Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.6:
The blood-clotting proteins in Tiger Snake venom are being examined to develop new drugs to
stop excessive bleeding. (Photo by David Lindenmayer)
conservation of temperate woodland environments. The presence of native plants
and animals is one of the reasons many people want to live in rural Australia. They
experience feelings of well-being through knowing that native plants and animals
exist on their properties.
Medical science benefits
Many studies have demonstrated that a loss of biodiversity can lead to increased
incidence of human diseases
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ranging from malaria to Hendra and Australian bat
lyssavirus.
There are also many potential medical benefits of Australian biodiversity that
are currently unrealised. For example, Australia's snakes are renowned for the
efficiency with which they can immobilise their prey by injecting venom.
Australian snake venoms may have many uses in human medicine, including pain
relief, bacteria control and treatments of digestive problems, cardiovascular
disease, stroke and cancer.
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These medical breakthroughs can only happen if we
conserve snakes and their habitats.
Background material for this topic
This topic is based largely on our collective new insights into biodiversity research
and management in Australia's temperate woodlands. It draws substantially upon
