The mountains of Tasmania possess an unusual alpine vegetation, largely dominated by floriferous or coniferous shrubs, and a flora with strong affinities to those of the other southern lands. There is global interest in Tasmania's spectacular biological features, as confirmed by David Attenborough's inclusion of some of its plants in a recent documentary, but no such guide for lay readers has been previously available. Bright Green and Gold offers a concise summary of the natural history of Tasmania's alpine environment, which continues to attract huge numbers of ecotourists and contains some of the most notable scenery in Australia. It celebrates this region in three ways: it provides a minimally technical account of contemporary knowledge of the ecology and plant geography of the vegetation and flora of the mountains, focusing in particular on the areas in which tree growth is absent; it provides a guide to the major plant communities of the vegetation type; and it serves as an aid to the identification of the more than 400 vascular plant species that occur in the alpine zone. Jamie Kirkpatrick joined with Georgina Davis, who has provided high-quality line drawings, and the late Peter Dombrovskis, whose 24 sumptuous photographs are a testament to his art and to the immense natural beauty of the region.

Isolated from the rest of Australia for thousands of years, the island of Tasmania is a haven for unique wildlife. Its World Heritage wilderness area covers about a quarter of the state. Find out what caused the Tasmanian tiger to become extinct, and how Tasmania is now protecting its native plants and animals. Then read about the connection between Hobart, Antarctica and the first man to reach the South Pole. - Aboriginal history and culture - Maps, timelines, statistics - Historic illustrations - Covers geography, history, economics, government - Biographies of notable people - Australian Primary Curriculum

FACT! Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. Many of our native bird, reptile, fish and amphibian species are endangered. AUSTRALIA'S ENDANGERED ANIMALS… AND THEIR HABITATS is an exciting new series that takes a look at some of Australia's most threatened animal species and their unique habitats. Learn about: • Dozens of Australia's most vulnerable creatures • The habitats where Australia's animals live, feed and breed • Identifying characteristics that make a species vulnerable • Australian and international classification systems • Threats animals face and what is being done to save them • What YOU can do to make difference Inside each book you'll find current information, maps, statistics, fun facts, and photographs. Every book is a valuable resource designed to support Australian students and teachers, and meet Australian National Curriculum requirements.