This dot point requires you to not only be able to identify and differentiate between the two types of management, but also ‘evaluate’ (judgement based on criteria) whether the ecosystem management strategies in question fit the criteria of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD).
Traditional Management: The management of ecosystems practised by indigenous cultures. (You may refer to traditional management strategies now employed by indigenous park rangers as part of their role)
Contemporary Management: The current strategies used to manage ecosystems.
Traditional Land Management
The concept of ‘traditional land management’ revolves around the concept of ‘stewardship’. Stewardship denotes a sense of responsibility placed upon the individual to care for or look after a certain thing, within this context, land or ‘country’. Various indigenous cultures have strong connections with their homelands, none more so than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia.
Watch the video below to see one example of traditional management of a World Heritage listed area of the Northern Territory.
Traditional Ecosystem Management as part of the AWC’s EcoFire program
Skim read this webpage and define the term Indigenous Ecological Knowledge.
Read this article from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
- Briefly outline the characteristics of the “Working on Country Program”.
- What are the stated benefits of this scheme?
- Describe the scale of this national program.
- Identify some of the locations in which this program is taking place across Australia by clicking on the interactive map.
- Choose three programs, one from three different states. Briefly describe the characteristics of the program as it relates to ecosystem management.
Read pages 22-25 of the document The Benefits Associated with Caring for Country and summarise the ‘environmental benefits’ associated with this program.
A very modern issue, human induced climate change has divided the scientific community, but is there something to learn from the bank of traditional ecological knowledge held by traditional peoples globally?
Contemporary Environmental Management
“There is no one measure of successful ecosystem management. Any perceived success must be measured over a sufficient period of time to ensure that it is not part of the normal fluctuations within an ecosystem.”
Having adequate benchmark data is essential to measure any success, or of course failures. This may be in the form of population data regarding species of flora and fauna or other indicators of ecosystem health.
A management strategy is a plan of attack; a response to the problem or concern at hand. It is a way of achieving specific goals and objectives. Fundamental to any discussion about the management of ecosystems at risk is the distinction that needs to be made between the various management approaches and the philosophies that underpin them. Four broad approaches can be identified: preservation, conservation, utilisation and exploitation.
Preservation: refers to the protection of a habitat (or species) in its existing form. Ecosystems are ‘quarantined’, people are denied access and resources remain unused.
Conservation: involves active resource management. It involves the planned use of natural resources in an effort to minimise waste and environmental damage. Resource uses are limited to those that will not damage ecosystems such as ecotourism. Resources that are used are done in a sustainable manner. Flora and fauna are not threatened.
Utilisation: involves the replacement of an ecosystem with a human made environment that is capable of providing a sustainable yield. Sustainably managed commercial agriculture is an example of utilisation. Flora and fauna are disrupted.
Exploitation: occurs when an ecosystem’s resources are used irrespective of the ecological consequences. Ecosystems are often destroyed, or reduced in extent, as a result of this exploitation. Flora and fauna are devastated.
Underpinning these approaches are the following key attitudes that help us to define the relationship people have with the environment.
Environmental imperialism: This anthropocentric world view holds that everything in nature is subordinated to the needs and wants of humans. Ecosystems exist as resources to be exploited for profit.
Utilitarianism: this view is based on the belief that things only have value if they contribute to the happiness and well-being of people.
Stewardship: This view contends that humans occupy a privileged position in relation to the rest of nature. People have a responsibility to protect and nurture the land for the benefit of future generations. They are custodians of the land.
Romanticism: This view values the beauty of nature. Advocates support by the protection of wilderness areas; that is, those places unaffected by the activities of people.
Radical environmentalism: This includes a wide range of views ranging from those who advocate the right of all species to survive to those who argue against all forms of development.
(Kleeman et al., 2008, p.44-45)
The Tarkine area between the Arthur and Pieman Rivers in North Western Tasmania is somewhat of contested area, which possess significant natural beauty and biodiversity. Named after the Aboriginal people of the area, the area contains a wildly diverse landscape – including Australia’s largest patch of temperate rainforest – and a world of natural treasures including mountain ranges, wild river and cave systems, buttongrass moorlands, and a rugged coastline with long sandy beaches, grassy woodland and coastal heath. It is not a designated national park, but adjoins the 100,000 hectare Arthur Pieman Conservation Area, itself containing a wealth of natural wonders and Aboriginal sites of great archaeological significance. Evidence of the lives of past Aboriginal communities can be seen in the many shell middens, hut depression sites, artefacts and rock engravings – and today’s Tasmanian Aborigines still have powerful connections to this place.
This vast tract of Tasmania, although vast and relatively untouched by human influence, is the subject of many arguments between many groups within Tasmania. The state, which has and continues to struggle economically, is one of extremes when it comes to environmental attitudes. Bob Brown, the founder and former leader of the Australian Greens Political Party is a Tasmanian who continually fights for areas such as the Tarkine, whereas others including politicians, business leaders and individuals see the area as an area for utilisation.
The Savage River Mine, Operated by Grange Minerals is an open cut Iron Ore mine with three pits that range from 100 to 150m, with plans in hand to deepen them to close to 250m. The Savage River itself flows through the mine site and empties into the Pieman River, then to the Southern Ocean. The Chinese owned company employs 600 workers.
With unemployment being an issue within the Tasmania there is constant argument between utilisation and conservation. Some argue that conservation and preservation will see Tasmania continue to decline in economic strength. Whereas those who believe that ecotourism and other sustainable economies will see steady, but long term economic growth. The government who of course wants to keep its seats, must carefully balance these two perspectives and choose a plan that is both sustainable, but economically viable.
The Greens: Proposal to extend the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA)
Mining the Tarkine- The State of Play
Tarkine a question of values: mines versus ancient rainforest
Bob Brown’s new campaign: development through the Tarkine wilderness
Connectography 