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• Introduction. What kills honey bees?
• 1. The life history of bees. Democratic decisions and the occasional coup d'état
• 2. Varroa destructor: The vampire mite A parasite that gives (viruses) as well as takes (blood and fat)
• 3. Viruses. Manmade, global pandemics in our favourite insect species
• 4. American foulbrood. My hive smells fishy - now I'm obliged to burn my bees
• 5. Pathogens. Fungal, trypanosomatid and other parasites and pathogens
• 6. Pesticides. How do neonicotinoids, Roundup, organic pesticides and other chemicals affect honey bees?
• 7. Predators. Ants, small hive beetles, hornets, wasps - and a plethora of other predators
• 8. The future. A lot of things affect bee health - and sometimes populations collapse
• Acknowledgements
• Notes
• Index.

"Phil Lester's first book, The Vulgar Wasp, was about one of the world's most hated insects. His second is about just the opposite - the honey bee, arguably one of our best-loved six-legged creatures. People have revered honey bees for centuries. Today we celebrate them with toys, postage stamps and campaigns to raise awareness; we dress up in large bee suits to protest the use of pesticides; we've even sent bees into space and watched as they adjusted to microgravity. Bees are one of the world's most efficient pollinators. Their work is vital to the success of many food crops, and hence to the world's economy. So we need to take seriously any threats to their health - including parasites, pathogens, predators and pesticides - and, guided by evidence at every turn, find a way to minimise harm and keep bees thriving. As Healthy Bee, Sick Bee shows, this is no small task. In this book, entomologist Phil Lester explores the wonderfully complex and sometimes brutally efficient life history of honey bees, and the problems they face in New Zealand and around the globe. What causes a beehive to collapse? Are pesticides as big a problem as they appear? What can we do to improve the health of our honey bees? With intelligence, insight and entomologist jokes, Healthy Bee, Sick Bee tells the story of this much-loved little insect and offers new ways of thinking about how to ensure they will stick around in the future."--Publisher's description.

• Conifers
• Tree ferns
• Flowering trees
• List of boxes
• Appendix : Sex expression

New Zealand's Native Trees is a landmark book, the kind that is published only once in a generation. It celebrates our unique and magnificent native forests, and describes and generously illustrates more than 320 species, subspecies and varieties. This edition has been completely brought up-to-date with a significant number of botanical revisions, as many new species have been described or reclassified in the years since the book was first published. Invaluable as an identification guide, a reference, a resource for landscapers and gardeners, and an inspiration for a new generation of New Zealanders, this is an essential book for every home, school and library.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Contents
• Foreword 5 Acknowledgements 6 Author's introduction 7 Map of New Zealand 9
• Introduction 10 Overview, Natural History Human History Maps of North & South Islands Conservation & Alien species Climate
• Habitats 20 Coast Rivers and Wetlands Forest - Lowland & Upland Alpine and subalpine
• Geology 26
• Birds 30
• Mammals 92
• Amphibians & Reptiles 98
• Invertebrates 108
• Seashore 128
• Plants 136 Native Trees and Shrubs Vines & Epiphytes Ferns Herbs - Native - Alpine Herbs - Native - Coastal Herbs - Native - Other Grasses and Sedges
• Non-Vascular Plants 226 Fungi Mosses, Liverworts, Hornworts Lichens
• Appendices Places to Visit 234 National Parks & Protected Areas 238 Bibliography 242 Glossary 246 Organisations 248 Index 250.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

New Zealand is a popular tourist destination with a wide range of dramatic scenery and a long list of endemic species. Although the country's wildlife has suffered as a result of unwelcome introductions, most species have managed to survive thanks to a number of dedicated and inspired conservationists. This glorious photographic field guide illustrates most of the vertebrate species to be found there, as well as a large number of typical invertebrates and flora. The photographs are accompanied by a succinct text, and this portable guide will be invaluable to all visitors to the country with an interest in natural history.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Native to Europe, Vespula vulgaris, the common wasp, has been inadvertently transported around the globe - usually travelling quietly, unseen, sleeping in people's cargo. Today in New Zealand, the highest known wasp densities have up to 40 nests per hectare. Though we know them as pests, wasps are amazingly efficient predators with some exceptionally smart behaviours. Vespula vulgaris excels as both a hunter and an invader. Some people find them pretty tasty too. In this book, entomologist Phil Lester describes the many fascinating and lesser-known sides of the common wasp. He asks: how can we manage wasps? Can we ever learn to live with them? What can they teach us about the challenges we face for pest control? With warmth, wit and intelligence, "The Vulgar Wasp" tells the story of the common wasp and its impact on us and our biodiversity.

