and intertextual web dynamics, lead to the conclusion that environment-writing books can play a useful role in environmental communication. iii Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the General Award Rules of The University of Queensland, immediately made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis. iv Publications during candidature No publications. Publications included in this thesis None. Contributions by others to the thesis No contributions by others. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree None. v Acknowledgements I am grateful to those who have assisted in enabling me to bring this work to fruition: Dr Joan Leach and Dr Melissa Harper, EMSAH, UQ, provided support, and helpful feedback. Dr Ruth Blair, EMSAH, UQ, provided helpful feedback and information, and much inspiration. The initial idea for this project originated from a discussion with Professor Tony Norton, University of Tasmania. Prof Norton provided support, much encouragement, assistance, and feedback. Dr Peter Woodgate, CRC for Spatial Information, provided invaluable support, encouragement and inspiration, and helpful discussions and feedback for which I am most grateful. I thank Dr Richard Noske, Charles Darwin University, and Dr Michael Craig, Murdoch University, for generously providing helpful information/data on aspects of avian habitat use and behaviour, and Dr Ashley Hay for kindly providing information pertaining to her book, Gum. I also thank Dr Bronwyn Lea, EMSAH, UQ, for advice, Dr W. Ross Johnston, UQ, for feedback, Ms Tunya Struzina for helpful suggestions, EMSAH academic staff for support, UQ members of the Ecosystems Decisions Group for a helpful discussion, and fellow students for feedback. EMSAH administrative staff gave effortless assistance, including Ms Angela Tuohy, Ms Catherine Squirrell and Ms Stormy Wehi. UQ librarians provided tremendous research support, and UQ Graduate School staff and UQ IT staff gave helpful support. I am indebted to the following people who provided photographs and associated information, or else searched their photograph collections for potential images (some digging through drawers or boxes), gave assistance in locating photographs/photographers, or equipped me with slide viewers, scanners and light boxes. The images have been given in generosity, and not only illustrate this work, but truly decorate it. (In approximate order of contact): Dr Denis Saunders, CSIRO; Ms Suzanne Orwin, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria; Dr David Hollands; Mr Steve Wilson, Dr Steve Van Dyck and Mr Scott Carlile, Queensland Museum; Mr Martyn Robinson, and staff, Australian Museum; Staff of Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre; Mr Stuart