A history of a contested ideal: national parks for fauna conservation

Abstract

This paper a) gives an historical view of national parks and other protected areas since the 19th century, b) gives a history of national parks and nature reserves in NSW, c) shows how recent has been the recognition that fauna conservation depends upon protected areas, d) reflects how much has been achieved in the last 50 years, and e) considers what must be done to stop an ever-increasing list of our fauna becoming extinct, including identifying the crucial role of scientific study in this endeavour. The evolving debate of what burden protected areas should carry in conserving the nation's fauna is a central theme of this paper. The First World Congress on National Parks in 1962 produced ideals that are inspiring, connected and ecological. What was not apparent in 1962 was the scale of the problem of conserving the flora and fauna of the world. I present the case that the principles of protecting areas, fauna conservation and scientific research for nature conservation have been slow to take hold and uneasy in their political relationships as a land use option, but are now beginning to be seen as a key element in conserving a nation's wildlife. Protected areas, whether for wildlife, game, plants, ecosystems or scenery for public enjoyment, are a late competitor for large tracts of land. The historical account shows how distinct African, American, British and Australian protected area development has been, with common threads being how the ideal of protected areas is contested territory, and the linking over time of the concepts of fauna conservation and protected areas. The British story differs markedly from that in the USA and Africa. In 1943, a Nature Reserves Committee was appointed to draw up a rationale and list of National Habitat Reserves and Scientific Areas. Its report led directly to the appointment of the Nature Conservancy in 1949 charged with the establishment of National Nature Reserves, disseminating advice on nature conservation generally, and carrying out the research relevant to those responsibilities. These are crucial dates for the origin of nature reserves in Britain, the important role of research, and the central position of an ecological outlook on nature conservation, rather than the more limited label of preservation. Protected areas in Australia are often underestimated , both for wildlife research and as havens for fauna populations, and for the research value of protected areas to conserve biodiversity in NSW. The published articulation of these values, and specifically the value of National Parks and Nature Reserves for research, is hard to find except in the recent literature. A review of the last four decades of published papers shows how much has changed in this short time. Given the long history of resistance to establishing protected areas, Australia's fauna is at an ever-increasing risk of extinction as natural habitats are relentlessly lost to economic growth and a rising human population. The problem, as I read the historical record, is that although we are learning fast, ...

Protect our protected areas!: the value of protected areas for fauna research and conservation, a case study of New South Wales

“…We appreciate the modern, skilled, literate, computerbased interpretations of what needs to be done to conserve protected areas and make them efficient and to conserve wildlife beyond the boundaries of protected areas (Lunney 2017a). We are also acutely aware of the short time frame of the last half century from near total ignorance to today's handwringing about the inadequacy of protected areas to achieve meaningful conservation goals.…”

“…It took nearly a century for the value of protected areas for fauna conservation to become accepted (Lunney 2017a). One of our central theses in this paper is that much of what has been done to identify and establish National Parks and Nature Reserves in NSW is mostly new and mostly since WWII, with the modern expansion phase beginning in the late 1960s.…”

“…This paper plots the increase in value of protected areas in NSW for both fauna conservation and for scientific research. In parallel to examining the current records for NSW, the trends in the global picture and their application to Australia are examined by Lunney (2017a). However, the point reinforced here by the Promise of Sydney on the importance of protected areas for conserving biodiversity has been part of our working lives.…”

“…Consequently, we looked at the rate of acquisition of protected areas and wildlife data in an historical perspective. We took this long view so that the trajectory can be maintained, and not abandoned because the current list of protected areas falls short of newly-created ideals (Lunney 2017a). This long view is also presented so that colleagues in both government agencies and the universities recognise the importance of sustaining the effort to study our native fauna and the ever-increasing importance of protected areas in this endeavour.…”

“…Changing attitudes and legal support to conserving biodiversity have been critical to fauna conservation efforts in NSW; for example, reptiles did not become protected fauna in NSW until 1974, with the passage of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW), nor all frogs until 1992, following the implementation of the Endangered Fauna (Interim Protection) Act 1991 (NSW) (Lunney 2017a). From the time of the first National Park in 1879, to an expanded system of parks and reserves that has grown rapidly from the late 1960s, setting aside areas for nature has become increasingly important.…”