Conservation In Australia Research Articles

Lunney D (ed.), 2004. Conservation of Australia's forest fauna (second edition).

Lunney D (ed.), 2004. Conservation of Australia's forest fauna (second edition).

Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna (Second Edition)

Review: Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna (Second Edition) By Daniel Lunney (Ed.) Reviewed by Elery Hamilton-Smith Charles Sturt University, Australia Daniel Lunney (ed.) Conservation of Australia’s Forest Fauna (2 nd edition). Sydney, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. 2004. 1070pp. ISBN 0 9586085 8 X. RRP $AU75, plus packaging and postage. This remarkable book encompasses 62 separate papers, yet provides an integrated overview of Australian forest fauna. Further, much of the story which it presents is more-or-less true of most modernising nations, and the quality of contributions is such that the book provides a model which would be of interest and value to scholars and forest stakeholders throughout the world. As in every country, there are significant gaps in knowledge, many of which are, in this collection, at least outlined in beginning studies of often- neglected areas. The book commences with a review of the social, political and cultural context within which forest management takes place and identifies many of the central issues. One of the refreshing and valuable aspects of the book as a whole is particularly evident here, where professionals employed by state forest management agencies discuss the shortcomings and even failures of policy, legislation and management practice. Such open discussion is particularly welcome in this age of globalize acceptance of dominant hegemony with its general lack of critical assessment. It may still not be critical enough for some stakeholders, but at least it provides an informed and in-house perspective on the problems. Another invaluable perspective is Lunney’s recognition of cultural contexts, and the attention given to both our first people and to the very different traditions of neighbouring Papua New Guinea. The book’s beginning is followed by two further sections: one reviewing forest regions as a whole, and the other focussing on either single key species or groups of species. These sections not only give a state-of-the-art review of current research, but also provide the essential historical dimension that must underlie any sound examination of conservation issues. This historical dimension is particularly well covered in discussions of changing public perceptions, changing public policies, legislation and conservation practice, and the changing structural character of the timber industry. Finally comes a group of papers dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to forest management, and a closing overview of what

Paintings conservation in Australia today: analysis of an industry

Paintings conservation has changed considerably over the past 30 years following the introduction of the Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) and a training facility at the University of Canberra in 1978. Since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of qualified local conservators, who are spread across both private and public sectors. Museums and galleries are now more likely to have their own conservation staff, or failing that, a private consultant nearby. This has in turn impacted on collections and collection management, improved attitudes towards the profession, and recognised the need for paintings conservators in Australian public institutions. To date, there has been no thorough research undertaken into the size and distribution of paintings conservation in Australia. The aim of this research, therefore, is to assess the current state of the industry; what and where the supply of conservation services is compared with actual demand. Information was gathered from secondary sources as well as from direct primary research, in the form of interviews and questionnaires, which were sent to both practicing paintings conservators and public art collections. This article presents research findings in relation to the demographics, educational, employment, facilities, attitudes and levels of research and professional development of the current paintings conservation sector. The data generated by the surveys provides useful statistical information on the industry, which should be of interest to all participating conservators, collecting institutions and the industry in general. The results in graphical form (Figs 1–4 and Appendix 1) and the questionnaires used (Appendix 2) are presented to assist future researchers wishing to refer to or retest the data.

Redressing the Limnological Imbalance: Trends in Aquatic Ecology, Management and Conservation in Australia

Redressing the Limnological Imbalance: Trends in Aquatic Ecology, Management and Conservation in Australia

Agricultural Land Retirement and Slippage: Lessons from an Australian Case Study

This paper uses a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to examine the economic implications of agricultural land retirement from wool production for conservation in Australia. Employing an innovative specific-factors characterization of production to generate short-run and long-run results, we show that the potential welfare gains from land retirement can be significant. However, in several scenarios examined we find that slippage in agricultural production is significant, resulting in reduced welfare. Our slippage results provide insights into the relationship between the potential causes of slippage and describe how a land retirement policy can be designed to minimize this effect. (JEL C68, Q24)

Conservation of Australia's Forest Fauna (second edition).

