The evolutionary history of the Australian flora and its relevance to biodiversity conservation

Australia's unique flora, once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, has undergone significant evolutionary changes due to shifting environmental conditions from wet to dry climates. While fossil records indicate a prevalence of rainforest communities during the Tertiary period, the continent's flora adapted to cooler, drier, and more seasonal environments. Quaternary glacial cycles further altered plant communities, creating transitional ecosystems distinct from today's landscapes. However, human activity has introduced new pressures, including habitat degradation, invasive species, and intensive land use, posing severe threats to biodiversity. The study emphasizes the need for proactive conservation strategies that integrate an understanding of species vulnerability to past, present, and future environmental changes.

Rossetto, M. (2014). The evolutionary history of the Australian flora and its relevance to biodiversity conservation. Austral Ark, 259–277. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781139519960.015