Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
be generated rapidly and efficiently in order to assist decision-making (Lesslie et al.
1993, 1995).
FROM IDENTIFICATION TO PRESERVATION
The purpose of wilderness inventory in Australia has, on the whole, been to identify
areas of wilderness quality for the possible enactment of conservation measures by
government. Inventories provide a systematic means of ensuring the designation areas of
high environmental quality. 'Recognition of wilderness is the necessary first step towards
protecting, appreciating and managing wilderness areas' (Manidis Roberts Consultants
1991:2). However, identifying an area as wilderness does not, by itself, ensure that its
wilderness qualities can be maintained; this may only be done through the appropriate
legislation and management. 'Decisions of this kind are inevitably judgemental, requiring
comparative assessments of the social worth of alternative and often conflicting landuse
opportunities' (Lesslie et al. 1988a:v). Nevertheless, from a management perspective:
The delimitation of wilderness management boundaries for any particular
location is a separate question. The major point to be made here is that the
commonly accepted practice of placing a wilderness management
boundary around a location of high wilderness quality, and ensuring no
wilderness degrading activities take place within, will not ensure the
retention of high wilderness quality. For instance, a development in lesser
quality wilderness on the margin of an area of higher quality wilderness
will reduce wilderness quality within the higher quality area.
The lesson to be drawn from this is that areas of lower quality
wilderness which fringe areas of high quality are important in maintaining
these quality areas. In order to ensure protection of wilderness quality, a
wilderness management area therefore must include all marginal areas.
(Lesslie et al. 1991b:20)
CONCOM (1986:8) proposed that the following key criteria be used to identify and
evaluate land which has potential as a wilderness area:
•
Remoteness and size:
a large area, preferably in excess of 25,000 hectares, where
visitors may experience remoteness from roads and other facilities.
•
Evidence of people:
an area with minimal evidence of alteration by modern technology.
However, CONCOM (1985) was not sure that these criteria would reflect differences
in landscape and ecological diversity across Australia. The CONCOM criteria may be
contrasted with the United States wilderness legislation which suggests as a guideline for
minimum wilderness size an area of 5000 acres (2023 ha), and where impacted
ecosystems may be included if they contribute to the viability and integrity of the
wilderness area. One of the ironies of the criteria for wilderness identification chosen by
CONCOM is that they exclude many of the wilderness areas that have already been
established under state legislation! According to CONCOM (1986:4), 'Wilderness areas
are established to provide opportunities for the visitor to enjoy solitude, inspiration and
empathy with his or her natural surroundings' The CONCOM position is to preserve the
