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Ecological and Cultural Understanding as a Basis for Management of a Globally Significant Island Landscape12.49 MB
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Ecological and Cultural Understanding as a Basis for Management of a Globally Significant Island Landscape
Coasts, Vol.2(3), pp.152-202
2022
Abstract
Islands provide the opportunity to explore management regimes and research issues related to the isolation, uniqueness, and integrity of ecological systems. K’gari (Fraser Island) is an Australian World Heritage property listed based on its outstanding natural value, specifically, the unique wilderness characteristics and the diversity of ecosystem types. Our goal was to draw on an understanding of the natural and cultural environment of K’gari as a foundation on which to build a management model that includes First Nations Peoples in future management and research. Our research involved an analysis of papers in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, original reports, letters, and other manuscripts now housed in the K’gari Fraser Island Research Archive. The objectives of the research were: (1) to review key historical events that form the cultural, social, and environmental narrative; (2) review the major natural features of the island and threats; (3) identify the gaps in research; (4) analyse the management and conservation challenges associated with tourism, biosecurity threats, vegetation management practices, and climate change and discuss whether the requirements for sustaining island ecological integrity can be met in the future; and (5) identify commonalities and general management principles that may apply globally to other island systems and other World Heritage sites listed on the basis of their unique natural and cultural features. We found that the characteristics that contribute to island uniqueness are also constraints for research funding and publication; however, they are important themes that warrant more investment. Our review suggests that K’gari is a contested space between tourist visitation and associated environmental impacts, with an island that has rich First Nations history, extraordinary ecological diversity, and breathtaking aesthetic beauty. This juxtaposition is reflected in disparate views of custodianship and use, and the management strategies are needed to achieve multiple objectives in an environmentally sustainable way whilst creating cultural equity in modern times. We offer a foundation on which to build a co-management model that includes First Nations Peoples in governance, management, research, and monitoring.
Details
- Title
- Ecological and Cultural Understanding as a Basis for Management of a Globally Significant Island Landscape
- Authors
- Kim Walker (Author)Claudia Baldwin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research ClusterGabriel Conroy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - LegacyGrahame Applegate (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Industries Research CentreClare Archer-Lean (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre - LegacyAngela H Arthington (Author)Linda Behrendorff (Author) - Queensland Parks and Wildlife ServiceBen Gilby (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringWade Hadwen (Author)Christopher Henderson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringChristine Jacobson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyDavid Lamb (Author) - The University of QueenslandScott Lieske (Author) - The University of QueenslandSteven Ogbourne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - LegacyAndrew Olds (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringLiz Ota (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research CentreJoachim Ribbe (Author) - University of Southern QueenslandSusan Sargent (Author)Vikki Schaffer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative IndustriesThomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringNicholas Stevens (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems ScienceSanjeev Srivastava (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research ClusterMichael A Weston (Author) - Deakin UniversityAaron Ellison (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
- Publication details
- Coasts, Vol.2(3), pp.152-202
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.3390/coasts2030009
- ISSN
- 2673-964X
- Copyright note
- © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Organisation Unit
- Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities Lab; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; Forest Industries Research Centre; UniSC Fraser Coast; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute; Centre for Bioinnovation; Sustainability Research Cluster; Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Business and Creative Industries; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99656398002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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