• Introduction / Kevin Stafford
• Dairy production / Penny Back
• Beef cattle production / Steve Morris
• Sheep production / Lydia Cranston, Anne Ridler, Andy Greer and Paul Kenyon
• Deer production / Kate Griffiths
• Goat production / Colin Prosser and Kevin Stafford
• Pig production / Patrick C.H. Morel
• Poultry production / Velmurugu Ravindran
• Horse production / Chris Rogers, Erica Gee and Charlotte Bolwell
• Working farm dogs / Naomi Cogger and Helen Sheard.

Whether you run dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, deer, goats, pigs or poultry,advice that reflects farming practice in New Zealand is indispensable. This book, written by experts from both Massey University's Institute of Veterinary,Animal and Biomedical Sciences and academics at Lincoln University, is of value and interest to everyone from students and farmers to those involved in the agribusiness, resource management, nutrition, food technology and ecologysectors. The emphasis is on the grass-fed reality of beef, sheep and deer, with significant discussion of the different systems of dairy cow production. Social issues, animal welfare, food safety, drug residues and environmental cost are also covered.

The origin of New Zealand birds is a story whose continuing evolution in the last 30 years especially has upset many apple carts - from the idea that the moa has evolved from a small South American bird which flew to ancient New Zealand, to the seeming preposterous suggestion that the kiwi is more closely related to the Madagascan elephant bird than the moa. What, then, of the kakapo, kea, tui, rifleman, stitchbird and the rest of our iconic New Zealand birds? Garry Sheeran has dug up what professionals are re-discovering about the origin of New Zealand birds with the help of modern scientific tools. A particular theme is the influence of Australian avifauna on New Zealand's bird life. In Part 1 he tells of his layman's latter-day interest in birds with enthusiasm, originality and charm. He also traces how the origin stories of birds are closely connected to the origins of the islands and continents on which they are found. Part 2 contains specific origin stories of more than 80 mainly land and shore birds, and traces their possible connection to Australian birds. The book is aimed as much at readers with little knowledge of New Zealand's bird life as it is at enthusiastic and knowledgeable birders. Writes Colin Miskelly, terrestrial vertebrates of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

• 1. Introduction: The development of reintroduction biology in New Zealand and Australia / Doug P. Armstrong [and three others]
• 2. Release strategies for fauna reintroductions : theory and tests / William Batson, Rachael Abbott and Kate M. Richardson
• 3. Structured decision making for designing complex release strategies / Stefano Canessa
• 4. The influence of predators and prey naivety on reintroduction success : current and future directions / Katherine Moseby, Alexandra Carthey and Tina Schroeder
• 5. Disease risk management in reintroduction / John G. Ewen [and three others]
• 6. Considering dispersal in reintroduction and restoration planning / Kate M. Richardson [and four others]
• 7. The roles of trials and experiments in fauna reintroduction programs / Leah Kemp [and three others]
• 8. Advances in modelling projections for reintroduced populations / Alienor L.M. Chauvenet [and three others]
• 9. Proactive conservation or planned invasion? : past, current and future use of assisted colonisation / Philip J. Seddon [and four others]
• 10. Conserving and enhancing genetic diversity in translocation programs / Andrew R. Weeks [and six others]
• 11. Metapopulation management of an extreme disease scenario / Stewart J. Huxtable [and three others]
• 12. Using reintroduction to compensate for isolation in fragmented landscapes / Doug P. Armstrong and Hugh A. Ford
• 13. Policy implications of ecosystem engineering for multiple ecosystem benefits / Adrian D. Manning, David J. Eldridge and Clive G. Jones
• 14. The impact of private sanctuary networks on reintroduction programs / John Innes [and three others]
• 15. Advances in the contribution of zoos to reintroduction programs / Richard Jakob-Hoff [and four others]
• 16. Forty years of fauna translocations in Western Australia : lessons learned / Keith Morris [and eight others]
• 17. Underwater, out of sight : lessons from threatened freshwater fish translocations in Australia / Mark Lintermans [and four others]
• 18. Practical guidelines for planning and implementing fauna translocations / Kevin A. Parker [and ten others]
• 19. Evolution of the translocation approval process in Australia and New Zealand / Simon Nally and Lynn Adams
• 20. Reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna : progress, emerging themes and future directions / Dorian Moro [and three others].

