Geoscience Reference
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many different flora and fauna species, some vulnerable and rare, and
plays an important role in protecting Victoria's biodiversity (Parks Victoria
2003).
A component of one of PV's core management areas, fire management
plays an increasingly important role (Parks Victoria 2009). It has two key
aspects: protection and using fire for ecological reasons (Department of
Sustainability and Environment 2006). The focus will be on controlled
burning, conducted to reduce the impact of bushfires but also to protect
natural values and biodiversity through ecological fire management prac-
tices. These planned burns require extensive background information and
follow strict decision making processes before they take place. Systems
and tools are in place to assist with this and to provide access to key data
sources. At the same time, it is recognised that there may be information
gaps and that the only data available relied upon may have limitations for a
range of reasons. These can include the availability of anecdotal fire his-
tory records only, or flora and fauna records that rely on sightings but
without the resources or opportunity to take a more rigorous approach to
maintain and improve these.
As a results of recent severe bushfires, fire management and controlled
burning are somewhat topical issues on the current agenda of park manag-
ers in Victoria (and Australia generally). Having chosen this as a test topic
for the GKT seems prudent, so that an enhanced system for relevant data
access may be developed.
A fully developed GKT could be used by all PV's staff, as well as park
visitors or the general public - through designated terminals at a park visi-
tor centre for example. The case study will focus on the use of the GKT by
park rangers at WPNP.
5- Results
With the implementation phase underway, there are initial results for some
of the case study focused tasks.
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