.png)
The tropics is sometimes referred to as the Torrid Zone. Aristotle hypothesised that human civilisation could not flourish in the Torrid Zone. Yet, nearly half the world's population live in this region.
The tropics, spanning the regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, are renowned for their lush rainforests, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse ecosystems. These areas, accounting for 40% of the world’s surface area, host about 80% of the world's biodiversity, harbouring countless species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Beyond their ecological importance, the tropics play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. However, the tropics face numerous threats. Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable, experiencing widespread bleaching and mortality due to warmer ocean temperatures.
Amid these challenges, global efforts are underway to protect and preserve the tropics. JCU contributes to these efforts through a multitude of research projects on tropical ecosystems. JCU’s research initiatives focus on marine and terrestrial biodiversity, climate change impacts, and sustainable development in tropical regions.
The JCU Open eBooks collection has several eBooks with particular relevance to our tropics:
Expedition to the Great Barrier Reef: The story of a ground-breaking scientific mission to Low Isles, Queensland in 1928-1929, an overview of its legacies. This is an engaging account of a marine science expedition in the tropics.
Pacific French intermediate workbook: This eBook was written for students of French language to highlight variations of the language and culture of the four Francophone island nations.
Beyond Cook: Explorers of Australia and the Pacific: This eBook presents a different context of Pacific exploration, linked to original journal entries and maps of the explorers.
These books are part of a larger project that addresses the increasing cost of textbooks to students, called the Textbook Affordability Project. Financial pressures are a key challenge for many students, and JCU Library is committed to making education accessible and equitable for all, by helping reduce the cost of prescribed textbooks. To address this issue, JCU Library has launched a Textbook Affordability Project (2024-2025) where library staff invite collaboration with first-year core subject stakeholders to investigate if free-for-student alternatives can be identified. Connect with JCU Library to participate or share a JCU story relevant to this transformative project.
Comments