The publication of Reintroduction Biology of Australian and New Zealand Fauna nearly 20 years ago introduced the new science of `reintroduction biology'. Since then, there have been vast changes in our understanding of the process of reintroductions and other conservation-driven translocations, and corresponding changes in regulatory frameworks governing translocations. Advances in Reintroduction Biology of Australian and New Zealand Fauna is a timely review of our understanding of translocation from an Australasian perspective, ensuring translocation becomes an increasingly effective conservation management strategy in the future. Written by experts, including reintroduction practitioners, researchers and policy makers, the book includes extensive practical advice and example case studies, identifies emerging themes and suggests future directions. Topics include: key questions in reintroduction biology; population establishment; prey naivety; disease management; dispersal; the roles of trials and experiments; modelling projections; assisted colonisation; population interchange; genetic diversity; disease management; metapopulation dynamics; reintroduced species as ecological engineers; the contributions of sanctuary networks and zoos; and extensive insights from reintroduction programs. This book is aimed at conservation practitioners and researchers, as well as conservation management agencies and NGOs. Although it is based on Australasian examples, it will be of interest globally due to synergies with reintroduction programs throughout the world.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• List of contributors-- Foreword-- Introduction--
• 1. A separate creation: diversity, distinctiveness and conservation of Australian wildlife David A. Nipperess--
• 2. New Zealand - a land apart William G. Lee and Daphne E. Lee--
• 3. The ecological consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation in New Zealand and Australia Poppy Lakeman Fraser and Robert M. Ewers--
• 4. The impacts of climate change on Australian and New Zealand flora and fauna Abigail Cabrelli, Linda Beaumont and Lesley Hughes--
• 5. Unwelcome and unpredictable: the sorry saga of cane toads in Australia Richard Shine and Benjamin L. Phillips--
• 6. Invasive plants and invaded ecosystems in Australia: implications for biodiversity Rachael V. Gallagher and Michelle R. Leishman--
• 7. Environmental weeds in New Zealand: impacts and management Margaret C. Stanley, Kate G. McAlpine and Imogen E. Bassett--
• 8. The insidious threat of invasive invertebrates Darren F. Ward--
• 9. Pollution by antibiotics and resistance genes: dissemination into Australian wildlife Michael Gillings--
• 10. Invasive vertebrates in Australia and New Zealand Cheryl R. Krull, Josie A. Galbraith, Al S. Glen and Helen W. Nathan--
• 11. Freshwaters in New Zealand Mike Joy--
• 12. A garden at the edge of the world-- the diversity and conservation status of the New Zealand flora Carlos A. Lehnebach--
• 13. The evolutionary history of the Australian flora and its relevance to biodiversity conservation Maurizio Rossetto--
• 14. Protecting the small majority: insect conservation in Australia and New Zealand Gregory I. Holwell and Nigel R. Andrew--
• 15. Terrestrial mammal diversity, conservation and management in Australia Mark D. B. Eldridge and Catherine A. Herbert--
• 16. Marine mammals, back from the brink? Contemporary conservation issues Robert Harcourt, Helene Marsh, David Slip, Louise Chilvers, Mike Noad and Rebecca Dunlop--
• 17. Australian reptiles and their conservation Jonathan K. Webb, Peter S. Harlow and David A. Pike--
• 18. New Zealand reptiles and their conservation Nicola J. Nelson, Rod Hitchmough and Jo M. Monks--
• 19. Austral ark chapter - isolation, invasion and innovation: forces of change in the conservation of New Zealand birds Sarah Withers--
• 20. Australian birds: current status and future prospects Stephen T. Garnett, Judit K. Szabo and Donald C. Franklin--
• 21. Austral amphibians - Gondwanan relicts in peril Jean-Marc Hero, J. Dale Roberts, Conrad J. Hoskin, Katrin Lowe, Edward J. Narayan and Phil J. Bishop--
• 22. Predators in danger: shark conservation and management in Australia, New Zealand, and their neighbours Paolo Momigliano, Vanessa Flora Jaiteh and Conrad Speed--
• 23. 'Ragged mountain ranges, droughts and flooding rains': the evolutionary history and conservation of Australian freshwater fishes Leanne Faulks, Dean Gilligan and Luciano B. Beheregaray--
• 24. Down under Down Under: austral groundwater life Grant C. Hose, Maria G. Asmyhr, Steve J. B. Cooper and William F. Humphreys--
• 25. Fire and biodiversity in Australia John C. Z. Woinarski, Allan H. Burbidge, Sarah Comer, D. Harley, Sarah Legge, David B. Lindenmayer and Thalie B. Partridge--
• 26. Terrestrial protected areas of Australia Ian D. Craigie, Alana Grech, Robert L. Pressey, Vanessa M. Adams, Marc Hockings, Martin Taylor and Megan Barnes--
• 27. Australian marine protected areas Alana Grech, Graham Edgar, Peter Fairweather, Robert L. Pressey and Trevor Ward--
• 28. Marine reserves in New Zealand: ecological responses to protection and network design Nick Shears and Hannah Thomas-- Index.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Australia and New Zealand are home to a remarkable and unique assemblage of flora and fauna. Sadly though, by virtue of their long isolation, and a naive and vulnerable biota, both countries have suffered substantial losses to biodiversity since European contact. Bringing together the contributions of leading conservation biologists, Austral Ark presents the special features and historical context of Austral biota, and explains what is being conserved and why. The threatening processes occurring worldwide are discussed, along with the unique conservation problems faced at regional level. At the same time, the book highlights many examples of conservation success resulting from the innovative solutions that have been developed to safeguard native species and habitats in both New Zealand and Australia. Austral Ark fills an important gap regarding wildlife gains and declines, and how best to take conservation forward to keep this extraordinary area of the world thriving.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand is the modern classic of the genre - the tried and trusted reference for lovers of New Zealand birds. Comprehensive, reliable and easy to use, this fourth revised edition features: * 374 species, including 35 new additions - the book's biggest revision since first publication * 85 stunning colour paintings of New Zealand birds, including rare and recently extinct species * an introduction to key bird-watching sites * distribution maps and an in-depth guide to field identification * an additional handbook section that includes information on the distribution, habitat, population, conservation, breeding, behaviour and feeding habits of each species The only field guide to New Zealand birds officially endorsed by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand, this is the most authoritative reference available - a wonderful celebration of our extraordinary and diverse birdlife.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

