Changes in Ecosystem Management
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The concept of "wilderness" or, ecosystems in a state untouched by human activity, is controversial. It is unlikely that this has ever occurred and is an overly romantic idea of ecosystems. It is more likely that Indigenous peoples has used ecosystems in a sustainable way since they occupied a location.
However, this is not that Indigenous people have had no impact on ecosystems. Indigenous Australians' use of mosaic burning and fire stick hunting is likely to have altered vegetation patterns. Research by Author Bruce Pascoe in his book Dark Emu (2014), indicates that Indigenous communities in Australia had significantly more advanced civilisations than has previously been assumed, however the style of agriculture and crops used varied so greatly from that of the Europeans it was not acknowledged as civilisation. In order to produce food without damaging the fragile Australia environments, Indigenous groups practiced mosaic agricultural systems, utilised fish trap structures and cultivated native crops. Early europeans also believed they were managing ecosystems. However, unjustified beliefs about ecology such as "rain follows the plough", lead to significant environmental damage. "The Dust Bowl" of the US and Canadian prairie, a series of severe dust storms in the 1930s had it origin in unsustainable dryland farming practices. Australian landscapes continue to be affected by introduced species, topsoil erosion and salinity due to unsustainable land management. Today, as larger populations with greater resource use affect ecosystems more than even a scientific and quantitative approach to ecosystem is increasingly recognised as necessary. The incorporation of indigenous knowledge and the recognition of the wisdom found in traditional knowledge is being increasingly recognised. As is the priceless value of eco-services such as pollination, flood mitigation and air filtration. |
"The Dust Bowl" resulted from excessive agricultural pressure on the North American prairie in the 1930s.
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Traditional Ecosystem Management
The indigenous and traditional peoples of the world have developed a vast variety of management practices. Even within Australia, no one set of practices could be assigned to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.
However, a common theme is that the ecosystem is valued at the spiritual level. Indigenous cultures developed a immense knowledge of country through the use of its resources for food and fibre and the embedding of country into cultural practices, such as religious belief, stories, dance, language and song.
localised cultural practices included, nomadic lifestyles, burning practices, taboos, hunting seasons, totem animals and more.
The traditional owners of Ningaloo Reef
While the Wann-gal clan used Badu and other Parramatta River mangroves for food and fibre.
However, a common theme is that the ecosystem is valued at the spiritual level. Indigenous cultures developed a immense knowledge of country through the use of its resources for food and fibre and the embedding of country into cultural practices, such as religious belief, stories, dance, language and song.
localised cultural practices included, nomadic lifestyles, burning practices, taboos, hunting seasons, totem animals and more.
The traditional owners of Ningaloo Reef
While the Wann-gal clan used Badu and other Parramatta River mangroves for food and fibre.
Global Approaches to Contemporary Ecosystem Management
Many aspects of ecosystem management take are arranged and agreed upon at the global level. For example:
IPCC and Paris Agreement
World Heritage Listing
RAMSAR
JAMBA, RoKAMBA and CAMBA
CITES
Global agreements have the advantage of providing external scrutiny to local government actions. This may mean that valuable sites will be prioritised over development, as was the case with the Maud's Landing resort development at Ningaloo Reef in 2003. However, World Heritage listing has not benefited the Great Barrier Reef to the same effect.
Global environmental agreements are also very difficult to secure, which can result in no action being taken. This was evident between the Kyoto Protocol (1992) and the Paris Agreement (2016). This delay of over 20 years on climate change action will have effects on all the world's ecosystems.
IPCC and Paris Agreement
World Heritage Listing
RAMSAR
JAMBA, RoKAMBA and CAMBA
CITES
Global agreements have the advantage of providing external scrutiny to local government actions. This may mean that valuable sites will be prioritised over development, as was the case with the Maud's Landing resort development at Ningaloo Reef in 2003. However, World Heritage listing has not benefited the Great Barrier Reef to the same effect.
Global environmental agreements are also very difficult to secure, which can result in no action being taken. This was evident between the Kyoto Protocol (1992) and the Paris Agreement (2016). This delay of over 20 years on climate change action will have effects on all the world's ecosystems.
Local Approaches to Contemporary Ecosystem Management
For ecosystems within Australia, Australian laws relating to endangered species and environmental protection apply. Ecosystems that stretch beyond State borders is managed as a Commonwealth Marine Park.
However, the day to day management of ecosystems will usually take place at a local scale jurisdiction. At Ningaloo Reef, management is undertaken by CALM, the Western Australian Government body. However, NSW and local governments handed over the operation of Sydney Olympic Park to the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA).
Day to day management of ecosystems utilises both general approaches and specific strategies.
General Approaches:
Scientific monitoring and planning
Precautionary Approaches
Zoning
However, the day to day management of ecosystems will usually take place at a local scale jurisdiction. At Ningaloo Reef, management is undertaken by CALM, the Western Australian Government body. However, NSW and local governments handed over the operation of Sydney Olympic Park to the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA).
Day to day management of ecosystems utilises both general approaches and specific strategies.
General Approaches:
Scientific monitoring and planning
Precautionary Approaches
Zoning
Ningaloo Reef StrategiesFishing Limits
sanctuary zones totalling approximately 88,365 ha, which represents 34% of the Park; Enforcement and monitoring Development planning assessment Whale Shark and Turtle monitoring Information sharing between all levels of management |
Badu Intertidal Wetland StrategiesCreation of a leachate network
Fencing and feral animal controls Restoration of hydrology through bund wall segmentation and "smart gate" installation Boardwalk Installation Educational signage |
Evaluation of Contemporary Management Strategies
Further Reading
Management Plan For The Ningaloo Marine Park Management Area, 2005-2015