Climate, People or Both – The Environmental Setting for late Quaternary Megafaunal Extinction in Eastern Australia

Prof. Patrick Moss - Deputy Head of School, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Queensland; RGSQ Councillor

Image source:The Conversation May 18, 2020

The key causes for the extinction of Australia’s megafauna (marsupials, reptile and birds >44 kg) around 50,000 to 40,000 years ago has been a highly contentious issue for Australian archaeology and palaeoecology. Key reasons have been attributed to overhunting by people, habitat change associated with human burning and/or natural climate change. This presentation will examine key palaeoecological sites from northern Queensland, central/southeast Queensland (including one site, South Walker Creek, in which palynological data has been directly related to megafaunal remains) and Tasmania to examine the landscapes of eastern Australia during the period of megafaunal extinction (Marine Isotope Stage 3). Evidence will be primarily drawn from analysis of fossil pollen and charcoal to provide insight into the environmental setting of the region, which in turn will illustrate the complexity associated with climate change and human presence within the region. This has important implications for resolution of the megafaunal extinction debate within Australia.

Please note: If you have registered for the Zoom live stream the lecture link will be emailed to you closer to the lecture date. Also, please make sure your microphone and camera are turned off when you join the meeting. The lecture may be recorded as well.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@rgsq.org.au.

RGSQ premises: Level 1, 28 Fortescue St, Spring Hill, Qld, 4000