"Describes the original avifauna of North Canterbury as revealed by the fossil evidence in the Pyramid Valley site and other sites in the area, gives the history of the Pyramid Valley site and its environment, and relates the past environment and avifauna to the present landscape"--Publisher information.

Land of Birds is a stunning new book of New Zealand bird illustrations. Using the structure of a naturalist's journal, Niels Meyer-Westfeld has created a very personal and sensitive tribute to this country's remarkable birdlife. The heart of the book is his beautifully detailed illustrations of birds, covering all of our best-loved wetland, sea and forest species. The main illustrations are supported by beautifully rendered sketches and working drawings. Accompanying the illustrations is text from the author, which provides information about the species, and anecdotes about the process of creating his artwork. His text is also an impassioned call for a greater awareness of the wider threats that so much of our endangered birdlife faces in New Zealand. Land of Birds will appeal to anyone with a passion for New Zealand's flora and fauna, particularly birds, as well as those with an interest in illustration and art.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• Evolution: last of the rhynchocephalians
• Isolation: Zealandia adrift
• Turmoil: the arrival of humans and other mammals
• Ngārara: tuatara and other reptiles in Māori tradition
• Discovered by science: the first 200 years
• Island populations and histories of study
• Ecology, feeding and behaviour
• Reproduction and life history
• Environmental relations: temperature, oxygen, water and light
• Conservation: past, present and future
• Latest developments.

Pick up virtually any textbook on vertebrate evolution and you will find mention of the curious reptile known as tuatara (Sphenodon). The special evolutionary status of tuatara as the last of the rhynchocephalians - one of the four orders of living reptiles - is unquestioned. Wild members of the sole living species are now restricted to a few dozen remote islands around the New Zealand coast, where for several centuries they have been observed and studied by humans. But are tuatara really unchanged "living fossils", or close relatives of dinosaurs, as sometimes portrayed? This is the first detailed monograph in decades about this enigmatic reptile, and the first to be illustrated in color throughout. The evolution, natural history, and conservation of tuatara are covered in comprehensive detail, providing a valuable resource for the specialist yet in a style accessible to a wide readership. The special place of tuatara in Maori and popular culture is also considered. Tuatara have survived alongside humans for more than 700 years, though with their numbers much reduced: what are their future prospects in a globally changing world? In this book, Alison Cree brings her personal experience of tuatara on more than 14 islands, in ecosanctuaries, and in captivity, to this wide-ranging overview.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

Illustrated with stunning new photographs by Brent Stephenson and drawing on the latest information from birders and biologists, Birds of New Zealand is the definitive introduction to the identification and behaviour of this country's extraordinary avian life. From the Kermadecs to Campbell Island, from beloved endemics to passing vagrants, from albatrosses and shearwaters to kiwi and kaka, the book ranges widely. Evolving on isolated islands without mammals, New Zealand's birdlife developed extraordinary diversity. After the extinction and habitat destruction wrought by humans, our birds today are now protected in parks and island sanctuaries and seen increasingly in farms and cities. Birds of New Zealand is the must-have guide to our extraordinary birds - a copy belongs in every bach and backpack.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

This is the first comprehensive reference on New Zealand freshwater fishes since the publication of Bob McDowell's field guide (Heinemann Reed) over 12 years ago. It includes all freshwater fishes, both introduced and native fishes, with useful identification charts at the back of the book for bullies and whitebait (diadromous galaxids). Rod Morris has gone to great lengths to capture the very best images and numerous colour photographs through the book will assist in identifying the male and female of the species, and the subtle differences between related fishes. An extensive introduction includes highly topical coverage of freshwater ecology and conservation issues surrounding the quality of New Zealand's waterways, making this book an invaluable information resource. In addition, keen anglers will be delighted to find full entries on trout, salmon, and rudd, including rare hybrids. And mini-maps provided for each entry give an indication of the distribution of each species throughout the country.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)