The Geography and Politics of Species Endangerment in Australia

Australia has the worst rate of recent plant and animal species extinction of any continent or country of its size, and a large number of surviving native species are also threatened with extinction Extinctions and endangerment are concentrated in those parts of the country where the transformation of native ecosystems into cultural ecosystems has been most complete. However, a considerable number of species have become extinct, or are now threatened because of the introduction of two organism. The fox has had a massive impact on the medium-sized mammal fauna and the cinnamon fungus threatens the extinction of many of Australia's most floriferous heathland species Institutional responses to the threat of continued loss of our unusual species have been belated and unco-ordinated, Only Victoria and Western Australia have adequate legislative provision for endangered species, and there has been some dispute on the adequacy of implementation in Victoria. A nationally funded endangered species programme was only initiated in 1988. The two million dollars per annum it distributes does not address the scale of the problem. Most non-government conservation organizations use endangerment as an argument for preserving large natural areas, but have yet to place the prevention of extinction near the top of their agenda Nevertheless, their activity has been, and will be, vital in the maintenance of Australian biotic variety.     

Space-Time, 'Science' and the Relationship between Physical Geography and Human Geography

This paper explores the possibility that there may be commonalities between physical geography and human geography in emerging ways of conceptualizing space, time and space-time. It argues that one of the things holding physical and human geography apart for so long has been their relationship to physics as an assumed model of 'science'. It is proposed here that not only is this an inadequate model of science but that it has led us astray in our inherited conceptualizations of both time and space. The urge to think 'historically' is now evident in both physical and human geography. The paper argues that this both forms the basis for a possible conversation and also obliges us to rethink our notions of space/space-time.     

Geography and Human Settlements in Ancient Southern Arabia

The use of remote sensing in archaeological research leads to a better understanding of the geography of ancient and modern South Arabia. The five main regions are discussed in relation to the conditions for settlement and farming. A case study from the heartland of the Kingdom of Awsān indicates in the lower part of Wādī Marha beginning of irrigation in the second half of the third millenium and an end already in the first half of the first millenium BC. The huge tell of Hǎar Yahirr seems to have been destroyed at the same time, whereas in the upper part of the wadi irrigation and settlements continue till the first centuries AD. On aerial pictures a dozen ancient settlements could be detected and located. Consequently, it may be suggested that Hǎar Yahirr is the site of the capital city of Awsān. The capitals of the ancient South Arabian kingdoms were all located along the most frequented camel route, the incense road. A comparison of the climatic conditions and the irrigation agriculture of Arabia Felix and the Fertile Crescent shows the difficulties of the transfer of know-how between these two fertile and rich regions on the Arabian Peninsula.     

Feminism,Praxis, and Human Geography

In this paper, we discuss the methodological implications of combining feminist and geographic research. In feminist research efforts, theory, method, and purpose of research are inextricable. We examine the meaning of this blending for the language, conceptualizations, methods, and scale used in feminist geographic research. Through feminist geographic research, we can build a continuity of women and men as feminist writers inside the academy and in the community. The goal of this more inclusive research and knowledge is the transformation of gendered power relations.     

Academic Freedom,Intellectual Diversity,and the Place of Politics in Geography

Abstract: This paper examines the conservative critique of higher education in the USA. I argue, first, that the right's call for greater “intellectual diversity” in American higher education should be understood as an attack on the professional self‐regulation and disciplinary autonomy that are central to academic freedom in this country. Second, I suggest that the right's politicization of politics in the academy brings to light the importance of our developing a vision of the university that accounts for rather than disavows the political nature of the work we do.     

人文地理学新思维

本文从社会变革的角度审视人文地理学学科的发展。指出:传统思维的局限性源起于传统社会的运行特征。伟大的社会变革为人文地理学转变思维引来了契。新的思维体现在实证方法的主体地位的确立、规范方法与实证方法相分离、中层理论研究的加强、参与能力的强化、服务对象和目的的多元化、政策研究的意义、研究领域的拓展等。