When I reviewed the first edition of this volume I expressed the hope that there would be a second edition. However, had I any inkling of the prodigious amount of work which the second edition must have caused the editor Dan Lunney, I may have been a little less forthright. The first edition of Conservation of Australia?s Forest Fauna published in 1991 created not only a treasure trove of relevant information but also a benchmark in Australian conservation. Forest Fauna 2nd ed. constitutes an updated and vastly expanded benchmark by presenting a snapshot of the contemporary state of forest conservation science in Australia.

On the identity of flying-foxes, genus Pteropus (Mammalia: Chiroptera), from islands in the Torres Strait, Australia

Five flying-fox species (Pteropus scapulatus, P. alecto, P. conspicillatus, P. macrotis, and P. banakrisi) have been reported from islands in the Torres Strait, situated between northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. However, vouchered specimens demonstrate that Torres Strait records of the Large-eared flying-fox (Pteropus macrotis) actually reflect misidentifications of the Little Red flying-fox (P. scapulatus), and that the type series of Pteropus banakrisi Richards & Hall, 2002 (a newly-described species supposedly endemic to Moa Island) consists only of subadult individuals of the Black flying-fox (P. alecto). Only three flying-fox species are therefore known from the strait. These re-identifications underscore the importance of voucher specimens in biological investigations and have important implications for bat conservation in Australia. Pteropus macrotis is removed from the list of mammal species known from Australia, and banakrisi is placed in the synonymy of P. alecto.

The public's knowledge of and support for conservation of Australia's tree-kangaroos and other animals

After providing background on Dendrolagus species in Australia, two consecutive surveys of Brisbane's residents are used to assess public knowledge of tree-kangaroos and the stated degree of support for their conservation in Australia. The responses of participants in Survey I are based on their pre-survey knowledge of wildlife. The same set of participants completed Survey II after being provided with additional information on all the wildlife species mentioned in Survey I. Changes in the attitudes of respondents and their degree of support for the protection and conservation of Australia's tree-kangaroos are measured, including changes in their contingent valuations and stated willingness to provide financial support for such conservation. Reasons for wanting to protect tree-kangaroos are specified and analysed. Furthermore, changes that occur in the relative importance of these reasons with increased knowledge are also examined. Support for the conservation of tree-kangaroos is found to rise with the additional knowledge supplied about all species and is compared with variations in support for protection of other mammals. Support for the conservation of Australia's less well known tropical mammals is found to increase relative to better known mammals (icons) present in temperate areas, such as koalas and red kangaroos. Possible implications of the results for government conservation policies in Australia are examined.

The listing and de-listing of invertebrate species for conservation in Australia

Formal listing of species for protection is a responsible action in conferring conservation priority, and must be undertaken as objectively as possible, and redundant entries that distract from priority need be removed. Diverse groups, such as invertebrates, pose problems for listing because criteria of ‘rarity’ and ‘threat’ are often confounded. Species de-listed as a result of recovery action are a special category, in which conservation investment has been made; the principle of recognising these as ‘rehabilitated species’ with a formal duty of aftercare is discussed. Although the paper focuses on invertebrates in Australia, the principles have wider relevance in species-level conservation focus.

Taking forward the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in Australia

Taking forward the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in Australia

Guiding principles for sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY means many things to many people. Thus, the challenge is to find a set of guidelines aimed at achieving sustainability that will be relevant to everyone. One set of six guidelines for the integrated management for agricultural production and nature conservation in Australia was developed from the expert knowledge and opinions of farmers and scientists. In effect, the guidelines are practical suggestions which can be translated easily into what farmers and land managers actually do:

Tree hollows and wildlife conservation in Australia

Tree hollows and wildlife conservation in Australia

The Economics and Politics of Wilderness Conservation in Australia

Wilderness conservation has a checkered history in Australian politics. Initially, wilderness was protected in national parks, and specific areas or legislation did not exist. In the 1960s, wilderness conservation became an important issue in Australian politics. Pressure from environmental groups and the general public created several conflicts. Several successes were scored by the joint efforts of interest groups, the public, charismatic individuals, the media, and support of governments and politicians. A number of areas were declared wilderness areas and several states now have wilderness protected through legislation. The 1990s have not been as good as the previous decades for wilderness. Large forest areas are still being cleared and bias toward consumptive use of forest by governments is emerging. Clearly, wilderness protection in Australia is intensely political. It is important that interest groups maintain pressure to protect future wilderness. Efforts to obtain national legislation for wilderness and to couch wilderness in terms of other aspects such as biodiversity and ecosystems values may prove necessary.

