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Conservation and the maintenance of biodiversity in the rangelands

Woinarski, JCZ and Fisher, A (2003). Conservation and the maintenance of biodiversity in the rangelands. Rangeland Journal,25(2):157-171.

Document type: Journal Article
Citation counts: Scopus Citation Count Cited 25 times in Scopus Article | Citations
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Title Conservation and the maintenance of biodiversity in the rangelands
Author Woinarski, JCZ
Fisher, A
Journal Name Rangeland Journal
Publication Date 2003
Volume Number 25
Issue Number 2
ISSN 1036-9872   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-1442334035
Start Page 157
End Page 171
Total Pages 15
Publisher CSRIO Publishing
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract There has been substantial loss of biodiversity in the Australian rangelands, and evidence suggests that the attrition is continuing. We argue that rangeland users should be more aware of, and concerned about, this problem: that we are sullying an international asset; that we are undermining the basis of a major rangeland industry, tourism; that we are sabotaging the potential for the development of alternative rangeland uses (most notably sustainable use of native wildlife); that such losses provide evidence that we are poor managers; that such losses diminish our lives; that such losses indicate that at least some of our environments are operating at reduced functionality; and that such losses take away or reduce important and wide-ranging environmental services. This loss is due to a complex array of factors, each affecting different components of biodiversity in different ways. Our responses are generally poorly coordinated across rangeland jurisdictions, and there is uncertainty about responsibilities across different land tenures. Given the diffuse but pervasive nature of the problem and the generally poorly coordinated and non-strategic current response, we suggest that biodiversity conservation needs to be far more clearly and systematically operationalised, that a clear goal for biodiversity conservation in the rangelands (maintenance of viable populations of all native species of plants and animals at appropriate spatial and temporal scales) needs to be developed, and that, from this, the community needs to set explicit targets relating to this goal, at continental, jurisdiction, regional and property scales. While we recognise that our existing knowledge base is imperfect, such limitation should not delay the implementation of these steps. We consider that there is sufficient management expertise to realise a rangeland biodiversity goal. However, there are two more serious impediments in achieving the goal: current lack of resources and of societal agreement.
Keywords biodiversity
conservation
extinction
rangelands
management
pastoralism
military land-use
northern-territory
landscape position
tropical savanna
arid australia
management
fire
assemblages
ecology
lizards
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RJ03013   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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