Is biodiversity really the link between conservation and ecologically sustainable management? A reflection on paradigm and practice

Abstract

Nature conservation practice is increasingly required to stand within a context of multiple use as land and its resources come under greater pressure of use by people. Although biodiversity conservation is now universally adopted as the banner under which international and national conservation programmes march, it is not clear that it has widespread support based on an understanding of all its ramifications. Conversely land users in Australia and in tropical countries do indicate an understanding and acceptance of conservation objectives which focus on the processes which support ecosystem productivity. A focus on conservation of the ecological processes which perpetuate vegetation as habitat, water and the fertility of soil, may better integrate nature conservation into other land uses. This essay explores some of these questions in relation to two wetland areas in Indonesia. The Pantai Timur Mangrove Nature Reserve in Jambi Province, Sumatra is valuable for the conservation of certain migratory birds; however, it is so dynamic that species diversity is not significant. Despite this, ecological functions which have created the ecosystem may be critical to the continued productivity of the land and the quality of life of the people who live in it. In contrast the coastal wetland forests of Bunaken National Park are remarkably stable and while they are critical to ecological regulation of the quality and productivity of that environment, they also offer very special biodiversity values. The implications of these examples are examined in relation to conservation practice and to ecologically sustainable management. Design is proposed as a means through which local communities might take some control of land management in order to retain, restore or create landscapes which have sustainable, rich and productive natural and human attributes.