The past, future and present of biodiversity conservation in Australia

Australia has a poor record for biodiversity conservation. Government and community priorities promote growth and resource exploitation over conservation and ecologically sustainable land and water use. Programmes to protect biodiversity are inadequate, poorly funded, and inappropriate. Consequently, Australia has a large extinction debt and the 21st Century will see massive losses of continental biodiversity. Because birds are well known, these trends are already evident among Australia's avifauna and illustrate the magnitude of the problems facing biodiversity conservation in 21st Century Australia. Only by ending land clearing, limiting population growth, and adopting scientifically based land and water management and conservation practices can these trends be reversed. This is unlikely, as Australia's largely urban population is ill-informed, while the scientific community is marginalized and the agenda of green groups perpetuates the status quo.

Musings of a Frustrated Scientist

Research that is directed towards conservation in Australia is largely carried out by staff in State or Commonwealth departments, in CSIRO and in universities. The findings are generally put into practice by other branches of the same government departments, by bushcare and landcare groups, by non-government organization (NCO) community groups, and by consultants. The latter often provide contractual services to the practitioners of conservation.

Visions and viability: How achievable is landscape conservation in Australia?

Visions and viability: How achievable is landscape conservation in Australia?

Revising the Burra Charter: Australia ICOMOS updates its guidelines for conservation practice

This paper outlines the revisions made in 1999 to the Burra Charter, the core doctrine for heritage conservation in Australia that was first adopted by Australia ICOMOS in 1979. It examines the reasons why changes were needed, including broadened perceptions of heritage, new understandings of heritage significance, and recognition of the need for community input into conservation decisions about its heritage.The review process, which took five years, changed its procedures halfway through after members of Australia ICOMOS roundly rejected a draft, while agreeing that a revision should still take place. Following a thorough consultative process with members, the text of the 1999 revision of the Charter was resoundingly endorsed (the text is included here as an Appendix).The paper describes how the revised Charter differs from the previous text. The changes lie primarily in the recognition that heritage value, or significance, may be embodied in the uses, associations and meanings of a place, in addition to its physical fabric. Other key changes include incorporation of a flowchart explaining the conservation planning process; the seeking of community input; and the recognition that interpretation is an integral part of good heritage management practice.

Building blocks and stepping stones: some key foundations in the development of rock art conservation in Australia

AbstractAustralia has come to be regarded as at the forefront internationally in the development of sound theoretical and technical approaches to the conservation of rock art, and in the way in which conservation is practiced here sensitive to the social context of a continuing, custodial indigenous community. This reputation has arisen in the last 20 years, as heritage managers, Aboriginal communities and academics have attempted to respond to the frequently voiced fears that we were on the brink of ‘losing’ the continent's rock art heritage. In 1980 and 1981, the Joint Academies Committee on the Protection of Prehistoric Places met to discuss national directions and priorities in rock art conservation. This paper looks at some of the key achievements arising from the Committee's recommendations which have formed crucial stepping stones to bring rock art conservation to where we stand now. In doing this, the paper specifically seeks to recognise the contribution of Andrée Rosenfeld and place in context the contribution she has made to rock art conservation, most prominently through her book: Rock art conservation in Australia. In revisiting this recent history, a number of priorities for future activity in rock art conservation become apparent.

Wilderness and its place in nature conservation in Australia

Most of the concepts considered under the broad umbrella of nature conservation have changed considerably during the last century. This is the result of an evolving process driven primarily by the rapid and sustained transformation of natural systems due to agricultural and industrial development, growth in public awareness and appreciation of the value of natural systems, and developments and shifting priorities in conservation science. Prevailing views and accepted principles are necessarily challenged as a part of this process. At present, both in Australia and internationally, the concept of wilderness is under challenge. In particular, its relevance and role in nature conservation is being questioned in the light of present priorities such as the conservation of biodiversity and concerns over global environmental change. This is taking place against a background of changing understandings as to the relationship between indigenous societies and the environment.

Conservation of Australia's Forest Fauna

Conservation of Australia's Forest Fauna should provide a jolt to both the thought police and the development whisperers. Lunney's editing has elegantly exposed the astounding lack of basic knowledge of our forest fauna and the consequences of poorly researched management decisions.