Presentation by Dr Peter McIntosh
Royal Society Room
Tuesday, 5th April 2011 Commencing 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm
About the Speaker
Dr Peter McIntosh is a geologist working with the Forest Practices Authority
Brief Abstract of the Talk
The geological record indicates that in the last Glacial period the Tasmanian landscape was cold and dry in many areas, and locally subject to severe erosion. Nevertheless there is evidence that the marsupial megafauna survived until about 40000 years ago, when humans first occupied Tasmania by walking across the Bassian Plain. Fire frequency is likely to have increased after human arrival, and as a result of increased fire frequency the fragile Glacial period ecology is likely to have been drastically altered. The Quaternary geological record provides evidence for increased erosion after 40000 years before present, and supports the hypothesis that humans were indirectly responsible for the demise of the megafauna.
