Bookshelf
The Bookshelf provides an overview of current publications that are relevant to the Australian water gardener. As far as possible all the books described are available in the Australian book trade, or if currently out of print, have been readily available through book-shops and therefore are likely to be in circulation in the second-hand book trade. With the Internet it is, of course, possible to purchase almost any book online about any subject and in any language.
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 The Bookshelf provides an overview of current useful publications about aquatic topics.
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However, there is no intention to attempt to represent the whole range of books on aquatic topics here. The intention is to represent what is currently in Australia, and also topical about aquatic plants and water gardening in an Australian context.
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 Information concerning waterfalls and fountains is likely to be the same for all countries.
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The greatest problem that the Australian water gardener has, is finding publications that originate in Australia and with authorship that is Australian or has an Australian background. Many of the books sold here originate from either the United Kingdom or United States. In the case of those that deal with fountains or waterfalls, there need be little concern about the information given as it is universal, but with plants and fish there are differences, especially with regard to prohibited species and climatic conditions, and readers should be aware of this.
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There is also the growing tendency with some large overseas publishers to amend a book title to appear as if it is specifically for Australian gardeners, when the content has received little or no adaptation from the original British or American text. Such books, and any that our editorial team believe contain questionable information, will not find a place on The Bookshelf.
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It is also important to omit any publications that do not have a measure of authority, and so celebrity written, or ghost written books will not be found here. Serious and practical books written by keen amateurs, especially those who have a long experience of growing a single plant group (e.g. Iris) will be presented as many specialist amateurs are very knowledgeable and professional in their plant group. At Australian Water Gardener the saying is heeded that “Amateurs built the Ark, but professionals built the Titanic!” The Bookshelf presents soundly written books by authors who know their subject, and it presents the best of what is currently available, especially for the novice water gardener. The presentation of the books on The Bookshelf is factual and not a review with opinion or comment, merely a brief description of each book and its content.
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 The Bookshelf presents soundly written books by authors who know their subject.
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 Native aquatics can make an important contribution and are worthy of study by the water gardener.
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The water garden is mostly a decorative feature where the gardener enjoys growing plants and maintaining a few fish. It is essentially a neat and well managed environment. However, some gardeners establish a pond for other purposes, especially the attraction of wildlife. Here native aquatic plants are often cultivated in tangled informality in order to provide food and cover for local fauna. So in a practical sense Australian native plants are useful, but in a wetland environment in nature they are often vulnerable and are a conservation priority. Gardeners are good at spreading the word on conservation, and often have serious botanical interests, so The Bookshelf presents publications about native aquatics and related conservation topics that are relevant.
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| Although there are constraints upon the keeping of fish in some Australian states, many people do enjoy having them, and a number derive a living from doing so. As with native aquatic plants there are also native freshwater fishes that are threatened by both man and exotic fish species. Again, the water gardener is at the heart of public concern for the welfare of native fish stocks and so The Bookshelf includes books which offers sound background information about these as well as the more traditional fish of the ornamental pond. |
 Australia is a country that is home to a rich diversity of fish life that make a fascinating study.
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