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Paula Rafferty

Plants on the brink Conversing with the Earth 1 by Julie Haddrick



Australia one of 12 megadiverse countries and because of the geographical isolation, there is a very high number of endemic species.  (only occur naturally in Australia). Unfortunately, since European invasion /colonisation, the introduction of alien plants, animals, diseases, urbanisation, climate change, habitat loss and habitat degradation and interruptions to the ecological processes such as fire and floods, have taken its toll on many species. This is particularly the case in more densely populated eastern and southern parts of the continent. (The Conversation; Misha Ketchell editor May 13 th 2021.) Western settlement has caused a huge number of species to be either highly endangered or extinct. This was where my interest lies; in the human interaction and destruction or degradation of natural ecosystems.  My series of 3 quilts in ‘Conversations with the Earth’ are all related to this theme.  My research has uncovered that numerous plant species (33) have not survived western invasion / settlement 200 years ago and sadly the highly endangered species list (206) is following closely behind. For the first quilt, I have compiled a list of 20 endangered or extinct plants in my region and have illustrated them as herbaria specimens; labelled plants laid out onto card. 

The following two designs in this series will consider animals, mammals, birds, reptiles, bugs, frogs and butterflies that have been made extinct or almost. I would like my work to not only incite interest in this worldwide phenomenon but perhaps invite participation and involvement in different global ecosystems.



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